After coronavirus and shark incidents, pro surfing back on
The world’s best surfers hit the water once again in Hawaii on Thursday, after a temporary halt following a shark attack and coronavirus cases that wiped out the first events of the competitive circuit.
The men’s event, the Billabong Pipe Masters, was suspended after staff members, including the World Surf League CEO Erik Logan, tested positive for coronavirus earlier this week.
“We’ll look to run competition over the coming days with a promising forecast,” Logan said in a statement. “A mammoth amount of work has gone into getting professional surfing back — part of which included comprehensive COVID protocols to ensure the safety of the local community, surfers and staff.”
The women’s event, the Maui Pro, was halted after a recreational surfer was killed by a shark near the event site.
The women’s event will now be held at Pipeline, the first time women’s Championship Tour competition will ever be held at the venue.
In his announcement Thursday on the resumption of contests, Logan said after a positive case, contract tracing was used to identify others who should isolate, including himself, which ultimately contained the number of cases.
“I continue to experience mild symptoms, and am grateful for the medical community on Oahu,” Logan said. “One of the reasons I wanted to share my positive test is to demonstrate my — and the WSL’s — utmost respect for our local community, for all the individuals who make the North Shore, and Hawaii, so special. The trust between our organization and this community is paramount.”
The contest isn’t open to spectators, instead it is being broadcast live on the Spectrum Surf Channel and also on worldsurfleague.com.
Sun Belt championship canceled
CONWAY, S.C. — The Sun Belt Conference football championship game Saturday between No. 9 Coastal Carolina and No. 17 Louisiana-Lafayette was canceled Thursday because of a positive COVID-19 test within the Coastal Carolina program.
An entire position group would have been unavailable to play because of contact tracing.
“We are very disappointed that the championship game cannot be played, but we are so proud of all of the players and staff members and their hard work during this truly challenging season,” Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill said in a statement. “We will honor both teams as 2020 Sun Belt Conference Co-Champions.”
Both schools were in contention for a New Year’s Six bowl spot with a victory in the first Sun Belt title game featuring a matchup of ranked teams.
Coastal Carolina (11-0, 8-0, No. 12 CFP), the Sun Belt’s first top 10 team, was set to host Louisiana-Lafayette (9-1, 7-1 No. 19 CFP).
“We are all obviously devastated with this development and hurt for the student-athletes from both institutions in that they will not have a chance to compete for a conference title,” Coastal Carolina athletic director Matt Hogue said. “However, the adherence to health and safety protocols for our student-athletes has been and remains the first priority. Those protocols and guidance from our medical team fully governs this decision.”
The Ragin’ Cajuns’ only loss was 30-27 at home against the Chanticleers on Oct. 14.
By wire reports
