Bianca Buitendag and a Controversial Heat Loss at the Rip Curl Women’s Pro

Bianca Buitendag caused quite a commotion at the Rip Curl Pro today after being eliminated in an obscure Round Four heat against Alessa Quizon. With a great swell forecast on the maps for the Rip Curl pro Bells Beach, event organisers decided to run four heats of the women’s Round Four, held at alternate venue, Winkipop.

Bianca Buitendag placed second in her Round 4 heat. Photo: WSL / Kelly Cestari

Here’s a quick recap from the dying seconds of Bianca’s Round Four heat for anyone that missed it:
Alessa has priority and is winning.

Bianca needs something like a high 7 point ride to win.

There’s five seconds left on the clock.

And in those last five seconds a set reaches the lineup, Bianca paddles and her hands leave the rails. It’s a score-able ride. Seeing this Alessa uses her priority and paddles for the wave.

Rather than continuing down the line, Bianca straightens out and rides the wave into shore. Only Alessa didn’t have priority, in the rule book it is stated that as soon as that final horn blows, there’s no such thing as priority. If Bianca had continued surfing the wave and Alessa had gotten in her way, it would have been counted as an interference and Bianca would have won herself a spot in the Quaterfinals.

Bianca, consoled by her mum after losing in round four. Photo: WSL

The Men’s Round Four will take to the water when competition resumes and we’re sure Bianca will take her confidence over to Margaret River for the next stop of the WSL Dream Tour.