Caitlin Simmers Fights Rough Final Start, Claims First CT Title in an outstanding performance, California’s Caitlin Simmers (USA) became the first rookie to win an event on the Women’s CT since Lakey Peterson (USA) at the 2012 Nike US Open of Surfing. The MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal was only her third event at the highest level of professional surfing.

After a commendable 9th and a 5th place in the first two events of the season, the 17-year-old went all the way in Peniche, claiming her career-first CT victory and moving all the way up to 2nd on the rankings. Far from a walk in the park, Simmers had to regroup after a difficult start in the Final and showed resilience to keep fighting, turning the heat with two good scores in the later part of the matchup.

“I really can’t believe it honestly,” said Simmers. “Courtney (Conlogue) got tubed, and I was like ok this is starting. I tried to get some away from her and paddle up and down the beach to find one and then it happened and I was really happy. This is my favorite kind of wave, I surf beach breaks pretty much every day. I’m grateful for everyone here, Portugal is cool. I’m grateful for surfing, and I don’t know what else to say, thank you!”

In the Final, it was Conlogue who started with a bang, finding the excellent barrel she had been chasing all day, to post an incredible 9.00 ride early on. It took almost 30 minutes for Simmers to get involved in the heat, but she eventually did, finding her good barrel for a 7.17 to get right back in the battle. The young rookie wasted no time to back it up with a two-turn combination under her opponent’s priority and turned the heat with a 6.33 to apply pressure on Conlogue.

The tour veteran got a good opportunity on a solid left but unfortunately hit a foamy patch on the bottom turn that threw her off, losing a scoring opportunity and the priority which eventually cost her the win.

After the worst possible start to her season, Courtney Conlogue (USA) bounced back in a big way, making her first Final appearance since Tahiti last year. Coming in ranked 16th after two Elimination Round losses in Hawaii, Conlogue was in real danger of not making the Mid-season Cut. She has made her attempt at a comeback story much easier with the runner-up finish today. Conlogue was a standout all-event at Supertubos, taking maximum risks and hunting the biggest barrels out in the lineup, true to her charger mentality. CT win No.14 may have to wait for Conlogue, but the Californian has found her winning formula at the right time. The tour now heads to Bells Beach where she has won three times in the past.

Conlogue and Simmers made their way into the Final after overcoming defending event winners Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) and Macy Callaghan (AUS) respectively in the Semifinals.

Women’s Championship Tour Rankings following MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal:

1 - Molly Picklum (AUS) 19,490 points
2 - Carissa Moore (HAW) 17,355
2 - Caitlin Simmers (USA) 17,355
4 - Tyler Wright (AUS) 14,930
5 - Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 13,440
5 - Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 13,440