Australian Morgan Cibilic delivered a dramatic finish to secure his spot in the New Zealand Pro semi-finals, but the spotlight shone brightly on Yago Dora. The defending world champion captivated audiences with one of the most impressive aerials in World Surf League history during his quarter-final heat against Cole Houshmand at Manu Bay on Sunday.

Facing a challenging situation, Dora needed a 9.50 to advance with just over three minutes remaining. Known for his ability to perform under pressure, he unleashed a breathtaking full rotation aerial, achieving approximately two seconds of hang time before executing a flawless landing. The five judges unanimously awarded him a perfect 10, propelling him into a semi-final clash against fellow Brazilian Italo Ferreira, who also showcased an impressive aerial in his victory over Miguel Pupo.

Dora expressed his exhilaration:

I feel so good. I was just praying for an opportunity... I went all the way to the flats and I stuck it perfectly.

Cibilic's journey was equally thrilling. Needing a 7.90 to win, he managed to catch a wave with only three seconds left. After executing five stunning snaps, he realized he could enhance his score with additional smaller maneuvers. His performance was rated an 8.0, securing him the win and setting up a semi-final against Griffin Colapinto, who overcame Filipe Toledo.

Oh my God so good, nothing was going my way... Once I stood up, the eyes rolled back and just went to work and got the job done,

In the women’s semi-finals, Sawyer Lindblad edged out Alyssa Spencer by just 0.03, while Carissa Moore triumphed over Bettylou Sakura Johnson with a score of 19.00 to 13.70. The women’s final and the remainder of the men’s competition are set for Monday.