Saquarema could unleash a party like no other if Joao Chianca wins the Rio Pro. Photo: Ana Catarina//WSL
Finals day at the Rio Pro has the chance to shake up the rankings and will award at least one surfer their first-ever Championship Tour win. Four heats remain — the women’s final, men’s semifinals, and men’s final — in what will be a quick, but eventful day of competition. The WSL has already called the competition off on Thursday, with a likely restart on Friday.
Here are three pivotal outcomes that could unfold in Saquarema.
Leo Fioravanti takes the rankings lead
Leo Fioravanti is riding high off his first-ever CT win in El Salvador. He’s backed up his best professional result with another strong showing in Brazil. If the Italian wins his upcoming semifinal heat, he’ll obtain enough points to surpass Italo Ferreira for the overall rankings lead. It would be the first time Fioravanti has worn the yellow jersey awarded to the tour’s top dog.
Only Fioravanti has a chance to dethrone Ferreira. If Yago Dora, currently ranked third, wins the event, he’d move up into second place.
The youngest CT winner ever
During a season that has mostly consisted of losing heats, something clicked for Tya Zebrowski in Rio. The 15-year-old will face off against Sawyer Lindblad in the women’s final with the chance to make history as the youngest ever to accomplish the feat.
Caroline Marks, Caity Simmers, and Carissa Moore all won events at 17 years old, but Zebrowski could shatter that record with a win in Brazil.
Regardless of who wins the final, it will be a first-ever win for someone. Neither Zebrowski nor Lindblad has won a CT event. Lindblad, however, has come close a few times this season with a runner-up finish in New Zealand and semifinal appearances at the Gold Coast and Margaret River.
Will we see a new youngest-ever CT winner on finals day? Photo: Thiago Diz//WSL
A hometown hero
Joao Chianca has the opportunity to turn Saquarema into the biggest party the Rio Pro has ever seen. The Saquarema local has never gotten better than a ninth at his home break, but he’ll square off against Fioravanti in the semis with a chance to win his second CT event, but this time at home. Chianca got his first and only CT win in Portugal in 2023.
Surfers rarely get to compete at the CT level at the spot they grew up surfing. Homefield advantage has proven useful this year on the CT. Ethan Ewing and Stephanie Gilmore, both Queensland locals, took wins on the Gold Coast. And in past years, Jack Robinson won at Margaret River twice. Jordy Smith has won at J-Bay twice, where he owns a home. Oahu locals Barron Mamiya and Carissa Moore have won Pipeline. Vahine Fierro won Teahupo’o in 2024.
The point is, don’t bet against the local knowledge. Chianca might have a leg up on Fioravanti, Dora, and Ewing, and could cause his town to explode in celebration.
Local knowledge could help Chianca find gems like this among the shifty peaks at Saquarema. Photo: Thiago Diz//WSL
