World Surf League: Showstoppers Set Up Finals Day Draws at VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero

World Surf League
Jun 21
8 min read

World No. 1’s and Event Favorites Face Upheavals Leading Into Finals Day
Brazilians Storm Toward Finals Day Amid Brewing Upsets
Tya Zebrowski and Nadia Erostarbe Take Down World Champions
CALLED OFF FOR THE DAY, Next Call June 22 at 8.30am BRT (11.30am BST)

Pictured: The WSL Championship Tour's youngest-ever qualifier, Tya Zebrowski (FRA), secured her career-best result today at the VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero after a defeat of Carissa Moore (HAW) in the Quarterfinals. Credit: WSL / Ana Catarina

SAQUAREMA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Saturday, June 20, 2026) – The Saquarema fandom lined the beaches for more pivotal action at the VIVO Rio Pro Presented By Corona Cero, Stop No. 6 of the 2026 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT). Pristine conditions provided four-to-six-foot wave faces for the world’s best to provide high-performance showdowns with the women’s Round One, Heats 7 - 8, Round Two, men’s Round Three, and women’s Quarterfinals all unfolding. Upsets were aplenty with both men’s and women’s World No. 1s facing elimination alongside more event favorites, as CT Rookies and rising stars made their mark in Brazil.

World No. 1’s and Event Favorites Face Upheavals Leading Into Finals Day

An incredible performance from World No. 1 Gabriela Bryan (HAW) provided the event’s best showing so far in her Round 2 debut with a 17.33 (out of a possible 20) heat total against Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS). But, a world-class Quarterfinal witnessed 2023 World Champion Caroline Marks (USA) overcome Bryan to storm toward her first Semifinal of 2026.

“This place definitely changes a lot with tides and swells. The swell is fading with the higher tide, and the sun was your face going left, but that’s a big part of our sport, and you have to adapt” said Marks. “I knew that going out there. The first heat was pretty slow, and I just wanted to back myself in every decision I made. I felt really confident which is a good feeling and I’m just glad it worked out.”

Fellow event favorite and Brazil’s own Luana Silva (BRA) delivered a buzzer-beater against Isabella Nichols (AUS) to surge toward the Quarterfinals. But, 2026 standout Sawyer Lindblad (USA) kept her remarkable Finals Day track record thriving, moving through to her fourth Semifinal of the season. Placing runner-up in her only previous VIVO Rio Pro appearance, Lindblad is looking to go all the way and claim her first CT victory in 2026.

"This event is probably one of the biggest events of the year, crowd-wise, and just so much going on. It's really exciting. I am always so excited to come to this event because of the atmosphere," said Lindblad. "It looked really fun on the beach, and I was super excited to get out there. And then immediately when I paddled out, I was like, oh my gosh, the glare is so bad right now for the lefts. On the waves, it was definitely a challenge, but I kind of just blindly went through my waves. I'm happy I made it through."

Brazilians Storm Toward Finals Day Amid More World Champion Upsets

Current World No. 1 and 2019 World Champion, Italo Ferreira (BRA), provided a showcase of his own for the Brazilian fandom in an all-Olympic Gold Medalist rematch with Kauli Vaast (FRA). Ferreira’s inspiring performances in El Salvador translated to more success with the masses on the beach roaring for Ferreira and João Chianca (BRA), as both were in the water at the same time in the overlapping format. Chianca rode the wave of his hometown crowd’s energy past George Pittar (AUS).

“I think it was just the spirit to win. I was making so many mistakes in that heat, and I wasn’t proud of the work I was doing,” said Chianca. “But I knew that 6.50 was a way to acknowledge the scoring out there. I knew the rights were scorable, and it’s just the wave I like to ride. When it showed, I just had to put nice turns, critical, and end section impact felt nice so I knew it was out there somewhere and just had a hard time finding it. I’m glad I believed until the end.”

But, Vaast’s powerful forehand overtook Ferreira to shake up the rankings after a massive upset pushed the 2026 CT Rookie into the Quarterfinals for a third time this season.

“I’m stoked. Especially to be here, it’s a crazy vibe when you’re against the number one-ranked Italo [Ferreira]. He’s the man here, everyone loves him, and I was the underdog in that heat,” said Vaast. “I love to be in this situation. It’s a good mental game to try to be cold, concentrated, and just do your thing. To be in this situation motivated me a lot, to be with the best is always amazing, and to make this heat is amazing. Now we’re one-to-one."

But Yago Dora (BRA) and the Pupo brothers, Samuel Pupo (BRA) and Miguel Pupo (BRA), provided more spark for the storm with their brilliant showings. Samuel’s excellent 8.17 (out of a possible 10) set the tone in Round 3, taking down perennial World Title threat Jack Robinson (AUS).

“I feel like it’s just such a good energy here for me, and I feel like I thrive off everyone’s energy and positivity on the beach,” said Pupo. “It’s a beautiful moment in surfing to be down here on a sunny day in Brazil. The crowd is here, and I just wanted to perform for them and my family, and that’s what I did, so I’m happy to get it done."

His older brother and fellow Top 10 competitor, Miguel Pupo (BRA) overcame early event standout Callum Robson (AUS) with his world-class forehand attack, but it was Dora who stole the show against dangerman Marco Mignot (FRA). Dora’s insatiable power and precision posted an excellent 8.50 and accrued a 15.00 heat total over Mignot as Dora looks for a second VIVO Rio Pro event victory heading into the Quarterfinals.

“I saw that was a really good wave, and had a lot of potential. At the beginning of the heat, we didn’t really get many of the bigger sets, and as soon as the wave popped up I knew it was special,” said Dora. “The first turn was really important to start big, and I didn’t really know how it would look from the sand but I guess it looked pretty good.”

Plus, a show-stopping performance from Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) added one of the event’s highest heat totals of a 16.50 in a dominant Round Three showing over Australia’s Liam O’Brien (AUS).

Tya Zebrowski and Nadia Erostarbe Take Down World Champions

Career-best results for CT Rookies Tya Zebrowski (FRA) and Nadia Erostarbe (ESP) witnessed them advance to the Semifinals in their respective Quarterfinal heat wins. Zebrowski, who already overtook eight-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), powered her way through Round Two by besting CT veteran Lakey Peterson (USA) before taking on five-time World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist, Carissa Moore (HAW). The 15-year-old phenom, Zebrowski, held firm following her quick start and got one back on Moore after their Gold Coast Pro bout to keep charging in Rio.

“I don’t really have a secret. I just didn’t really think about it when I was against Steph [Gilmore], but of course I was thinking about it going against Carissa [Moore],” said Zebrowski. “She beat me in Snapper, so I really didn’t want her to beat me again. I just tried to stay focused on myself, not watch her too much, and stay focused on my game. That was an incredible heat, and I was really stressed out there. But, I’m just so glad to make it to the Semifinals.”

Erostarbe sent shockwaves through proceedings, earning an excellent 8.33 and 7.50 over 2024 World Champion and two-time VIVO Rio Pro winner Caitlin Simmers (USA). This marks Erostarbe’s second CT Semifinal, and she will now face Zebrowski in the Semifinals.

“I’ve been surfing and competing for a really long time, but I feel like I haven’t had the results I expected,” said Erostarbe. “This year, I feel like I’ve been able to show my surfing. Even in the previous heat, I didn’t think I showed my best surfing. I had a lot of mistakes and really bad wave selection, but this heat felt really good. To get my big score on my forehand felt great as I feel it’s my weakness, but I’m really excited to make that heat.”

Freestyle Motocross and Brazilian Navy Demonstrations Thrill Saquarema Crowd

Fans were treated to a spectacular Freestyle Motocross exhibition from Brazilian riders Diego Dias and Gio Bergamini, who launched more than 10 meters into the air while performing synchronized jumps and high-level tricks. The showcase, presented by FK Sports, was the first of its kind in Saquarema.

Another incredible display for the massive crowd came from the Brazilian Navy (MB), who delivered a public aerial demonstration showcasing the operational capabilities and versatility of its Naval Aviation fleet. The presentation featured attack maneuvers, rescue operation simulations, and flyovers, highlighted by the AH-11B Super Lynx and UH-15 Super Cougar helicopters.

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero Women’s Round One (Heats 7-8) Results

HEAT 7: Bella Kenworthy (USA) 10.10 DEF. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 8.93

HEAT 8: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 11.00 DEF. Tyler Wright (AUS) 10.46

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero Women’s Round Two Results

HEAT 1: Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.50 DEF. Erin Brooks (CAN) 13.30

HEAT 2: Tya Zebrowski (FRA) 14.33 DEF. Lakey Peterson (USA) 11.03

HEAT 3: Nadia Erostarbe (ESP) 8.40 DEF. Molly Picklum (AUS) 7.67

HEAT 4: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 15.10 DEF. Bella Kenworthy (USA) 13.60

HEAT 5: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 17.33 DEF. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.26

HEAT 6: Caroline Marks (USA) 14.00 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 13.00

HEAT 7: Luana Silva (BRA) 12.47 DEF. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 12.20

HEAT 8: Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 14.03 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 9.67

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero Women’s Quarterfinal Results

HEAT 1: Tya Zebrowski (FRA) 12.70 DEF. Carissa Moore (HAW) 7.77

HEAT 2: Nadia Erostarbe (ESP) 15.83 DEF. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 12.23

HEAT 3: Caroline Marks (USA) 13.04 DEF. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 11.90

HEAT 4: Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 12.86 DEF. Luana Silva (BRA) 12.26

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero Men’s Round Three Results

HEAT 1: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA)

HEAT 2: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Liam O'Brien (AUS)

HEAT 3: Morgan Cibilic (AUS) vs. Matthew McGillivray (RSA)

HEAT 4: Joao Chianca (BRA) vs. George Pittar (AUS)

HEAT 5: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Italo Ferreira (BRA) Kauli Vaast (FRA)

HEAT 6: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)

HEAT 7: Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Marco Mignot (FRA)

HEAT 8: Callum Robson (AUS) def. Michael Pupo (BRA)

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero Women’s Semifinal Matchups

HEAT 1: Tya Zebrowski (FRA) vs. Nadia Erostarbe (ESP)

HEAT 2: Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Sawyer Lindblad (USA)

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero Men’s Quarterfinal Matchups

HEAT 1: Samuel Pupo (BRA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)

HEAT 2: Morgan Cibilic (AUS) vs. Joao Chianca (BRA)

HEAT 3: Kauli Vaast (FRA) vs. Ethan Ewing (AUS)

HEAT 4: Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA)

Strong onshore winds and a decrease in swell have forced event organizers to call the event OFF for the day. With a new swell and favorable conditions on the way, expectations are high for an epic finish at the VIVO Rio Pro.

“The event has been called off for the day due to the strong onshore southwest winds and drop in swell size at Praia de Itaúna,” said Renato Hickel, WSL VP of Tours and Competition. “There is an expected pulse in swell expected for tomorrow on Monday, so we’re going to have another call at 8:30 local time for a possible 9:05 start. Chances are small for running heats tomorrow, but we’ll check things out to see if we can finish the men’s Quarters and then finish things off when the new swell arrives.”