Filipe Toledo dominates, and Ítalo Ferreira struggles in the WSL

Two big names in Brazilian surfing made their debut in World Surf League (WSL) in 2026, this Tuesday (7): Filipe Toledo and Ítalo Ferreira. While the former achieved a comfortable victory, Ferreira was just 10 tenths ahead of his opponent. Despite the difference between the scores, both advanced to the round of 16 at the Bells Beach stage, in Australia.

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The 12th and 13th batteries had a green-yellow sequence of veterans. Among the Brazilians, Filipe was the first to fall into the water and delivered a high-level performance. Afterwards, Ítalo maintained his good performance and continued to cheer up the fans in Brazil.

The third wave was important for Toledo to achieve the highest score in his heat, with a high 7.33. Meanwhile, Eli Hanneman had “only” 4.83 – received on his second completed attempt. The first to create an advantage was the Hawaiian with 10.10, but the Brazilian soon responded and raised the score to be beaten to 13.50. The two-time champion even improved his average to 14 after a wave of 6.67.

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Final result
Filipe Toledo (BRA) – 7,33 + 6,67 = 14,00
Eli Hanneman (USA) – 5.27 + 4.83 = 10.10

In the next heat, the dispute ended in great emotions. With a score of 12.83, victory seemed assured for Ferreira until the final seconds, when Australian Xavier Huxtable completed an impressive wave. The reset clock prevented the Brazilian from responding, if the turnaround happened; which didn't happen. Italo's place was confirmed by 10 tenths of a difference.

Final result
Italo Ferreira (BRA) – 7.00 + 5.83 = 12.83
Xavier Huxtable (AUS) – 6,73 + 6,00 = 12,73

Current champion, Yago Dora opens the year with victory

Yago Dora opened his 2026 season campaign with a solid victory at the Bells Beach stage in Australia. In the ninth heat of the main draw, Dora faced fellow countryman Mateus Herdy, who is making his debut in the world surfing elite, with some ease.

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In terms of comparison, Mateus still needed 7.01 to win the spot in the final minutes, however, without much help from the sea, the victory went to the owner of the yellow lycra. Interestingly, Yago's best score was exactly the same as the one received by Herdy during the qualifying round. On that occasion, the young Brazilian beat Australian Liam O'Brien by 13.24 (7.17 + 6.63).

➡️ See what Yago Dora's WSL debut was like in 2026

Other Brazilians have already debuted at Bells Beach

In his farewell season, the experienced Alejo Muniz beat the American Cole Houshmand with a total of 11.56 and advanced to the round of 16 of the Bells Beach stage, in Australia. With this, the 36-year-old Brazilian joins Miguel Pupo, who had already secured a place in the next phase by beating Australian Joe Vaughan with a total score of 14.17.

Hours earlier, João Chianca, aka 'Chumbinho', was eliminated in a tight contest against Jake Marshall, from the United States, a tormentor at Bells Beach last year. The Brazilian's final average was 10.64, while his rival scored 10.83.

➡️ See how Muniz, Pupo and Chumbinho debuted in the WSL in 2026

WSL returns with new format in 2026

The big news of World Surfing League (WSL) for this year is the elimination of repechage heats, a drastic change in the regulations that increases the pressure from the beginning. Under the new format, performance in the 2025 ranking dictates the pace of the debut: the best-ranked elite guarantees a direct place in the second phase, while the other competitors duel in the elimination heats right at the start. round opening.

For the regular season, the grid has already been defined. The men's competition will feature 32 surfers classifiedadded to two guests from the season and two wildcards of the event. The women's category will have 21 athletes classifiedtwo guests from the season and one specific guest per stage.

The decision system has also evolved: the world champion will be crowned by consecutive points over 12 stages, abandoning the old model of Finals restricted to the Top 5. The competition funnel tightens after the ninth stage, when only the 22 best men and the 14 best women qualify for the final leg of the circuit. The closing will be in the sacred waves of Pipeline in Hawaii.

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