Fierro’s magic run ended with a runner-up despite her aggressive forehand attack that shined all week.
Credit: © WSL / HainWomen’s runner-up Fierro emerged victorious from a nail-biting Semifinal bout with Minami Nonaka (JPN) as the Japanese competitor had one last opportunity to earn a 5.33 but fell just 0.54 short of the requirement as Nonaka maintained the heat’s best single-wave score of a 6.33. The Tahitian delivered some of the event’s best performances heading into finals day and leaves with plenty of confidence to take on a year among the top QS threats.
“This is the exact start to the year I was hoping for and I’m hoping to make a run toward qualifying this year,” said Fierro. “This has been an incredible trip and it reminds me a lot of home being so tropical. The wave was really fun when you could get a good one but today was tough with it being slow. I’ll take this confidence moving forward knowing I can make some heats when it gets hard but it’s been such a good experience and I’m so thankful.”
While not making their way to the podium, big finishes for Gudauskas, Waida, Kurokawa and Nonaka earned them 3,250 points to get their 2020 campaigns started with plenty of muster.
The Corona China Open QS 5,000 hosted by Wanning will run at Riyue Bay, Wanning, Hainan Island, China in the best conditions between January 6 – 12. Tune in live throughout the event window via www.WorldSurfLeague.com, Facebook Live or the WSL App.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Corona Open China Men’s Final Results:
1 – Shun Murakami (JPN) 12.67 5,000 points
2 – Keanu Asing (HAW) 10.00 4,000 points
Corona Open China Women’s Final Results:
1 – Brisa Hennessy (CRI) 12.00 5,000 points
2 – Vahine Fierro (FRA) 11.86 5,000 points
Corona Open China Men’s Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Keanu Asing (HAW) 14.34 DEF. Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 11.94
SF 2: Shun Murakami (JPN) 11.10 DEF. Rio Waida (IDN) 5.00
Corona Open China Women’s Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Brisa Hennessy (CRI) DEF. Hinako Kurokawa (JPN) 10.54
SF 2: Vahine Fierro (FRA) 11.67 DEF. Minami Nonaka (JPN) 11.20 |