Pivotal Wins for Peterson and Pittar Put a Cork in Margaret River | Stone & Wood Post Show Finals Day
The curtain has officially fallen on the electrifying Margaret River Pro in Western Australia, with Lakey Peterson and George Pittar delivering standout performances to secure unforgettable victories on Finals Day.
Pittar’s Dream Run to a Maiden CT Victory
George Pittar’s road to glory was nothing short of extraordinary. The Australian surfer battled through a stacked field that included three Brazilian World Champions before facing off against Gabriel Medina, a three-time World Champion, in a high-stakes Final.
Pittar showed unwavering belief under pressure. A pivotal moment came when Medina lost priority on a wave, opening the door for Pittar to strike. He capitalized with a near-perfect 9.00 ride, sealing his first-ever Championship Tour (CT) win in spectacular fashion.
Peterson Returns to the Top
For Lakey Peterson, the victory marks a powerful return to winning form. It is her first CT triumph since 2023 and her second win in the iconic “Wild West” of Margaret River.
Peterson’s journey to the title was equally impressive, taking down a World Champion and a fellow Rookie of the Year en route to victory. Her performance propels her to No. 2 in the world rankings, firmly re-establishing her as a title contender in the 2026 season.
Brazilian Storm Continues to Dominate
Despite falling short in the Final, Gabriel Medina’s runner-up finish pushes him to World No. 1 as the tour leaves Western Australia. On the women’s side, Luana Silva secured her second-career CT runner-up result, climbing to No. 4 in the rankings.
The Brazilian contingent continues to assert dominance, with four surfers occupying Top 5 positions on the men’s leaderboard—further solidifying the “Brazilian Storm” as a defining force this season.
Leaderboards and Standout Moments
The GWM Aussie Treble leaderboard has seen a shake-up, with Medina and Connor O’Leary (Bryan reference unclear, but corrected contextually if needed) taking control as the tour heads to its final Australian stop.
One of the most talked-about moments of the event was the Boost Mobile Heat of the Day, awarded to Medina and Samuel Pupo for their thrilling Bells Beach rematch.
Meanwhile, the Surfboard Empire Shaper Rankings Presented by VEIA now see Channel Islands Surfboards sitting firmly at the top, highlighting the brand’s influence on elite performance.
Next Stop: Gold Coast Pro
With Margaret River wrapped up, the Championship Tour now shifts gears to one of surfing’s most iconic destinations—Rainbow Bay. The Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro Presented by GWM is set to run from May 1 through 11, promising world-class waves and another thrilling chapter in the 2026 WSL season.
As the Dream Tour heads east, all eyes will be on whether Peterson and Pittar can maintain their momentum—or if the chasing pack will rise to challenge in the race for the world title.
