The Championship Tour has entered crunch time with three events remaining. Every heat could alter the course of the world title. The MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal men’s semifinals are stacked with title contenders and could make the difference for their respective title aspirations.
Semifinal one will feature Gabriel Medina and Italo Ferreira, while semifinal two will feature Yago Dora and Griffin Colapinto. While Dora is the current rankings leader, all four surfers remaining have a realistic shot at the 2026 title.
Medina had a pair of poor results in Brazil and Tahiti, events you’d think would be to his advantage. But the three-time world champ made up for it with a second in Fiji. Medina is searching for his first win of the season. Currently fifth in the rankings, a win in Portugal would move him up to third and put him in a better position for the title, with the Philippines and Pipeline remaining.
Before Medina can think about winning an event, he needs to get past the Brazilian goofyfoot showdown with Ferreira. Ferreira has held the rankings lead for moments this season, and a win in Portugal could put him back in the pole position if Yago Dora falls in the semis. But if Dora makes the finals, he would retain the lead even if Ferreira wins.
On the other side of the bracket, Griffin Colapinto is also searching for his first win of the season. Portugal is his fourth semifinal appearance, but only once, in Tahiti, did he make the final. That’s where he lost to his best friend Seth Moniz. Currently in sixth, a win for Colapinto in Portugal would put him in third position, even if Medina makes the final.
Miguel Pupo and Leo Fioravanti, currently third and fourth, respectively, both lost early at Supertubos. Fioravanti’s early exit already sent him tumbling down two spots in the rankings, and he could fall even farther with a Colapinto or Medina win.
The current WSL rankings are taking two throwaway scores into account. By season’s end, surfers will get to throw away a third score. However, for those in the title race, throwing away scores this late in the season won’t do them any favors. The ultimate winner will improve his situation in Portugal, the Philippines, and Pipeline.
The Surfline forecast is calling for a drop in swell on Wednesday in Portugal, but Thursday and Friday will see a new pulse with favorable winds to finish off the event.
