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Resumption looms for Hawaii WSL events

3 minute read

The men's and women's World Surf League openers in Hawaii could both resume at Banzai Pipeline after a shark attack and COVID-19 case last week.

SALLY FITZGIBBONS.
SALLY FITZGIBBONS. Picture: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

The men's and women's World Surf League events in Hawaii could resume on Friday after a fatal shark attack and multiple COVID-19 cases derailed the season openers.

Australian semi-finalist Sally Fitzgibbons and Tyler Wright have had their Maui Pro title bids on hold since last Wednesday (AEDT), after a man was killed while surfing near their Honolua Bay event location.

WSL boss Erik Logan was then among five officials to test positive for coronavirus, just as they were mulling an alternative location on the island to finish the women's event.

That forced the suspension of the men's Pipe Masters on Saturday, after just one day of action that featured nine Australian men.

After days without an update, the WSL said on Thursday it will look to resume the Pipe Masters on Friday morning.

It's understood both events will resume at the same break on either Friday or Saturday, pending conditions, allowing them to conclude before the competitive window at Banzai Pipeline closes on Monday.

"Eying off the next chapter of our WSL Maui Pro event in coming days," Fitzgibbons tweeted on Thursday.

All WSL staff, coaches and athletes have been existing in five-person bubbles and apart from Logan's five-person bubble they have returned negative COVID-19 tests.

That biosecurity measure has allowed competitors to continue surfing recreationally during the event's suspension, while government clearance has been sought to ensure both events are completed.

Whether the women's semi-finals are held immediately will be dependent on the surfing conditions.

But an encouraging forecast has instilled confidence that both champions can be crowned by Monday.

The Championship Tour is then set to move to Hawaii's Sunset Beach from January 19, while California's Santa Cruz Pro is on the revamped calendar from February 2.

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