Big wins for Ryan Callinan and Macy Callaghan in Portugal

Ryan Callinan has locked his spot back on next year’s Championship Tour after finishing runner up to Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) at the 2022 EDP Vissla Ericeira Pro in Portugal.

The Newcastle native posted a 6.50 on his first ride and managed to back it up with a 7.50 but his total of 14.00 wasn’t enough to beat the Italian who scored two eight-point rides to establish a total of 16.27 in the final.

While disappointed with the result, Callinan accumulated enough points to earn his spot back amongst the world’s best.

“Just making finals and to feel like I’m doing my best surfing is amazing,” he reflected. “I’m super stoked about qualifying, to make it official and just take that weight off is just awesome, I’m stoked to be back on tour!”

Meanwhile, it was third time lucky for New South Wales surfer Macy Callaghan, who defeated Caitlin Simmers (USA) to claim her first win on the tour.

“I’m so happy that was definitely the biggest win of my life,” she said. “I gave it everything in that last heat so I’m really happy to take the win. Making three finals I’ve done more than I expected so I’ll definitely celebrate this.”

Callaghan has now made the final of the last three CS events in South Africa, California and Portugal.

Her fate as a 2023 CT surfer seems almost clinched for certain now as she takes the lead in the CS rankings and should rejoin the elite division for a fourth season.

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