A Perfect 10-point ride at the Corona Cero New Zealand Pro

An incredible Day 5 of the Corona Cero New Zealand Pro Presented by Bonsoy, saw major matchups deliver massive numbers as Finals Day was determined for Stop No. 4 of the 2026 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT).

A Perfect 10-point ride from reigning World Champion Yago Dora (BRA) was followed by the highest heat total of the season posted by five-time World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) as New Zealand's premiere left point of Raglan turned on. Following a morning delay to wait for optimal conditions, the Men's Quarterfinals were completed before the women's Semifinals closed out the day in three-to-five-foot surf on the long, high-performance walls of Manu Bay.

Women's Final Locked In as Moore Posts Highest Total of the Season

In a big Semifinal matchup against fellow Hawaiian Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW), Carissa Moore (HAW) earned the highest heat total of the season, a near-perfect 19.00 (out of a possible 20) that included three rides in the 9-point range. The five-time World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist left her younger counterpart in need of a massive combination for much of the matchup as she showcased yet another masterclass of powerful backhand surfing, her fourth benchmark-setting performance in the event. Moore powered through huge outside combos, sending spray to the heavens as she released the fins on turn-after-turn, taking time to wave to her one-year-old daughter who watched from the shore.

"That was way too much fun. I think it's going to be one of those heats that I look back and I cherish for the rest of my life," Moore said. "I'm literally living my dream. I've always wanted to have my family and have my daughter on the beach and waving at me and learning how to clap for me is the coolest thing, really that is the win. I can't believe I'm into the Finals Day and in the Final with Sawyer [Lindblad]. It's going to be a great battle. Hopefully we keep getting waves and we can put on a good show. This is so cool."

Carrying an early advantage after opening with an excellent 8.83, Sawyer Lindblad (USA) took out an extremely tight match-up against fellow Southern Californian goofy-footer Alyssa Spencer (USA) by just 0.03. The forehand attack of both surfers produced a mix of solid vertical hits and powerful wraps, with Lindblad getting the edge largely due to the massive three-turn combo that opened her high score. The result marks the third Final for 20-year-old Lindblad, the 2024 Rookie of the Year, who continues to chase her first CT event win. 

"It feels really good to finally make it out of the semis. In the last two events, I came super close, which was pretty hard, but I'm so happy that I made it to the Final, just one more heat," Lindblad said. "We're both goofy-footers, so I think we were just having a lot of fun out there, and it's perfect conditions right now. It was dreamy, really dreamy. I worked really, really hard this off-season. Since I didn't make the cut last year, I had an extra three months longer than everyone else to practice. I went on a lot of surf trips, and really worked on my surfing; I'm happy it's paying off."

Perfect 10 From Dora Seals Stunning Comeback Over Houshmand at Manu Bay

With his back against the wall, Yago Dora (BRA) delivered a mind-boggling performance to post the first Perfect 10-point ride of the season and lock himself into the Semifinals of the first-ever Championship Tour event held at Raglan's Manu Bay. After Cole Houshmand (USA) delivered a pair of 8.50's for his incredibly powerful and varied approach, Dora was left needing a 9.50. Paddling into a wave with three minutes remaining on the clock, the Brazilian launched a gigantic full rotation on the opening section before seamlessly driving into a huge layback, followed by a series of solid turns down the line. A unanimous judging panel quickly delivered the perfect score to the reigning World Champion, who is competing just days after his 30th birthday, locking in a 17.50 two wave total, second only in the men's numbers to his own total from Round Two.

"I'm just thanking God for that opportunity for a moment," Dora said. "Everything seemed like it was lost. Cole [Houshmand] was surfing the perfect heat, he just picked the right waves. My waves were definitely a little smaller than his waves and not as steep and I was just praying for an opportunity, really. I knew I could get the 9.50 that I needed, I just needed a wave to really go for it. The last wave, when I popped up, I saw that little pocket forming and I was like, ok, this is it, I'm going to throw it. I went all the way to the flats and stuck it perfectly. I knew I just had to finish the wave after that. It feels so good."

Taking a cue from Dora, Italo Ferreira (BRA) posted a 9.00 of his own for a similar opening full rotation to set up a huge Semifinal clash between the two goofy-footed Brazilian World Champions. An excellent 16.63 heat total from Ferreira held off the charge of Miguel Pupo (BRA), who had reclaimed the lead in the live rankings after Gabriel Medina (BRA) was eliminated in Round Three. Both Dora and Ferreira now have the opportunity to take the Yellow Leaders Jersey with an event win tomorrow.

Colapinto Extends Head-to-Head Lead Over Toledo in Escalating Quarterfinal Battle

Early dominance from Griffin Colapinto (USA) turned into an escalating battle with Filipe Toledo (BRA) in the ongoing rivalry between the 2025 World Title runner-up and the two-time World Champion. Colapinto placed Toledo in a major combination of 16.33 within the first 10 minutes, posting an 8.50 and 7.83 in quick succession, largely on the strength of huge opening combos in tricky sections. After an uncharacteristic series of falls, Toledo broke the combo with a 6.43, before quickly finding his rhythm. The Brazilian soon posted the highest single-wave score of the heat, an 8.70, showcasing pure speed and flow mixed with powerful backhand blasts, once again on his non-traditional craft. Colapinto responded immediately with an 8.60 of his own to secure a 17.10 heat total while extending his head-to-head advantage to 5–3 over the Brazilian.

"It felt really good to get some waves. The end of that heat was non-stop," Colapinto said. "I was just so excited to be surfing against Filipe [Toledo]. Every time we've had a heat together, it just brings the best out of each other. Someone's been asking me, 'Who's your favorite guy to surf against on Tour?' I say Filipe every time. Like, something about it, we just have the best battles every time. It's so much fun. I'm just psyched to get through that and get some legit waves in that heat. We've been on the road for two months now, and to have moments like that, that's literally why we do this and why we love it so much. And just the energy of the crowd too. There's so many people down here, it blows my mind. I'm just so grateful for everyone. Every time we would get a wave, you could hear the whole bluff going off. It felt like we were playing football in the NFL or something."

Colapinto will face Morgan Cibilic (AUS) in the Semifinals after the former World No. 5 claimed victory in a tight battle against Rio Waida (INA) with a major buzzer beater. Cibilic found the highest score of the heat with less than five seconds remaining, catching the second wave of a set after Waida used priority on the first, only to turn and see the Australian hammering down the line for an excellent 8.00.

Corona Cero New Zealand Pro Presented by Bonsoy Men's Quarterfinal Results

HEAT 1: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 17.10 DEF. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.83
HEAT 2: Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 13.60 DEF. Rio Waida (INA) 13.50
HEAT 3: Yago Dora (BRA) 17.50 DEF. Cole Houshmand (USA) 17.00
HEAT 4: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 16.63 DEF. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.17

Corona Cero New Zealand Pro Presented by Bonsoy Women's Semifinal Results
HEAT 1: Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 15.76 DEF. Alyssa Spencer (USA) 15.73
HEAT 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 19.00 DEF. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 13.70

Corona Cero New Zealand Pro Presented by Bonsoy Men's Semifinal Matchups 
HEAT 1: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Morgan Cibilic (AUS)
HEAT 2: Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Italo Ferreira (BRA)

Corona Cero New Zealand Pro Presented by Bonsoy Women's Final Matchup
HEAT 1: Sawyer Lindblad (USA) vs. Carissa Moore (HAW)