SOPHIE McCulloch (AUS) and Xavier Huxtable (AUS) claimed victory on Saturday, March 22 at the 2025 Phillip Island Pro World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3,000 event. The pair overcame a massive field of Asia Pacific’s best up-and-coming surfers, all looking for a spot on the 2025 WSL Challenger Series. Cape Woolamai delivered once again, serving up clean surf in the three-to-five-foot range on Final's Day.
Xavier Huxtable (AUS) claimed an emphatic victory at Cape Woolamai, putting on a powerful performance to overcome fellow Victorian and good friend Tully Wylie (AUS) in what was a re-match of the 2022 Philip Island Pro QS 1,000 Final. Wylie looked to be the form surfer, getting an early start, and it looked like he was getting another win at this location over his good mate, a win that he also needed to guarantee a spot on the Challenger Series. Huxtable, however, had other ideas, posting a 7.40, then backing it up with a 9.00 (out of a possible 10) point ride for a critical backside snap on a massive closeout section. Wylie came back, posting an excellent 8.00-point ride for three committed frontside gouges, but Huxtables 16.40 (out of a possible 20) was too much for him to chase down, leaving him to get one back and claim the second QS 3,000 event victory of his career.
“I’m so stoked to make the final and take the win,” Huxtable said. “It’s bittersweet to beat my best mate as I want to make sure he qualifies and we can travel the world together, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It doesn’t get better than competing against your best mate for an event win so close to home. It’s been a sick week, and I’m over the moon to win and be on the Challenger Series in 2025.”
Sophie McCulloch (AUS) has continued her incredible return to competition, earning her second QS win in as many events with an impressive performance at the Phillip Island Pro this week. McCulloch has only recently returned to the water after breaking her back while surfing in Margaret River almost a year ago. The former CT competitor has been awarded a wildcard into the Challenger Series but is surfing on the QS to get some reps in ahead of the season. Her return will have done plenty for her confidence as she took the win, posting some of the biggest scores of the entire event, including in the Final, where she posted a two-wave total of 16.25 (out of a possible 20). To overcome Oceanna Rogers (AUS). McCulloch's timing, power and finesse were a perfect match for the waves at Cape Woolamai as she took her second WSL win at the location, this one being the biggest.
“I’m really happy to get this win in Phillip Island,” McCulloch said. “The QS in APAC is such a high level, and all the girls have been ripping this week, so it’s just amazing how confident I am to get a win like this. I couldn’t have asked for a better return to competition, and I hope I haven’t used up all my good juju with results here and on the Gold Coast. I love competing here in Phillip Island. My family is all originally from Victoria, so I love this coastline and the power of the ocean down here. I’m really glad to get the win here.”
Earlier in the day, the Phillip Island Pro Junior wrapped up at Cape Woolamai with Ellie Harrison (AUS) and Kyan Falvey each taking wins. For Harrison, it capped off a strong week with the Victorian also finishing equal fifth in the QS 3,000 event. The powerful natural footer put on a dominating performance to win the Final with a 13.00-point heat total, leaving Stella Green (AUS), Tayla Green (NZL) and Natalie Fensom (AUS) to finish in second, third and fourth place, respectively.
“I’m stoked to get a win at this event,” Harrison said. “It’s been a great week of waves here, and it’s always so nice to compete so close to home. I feel like every time I come to Phillip Island, I get great surf and have a nice time. It’s such a beautiful place. I’m happy with how I surfed this week, so it’s great to walk away with a win at an event.”
Kyan Falvey (AUS) put on an incredible performance at Cape Woolamai to claim his maiden WSL Pro Junior event win, which was the biggest result of his career. Falvey landed a massive alley-oop air to post a 9.00-point ride and win with a heat total of 16.90. Mitchell Peterson (AUS), Landen Smales (AUS) and Kalan Orchard (AUS) finished the Final in second, third and fourth place, respectively. It is the perfect start to the Pro Junior season as they look to qualify for the WSL World Junior Championships later this year.
“It’s been my first time here on Phillip Island, and I have had a sick week,” Falvey said. “It was awesome to surf a Final with these boys, and I’m pretty stoked I won. The wind went a bit weird in our Fiinal, but it made it good for airs, so I was able to land that big one. This is the best result I've ever had, so I’m stoked.
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