INTERNATIONAL NEWS - The World Surf League (WSL) continued into Day 2 action at the Los Cabos Open of Surf Junior Women's event and completed Round 2 - but not without some surprising early exits for Top Seeded surfers.
The international field of competitors is proving great competition for the North America regional surfers who are vying for points toward a Junior Title. The conditions proved challenging once again as the Junior Women grinded through eight heats of competition to set up Round 3.
Sophie McCulloch (AUS) powered through yesterday's competition and earned another heat win with an excellent 8.33, the highest single-wave score of Round 2, as her last scoring ride. Holding onto a 6.40, McCulloch scored the highest heat total of Round 2 as well with a 14.73 and has her strategy set up with positioning being a key factor.
"I feel really good now that that heat is over - it was a super rough heat only catching three waves to get a first place finish," McCulloch said.
"I just wanted to get another six to solidify the heat and win they called out an eight it was pure relief. I've found a good spot out there and where to be lined up with the beach but it's hard at the start when everyone's trying to get the inside and get pushed deep. We get caught wide and it closes down so I work to stay more where an open face will come through."
Powering through a Zippers gem, Zoe McDougall (HAW) posted an 8.17 to start the trend of Top Seeds falling out of the contest - eliminating Caroline Marks (USA) and Valeria Peconi (MEX) in the process.
Though she could only find a small 1.20 backup, the Hawaiian used her priority in the proper manner and kept Marks off a wave toward the end of the heat - experience she will need at the Women's QS6000 level when that contest gets underway.
