North Shore’s Alana Blanchard won a super heat at Bells Beach, Australia, to win a spot into this week’s Rip Curl Women’s Pro.

Blanchard has been placed in Heat 3 in Round 1 to surf against the reigning women’s world champion Stephanie Gilmore and 17-ranked Jacqueline Silva. The official waiting period for the Rip Curl Men’s and Women’s Pro started yesterday.

“At this point in the season, everyone should be considered a threat,” Gil-more told the media of the field. “Everyone is training really hard and the wildcards can be a real challenge as they’re really hungry and have nothing to lose.”

Other Kaua‘i surfers competing are Bruce and Andy Irons and Roy Powers. Other Hawai‘i surfers include Megan Abubo and Fred Patacchia.

The Rip Curl Pro is the second event in both the Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour and the women’s tour.

Competition was called off for the first two days, due to insufficient waves.

(Source: Lanaly Cabalo, Kauai Garden Island News)
(Photo Credit: Steven Robertson/ASP)