The World Surf League has decided to give Kelly Slater and John John Florence the wildcards due to injuries for 2019, leaving Brazilian Caio Ibelli as the first alternate for all 2019 tournaments.

Of the three, Ibelli was the one who suffered the most serious injury, spent the longest time out of the water and competed in the fewest events. Slater, on the other hand, was involved in more than one controversial situation: He competed in his pool's tournament, the Founders Cup, where he did very well, and a week later he did not go to compete in Rio.

Then, after competing in Jbay, he did not go to Teahupoo but he did compete in the next stage, also in his pool. The most controversial situation was that he withdrew from Keramas allegedly due to injury but appeared surfing the swell of the century in Cloudbreak.

This is precisely what Ibelli denounced in her post: “Honestly, I do not agree with the decision, Kelly used and abused. He went to Fiji in the 20-footer at the Keramas event and placed third in the pool but did not go to France the following week. Plus this is the second year he has been given that same spot. Is that fair?

In the WSL statement, tour commissioner Kieren Perrow explained that the medical committee looks at the severity of the injuries but also at the surfers’ success on tour. “While all have strong cases, we have determined that Kelly Slater and John John will receive wildcards and that Caio Ibelli will be the first replacement of the season. It’s not something we guarantee third contenders every season, but in this case it’s deserved.”

According to Stab, Ibelli sought help from WSL CEO Sophie Goldschmidt when things were getting complicated. She reportedly told him that he would be guaranteed entry into six events. The Brazilian was not satisfied with this proposal and made it known.

 

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INJURY WILCARD UPDATE: Please contact @wsl to inform you that the Injury Wildcard this year will be Kelly Slater and JJ Florence. Sincerely, I do not agree with the decision, Kelly used and abused it. For Fiji 20 pesos during the Keramas event, it will be in 3rd in the pool and it was not for France next week. For this is the 2nd consecutive year that he uses that same vague one. Will it be fair? ? @tallteef

A publication shared by Caio Ibelli (@caioibelli) the 18 Dic 2018 has 3: 14 PST