<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Tatiana Weston-Webb Claims Second CT Win, Jumps to World No. 2</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/tatiana-weston-webb" target="_blank">Tatiana Weston-Webb</a> (BRA) has earned the second CT event win of her career after besting seven-time WSL Champion <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/stephanie-gilmore" target="_blank">Stephanie Gilmore</a> (AUS) in the Final. The 25-year old posted an excellent 16.23 two-wave score (out of a possible 20) to Gilmore’s 15.00 for the win at Main Break in Margaret River. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I can’t explain how incredible this feels,” Weston-Webb said. “Steph is one of the best surfers of all time and was always someone I looked up to so much, so it was incredible to come up against her in a Final. You don’t often get to surf against a seven-time WSL Champion so this feels amazing. I’m just thankful I took a win after a second-place finish at the last event.” </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">En route to her Final victory, Weston-Webb eliminated local hero <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/bronte-macaulay" target="_blank">Bronte Macaulay</a> (AUS) in the Semifinals. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I want to say that this win is for the Macaulay family,” continued Weston-Webb. “I came up against Bronte earlier today and seeing her show up for her heat was so brave. I can’t imagine what she has been going through. They are an amazing family with so much love and are such a big part of surfing here in the West and my condolences are with them.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Following today’s win, Weston-Webb has secured the best start to a CT season and now jumps to World No. 2 on the leaderboard. With the new <a href="https://worldsurfleague.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9c75f4cf1e19118d57c2f963e&id=88b11aca36&e=2ee39f75b0" target="_blank">Rip Curl WSL Finals</a> format, Weston-Webb has put herself in a strong position to lock herself into the Final 5 for a chance to win the 2021 World Title. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Filipe Toledo Takes Down Jordy Smith In Main Break Final</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/filipe-toledo" target="_blank">Filipe Toledo</a> (BRA) was in searing form on Finals Day, building momentum through each heat he surfed and saving his best performance for last, posting a two-wave combination of 17.33 (out of a possible 20), one of the highest of the event and the 76th excellent heat total of his career. Toledo’s trademark frontside power-hacks seemed to match the Main Break grunt pound-for-pound as the exciting natural-footer gouged and sliced his way to victory with the equal second-highest total of the entire event.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> This result sees Toledo rocket from 8th to 3rd on the rankings as he eyes a spot at the <a href="https://worldsurfleague.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9c75f4cf1e19118d57c2f963e&id=9de21a32a1&e=2ee39f75b0" target="_blank">WSL Rip Curl Final</a><strong>s</strong> later this year. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“This has been a really fun week,” Toledo said. “There have been such amazing waves and amazing surfing from everybody so to come out on top feels so good. This one is for my son Koa, it’s his birthday today and he asked me to win the trophy. I promised him I would and I could not break the promise, so this one's for you son, I love you. This win will be a huge jump on the rankings for me which I needed. This Tour is all about consistency and if you’re not showing up in the Finals often, you won’t make that Final 5, and that’s my biggest goal for the year, to give myself that chance.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/jordy-smith" target="_blank">Jordy Smith</a> (ZAF) snuck his way into the Finals at Margaret River with a number of narrow margins separating him from his opponents. It wasn’t until his Semifinal that he showed everyone that he was a solid chance at taking victory at Main Break, a wave that has always suited his style of surfing. In the Final, Smith was unable to find an answer back to Toledo's massive scores but the South African was still stoked to find himself back in the mix on Finals Day for the first time on the 2021 Australian leg.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“What a week,” Smith said. “I always enjoy coming to West Aus and it’s because it offers up waves like we’ve had here for this entire contest. I had a good time today and was stoked to make it into a Final for the first time in who knows how long. Next, I just need to win one of these things. I’m just excited to try and keep some momentum and head over to Rottnest Island and hopefully go one better over there.” </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Finals Breakthrough for 7x WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore </strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Seven-time WSL Champion <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/stephanie-gilmore" target="_blank">Stephanie Gilmore</a> (AUS) earned her best result of the season and her highest placing in Margaret River with a runner-up finish today at Main Break. In her 47th Final appearance, Gilmore was looking to clinch her 32nd CT victory, but it wasn’t to be as Weston-Webb pulled out one of her bigger performances to overcome Gilmore. Gilmore will now head to the Rip Curl Rottnest Search sitting in third place on the world rankings as she looks for her first victory since 2019. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“At the start I let Tatiana take that good one when I had priority and she got an 8.50,” Gilmore said. "That threw me off from the start, but I did keep positive that I could do it. I know I can get a 9.50 at this spot, but Tatiana is such a tough competitor and amazing surfer so I’m really just stoked to have made the Final out here. This is not a strong location for me, so I’m just stoked to have made the Final here for the first time. Tatiana is such an amazing competitor and her backhand is so strong especially on the closeout section here at Main Break, she was always going to be tough to beat. I’m looking forward to heading to Rottnest now and hopefully get past the Quarterfinals once again.” </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Bronte Macaulay Equals Career-Best Result on Home Soil</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The opening women’s Semifinal saw <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/bronte-macaulay" target="_blank">Bronte Macaulay</a> (AUS) paddle out with huge support from the surfing world and local community. Macaulay showcased incredible commitment and courage throughout her heat, posting the highest single wave of the matchup but was unable to find a backup. Weston-Webb won the heat to progress into the Final, while Macaulay took her best result at Margaret River and the equal-best result of her career along with gaining huge admiration from her fellow competitors and surf fans around the world. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Reigning World Champions Ferreira and Moore Fall Short on Finals Day </strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/carissa-moore" target="_blank">Carissa Moore</a> (HAW), who led the rankings heading into this event, looked certain to progress into her third Final of the season as she tore through the field posting massive heat totals in every round but the semifinals where she was pipped at the post by eventual runner-up Gilmore. Similar to Moore, the men’s reigning World Champion <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/italo-ferreira" target="_blank">Italo Ferreira</a> (BRA) was unable to progress through his Quarterfinal heat with compatriot <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/filipe-toledo" target="_blank">Filipe Toledo</a>. Although he finished in equal 5th place, Ferreira hangs on to the second position on the 2021 WSL rankings. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Up Next: Rip Curl Rottnest Search pres. by Corona</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Competitors will now shift their focus to the fifth event of the Championship Tour, the <strong>Rip Curl Rottnest Search presented by Corona (<a href="https://www.boardriding.com/events/mens-rip-curl-rottnest-search-presented-by-corona-2021" target="_blank">men's</a> & <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/events/womens-rip-curl-rottnest-search-presented-by-corona-2021" target="_blank">women's</a>),</strong> with the event window opening on <strong>May 16 and running through May 26</strong>. The event will be broadcast LIVE on <a href="https://www.worldsurfleague.com/" target="_blank">WorldSurfLeague.com</a> and the free <strong><a href="https://worldsurfleague.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9c75f4cf1e19118d57c2f963e&id=314dc3df58&e=2ee39f75b0" target="_blank">WSL app</a></strong>. 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;"> Although Rottnest Island will remain open for visitors while hosting the event, spectators will not be permitted at Strickland Bay as this will be a broadcast-only event. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>The Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro pres. by Corona is proudly supported by our partners Boost Mobile, Tourism Western Australia, Corona, Red Bull, Oakley, Hydro Flask, Rip Curl, Harvey Norman, Bonsoy, Dometic Outdoor, Bond University, Oakberry, Healthway and Shire of Augusta Margaret River.</em> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </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;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro Women’s Final Results:</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 1 - Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 16.23</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 2 - Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.00</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro Men’s Final Results:</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 1 - Filipe Toledo (BRA) 17.40</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 2 - Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.23</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro Women’s Semifinal Results:</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> HEAT 1: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 12.27 DEF. Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 9.00</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> HEAT 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 12.24 DEF. Carissa Moore (HAW) 12.00</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro Men’s Semifinal Results:</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> HEAT 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.33 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 15.16</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> HEAT 2: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.16 DEF. Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) 13.74</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro Men’s Quarterfinal Results:</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> HEAT 1: Griffin Colapinto (USA) DEF. John John Florence (HAW) INJ</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> HEAT 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.00 DEF. Ryan Callinan (AUS) 10.90</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> HEAT 3: Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) 15.43 DEF. Seth Moniz (HAW) 9.73</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> HEAT 4: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 13.90 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 13.73 </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="https://worldsurfleague.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9c75f4cf1e19118d57c2f963e&id=f3be67bf89&e=2ee39f75b0" target="_blank">WSL Women’s Championship Tour Leaderboard Final 5:</a></strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 1 - Carissa Moore (HAW) 29,970 pts</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 2 - Tatiana Weston Webb (BRA) 26,495 pts</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 3 - Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 22,035 pts</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 4 - Caroline Marks (USA) 21,305 pts</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 5 - Tyler Wright (AUS) 19,965 pts</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="https://worldsurfleague.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9c75f4cf1e19118d57c2f963e&id=f3be67bf89&e=2ee39f75b0" target="_blank">WSL Men’s Championship Tour Leaderboard Final 5:</a></strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 1 - Gabriel Medina (BRA) 28,920 pts</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 2 - Italo Ferreira (BRA) 24,150 pts</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 3 - Filipe Toledo (BRA) 20,735 pts</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 4 - John John Florence (HAW) 19,395 pts</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 5 - Jordy Smith (ZAF) 19,185 pts </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">COVID-19 Updates</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The WSL continues to work closely with the West Australian Government and WA Police Department to monitor the COVID-19 situation both in WA, where competitors and staff are currently located, and in New South Wales, where they have traveled from. The Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro is prepared to operate in a ‘bubble’ should it be required. As a result of the COVID-19 contingency plans, there is no option to run the event at a mobile location outside of the main event site of Main Break and The Box, such as North Point in Gracetown.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The WSL will implement a robust and thorough COVID-19 health and safety plan for each event during the Australian leg of the CT in accordance with federal and state guidance. The WSL’s health and safety plan includes enhanced high-touch cleaning at the event site, contact tracing procedures, sanitizer stations throughout the event site, and minimal personnel on-site. All traveling athletes and support staff completed the mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine and received medical clearance from public health officials before entering the general community. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Due to COVID-19, the Australian CT events will run based on state border closures, strictly adhering to federal and state government guidelines and restrictions. All tour stops and dates subject to change due to applicable COVID-19 related restrictions, including global travel restrictions. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>About the 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. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 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;"> </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;"> </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;"> </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;"> </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><div style="text-align: right;">Press Release Source: www.worldsurfleague.com<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>