XTREMEBETS TOP PICKS FOR THE 2022 WCT
The 2022 WSL Championship Tour kicks off on January 29 with the Billabong Pro Pipe in a redesigned format. Men and women will for the first time compete at the same venues with an equal number of competitions.
The new format also features a mid-season cut which will conclude with the Rip Curl WSL Finals at Lower Trestles, CA.
TOP PICKS MEN
Gabriel Medina (4.00)
Odds: 4.00
Having dominated last season with three first-place, and three second-place finishes over eight events, it should come as no surprise that the Brazilian is not only the favorite with many bookmakers but also ours here at xtremebets.com to clinch the 2022 title.
Medina is a three-time men’s world champion ( 2021, 2018, and 2014) with arguably the best aerial game on the tour and has been part of the WSL Championship Tour since 2012.
Italo Ferreira
Odds: 5.50
The 2019 WSL world champion is one of the most consistent surfers on the tour having finished in the top four for the last three seasons. The Brazilian also won gold at the Tokyo Olympics back in July and is at 5.50 definitely someone to look into.
John John Florence
Odds: 4.00 - 4.50
Third, on our list is John John Florence. The two-time men’s world champion (back-to-back wins in 2016 and 2017) seems to be back to form having struggled with injuries in 2021.
The Honolulu native clearly has the skills to win it all and is seen as Medina’s biggest threat by the bookmakers, but keep in mind that backing Florence might be a risky move given the Hawaiian’s injury-riddled past.
THREE TO WATCH
Felipe Toledo (6.50)
The Brazilian had two first-place finishes and finished second overall last season, making it his best season yet.
Jack Robinson (11.00)
Claiming his first CT win and finishing twelfth overall in 2021, the young Aussie has proven that he has what it takes to compete with the top names for the title.
Kelly Slater (20.00)
With 11 world champion titles to his name and having finished 18th overall in 2021 after just competing in three events, Kelly Slater is still going strong. So, even though he is pushing 50, never count out the GOAT.
TOP PICKS WOMEN
Carissa Moore
Odds: 3.00
The reigning world and Olympic champion has five world champion titles to her name and is undoubtedly the one to beat. Moore has won the last two championships and is at 3.00, not a bad bet.
Tatiana Weston-Webb
Odds: 6.50
The Brazilian-American surfer is coming off her best season yet, finishing second overall 3000 points behind Moore. The 25-year old secured five podiums including a win at the Margaret River Pro in 2021.
Tyler Wright
Odds: 6.50
Finishing sixth overall in 2021 with a win at the Maui Pro, the two-time women’s world champion (back-to-back titles in 2016 and 2017) seems to be on her way back after battling chronic fatigue syndrome in 2018 and 2019.
THREE TO WATCH
Caroline Marks (5.50)
For Marks, it isn’t a question of if she will win a world champion title, but when. Will 2022 be her year?
Sally Fitzgibbons (10.00)
The Aussie had five podiums including a win at the Rottnest Search and finished third overall last season. Priced at 10.00 by the bookmakers, Fitzgibbons is well worth a thought.
Johanne Defay (16.00)
Priced at 16.00 by the bookmakers, France’s Johanne Defay looks like an interesting outside bet. The Frenchwoman started the 2021 season slowly but picked up momentum towards the end picking up a win at the Surf Ranch Pro and finishing fourth overall.
