Quarterfinalists Finalized at WSL Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented by Corona Cero

PUNTA ROCA, La Libertad, El Salvador  -  High stakes unfolded at the Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented by Corona Cero, Stop No. 5 of the 2026 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), with the conclusion of men's Round Three in pulsing Punta Roca conditions, still providing eight-to-ten-foot wave faces, to determine Quarterfinalists. As consistency slowed, the event was called off for the day with both men's and women's Quarterfinals now set for a possible Finals Day. 

Pictured: Current World No. 1 Italo Ferreira (BRA) continues to lay down big performances to retain the yellow leaders jersey at Punta Roca. Credit: WSL / Aaron Hughes

Event organizers have called tomorrow, Thursday, June 11th OFF. The next call will be Friday, June 12th, 6:30 a.m. CST for a possible 7:05 a.m. start.

World No. 1 Ferreira's Warrior Spirit Keeps Fighting Into Quarterfinals

Another brilliant showing from World No. 1 Italo Ferreira (BRA) continued to prove his warrior status was not a one-hit wonder at Punta Roca. Despite a lingering knee injury, Ferreira laid his body on the line, taking off underneath the lip of a set wave before unloading his backhand power throughout the wave and posted a 7.50 (out of a possible 10) against 2024 CT Rookie of the Year Crosby Colapinto (USA), who couldn't find a response to Ferreira's form. Now, the 2019 World Champion will take the yellow leaders jersey into the Quarterfinals against Kauli Vaast (FRA) in an all-Olympic Gold Medalist matchup.

"That 7.50 was so fun. I had the bodyboard skills on that, and then it's pretty hard to take off on a wave when it's like that," said Ferreira. "But, I remember taking off and remember the bottom turn, and when I looked up I thought that would be a good section for the heat. It's a little tricky with the higher tide and I tried to do some turns. The wave moves a little bit to the outside, and it's different than low tide, and harder to get some speed. I'm trying to play the game with a little bit of safety just because we have a long journey to the end, but I'm happy making that heat."

Vaast and Medina Flex Backhand Power, Cleland Breakout Continues

2024 Olympic Gold and Silver Medalists, Kauli Vaast (FRA) and Gabriel Medina (BRA), showed their world-class backhand power once again on the tricky walls of Punta Roca. Vaast's patience proved the difference in a stout heat against a busy Joao Chianca (BRA), as Vaast opened with a 7.33 before waiting over 30-minutes to get his backup while Chianca stayed busy but was only able to find mid-range scores. The 2026 Rookie earns his second Quarterfinals appearance.

"It was kind of heavy when I was thinking about it. But, for me, I was pretty confident and really calm in that moment," said Vaast. "There were waves, so I was just hoping to have a good exchange, and at one point, I just wanted to wait. I could've gone on a couple of waves, but I felt I should've just waited. In the last minute, that big set came, and I was confident not to fall, and also just stoked to find a big wave I could surf. I wanted to finish it, and I'm just stoked it worked out." 

Then, one of Round Three's most anticipated heats between three-time World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) and perennial World Title contender Jack Robinson (AUS) provided another close battle in their growing rivalry - stemming beyond the 2024 Olympics into previous CT battles. But, Medina's consistent backhand kept matching Punta Roca's power to post a pair of 6.67's, and move into his third Quarterfinal appearance of 2026. 

"I was just trying to pick the right waves. Jack [Robinson] surfs this wave really good, and I matched up with him in the Quarterfinals here before, so I'm just really happy to make it," said Medina. "This year, I'm taking it step by step and just enjoying my time out there. Hopefully, I can get a good result. This time I brought my family, my girlfriend is here, and I just want to make the most of it. I do what I love, and I'm just trying to enjoy all of it. Every event counts toward a World Title, and I'm going to try to make heats at every event."

Then, a battle of El Salvador breakout stories matched in Round 3, Heat 8, to conclude the day's proceedings, featuring Alan Cleland Jr. (MEX) and Barron Mamiya (HAW). Cleland's form broke through Round Three for the first time this season and secured the last Quarterfinals spot in El Salvador, his first of 2026.

"It's my career on the line. I haven't made a heat all year, so to get past that Round Three was something I didn't really do last year," said Cleland Jr. "I'm really happy to accomplish my goal of that this year, and I'm super happy. The waves were firing. It wasn't the best conditions, but there were still some good waves coming, so I was happy to get two good ones and take advantage. Barron [Mamiya] is one of my good friends, I've looked up to him a lot, and I was honored to have a heat with him."

Fioravanti Thrives Through Nail-Biter to Move Toward Top 5

A massive re-ignition to men's Round Three action provided fireworks from World No. 5 Samuel Pupo (BRA) and World No. 6 Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA). Fioravanti's signature power on the rail met Punta Roca's power on multiple sections to post an excellent 8.17 to start with a strong lead. Pupo fought back in a big way heading into the final moments. The Brazilian's forehand overpowered a stretched-out wall to earn a heat-best 8.60 in response. But, Italy's leading man wasn't to be denied and laid into a powerful two-turn combination to post a 7.33. Fioravanti now has his eyes set on advancing past the Quarterfinals for the first time this season, but first, he will have to get past 2025 CT Rookie of the Year Marco Mignot (FRA). 

"I don't think I've ever surfed a 45-minute heat. I've definitely surfed 40-minute heats before, and the waves are good but very slow," said Fioravanti. "I had a good start, and with Sammy [Pupo] I knew it was never going to be over. It took him a while to get those big scores, and he needed a 7.84. He got that last wave, and I heard the screams, but I went on the wave after, and I was just like this it, two big turns. I was doing a little math in my head, and that last turn felt really good, so I felt it would be in that 6-point range. I'm really happy to make that one."

Men's Surf City El Salvador Pro Round Three (Heats 4 - 8) Results:
HEAT 4: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 15.50 DEF. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 14.27
HEAT 5: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 12.50 DEF. Crosby Colapinto (USA) 11.00
HEAT 6: Kauli Vaast (FRA) 12.76 DEF. Joao Chianca (BRA) 10.76
HEAT 7: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.34 DEF. Jack Robinson (AUS) 7.87
HEAT 8: Alan Cleland (MEX) 12.80 DEF. Barron Mamiya (HAW) 10.26

Men's Surf City El Salvador Pro Quarterfinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Callum Robson (AUS) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)
HEAT 2: Marco Mignot (FRA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
HEAT 3: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Kauli Vaast (FRA)
HEAT 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Alan Cleland (MEX)

Women's Surf City El Salvador Pro Quarterfinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) vs. Anat Lelior (ISR)
HEAT 2: Luana Silva (BRA) vs. Carissa Moore (HAW)
HEAT 3: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Caroline Marks (USA)
HEAT 4: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Caitlin Simmers (USA)