CT commentator and former Tour surfer Rosy Hodge watches and evaluates as much surfing as just about anyone, and these are the athletes she expects to do well when the Tour resumes in just a few days.
So, who is on her Fantasy team? First up, Rosy is banking on defending World Champion Italo Ferreira to get the job done at Pipeline.
Italo Ferreira won't be taking any prisoners when he gets his title defence underway at Pipe - WSL / Tony Heff
Italo put a lot of work in on the North Shore last year before he secured the Pipe Masters win and his first Title, and with a new affinity for the wave and the relief of getting his season underway after an extended break, Italo feels like a solid choice.
As Rosy says, "He's still riding that high from last year and will be tough to beat in his first event back."
Moving on over to Honolua Bay, Rosy is picking young phenomenon Caroline Marks, who was in the Title race all the way to the last event of the year in 2019. Most fans would say it's not a question of if but when she secures a World Title, and with one of the best backhands in all of surfing, expect to see her throw down some huge turns on Honolua Bay's walls.
Caroline Marks is widely expected to win a World Title someday soon - WSL / Cait Miers
"If 2020 went as planned, I think we'd be talking about her clinching her first World Title in Maui," says Rosy.
Rounding out her Fantasy squad, she's got wildcard Bettylou Sakura Johnson and Rookie Jack Robinson as her Sleeper picks.
Honolua Bay is a perfect wave for the 15-year-old from Oahu to showcase her surfing. She has a strong forehand attack, and isn't afraid of consequential waves. And as for Jack... you would be hard pressed to think of another CT Rookie with such a natural ability to surf Pipe.
Fantasy: This Is Who Rosy Hodge Thinks Is Going Come Out Swinging In Hawaii
Ben Collins
CT commentator and former Tour surfer Rosy Hodge watches and evaluates as much surfing as just about anyone, and these are the athletes she expects to do well when the Tour resumes in just a few days.
So, who is on her Fantasy team? First up, Rosy is banking on defending World Champion Italo Ferreira to get the job done at Pipeline.
Italo put a lot of work in on the North Shore last year before he secured the Pipe Masters win and his first Title, and with a new affinity for the wave and the relief of getting his season underway after an extended break, Italo feels like a solid choice.
As Rosy says, "He's still riding that high from last year and will be tough to beat in his first event back."
Moving on over to Honolua Bay, Rosy is picking young phenomenon Caroline Marks, who was in the Title race all the way to the last event of the year in 2019. Most fans would say it's not a question of if but when she secures a World Title, and with one of the best backhands in all of surfing, expect to see her throw down some huge turns on Honolua Bay's walls.
"If 2020 went as planned, I think we'd be talking about her clinching her first World Title in Maui," says Rosy.
Rounding out her Fantasy squad, she's got wildcard Bettylou Sakura Johnson and Rookie Jack Robinson as her Sleeper picks.
Honolua Bay is a perfect wave for the 15-year-old from Oahu to showcase her surfing. She has a strong forehand attack, and isn't afraid of consequential waves. And as for Jack... you would be hard pressed to think of another CT Rookie with such a natural ability to surf Pipe.
Bettylou Sakura Johnson
Featuring Eli Hanneman, Sawyer Lindblad, Griffin Colapinto, Imaikalani deVault, Eithan Osborne, Cam Richards, Lucca Mesinas, Bettylou
Bettylou Sakura Johnson bests World No.1 Brisa Hennessy to lock down her semifinal matchup here at Punta Roca. This is Bettylou's 4th
Another dominant display from World No. 3 Bettylou Sakura Johnson secured her third-consecutive Finals Day appearance after overpowering
Current World No. 3 Bettylou Sakura Johnson established herself once more with a dynamic win over CT veteran Lakey Peterson and rookie
That's all the 8's and up featuring Jack Robinson, Molly Picklum, Matthew McGillivray, Jordy Smith, Miguel Pupo, Griffin Colapinto, Jacob
News
The now-Central Coast competitor Jack Van Wagoner is back in familiar waters, this time in Pismo Beach, looking for his second-career win.
The 2023 finalist Chloe Coleman is back after her rookie year among the world's best and looks for a second-career win heading into Pismo
Jahly Stokes and Keijiro Nishi Finish Runners Up as Jinzun Harbor Turns on Pumping Surf For Finals Day and Kerr Wins Second QS 5000 Event
Women's Top Seeds Dominate Round of 32 -- Stage Set For Potential Finals Day in Taiwan.