<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Olympic Surfers To Compete in Upcoming Mexico Championship Tour Event</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After making history in <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/events/tokyo-2020-surfing" target="_blank">Tokyo</a> this week and winning surfing’s first-ever Olympic gold medals, reigning WSL Champions <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/carissa-moore" target="_blank">Carissa Moore</a> (HAW) and <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/italo-ferreira" target="_blank">Italo Ferreira</a> (BRA) will now focus their attention to 2021 CT and their respective World Title campaigns. <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/kanoa-igarashi" target="_blank">Kanoa Igarashi</a> (JPN) and <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/owen-wright" target="_blank">Owen Wright</a> (AUS) also came away with success at the Olympic Games, with Igarashi winning silver and Wright winning bronze. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Moore, Ferreira, Igarashi, and Wright will get back to competing on the CT for the World Title at the <strong>Corona Open Mexico presented by Quiksilver</strong>. Gold medalist Moore is currently No. 1 in the world, and has already clinched a spot in the WSL Final 5, while Ferreira currently sits as World No. 2, and will go to Mexico with the extra confidence of an Olympic medalist. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Wildcards and Trials Winners To Join World’s Best Surfers In Mexico</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Long-standing CT competitor and World Title contender, <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/julian-wilson" target="_blank">Julian Wilson</a> (AUS) recently announced an indefinite break from professional surfing, withdrawing for the remainder of the 2021 CT. With that, WSL replacement <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/michael-wright" target="_blank">Mikey Wright</a> (AUS) will be competing in the remaining CT stops for this season before the <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/events/mens-wsl-finals-2021" target="_blank">Rip Curl WSL Finals</a>, the <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/events/mens-corona-open-mexico-presented-by-quiksilver-2021" target="_blank">Corona Open Mexico presented by Quiksilver</a> and the <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/events/mens-outerknown-tahiti-pro-2021" target="_blank">Outerknown Tahiti Pro pres. by Shiseido</a>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Currently ranked seventh on the North America QS Regional Rankings, local surfer sensation <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/jhony-corzo" target="_blank">Jhony Corzo</a> (MEX) has been awarded the event wildcard through long-standing partner, Corona. Corzo was the first Mexican to ever win the ISA Surfing Games in 2017 and will join the world’s best surfers competing in his backyard. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“To compete at home with the world’s best has been my childhood dream,” said Corzo after receiving the event's wildcard news. “The return of the Championship Tour to my lovely country Mexico, and to the magical Barra de la Cruz, is a great way to showcase my surf in the CT right at home. I’m thankful to God, my family, and especially to my sponsor, Corona and to WSL for making this possible. Time to shine!"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The two remaining wildcard posts for women and men will be decided by the local trials event. The trials are scheduled for August 3 at Barra de La Cruz and will be contested by 24 Mexican surfers selected by the Mexican Surfing Federation and the Oaxaca State Surf Association. A total of 16 men and 8 women will fight for one spot in each division: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Corona Open Mexico Presented by Quiksilver Men’s Trials:</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Alan Cleland (Colima)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Dylan Southworth (Nayarit)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Luis Rey Hernández (Guerrero)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Diego Cadena (Nayarit)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Kevin Meza (Baja California)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Adrian Rodriguez (Nayarit)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Martin Olea (Baja California Sur)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Vicente Trujillo (Guerrero)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Roger Ramirez (Oaxaca)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Jafet Ramos (Oaxaca)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Nahúm Corzo (Oaxaca)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Cesar Petroni (Oaxaca)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Jimel Corzo (Oaxaca)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Sebastian Williams (Oaxaca)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Jesús Leyva (Barra de la Cruz, Oaxaca)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Cristian Yael Ruiz (Barra de la cruz, Oaxaca)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Corona Open Mexico Presented by Quiksilver Women’s Trials:</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Maya Larripa (Oaxaca)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Valeria Peconi (Oaxaca)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Summer Sivori (Oaxaca)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Regina Pioli (Oaxaca)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Shelby Detmers (Mexicanos en el exterior)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Isabelle Leonhardt (Colima)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Alexia Ceballos (Sinaloa)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Mariana Valencia (Baja California)</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Corona Partners with WSL To Continue Fight for Ocean Health</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://worldsurfleague.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9c75f4cf1e19118d57c2f963e&id=b1821c6faa&e=2ee39f75b0" target="_blank">Corona</a> and the WSL will continue their fight for ocean health by working together to ensure that the event site is left unharmed. Corona’s commitment to protect paradise goes beyond awareness and clean-ups efforts. The brand is removing remaining plastics across its supply chain, launched the Corona Plastic-Free Challenge and just became the first Global Beverage brand to achieve a net Zero Plastic Footprint, meaning it recovers and recycles more plastic than it uses across the entire supply chain. This milestone was achieved through a 5-year commitment with a local recycling center, Mexico Recicla.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Watch LIVE on <a href="https://worldsurfleague.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9c75f4cf1e19118d57c2f963e&id=b877de2832&e=2ee39f75b0" target="_blank">WorldSurfLeague.com</a> and the <a href="https://worldsurfleague.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9c75f4cf1e19118d57c2f963e&id=5037515441&e=2ee39f75b0" target="_blank">WSL App</a></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The event window for the <strong>Corona Open Mexico pres. by Quiksilver (<a href="https://www.boardriding.com/events/mens-corona-open-mexico-presented-by-quiksilver-2021" target="_blank">Men's</a> & <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/events/womens-corona-open-mexico-presented-by-quiksilver-2021" target="_blank">Women's</a>)</strong> <strong>opens August 10 and the holding period runs through August 19</strong>. The event will be <strong>broadcast LIVE</strong> on <a href="https://www.worldsurfleague.com/" target="_blank">WorldSurfLeague.com</a> and the free <a href="https://worldsurfleague.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9c75f4cf1e19118d57c2f963e&id=5037515441&e=2ee39f75b0" target="_blank">WSL app</a>. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL's broadcast partners. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>COVID-19 Updates</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The health and safety of athletes, staff, and the local community are of the utmost importance and there are a robust set of procedures in place to keep everyone safe, including rolling out extensive testing protocols, maintaining a protected bubble zone for athletes and staff, and closing the beach to the public.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The WSL encourages fans to watch the event online at WorldSurfLeague.com, which will broadcast live in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>The Corona Open Mexico pres. by <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/brands/quiksilver" target="_blank">Quiksilver</a> is proudly supported by our partners Corona, <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/brands/quiksilver" target="_blank">Quiksilver</a>, Jeep, <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/brands/redbull" target="_blank">Red Bull</a>, <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/brands/oakley" target="_blank">Oakley</a>, Hydro Flask, Expedia, and DraftKings.</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Corona Open Mexico pres. by Quiksilver Women’s Seeding Round 1 Matchups:</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Heat 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Keely Andrew (AUS), Macy Callaghan (AUS)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Heat 2: Johanne Defay (FRA), Malia Manuel (HAW), Lakey Peterson (USA)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW), Bronte Macaulay (AUS), TBD</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Heat 4: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), Courtney Conlogue (USA), Brisa Hennessy (CRI)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Heat 5: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Isabella Nichols (AUS), Sage Erickson (USA)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Heat 6: Caroline Marks (USA), Tyler Wright (AUS), Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Corona Open Mexico pres. by Quiksilver Men’s Seeding Round 1 Matchups:</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Heat 1: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN), Owen Wright (AUS), Alex Ribeiro (BRA)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Heat 2: Griffin Colapinto (USA), Matthew McGillivray (ZAF), Mikey Wright (AUS)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Heat 3: Morgan Cibilic (AUS), Kelly Slater (USA), Adrian Buchan (AUS)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Heat 4: Filipe Toledo (BRA), Jadson Andre (BRA), Kolohe Andino (USA)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Heat 5: Italo Ferreira (BRA), Deivid Silva (BRA), TBD</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Heat 6: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Jeremy Flores (FRA), TBD</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Heat 7: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Caio Ibelli (BRA), Connor O'Leary (AUS)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Heat 8: Conner Coffin (USA), Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA), Jack Freestone (AUS)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Heat 9: Yago Dora (BRA), Ethan Ewing (AUS), Michel Bourez (FRA)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Heat 10: John John Florence (HAW), Miguel Pupo (BRA), Wade Carmichael (AUS)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Heat 11: Frederico Morais (PRT), Seth Moniz (HAW), Jack Robinson (AUS)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Heat 12: Ryan Callinan (AUS), Adriano de Souza (BRA), Peterson Crisanto (BRA)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;">For more information, please visit <a href="https://www.worldsurfleague.com/" target="_blank">WorldSurfLeague.com</a>. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>About the World Surf League (WSL)</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Established in 1976, the <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/associations/world-surf-league" target="_blank">World Surf League (WSL)</a> is the home of the world’s best surfing. A global sports, media and entertainment company, the WSL oversees international tours and competitions, a studios division creating over 500+ hours of live and on-demand content, and via affiliate WaveCo, the home of the world’s largest high performance, human-made wave. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, the WSL has regional offices in North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and EMEA.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The WSL annually crowns the men’s and women’s surfing World Champions. The global Tours and Competition division oversees and operates more than 180 global contests each year across the Championship Tour, the development tiers, including the Challenger, Qualifying and Junior Series, as well as longboard and big wave properties. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Launched in 2019, WSL Studios is an independent producer of unscripted television projects, including documentaries and series, which provide unprecedented access to athletes, events, and locations around the world. WSL events and content are distributed on linear television in over 743M+ homes worldwide and across digital and social media platforms around the world, including WorldSurfLeague.com. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">WaveCo includes the Surf Ranch Lemoore facility and the utilizing and licensing of the Kelly Slater Wave System.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The WSL is dedicated to changing the world through the inspirational power of surfing by creating authentic events, experiences, and storytelling to inspire a growing, global community to live with purpose, originality, and stoke.</div>