In addition to making Round 5 a knockout, the WSL has changed the number of points awarded for each result at CT events this year, further widening the gap between the 10.000-point champion and the next-highest surfers.

The change seems to aim at rewarding victory more and “punishing” defeat more. Although it is not linear: While the team that comes last in a championship is paid 16% less, the team that comes 13th is now paid only 4,5% less. But then, the team that comes ninth is reduced by 7,5%, the team that comes fifth by 8,75%, the team that comes third by 6,4% and the team that comes second by only 2,5%.

This is how the points table by location looks now:
1- 10000 points
2- 7800 points (2,5% less than before)
3- 6085 points (6,4% less than before)
5- 4745 points (8,75% less than before)
9- 3700 points (7,5% less than before)
13- 1665 points (4,5% less than before)
25- 420 points (16% less than before)

This is how it was before:
1- 10000 points
2- 8000 points
3- 6500 points
5- 5200 points
9- 4000 points
13- 1750 points
25- 500 points

The change was not formally announced by the WSL in any press release. Yesterday, during the live broadcast of round 2 of the Tahiti Pro, commentator and former commissioner of the big wave tour, Peter Mel, referred to this, highlighting precisely how the stage champion is being rewarded more and that it is expected that the situation of tour champions not winning stages will no longer occur.