Mikey Wright and Leo Fioravanti in three-heat surf off for injury wildcard

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Form Guide

A quick flashback to late 2019:

Three surfers - Adriano de Souza, Mikey Wright, and Leo Fioravanto - apply for the two injury wildcards. Being a past world champ and having hurt himself in competition, ADS is a shoo-in for the first wildcard, but as for the second wildcard, the Wozzle can't split Leo and Mikey so they opt for a novel solution.

That being, each will surf the three contests of the 2020 Australian leg and whoever finishes ahead will receive the wildcard for the rest of the season.

But before the first contest began COVID threw a spanner in the works and now the Woz have had to restructure the world tour, meaning they've again had to concoct a way to split the applicants. This time 'round, Mikey and Leo will surf three man-on-man heats with the winner progressing through the rest of the season - though surfing three heats at Pipe with just one other surfer is a good consolation prize for the loser.

The loser of the best-of-three will get the first replacement spot for the rest of the 2021 season. Already Ace Buchan has indicated he won't be surfing Pipe as he'd then have to spend Christmas in quarantine, so it's likely neither Leo or Mikey will 'lose' at Pipe.

The first of Leo and Mikey's heats will take place between the first and second rounds of the local trials for the Pipe Masters, the second will happen between the semi-final and the final of the trials and, if needed, the decider will run on the first day of the main event.

The main event for Pipe begins on the 8th December, and though it's nearly two weeks away the forecast is looking good.

Comments

Jamyardy's picture
Jamyardy's picture
Jamyardy Wednesday, 25 Nov 2020 at 3:51pm

Hey Stu, is that meant to read "Each will surf the first three contests of the American leg" ?

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Wednesday, 25 Nov 2020 at 3:59pm

Nah, the original plan was they'd surf the three Oz comps, Snapper, Bells, and Margs.

Bit weird phrasing, the past written in present tense, but that's what was proposed.

Jamyardy's picture
Jamyardy's picture
Jamyardy Wednesday, 25 Nov 2020 at 4:04pm

No worries, cheers. Be a bit weird if they did the Aussie, leg to qualify but missed out on a few comps at the season start. Maybe the original plan back then was to start the tour here.

Pops's picture
Pops's picture
Pops Wednesday, 25 Nov 2020 at 4:01pm

So if Mikey pulls an Ace and decides it's not feasible to head to Pipe at the moment, he'll be shafted for the year?

velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno Wednesday, 25 Nov 2020 at 4:09pm

I remember these photos! Has the passage of time illuminated what was in Leo's very stylish accessory case?

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Wednesday, 25 Nov 2020 at 4:22pm

Funny you should mention that !

The WSL has a special edition of the Unboxing series featuring special guests. The first was meant to be Leo and his alluring travel case ....just what was inside ? Tantalising stuff !

Here’s a couple of promo shots from the episode .

Spoiler Alert !


Mit der faust !

Dools's picture
Dools's picture
Dools Wednesday, 25 Nov 2020 at 4:31pm

skeet surfin' for the surf off?

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Wednesday, 25 Nov 2020 at 4:39pm

Such a perfect tie in.

Thank you.

jaunkemps's picture
jaunkemps's picture
jaunkemps Wednesday, 25 Nov 2020 at 5:26pm

Funny you should have those pic handy dude ; 0..

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Wednesday, 25 Nov 2020 at 5:35pm

Christmas just around the corner and I’m being inundated with requests for gift suggestions.

Fcked if I need or want another fishing rod.

Leo’s stamp of approval has sealed the deal.

Gra Murdoch's picture
Gra Murdoch's picture
Gra Murdoch Wednesday, 25 Nov 2020 at 5:30pm

Blowin you know how much Ding Alley is a fan of Unboxing Things! Surely the highpoint of the Woz's content creation mission!

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Wednesday, 25 Nov 2020 at 5:33pm

I’d be none the wiser about their powerful unboxing shows if it wasn’t for Ding Alley keeping me abreast of WSL content development.

Much thanks !

t-diddy's picture
t-diddy's picture
t-diddy Thursday, 26 Nov 2020 at 1:44pm

hahaha so good

hoody's picture
hoody's picture
hoody Wednesday, 25 Nov 2020 at 6:04pm

How about we just give it to Mikey because he's better!
Crazy solution I know but hey.

mibs-oner's picture
mibs-oner's picture
mibs-oner Thursday, 26 Nov 2020 at 4:52am

Leo’s looking sharp as. This isn’t coming as a gift for Mikey unfortunately

Barrel Daithwaite's picture
Barrel Daithwaite's picture
Barrel Daithwaite Thursday, 26 Nov 2020 at 10:03am

So Ace is out? Is that official? Will have to remove him from my fantasy team.

Is there a Swellnet league?

ringmaster's picture
ringmaster's picture
ringmaster Thursday, 26 Nov 2020 at 10:05am

Maybe they could make it the best of 3 doing 'rock/paper/scissors' but also add flipping the bird to give it that authentic 'rogue surfing rebel' feel.

jacksprat's picture
jacksprat's picture
jacksprat Thursday, 26 Nov 2020 at 5:06pm

Lets see, who deserves the spot? Leo who surfs like a contender for the title - if it was 1989. Mikey, the faux rebel, obscene gestures and huge corporate logos not withstanding or an ex World Champion known for hard work and no frills surfing? I know who I'd select...

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Friday, 27 Nov 2020 at 2:18am

So called Wild Cards just beat every Oz Surfer WSL could stack against them.

Leonardo Fioravanti won 2020 Sydney Pro - 96 surfers / 15 countries (CT has 9)
He beat 26 of Oz best Surfers + Cleaned up 24 WSL seeds.
Leonardo on his own wiped Olympic Teams from OZ / NZ / Portugal / Mauritius / Peru

Unseeded / Locked Out Italian- had no right to Surf in a WSL event but won!
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2020/mqs/3473/sydney-surf-pro
Goes on to Covid breach a North Coast Surf break with Kelly.
Leonardo is King of Oz & 2021 WSL No 1 seed from 15 countries / Best 2020 results.

Mikey also just wiped out his fellow Aussies to win WSL Oz Grand Slam Series

Pretty sure these 'Wild cards' recovered from their injuries! (Well & truly revved up!)

Consider Leonardo + Mikey just won the Top tier Oz / World 2020 WSL trophies.
The Wildcards are currently 2020 WSL No.1 / No.2 Surfers in the World
Leonardo & Mikey have deservedly earned exemptions from some shitty Surf Off.

2021 seeds 1 Leonardo 2 Mikey just humiliated retro 2019 WSL Olympic Surfers.
Pretty sure 2019 WSL Pro seeds & Olympic Teams could do with that surf off thingy.
Tip: WSL Pro Olympians are gonna need more than 3 Comps to catch the Wild cards.

New Plan! Wild Cards will sit out 3 Comps to give Class of 2019 a fighting chance!
tbb is on board with that...WSL are finally starting to make sense...Salute!

lost's picture
lost's picture
lost Friday, 27 Nov 2020 at 11:51pm

Amazing how much the public loves the bald bogan. Anyone know if he is really like that or is the mullet and hat and truck all a bit of a image thing to stand out in the land of nice surfers ? Seems odd that Owen and Tyler are quite refined in comparison.

andy-mac's picture
andy-mac's picture
andy-mac Saturday, 28 Nov 2020 at 12:01pm

Met Mikey years back when his whole family were hanging in the same Warung at Ulu's. Guessing he was around 15 at the time, short hair, clean cut looking kid. Was ripping(as whole family were) and seemed to be a really nice kid, friendly and chatty....