International field flare at Cloud 9

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Competition has continued today at the 25th annual Siargao Cloud 9 Surfing Cup World surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 1,500 event. Cloud 9 continued to deliver clean surf as wave heights hovered in the 2-foot range for the opening half of
Round 2.

Reigning event winner Skip McCullough (USA) made his return to Cloud 9 on day 2, starting where he left off with a solid heat win. As the winds began to puff on-shore, McCullough was forced to go to turns to post his two-wave combination of 13.25 to narrowly progress over Tomas King (CRI) into Round 3.

“I couldn’t hear scores at the end there and I’d thought I’d lost -- I was tripping," McCullough said. "Everyone was ripping -- Man I love this place, such killer vibes. I’m just trying to not get too nervous after winning last year”

Australian youngster Samson Coulter (AUS) only just progressed through his Round 2 heat in the final minutes, landing some solid airs to progress into Round 3 with an impressive heat total of 14.25.

“I thought I was gone, I was in third and wasn’t getting any good waves," Coulter said. "Then at the end, I managed to find a couple of ramps and landed some airs. Luckily I went to first. I’m just excited to get another heat at Cloud 9, it’s so much fun out there.”

Former event winner and local legend John-MarkTokong (PHL) was another standout on Day 2, progressing through his opening Round heat with a 16.50 two-wave total, the highest of the event so far. Tokong, as usual, seemed to draw in waves that were bigger and hollower than any others that came through during the day.

Francisco Bellorin (VEN), Elliot Paerata-Reid (NZL), and Santiago Muniz (ARG) were other surfers with impressive performances in Round 2 of competition.