Costa Rican Leilani McGonagle came closer than ever to qualifying for the first CT tournament of her career yesterday when she competed in the trials, making it to the grand final but was unable to beat Australia's Kobie Enright.

McGonagle won her round 1 heat against Canadian Mathea Olin and Gabriel Medina's sister, Sophia.

Once in the final, against Molly Pickum and Enright, she could not find the scores that would put her in first place.

The organizers have yet to confirm the final result, since if the athlete finishes second and a CT athlete withdraws, the Costa Rican would go.

On the men's side, Jacob Willcox's backside was superior and he made it into the main event to face Julian Wilson and Joan Duru.

Meanwhile, the local wildcard was won by Harry Mann who will surf against Medina and Ryan Callinan.

These were the round 1 series of which only the first ones passed:
HT 1: Leilani McGonagle (CR) vs Mathea Olin (CA) vs Sophia Medina (BRA)
HT 2: Alyssa Spencer (USA) vs Kirra-Belle Olsson (AUS) vs Molly Picklum (AUS)
HT 3: Kobie Enright (AUS) vs Alana Blanchard (USA) vs Bella Wilson (AUS)