Team USA Shines in Round 1 of Olympic Surfing at Teahupo’o

Round 1 of the 2024 Olympic surfing competition wrapped up at Teahupo'o in Tahiti, and it was as thrilling as expected. Five American surfers competed in their heats, and all five emerged victorious, earning a bye into Round 3. It was a fantastic day for Team USA in French Polynesia.

The spotlight during the women’s competition shone brightly on Caitlin Simmers, Molly Picklum, and Tatiana Weston-Webb. This trio was seen as strong contenders for a podium finish. Weston-Webb kicked things off strong, scoring a 5.83 on her first completed wave. However, Simmers quickly took the lead with a 6.50, putting pressure on her rivals.

Weston-Webb didn’t give up easily, even after a rough wipeout. She reclaimed the top position with a score of 4.50, but Simmers surged again with a 6.43, taking first place. Picklum tried to make a comeback, but Simmers ultimately clinched her first Olympic heat victory and advanced to Round 3.

All five U.S. surfers not only won their heats but dominated the day, delivering the three best single-wave scores. John John Florence was impressive in the men’s sixth heat, scoring 12 points before his competitors could even register.

Florence kept boosting his scores, ultimately getting a fantastic 9.33 after a remarkable barrel ride. He comfortably cruised to victory, leaving his opponents in the dust.

Next up, in the seventh heat, Griffin Colapinto made a splash with a 7.50 early in the competition. He then executed an incredible wave ride, earning a jaw-dropping score of 9.53. This performance confirmed his place in Round 3.

Caroline Marks kicked off the women’s event with an electrifying start. She nailed a tube ride to score 8.50 and later amazed everyone with an airborne entry and a 9.43 score, sealing her win.

In the final heat, all eyes were on Carissa Moore, the reigning gold medalist, possibly competing in her last Olympics. The heat was filled with excitement as all three surfers kept scoring closely. Moore made a spectacular decision to wait for a big wave, which paid off when she scored a solid 9.00 and took first place.

The Brazilian team also showcased their skills, with three out of six competitors advancing directly to Round 3. Gabriel Medina, one of the top contenders, had a controlled win in his heat. Joao Chianca and Tainá Hinckel also joined him, demonstrating the strength of the Brazilian surf team.

With such action-packed performances, the stage is set for an exciting Round 2 scheduled for Sunday.