Finals Day Set at Fiji Pro Presented by Corona Cero After Exciting Day of Action

CLOUDBREAK, Fiji (Wednesday, September 2, 2026) – A massive day at the Fiji Pro Presented by Corona Cero saw no shortage of excitement today, setting up huge matchups as the event is now down to its Final Series, possibly crowning its event winners as early as tomorrow with the official Yellow Alert issued by the WSL Tours and Competition team. Stop No. 8 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2026 Championship Tour (CT) delivered more perfect rides, close battles, and movement in the World Title race in the six-to-eight-foot conditions at Cloudbreak. 

Isabella Nichols (AUS) showcases her powerful backhand surfing to win two heats today and make the Final at the Fiji Pro Presented by Corona Cero. Credit: WSL / Cait Miers

With more swell continuing to pulse through Cloudbreak, tomorrow's call will be at 6:45 a.m. FJI time for a possible 7:05 a.m. start to complete the event, starting with men's Quarterfinals 3 and 4, followed by the men's Semifinals, then the women's and men's Finals.

Teenage Phenom Erin Brooks Takes Down 5X World Champ Carissa Moore To Book Finals Day

Erin Brooks (CAN) continued her run through the women's draw, taking down five-time World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Carissa Moore (HAW) in Semifinal 1 to book her second Finals Day in Fiji in as many appearances. Brooks cleared her path to the final with back-to-back statement wins, having already eliminated Vahine Fierro (FRA) earlier in the Quarterfinals before edging out Moore in another tight battle, posting a 7.67 and 4.17 to Moore's 4.30 and 5.67. The result continues a strong head-to-head tally for Brooks against Moore, having eliminated the Hawaiian at the previous event in Tahiti as well. 

"It feels so good to make another Final. I honestly can't believe it," Brooks said. "That heat against Carissa [Moore] was so stressful, as she's been surfing so well this event and had priority at the end, so I'm just so thankful that it went my way. I also just can't believe I'm in another Final. It felt impossible at the end of last year and the beginning of this year, but to get back-to-back Finals, wow, I'm just so grateful. I think I've proved to myself that I can do it. At the start of the year, I was so baffled by my results after all of the hard work I put in during the offseason. I was just losing with really high heat totals. I just had disbelief in myself, but I've found new faith and started just having fun with it. These are the two events I'm expected to do well at, but to do it feels just insane. Playing games on the island with everyone has been so fun and has kept me competitive because we've had a lot of off days. It honestly feels more like a surf trip than a contest."

Despite the Semifinal exit, Moore's run through Fiji marks a significant result for her World Title campaign. The result sees Moore move into the World No. 1 spot, and she'll wear the Yellow Leader Jersey into the next stop at the Lexus Trestles Pro as she continues her pursuit of a sixth World Title. 

En route to the Semifinals, Moore took down Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) in Quarterfinal 1. Moore put in a composed performance to defeat the fellow Hawaiian. She controlled the heat early, putting Johnson in a combination situation and forcing her to chase a two-wave total from behind. Johnson responded with an excellent 8-point ride at the end of the heat, closing the gap and turning the final minutes into a heated battle. But Moore's earlier work proved decisive in holding the win. 

Brooks dispatched Fierro in a very close heat, taking the win by just 0.43 of a point. Fierro threw everything at the heat, racking up more attempts than Brooks across both turns and tubes as she searched for the score. But Brooks found the more efficient combination, doing just enough to hold Fierro off and secure her win.

Isabella Nichols Toughs Out Injury to Claim Narrow Win Over Brisa Hennessy

Isabella Nichols (AUS) got the better of Brisa Hennessy (CRC) by the narrowest of margins, with just 0.17 separating the two at the final horn. Nichols set the tone early, posting a 7.17 with her powerful backhand turns to open the heat, leaving Hennessy searching for the score that would have delivered a much-needed win. The finish took a dramatic turn in the closing minute, with Nichols suffering an ankle injury but electing to get back into the lineup to see out the heat, ultimately securing the result and continuing her debut run at Cloudbreak. 

"I'm more emotional about actually making the Final here than I am about injuring my ankle," Nichols said. "That was a crazy one. I pulled into that barrel, and my board just flipped under me and rolled my ankle. I just felt this really sharp pain shoot from my foot to my hip, and it felt debilitating, like I couldn't stand on it. It felt like the worst injury I've ever had. The guys on the ski got to me really quickly to pick me up, so props to them. There was a moment where the adrenaline took over the pain, and I got back out there in case I could block her from getting one at the end. I know I'd be kicking myself if I didn't take that opportunity, especially after it's been such a tough year for me. To make the Final is crazy, I'm so stoked, and so emotional. Emotional because I'm in pain and also because I made the Final at a place that I didn't think I could. At the start of the year, I wrote down my goals, and for me, my biggest goal was to make a Semifinal or above at a left-hand barreling wave of consequence, and I've done it back-to-back in Tahiti and now here. I'm going to get this ankle tended to and see if I can weight-bear tomorrow. I feel like I'll have to be in peak form to beat Erin [Brooks], as she's been on absolute fire."

Nichols also eliminated Yolanda Hopkins (POR) in Quarterfinal 3, with the Portuguese surfer unable to find the finish on a string of committed barrel attempts throughout her heat. Hopkins gave it every opportunity, pulling into wave after wave in search of the scores that clean exits would have delivered, but couldn't convert. Nichols, by contrast, locked in her winning scores early and held the lead despite Hopkins' late efforts in the heat. 

Hennessy looked completely dialed in against Lakey Peterson (USA) in Quarterfinal 4, knowing exactly which waves to hunt down at Cloudbreak and committing fully to the barrels that have long defined her surfing in waves of consequence. That composure proved the difference, as Hennessy eliminated the Californian for her best result of the season. 

Kauli Vaast Puts on Cloudbreak Clinic with Perfect 10

Marking his first competitive appearance at Cloudbreak, Olympic Gold Medalist Kauli Vaast (FRA) produced the event's second Perfect 10, threading his way through a massive Cloudbreak cavern to earn the perfect ride on his way to eliminating World No. 4 Miguel Pupo (BRA). Vaast expertly navigated the deep barrel, timing his way out of the tube with precision and speed as the wave stood up around him. Pupo, unable to break free of mid-range scores, had no answer for the perfect ride, falling to the in-form Tahitian. 

Kauli Vaast (FRA) earns a Perfect 10 in Round 3 of the Fiji Pro Presented by Corona Cero today. Credit: WSL / Cait Miers 

"I'm super happy because I always dream of having a heat like this with perfect waves," Vaast said. "The only time I've had a taste of this is at home at Teahupo'o in Tahiti. So, being here in this place is amazing, and so are the people. This is my first time in a lineup with big waves, real waves that you can get big barrels and big turns on; it was amazing, this wave is world-class. I've always seen it in the videos, so to be able to surf it with just two of us is amazing. I have big legs and a big butt, and I just want to push on a big board, a 6'3", so I'm stoked."

Vaast will now meet up with three-time World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) in Quarterfinal 4 tomorrow. Medina booked his spot in Finals Day with a win over Barron Mamiya (HAW), setting up a must-watch clash against Vaast. Medina has been a standout at Cloudbreak, with two wins from three Finals here in Fiji, and will look to carry that history into the next heat against an in-form Vaast.

Goofy Footers Dominate Pumping Conditions to Set Up Exciting Finals Day 

Connor O'Leary (JPN) turned in an incredible performance, posting a commanding 14.33 heat total, including a 9.00 (out of a possible 10), to leave World No. 1 Italo Ferreira (BRA) well short with a 7.27 two-wave combination. Cloudbreak's left-hand setup hands O'Leary a rare opportunity to showcase his forehand powersurfing, a dynamic performance that was on full display throughout his heat. The win adds to O'Leary's strong history at this venue, where he's reached the Final before (2017) but has yet to break through to a win at the Fiji Pro, continuing to build his case as one of the most dangerous surfers left in the men's draw. 

O'Leary will now take on Griffin Colapinto (USA) in Quarterfinal 3 when Finals Day gets underway as early as tomorrow. In Colapinto's heat, broken boards filled the lineup as Colapinto worked through seven scoreless waves and snapped two boards before finally finding his rhythm against Samuel Pupo (BRA). Colapinto battled back in dramatic fashion, posting a 6.83 and 7.17 to complete the comeback and send off the Brazilian at a critical moment in his season. With Ferreira and M. Pupo both out of the draw, the heat win opens the door for Colapinto, currently just outside the Top 5, to push into Finals day and put himself firmly back into the World Title conversation. 

The first surfer to book a spot in the Semifinals was Cole Houshmand (USA), who caused somewhat of an upset when he eliminated the reigning World Champion and defending event winner here in Fiji, Yago Dora (BRA), in Quarterfinal 1 at Cloudbreak this afternoon. The all-goofyfoot matchup provided all the excitement that was expected, with the pair each posting solid scores for their prowess on the face and in the tube, but it was the San Clemente local who found himself on the best waves to post an excellent heat total of 16.13 and guarantee the best result of his season with a place in the Semifinals at Cloudbreak.

Houshmand will now face Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) in Semifinal 1 tomorrow. Fioravanti closed out the day's action with a win over Callum Robson (AUS), a result that puts the Italian in prime position heading into Finals Day. Fioravanti currently sits second on the world rankings, and with most of the men's Top 5 eliminated from the draw, he now finds himself with a golden opportunity to seize control of the World Title race as the event nears its conclusion.

"It feels amazing," Houshmand said. "To do it in that fashion, with the waves pumping and going up against Yago [Dora], who is one of my favorite surfers and in my head is the one to beat. I couldn't help but think of it as a rematch from Raglan. That is where the passion came from in that heat; I was claiming a bunch and fighting tooth and nail. I just dug back into that memory and wanted to give it a good go. I was having nightmares with four minutes left and him needing a 7.00, but I did everything I could in that heat and capitalized on a few opportunities, and it felt good to get one back on him. I did a couple of trips here last year, and I feel like it's paying off. I'm stoked to put in the work and try to save my career on Tour."

Prior to the Quarterfinals, Dora laid down an impressive 14.40 heat total (out of a possible 20) over perennial Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) in their Round 3 matchup. Dora posted two strong 7-point rides to Igarashi's lower range scores, finding a rhythm that showed just how well suited he is to this wave. Dora will now set his sights on the Lexus Trestles Pro, another wave that suits his progressive style, to climb back up to the top spot on the leaderboard. 

For highlights and more information from today's competition at the Fiji Pro Presented by Corona Cero, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com. 

2026 Fiji Pro Presented by Corona Cero Women's Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.34 DEF. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 11.00
HEAT 2: Erin Brooks (CAN) 11.10 DEF. Vahine Fierro (FRA) 10.67
HEAT 3: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 9.67 DEF. Yolanda Hopkins (POR) 6.77
HEAT 4: Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 10.83 DEF. Lakey Peterson (USA) 7.47

2026 Fiji Pro Presented by Corona Cero Women's Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Erin Brooks (CAN) 11.84 DEF. Carissa Moore (HAW) 9.97
HEAT 2: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 10.67 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 10.50

2026 Fiji Pro Presented by Corona Cero Women's Final Matchups:
HEAT 1: Erin Brooks (CAN) vs. Isabella Nichols (AUS)

2026 Fiji Pro Presented by Corona Cero Men's Round 3 Matchups:
HEAT 1: Cole Houshmand (USA) 10.17 DEF. Seth Moniz (HAW) 4.00
HEAT 2: Yago Dora (BRA) 14.40 DEF. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 6.83
HEAT 3: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 14.33 DEF. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 10.43
HEAT 4: Callum Robson (AUS) 10.50 DEF. Jake Marshall (USA) 8.77
HEAT 5: Connor O'Leary (JPN) 14.33 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 7.27
HEAT 6: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 14.00 DEF. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 12.60
HEAT 7: Kauli Vaast (FRA) 19.07 DEF. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 11.17
HEAT 8: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.77 DEF. Barron Mamiya (HAW) 13.33

2026 Fiji Pro Presented by Corona Cero Men's Quarterfinal Results (Heats 1 - 2):
HEAT 1: Cole Houshmand (USA) 16.13 DEF. Yago Dora (BRA) 13.27
HEAT 2: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 14.10 DEF. Callum Robson (AUS) 10.94

2026 Fiji Pro Presented by Corona Cero Remaining Men's Quarterfinal Matchups (Heats 3 - 4):
HEAT 3: Connor O'Leary (JPN) vs. Griffin Colapinto (USA)
HEAT 4: Kauli Vaast (FRA) vs. Gabriel Medina (BRA)