The six stages of the Challenger Series (CS), which define the qualification for the main circuit (CT) of the World Surfing League (WSL) in 2024, were announced this Monday, with the test in Ericeira scheduled for early October.
The EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira will run between October 1 and 8, being the fifth and penultimate stage of the CS, which will start in May with two tests in Australia: Gold Coast (May 6 to 13) and Sydney (May 17 to 24 of May).
They are followed by the Ballito races, in South Africa (July 2-9) and Huntington Beach (July 29-August 6).
Afterwards, it is the turn of the aspirants to enter the world surfing elite in 2024 to compete in Ericeira, whose competition is usually held in Praia de Ribeira d’Ilhas, and the CS ends in Brazil, in Saquarema (Rio de Janeiro). , from October 14 to 21.
The 10 best surfers from the men’s board and the five best classified from the women’s side will join the CT in 2024, counting the four best results in the set of six tests.
The WSL also revealed that, in 2023, the number of competitors in the CS will be reduced from 96 to 80 men and from 64 to 48 women, with the aim of “encouraging competitions to take advantage of the best swell cycles in each location”. . “, the statement read.
Among them will be the 12 men and seven women who will compete this year in the CT, but who fall below the mid-season cutoff.
“After an exciting start to the 2023 Championship Tour (CT) season, it’s great to announce the Challenger Series schedule,” said WSL’s Jessi Miley-Dyer, adding that the now-announced six events will be key to the team’s lineup. CT in 2024. .
According to the official, the CS offers “a path for new talent to join the CT and a second chance for surfers who fall below the mid-season cutoff” to re-qualify for the main circuit in 2024.
Source: TSF
