Caio Ibelli Joins 2026 Surfing Champions Trophy After Victor Bernardo's Injury

Caio Ibelli has been confirmed as a competitor in the 2026 Surfing Champions Trophy at the Four Seasons Maldives, stepping in for Victor Bernardo, who was injured in a car accident on August 17 in California.

The event organizers expressed their support for Bernardo and his wife, wishing them a swift recovery. Bernardo was initially set to participate in the competition, expressing excitement about sharing the experience with his mother during her first international trip.

Ibelli, a former Championship Tour veteran, has an impressive competitive history, including a World Junior Championship and the 2015 Qualifying Series World Championship. He retired from the Championship Tour after the 2024 season. Currently living about 2,000 kilometers from the ocean in the Australian Outback, Ibelli will compete in three divisions at the event, despite not having surfed on a thruster since his last tour heat.