ULUWATU WILL COMPLETE CANCELLED WESTERN AUSTRALIA CT EVENT

ASB MAGAZINE: The World Surf League (WSL) has confirmed that Event No. 3 of the 2018 WSL Championship Tour (CT), the Margaret River Pro in Western Australia that was cancelled last month due to shark activity, will be completed at Uluwatu, in Bali directly following the Corona Bali Pro at Keramas next month. The news although understandable and welcomed by competitors is nonetheless a major blow Western Australia tourism. In a WSL statement CEO Sophie Goldschmidt said that;

“The cancellation of the Margaret River Pro was due to unique circumstances this season and we look forward to returning to Western Australia in 2019,” Sophie Goldschmidt, WSL CEO, said. “After consulting with Surfing West Australia about completing the event in 2018, we felt that the shark activity that prompted the event cancellation had not significantly improved and returning was not in the best interests of the surfers this season. We extensively explored various alternatives before deciding to invest in completing the event at Uluwatu in Bali.”

The event will commence within 48 hours after the conclusion of the Corona Bali Pro at Keramas, and finish no later than June 13th, 2018. In the men’s event, 24 competitors remain in the field and competition will recommence with Round 3. In the women’s event, eight competitors remain in the field and competition will recommence with the Quarterfinals.

According to a statement released by Surfing Western Australia Chairman Mike Best

“It’s great news for surfers that WSL has decided to finish off the Pro and allow surfers to earn CT points, particularly so for the WA wild card entrants still in contention – Kael Walsh and Jack Robinson,”

“It’s important to note that WSL owns and manages every WSL Championship Tour event and our role at Surfing WA is to provide recommendations, infrastructure, event logistics, permits and support staff for the Margaret River Pro,”

“If up to us, we would’ve liked the Margaret River Pro to be completed in Margaret River. At the end of the day, it’s WSL’s decision on where they wish to complete the Pro and it’s a decision we respect. Surfing WA was not involved in the decision regarding the completion of the event nor did we provide advice on the conditions at Margaret River. We look forward to welcoming WSL, athletes and the travelling event crew back in 2019,”

“Surfing WA is constantly reviewing safety strategies for surfers that includes shark mitigation and this will continue in the lead up to year’s Margaret River Pro.”

“As highlighted when we cancelled the Margaret River Pro, there were extenuating circumstances surrounding this season’s event and we committed to trying to finish the competition if possible,” Kieren Perrow, WSL Commissioner, said. “It’s a significant investment for the WSL, but it’s the right thing to do. Uluwatu is a world-class wave and we’re excited to be completing the event there.”

“I love Western Australia and I’m looking forward to coming back in 2019 but it’s awesome that we’re going to complete the event this season at Uluwatu,” Owen Wright, current WSL No. 4, said. “It’s a high-performance wave and I’m frothing to get out there. It’s great that the WSL is investing in completing the event’s competition.”

The next stop on the 2018 WSL Championship Tour will be the Oi Rio Pro from May 11 – 20, 2018.

For more information, please check out WorldSurfLeague.com.