Caption: Defending event winner Tyler Wright (AUS) heads into the event ranked fifth on the Jeep Leaderboard.
Credit: WSL/Rowland
LOS ANGELES, CA/USA (Tuesday, June 30, 2015) - The sixth stop on the 2015 World Surf League (WSL) Samsung Galaxy Women's Championship Tour (CT), the Vans US Open of Surfing, will welcome back the world's best female surfers from July 27 through August 2, 2015.
The high-performance beach breaks of Huntington Beach will serve as a midway point in the exciting hunt for the WSL Women's Title with the Top 17 headlining the event alongside a men's Qualifying Series (QS) 10,000 contest and Pro Junior event.
Carrying on the tradition of major competitive surfing at Huntington Beach since 1959, the Vans US Open of Surfing has evolved into one of the largest action sports festivals in the country, drawing huge crowds to celebrate the beach lifestyle and experience some of the world's best surfing alongside world-class skateboarding, BMX, retail and art exhibitions. The full event window runs from July 25 through August 2, 2015 and you can read more here.
Two-time World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) heads into the event as the Jeep ratings leader, despite an early exit at the recent Fiji Pro, and will lead the women's elite to the hallowed sands of Huntington Pier. A fantastic season so far for the 2013 event winner has seen her claim back-to-back wins at the opening two events of the year and retain the Jeep leader jersey throughout 2015.
"It's been a really fun year so far and I'm excited to be coming back to Huntington Beach," Moore said. "The enthusiasm of the fans and the history of the event makes it really exciting for the surfers who compete there every year. Looking forward to the upcoming event."
Defending event winner Tyler Wright (AUS) is currently in fifth place on the Jeep Leaderboard and will be keen to defend her prestigious title at the Vans US Open and improve her position on the ratings after a 9th place finish in Fiji.
"Fiji didn't pan out as well as I'd have liked but it was inspiring to watch Owen do what he did during the men's event," Wright said. "Still waiting to find my rhythm this year - same as last season. Hopefully I can find the same magic that I did last year in Huntington Beach."
World No. 2 Courtney Conlogue (USA) is a former runner-up at Huntington Beach and after a series of sensational performances this season, including back-to-back CT victories, is a serious title contender and will be one to watch at the event.
"Always love coming home and surfing the US Open," Conlogue said. "It's my home break and I feel comfortable and confident there. It will be great to have everyone in town and hopefully we get some good waves for it."
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) is hoping to return to competition after a two event absence following a knee injury sustained in Western Australia in April. The reigning six-time WSL Champion has dropped two places to eighth on the rankings and will be looking for a strong result at Huntington Beach after a runner-up finish at the event last year. Compatriot Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) is also recovering from injury after suffering a perforated eardrum on her way to victory at the Fiji Pro.
The Vans US Open of Surfing will run from July 25 through August 2, 2015 and will be webcast LIVE via WorldSurfLeague.com and VansUSOpenofSurfing.com.
Vans US Open of Surfing Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Tyler Wright (AUS), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Laura Enever (AUS)
Heat 2: Lakey Peterson (USA), Malia Manuel (HAW), Dimity Stoyle (AUS)
Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW), Silvana Lima (BRA), TBD
Heat 4: Courtney Conlogue (USA), Johanne Defay (FRA), Sage Erickson (USA)
Heat 5: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Coco Ho (HAW), Alessa Quizon (HAW)
Heat 6: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF), Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)