Ichinomiya, Chiba, Japan (Wednesday, May 24, 2017) – It’s been another marathon day of surfing in Japan at the Gotcha Ichinomiya Chiba Open powered by GoPro. Small but clean conditions continued at Shida Point to complete Men’s Round 1 along with Women’s Rounds 2 and 3. By day’s end, the Women’s Quarterfinalists had been decided.
Australia’s Philippa Anderson is fresh off a QS victory in the Philippines just over a week ago. Currently sitting at 6th on the QS rankings, Anderson is looking forward to another good result here as she locked in a Quarterfinals berth on her first visit to Japan.
“It’s my first time in Japan and I’m absolutely loving it here,” Anderson said. “The food, the people and the whole atmosphere is fantastic and I’m enjoying the waves as well. I’m hoping we get the bigger waves for the Quarterfinals as forecasted – I can’t wait.”
Minori Kawai (JPN) lead the impressive local charge by winning her Round 3 heat to also advance to the Quarterfinals.
“I’m excited to make the Quarterfinals,” Minori said. “It’s a great opportunity for me to advance my ranking on the Qualifying Series and I’m looking forward to my next heat.”
Kawai was joined in the Quarters by fellow Japanese surfer Hinako Kurokawa who advanced in 2nd place in Round 3.
Former Championship Tour surfers Paige Hareb, (NZL) Chelsea Tuach (BRB) and Dimity Stoyle (AUS) also progressed into the Quarterfinals along with Aussie CT hopefuls Kobie Enright, and Isabella Nichols.
The Gotcha Ichinomiya Chiba Open QS6,000 will run from May 21 – 28. The event will be broadcast live at www.worldsurfleague.com and on the WSL App.