World No. 14 Yolanda Hopkins pulled off a major upset, ousting World No. 3 Gabriela Bryan to advance to the quarterfinals of the inaugural World Surf League Championship Tour Philippines Pro at the iconic Cloud 9 reef break in Siargao on Saturday.
Hopkins delivered in Heat 2 of the women’s competition, posting a combined score of 10.10 from waves worth 5.27 and 4.83 to eliminate the highly ranked American and set up a quarterfinal showdown with World No. 6 Caitlin Simmers.
The event is presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, with the support of Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers, General Luna Mayor Johnson Sajulga, and Vice Mayor Romina Sajulga.
Bryan finished ninth with a combined score of 7.00, courtesy of waves worth 4.00 and 3.00, earning 2,000 championship points.
The competition unfolded under four- to six-foot waves, challenging the world’s best surfers to showcase their skills, while calm winds helped maintain a steady lineup.
Also advancing to the quarterfinals was Simmers, who dominated fellow American and World No. 11 Caroline Marks in their opening-round encounter.
Simmers posted an impressive 15.17, combining scores of 9.00 and 6.17 to secure her place in the next round.
Marks, meanwhile, managed only 9.00 from waves worth 5.50 and 3.50, likewise settling for ninth place and 2,000 championship points.
Beyond her impressive performance, Simmers expressed her admiration for Cloud 9, describing the famed Siargao break as one of her favorite surfing destinations because of its technical challenges and the opportunities it offers for creative maneuvers.
“Honestly, I keep telling people it’s one of my favorite waves on the planet because it’s just really tight, and you kind of have to do some exciting things in the spaces you get. It’s pretty hard to just do your stock-standard couple of turns on it,” said Simmers.
The American explained that Cloud 9 demands creativity and precise timing, as its changing sections require surfers to adjust their approach while looking for opportunities to execute difficult maneuvers.
She also singled out the wave’s end section as a promising spot for aerial moves, expressing hope that the world’s top female surfers would seize the opportunity to showcase their skills.
“I think I’m just hoping all the girls do airs because these are the best surfers in the world, best women in the world. And I know every single one of them can do an air on that end section. It’s just a matter of timing, really,” she said.
With Cloud 9 offering both technical challenges and opportunities for spectacular maneuvers, Simmers expects the competition to produce exciting performances as the world’s best female surfers continue their battle for a place in the next round.
The event is also supported by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Department of Tourism, Department of Public Works and Highways, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, and NEA/SIARELCO.
