<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The second edition of the QS 3,000 <a href="https://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2023/qs/102/rip-curl-pro-search-taghazout-bay/main" target="_blank">Rip Curl Pro Search Taghazout Bay</a> is approaching fast as the competition window opens on February 18 and runs through February 26, 2023. This regional Qualifying Series (QS) event, part of the African and European tours, will be the first event of 2023 in both regions. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The fields are stacked in both the men and women divisions with almost 200 competitors registered to compete in Morocco. A healthy mix of seasoned competitors, hungry up-and-comers and local talent will take on the powerful rights of Anchor Point in what promises exciting action early in the year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Headlining the European contingent will be current QS rankings leader <strong>Gatien Delahaye</strong> (FRA) and former Championship Tour (CT) surfers<strong> Joan Duru</strong> (FRA) and <strong>Frederico Morais</strong> (POR) alongside rising stars <strong>Tiago Carrique </strong>(FRA), <strong>Marco Mignot </strong>(FRA) and <strong>Luis Diaz </strong>(CNY). The best five surfers in the region at this point will have to contend with another 100 or so competitors, all vying for precious ranking points on offer to secure a spot into this year’s Challenger Series (CS). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Making their first appearance in Taghazout, Europe’s best female surfers will all be there as well, including <a href="https://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/510420/francisca-veselko-and-jarvis-earle-crowned-2022-world-junior-champions-at-sambazon-world-junior-championships-hosted-by-best-western" target="_blank">freshly crowned women’s World Junior Champion</a> <strong>Francisca Veselko</strong> (POR). The 18 year-old Portuguese surfer now has the difficult task to confirm her incredible form on the QS and ultimately the CS where she has earned a full time slot for the coming season. Joining her in Morocco will be former Olympian <strong>Yolanda Hopkins</strong> (POR), <strong>Ariane Ochoa</strong> (EUK), <strong>Camilla Kemp</strong> (DEU) and <strong>Carolina Mendes </strong>(POR) to wrap up the regional Top 5, as well as another 40+ surfers. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Adin Masencamp</strong> (ZAF) and <strong>Zoe Steyn </strong>(ZAF), the current WSL Africa regional ranking forerunners will lead a 20-strong crew into the Rip Curl Pro Search Taghazout Bay as they eye the backhand of their QS season and qualification for the upcoming Challenger Series.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fans in Morocco will also be able to cheer on their own as surfers from the host country will try to showcase the local talent pool. In the absence of <strong>Ramzi Boukhiam</strong>, in Hawaii for the start of the CT, the likes of <strong>Othmane Choufani</strong> (MAR), <strong>Teva Bouchgua</strong> (MAR) and <strong>Ranya Squalli</strong> (MAR) among others will pick up the torch and represent the local community at Anchor Point.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Wildcards Announced to Challenge Seasoned Competitors</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Four more athletes will join the field to challenge the best from Europe and Africa, receiving wildcards into the event.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We’re really happy to offer this opportunity to <strong>Abdel El Harim</strong>,” Yann Martin, Rip Curl Europe team manager stated. “Abdou has been an integral part of our team since he was 14 and a great ambassador throughout his career. Today he’s a mentor for a younger generation and he trains the future of Moroccan surfing in his surf camp in Rabat. His powerful, backhand surfing is likely to score big on the long rights of Anchor Point. We’re also proud to give a wildcard to our newest team member <strong>Alys Barton</strong>. At only 18 she has a bright future ahead and we’re hoping this opportunity will boost her confidence and help turn in big results.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Royal Moroccan Surfing Federation has also awarded wildcards to its current national champions <strong>Aboubakar Bouaouda</strong> and <strong>Lilias Tebbai</strong> as they lead the home contingent in Taghazout.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Rip Curl Invites New Generation with GromSearch European Final</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the eve of the Rip Curl Pro Search Taghazout Bay, the European Final of the Rip Curl GromSearch will take place in Taghazout. 42 surfers from all over Europe competing in Under-16, Under-14 and Under-12 categories, both boys and girls for the titles. The Rip Curl GromSearch is a real hotbed of young talent, having uncovered future World Champions such as 8x World Champion <strong>Stephanie Gilmore</strong> (AUS), 3x World Champion <strong>Gabriel Medina</strong> (BRA) and many more. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 2023 Rip Curl Pro Pro Search Taghazout Bay is scheduled from February 18-26, 2023, at Anchor Point, Taghazout Bay / Morocco. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to <a href="https://www.worldsurfleague.com/" target="_blank">worldsurfleague.com</a>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rip Curl Pro Search Taghazout Bay is supported by Rip Curl, Taghazout Bay, CIH Bank, Maroc Telecom, Afriquia Gaz, Aïn Atlas, Marsa Maroc, Fairmont Taghazout Bay, Wilaya of Region Souss Massa, Region Souss Massa, Taghazout Municipality, SDRT, Morocco Kingdom of light, Arma Environnement, 2M, U Radio, Radio Mars, Surf Report Maroc among others.</div>