Tuning up for the Olympics, former Melbourne Beach resident and defending World Surf League champion Caroline Marks captured top honors on Sunday for the second year in a row at the Surf City El Salvador Pro off the wave-friendly, foamy Punta Roca site.
Marks, 22, moved into second place in the rankings, up from fifth, with the 14.80-14.46 victory in the 40-minute final against Hawaii's Gabriela Bryan, the 2022 Rookie of the Year.
"El Salvador is always so good to me," said Marks, splitting her time between her residence in California and another in central Florida. "Being from Florida this is a short flight, and the waves are really nice."
Using her consistent backhand with big, powerful snaps, Marks scored a pair of 7.40 rides, the first a four-turn combination at the 14-minute mark, but it took a late three-turn combo with huge, spraying vertical snaps to actually clinch it.
 |
| PUNTA ROCA, LA LIBERTAD, EL SALVADOR - JUNE 9: WSL Champion Caroline Marks of the United States after winning the Surf City El Salvador Pro on June 9, 2024 at Punta Roca, La Libertad, El Salvador. (Photo by Aaron Hughes/World Surf League) |
That forced Bryan Marks' "really good friend," to require a 7.57 (instead of a 7.47) and she nearly responded, with a 7.53 on her final ride.
"I’m really happy," Marks said. "That’s why I’m here. I want to win as many world titles as I can, and I’m super aware of how hard it is to get one, but I just need to focus on myself and my performances. I would absolutely love to go back-to-back to be the world champion but for now, I’m just going to enjoy this.”
In May, Marks reached the semifinals of the Tahiti Pro, the site of the July 27-Aug. 5 Olympics, falling to Costa Rica's Brisa Hennessy.
Marks has compiled 14 heat wins this season with a 10.59 average two-wave score.
It also was her seventh career win, including last year's Final Five playoffs, since joining the tour full-time in 2018.
“The waves were amazing since the first day I got here,” Marks said. “Thank you, Surf City, for being so welcoming, and all the fans and Punta Roca for providing all the waves. It was a dream week for me."
Americans are leading the World Surf League rankings heading into the event in Brazil. Hawaii's John John Florence, who scored a rare, unanimous 10.0 ride (his 18th career perfect score) with a huge aerial maneuver in the semifinals, and California's Caitlin Simmers top their respective fields.
The top five surfers at the end of the regular season will qualify for the Final Five playoffs.
Florence, also a Team USA Olympian, actually clinched a Final Five berth Sunday by defeating Yago Dora in the final, 16.33-14.44, capping an amazing week of surfing. It also was his fourth final this season.
Cocoa Beach's Kelly Slater, 52, not eligible to compete for the world title as a part-time wild-card entry, looked sharp again in his appearance in Tahiti last month, reaching the quarterfinals before bowing out against Ramzi Boukhiam, who rallied for a 17.33-16.66 win. Slater had thrilled the crowd with a last-minute rally to defeat Ethan Ewing.
Top 5 Moments From The Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented By Corona 2024
        |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Make your journey comfortable and stylish with the F-Light Posse 35L IOS Backpack. This suitcase features a laptop section, fleece-lined sunglass pocket, breathable lightweight EVA shoulder straps, EVA-molded front panel for added protection, insulated drink bottle pocket, and multiple organizer and utility pockets.
Subscribe by Email
Follow Updates Articles from This Site via Email
No Comments