Saquarema, Brazil is currently Stop No. 8 on the 2023 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, known as the VIVO Rio Pro. See the preview & top odds for the event here.
Saquarema, Brazil is currently Stop No. 8 on the 2023 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, known as the VIVO Rio Pro. See the preview & top odds for the event here.
Saquarema is currently hosting Stop No. 8 on the 2023 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), known as the VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona. The world’s top surfers have gathered here, and the competition is set to begin tomorrow morning, with the first call scheduled for 7:15 a.m. GMT-3 and a potential start at 7:30 a.m. GMT-3 for the opening rounds. The Brazilian surfers, fueled by the support of their home country, are eager to impress the crowd. The VIVO Rio Pro will run until Saturday, July 1, 2023.
The top surfing betting sites have backed Filipe Toledo, the reigning World Champion from Brazil to make it a 4-peat. Toledo arrives in Brazil after securing his second event victory of the season in El Salvador. With three consecutive wins at the VIVO Rio Pro, this event is Toledo’s specialty, and he aims to clinch his fourth title. Currently ranked No. 2 in the world, he closely trails the top-ranked Griffin Colapinto from California.
Is a 4th straight @vivobr #RioPro victory on the horizon for @Filipetoledo77? 🏆
Watch live, June 23-July 1 on https://t.co/ie0ZfMWjFw. @corona pic.twitter.com/nUCJURUmi0
— World Surf League (@wsl) June 22, 2023
Toledo expressed his excitement about being back in Brazil, a place he loves and feels extremely comfortable in. Having grown up in Saquarema and witnessed his father and idols compete here, he has a deep connection with the place. Toledo believes there’s something magical about being here, and it boosts his confidence and comfort in the competition.
The Brazilian athletes are expected to deliver impressive performances in front of their home crowd. Tatiana Weston-Webb, who recently entered the Top 5 rankings, has been consistently performing well throughout the year despite facing injury and illness setbacks. She is determined to secure her first event win of the season in Brazil, but she faces a challenging Opening Round heat against Caroline Marks from the USA and rising star Bettylou Sakura Johnson from Hawaii. Weston-Webb cherishes the opportunity to compete in Brazil, feeling the support of the Brazilian fans, and acknowledges the pressure of being the only woman representing Brazil on the Championship Tour. She aims to excel and give her best performance.
Italo Ferreira, the reigning World Champion from Brazil, currently holds the No. 8 ranking and needs a strong result in this event to revive his World Title aspirations. Although he finished third in Rio last year, losing to Samuel Pupo in the Semifinals, Ferreira’s dynamic style of surfing, characterized by big airs and active maneuvers, makes him an exciting competitor to watch. He believes that a victory in Rio would be a remarkable achievement, propelling him into the Top 5 rankings and adding to his successful career. Ferreira understands the importance of patience, seizing the right moments, and harnessing his inner strength to pursue his dreams.
The VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona will showcase thrilling matchups in both the men’s and women’s divisions. The women’s Opening Round will feature intense heats, including notable competitors like Lakey Peterson, Carissa Moore, and Silvana Lima. Similarly, the men’s Opening Round will witness exciting clashes between Ethan Ewing, Caio Ibelli, and Rio Waida.
WSL CT Womens VIVO Rio Pro Opening Round Draw:
WSL CT Mens VIVO Rio Pro Opening Round Draw:
Tune in for the first call of the @vivo #RioPro June 23 | 7:00 am BRT 🇧🇷@corona pic.twitter.com/gGDEgrdOqD
— World Surf League (@wsl) June 22, 2023