Rip Curl Team Riders Tully Wylie & Alyssa Spencer Claim Final Wildcards Into The 2022 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
With small swell and strong onshore winds the event was moved to neighbouring Winki Pop, providing ample scoring opportunities and big ramps throughout the day.
Local surfer Tully Wylie (Jan Juc) looked unstoppable after a run at qualifying series events over the past two months.
Finishing on a heat total of 13.06 (out of a possible 20), Wylie found some of the bigger waves of the day to take the win over close friend Xavier Huxtable (Jan Juc) who finished in second on 10.80 points.
“I’m just in a state of disbelief,” said Wylie. “This has been a dream of mine since I was a kid so I’m so happy to be in the Rip Curl Pro. It’s one of the best days of my life.”
Wylie will now face Kanoa Igarashi (Japan) and Lucca Mesinas (Peru) in Round 1 and joins a long list of Victorians who have competed in the main event including, Glyndyn Ringrose, Adam Robertson, Nic Muscroft, Jack Perry, Tim Stevenson and Carl Wright.
“Just to be acknowledged in the same breath as some of those surfers is such an honor. I can’t wait to represent all my friends and family at the event.”
Finishing in third place was Bohdie Williams (Pt Lonsdale) and in fourth was Lewy Oates (Jan Juc).
On the Women’s side of the draw, Alyssa Spencer (California, USA) claimed the final spot in the event after multiple attempts in the Rip Curl Pro Trials.
Spencer finished on 14.33 points ahead of former winner Kobie Enright (Central Coast, NSW) who finished on 14.07 points.
“I'm so excited,” said Spencer. “Just to be here and have the opportunity to compete against some amazing surfers at an amazing wave is a dream come true.”
Spencer finished just shy of qualifying for the championship tour in 2021 and will now compete on the Challenger Series again in 2022.
“I’ve been putting in a lot of work in the off season after coming so close last year, I feel I am at the level of tour surfers now and am so excited to have this opportunity.”
“I feel really strong surfing on my backhand and although Bells can be tricky, I enjoy surfing here and the challenge it provides.”
Finishing in third was Ellie Harrison (Barwon Heads) with Amuro Tsuzuki (Japan) in fourth.
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Women's Opening Round 1:
Heat 1: Lakey Peterson (USA), Gabriela Bryan (HAW), Courtney Conlogue (USA)
Heat 2: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Bronte Macaulay (AUS)
Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW), Isabella Nichols (AUS), TBD
Heat 4: Brisa Hennessy (CRI), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Molly Picklum (AUS)
Heat 5: Johanne Defay (FRA), India Robinson (AUS), Luana Silva (HAW)
Heat 6: Malia Manuel (HAW), Tyler Wright (AUS), Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW)
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men's Opening Round 1:
Heat 1: Seth Moniz (HAW), Callum Robson (AUS), Ryan Callinan (AUS)
Heat 2: Italo Ferreira (BRA), Zeke Lau (HAW), Imaikalani deVault (HAW)
Heat 3: Kelly Slater (USA), Nat Young (USA), Owen Wright (AUS)
Heat 4: Griffin Colapinto (USA), Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA), Mikey Wright (AUS)
Heat 5: Filipe Toledo (BRA), Samuel Pupo (BRA), Mick Fanning (AUS)
Heat 6: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN), Lucca Mesinas (PER), TBD
Heat 7: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Frederico Morais (PRT), Matthew McGillivray (ZAF)
Heat 8: John John Florence (HAW), Connor O'Leary (AUS), Jackson Baker (AUS)
Heat 9: Conner Coffin (USA), Caio Ibelli (BRA), Joao Chianca (BRA)
Heat 10: Kolohe Andino (USA), Jack Robinson (AUS), Jadson Andre (BRA)
Heat 11: Miguel Pupo (BRA), Jake Marshall (USA), Deivid Silva (BRA)
Heat 12: Barron Mamiya (HAW), Ethan Ewing (AUS), Morgan Cibilic (AUS)
