Miliani Simon came close to victory at Haleʻiwa, on the north shore of Oahu. The Tahitian surfer finished the HTA Haleʻiwa Pro in second place on the World Surf League’s Qualifying Series (QS).
In the final, contested in waves from 1.80 to 2.40 meters, she posted a total of 12 points, thanks to two scores of 7.75 and 4.25. Not enough to beat Hawaii’s Vaihitimahana Inso, who triumphed with 12.50 points (6.50 and 6.00). Only half a point separated the two competitors after the 30-minute event.
American Alyssa Spencer completed the podium with 10.95 points, ahead of Dutchwoman Zoie Zietz (9.65 points).
A few hours earlier, Miliani Simon had won her semifinal with 11.50 points, ahead of Alyssa Spencer (11 points). A performance that secured her a place in the final.
Kiara Goold withdraws from the semifinal
The other Tahitian still in contention, Kiara Goold, could not defend her chances in the semifinal. The surfer, who had managed to qualify for the final eight, withdrew before her heat. The reason for her withdrawal is not specified in the official results.
She thus finished the competition in seventh place, while Hawaii’s Vaihitimahana Inso and the Dutch Zoie Zietz advanced from this first semifinal.
The HTA Haleʻiwa Pro thus ends with two Tahitian women among the top eight in the women’s standings, including a finalist berth for Miliani Simon.
On the QS calendar of the World Surf League, the HTA Haleʻiwa Pro gives competitors the opportunity to collect points toward the Tahiti–Hawaii regional rankings, with the goal of earning a spot on the Challenger Series (CS), the upper tier of the professional circuit.
