Three Slots, One Decisive Event: Live Like Zander Junior Pro

It's been an unpredictable year on the North America Pro Junior front that's already seen Tyler Gunter and Kirra Pinkerton claim the 2018 Regional Titles, but there's still a lot of surfing left on the men's side to lock in the other three World Junior Championship (WJC) competitors. The Live Like Zander Junior Pro in Memory of Zander Venezia will determine the remaining surfers at the world-class wave of Soup Bowl November 6 - 11.

On the women's side, Samantha Sibley must make the Semifinals to secure her No. 2 spot. But, it will be a battle to finish for the men with five surfers looking to finish in the Top 4 -- and a few dark horses looking to throw a wrench in the system.

Here's the breakdown:

Crosby Colapinto - WSL / John Ferguson

Current No. 2 Crosby Colapinto is in the best position alongside fellow San Clemente, California, native and No. 3 Kade Matson. Both, after dropping their lowest result, sit with 1,995 points and look to improve upon a Quarterfinal result.

Colapinto's back injury sidelined the 2018 breakout performer for a few weeks and still managed to earn a Quarterfinal finish at the RVCA Pro Junior despite the discomforting pain. Now, the 17-year-old will just have to keep pace with his fellow contenders and secure a spot for his WJC debut.

Matson's power game was a perfect match for Soup Bowl last year. - WSL / Andrew Nichols

Matson is also looking to finish off a strong year after making two Final appearances this season, the Los Cabos Open of Surf and Vans US Open, with a big turn around from his No. 13 finish last year. The 16-year-old will come straight to Barbados following the ISA World Junior Games with his competitive prowess well intact.

Raynor is currently locked in as a WJC qualifier, but has a lot of work ahead of him to keep his contenders at bay. - WSL / John Ferguson

Beyond the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, which are still open for shuffling, things get interesting as Bo Raynor is in the midst of his best season on the Pro Juniors so far. The North Carolina native is in a tight spot, sitting with 1,745 points after dropping his lowest result, as both Eithan Osborne and Cole Houshmand come into this event with no points to drop.

Raynor's fourth-place finish at the Vans Pro Junior kept him in striking distance before an equal ninth-place result at the RVCA Pro Junior pushed him just in front of Osborne.

Eithan Osborne is back in the Pro Juniors after a stint of high-flying action between the Stab High and Redbull Airborne events. - WSL / Laurent Masurel

By making an appearance, and if Raynor is unable to make it past his first heat, both Osborne and Houshmand can jump in front of him.

Scenarios:

Houshmand is ready to jump back in the jersey for another shot at Worlds. - WSL / Andrew Nichols

• If Raynor wins the event, he secures the No. 4 spot
• If Raynor earns runner-up, Osborne or Houshmand must win
• If Raynor earns third-place or lower, it becomes a battle between Osborne and Houshmand
• Houshmand must finish at least two spots ahead of Osborne to secure No. 4 spot (unless Osborne earns third and Houshmand earns runner-up.

For competitors ranked below Houshmand with a chance at stealing the show, i.e. No. 7 Chase Modelski to No. 11 Liam Murray, the following applies.

- If Raynor, Osborne and Houshmand all lose their first heat:

• Modelski will need to make the Final in order to surpass them
• Taro Watanabe will need at least a runner-up finish
• Tommy Coleman, Alan Cleland, and Liam Murray must win

- If Raynor makes the Final:

• Coleman, Cleland, and Murray cannot catch him, Modelski must win

- If Colapinto and Matson make the Quarterfinals:

• Coleman, Cleland, and Murray cannot catch them

- If Colapinto, Matson, Osborne and Houshmand make the Semifinals:

• Watanabe must win the event, Modelski must make the Final

All the scenarios will be put aside and action will ensue at the Live Like Zander Junior Pro in Memory of Zander Venezia at Soup Bowl, Barbados, from November 6 - 11.