WSL Names Vahine Fierro as Wildcard, Kauli Vaast to Replace Ferreira in Shiseido Tahiti Pro

The World Surf League announced today that Tahiti's Vahine Fierro and Kauli Vaast will both compete in the upcoming Shiseido Tahiti Pro at Teahupo'o this month.

While Fierro is the women's event wildcard, Vaast is the replacement for Brazilian Italo Ferreira, who withdrew from the event today due to a severe knee injury from J-Bay.

Who will take the third and final spot in the Tahiti Pro has yet to be determined, as the trials winner will claim it.

The WSL captioned the post above:

"Now welcoming two new faces to the @shiseido#TahitiPro draw! 📝⁣Watch live, Aug 11-20 on worldsurfleague.com."

According to the WSL press release, Fierro and Vaast are the highest-ranked Tahitians in the Challenger Series.

The organization said Fierro entered as a wildcard last season and "earned an impressive third-place finish."

Meanwhile, Vaast is "sure to be a threat to the world's best as he was an event wildcard here last year and finished runner-up."

Here's the heats we have to look forward to:

Shiseido Tahiti Pro Presented by Outerknown Women's Opening Round Matchups:
Heat 1: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Gabriela Bryan (HAW)
Heat 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Vahine Fierro (FRA)
Heat 3: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Johanne Defay (FRA)
Heat 4: Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW)

Shiseido Tahiti Pro Presented by Outerknown Men's Opening Round Matchups:
Heat 1: Joao Chianca (BRA) vs. Barron Mamiya (HAW) vs. Seth Moniz (HAW)
Heat 2: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Ian Gentil (HAW) vs. Kelly Slater (USA)
Heat 3: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Jordy Smith (RSA) vs. Kauli Vaast (FRA)
Heat 4: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. winner of Local Trials
Heat 5: Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Rio Waida (INA)
Heat 6: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Connor O'Leary (AUS) vs. Callum Robson (AUS)
Heat 7: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS) vs. Matthew McGillivray (RSA)
Heat 8: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Liam O'Brien (AUS)

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