Kelly Slater And Johanne Defay Receive WSL Wildcard Spots
Credit Outerknown and Johanne Defay on Instagram
Kelly Slater and Johanne Defay have been awarded wildcard spots for the remainder of the 2023 WSL Championship Tour.
Just when you thought he was out they pulled him back in. Kelly Slater started off the week by missing the mid-season cut for the 2023 WSL Championship Tour. The 51-year-old was looking at a huge disappointment when his season was cut short after getting sent home in the round of 32 at the Margaret River Pro. Now he has been given new life and his 2023-24 season hopes are still alive.
According to the WSL, Slater and Johanne Defay will receive “entry into the 2023 Championship Tour events following the mid-season cut, plus entry into the first half of the 2024 CT season.”
Kelly Slater and Johanne Defay have been awarded 2023 wildcard spots
Slater was not only hoping to make the top five this year and compete in the WSL Finals in September but he was hopeful of the 2024 U.S. Olympic team. Having the ability to serve as a wildcard going forward will help both of these causes. The next stop on the CT is The Surf Ranch, Slater’s home wave. He actually designed the facility and the wave so of anyone, he has the best chance at racking up some points here.
“With the rankings for the Mid-season Cut completed, we’ve announced Kelly Slater and Johanne Defay as the WSL Season Wildcards for 2023 and 2024, and Miguel Pupo and Brisa Hennessy the Season Wildcards for 2024,” said Jessi Miley-Dyer per WSL PR. “The WSL Rule Book allows for only former World Champions and previous WSL Final 5 competitors to be eligible to earn points in the second half of the season as the Season Wildcards. Kelly and Johanne meet those criteria, so we look forward to seeing them complete the CT season. We also look forward to welcoming back Miguel and Brisa in 2024.”
Defay will be able to continue her quest for a CT championship as well by being a wildcard down the stretch. Last year she finished in third place.
In addition to Slater and Defay, Brisa Hennessy and Miguel Pupo have been awarded the 2024 WSL season wildcards. This will allow them entry to all five events in the first half of the 2024 CT season.
