Event semifinalists decided on day five at Cape Woolamai

DAY five of competition of the Phillip Island Pro World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3,000 and Pro Junior events has seen the stage set for Finals Day with the completion of the men’s and women’s Quarterfinals as well as the Pro Junior women's Quarterfinals and men’s Round of 32. The stakes were high as a handful of surfers locked in their spots on the 2025 Challenger Series with only a couple of positions up for grabs on the men’s side as Cape Woolamai dished up chunky, wind-affected surf in the three-to-five foot range. 

Victorian hopeful Xavier Huxtable (AUS) was able to progress into the Semifinals at Cape Woolamai and, in doing so, lock in his spot on the 2025 WSL Challenger Series. Huxtable put on a backside surfing clinic to overcome opponents in the Round of 16 and the Quarterfinals and will now face off with Billy Stairmand (NZL) in the Semifinals tomorrow. 

By progressing into the Semifinals, Stairmand has moved up to seventh on the rankings and is currently qualifying for the Challenger Series. He just needs to make one more heat to guarantee his spot, as he can still be eliminated from contention with a Tully Wylie (AUS) event win. Today, Stairmand overcame current rankings leader Kyuss King (AUS) in the Quarterfinals, with King looking likely to hang on to the top spot by the end of the event. 

“I was really nervous this morning,” Stairmand said. “It’s always nice to feel those nerves, though, and then go and perform. I knew what to do out there, how to stick to my strengths, and just go for those little lefts. It’s massive to make it this far and improve my ranking. It feels so good, but there is still a little bit of work to be done.” 

Tully Wylie (AUS) claimed another couple of heat wins today to keep his dreams of Challenger Series re-qualification alive, with the powerful goofy-footer needing to win the event to guarantee his spot on the 2025 Challenger Series. 

Wylie will have his work cut out as he comes up against today’s form surfer, Dom Thomas (AUS), who posted the highest single-wave and two-wave total of the day for his explosive aerial performance. Thomas landed a huge full-rotation air-reverse to earn an 8.25 (out of a possible 10), then backed it up for a two-wave total of 15.00 (out of a possible 20). 

“This is my best-ever result in a QS event, so I’m stoked,” Thomas said. “When I landed that air, it felt really nice, but I was super surprised when I heard the score. It must have been even better than it felt. I’ve had a great time here in Phillip Island – the waves have been pumping, and it’s a really nice place so I’m stoked to be here.” 

Oceanna Rogers (AUS) continued her solid run of form at Phillip Island, booking a spot in the Semifinals and, in doing so, moving four spots on the Australia / Oceania rankings and will now qualify for the 2025 Challenger Series. Rogers’ super-fast frontside attack earned her a single-wave score of 8.75 on her way to beating Ellie Harrison (AUS) with a two-wave total of 15.25. 

“There was less than a minute left when I went for that wave, and I needed a score,” Rogers said. “I had no idea what I needed, so I just went all out. I had nothing to lose, and I ended up getting the 8.75. I’ve never gone this far in a QS 3,000, so I’m pretty stoked to be here on Finals Day.” 

Rogers's heat total was only outdone by the inform Sophie McCulloch (AUS), who posted a 15.50 combination to find her way to Finals Day for the second time in as many events. McCulloch looks to be the woman to beat and will take on China’s Siqi Yang (CHN) in Semifinal 1 when competition resumes. 

Siqi Yang’s (CHN) Semifinal berth is a historical one as it signifies the biggest result ever from a Chinese competitor in a World Surf League event. The Chinese Olympian is competing in only her second-ever QS event and has already posted some of the biggest single-wave scores to take down a number of event hopefuls. 

“This is my first time competing at an event like this, so I am feeling really proud,” Yang said. “It’s my first time competing in an event like this in Australia, and I’m really enjoying it. The waves are so good and have so much power, and I feel like my surfing is getting better. I look forward to Finals Day and hope I can make more history tomorrow. I love Phillip Island - this place is so cool and really beautiful.” 

The end of the day saw the completion of the men’s Round of 32 and women’s quarterfinals in the Phillip Island Pro Junior. Mitchell Peterson (AUS) was the standout performer, posting a 9.17 single-wave score for three massive critical backside turns. 

Ben Zanatta Creagh (AUS) also went massive, posting a 9.10 single wave on his way to the Quarterfinals. 

Natalie Fensom (AUS) and Milla Brown (AUS) were to top performers in the women's Quarterfinals and will look to book a spot in the Finals when competition resumes tomorrow at Cape Woolamai.