John John Florence scored the best total in qualification in Portugal ©Getty Images

Hawaii's John John Florence and Australia's Sally Fitzgibbons were the highest scorers in men's and women's qualification today at the Pro Portugal, the third leg of the World Surf League World Tour in Peniche.

Florence, a two-time world champion, finished top of heat eight to qualify for the round of 32 with a score of 17.57.

Olympic champion Ítalo Ferreira of Brazil was the second-highest scorer when he won heat four with 16.17.

Ferreira's fellow countryman Samuel Pupo is to face his brother Miguel in the round of 32 after recording the third-best run of the opening round with 14.60, marginally in front of Hawaiian Imaikalani deVault with 13.73.

Joao Chianca, also from Brazil, won heat 10 with a best of 14.17.

Four surfers were knocked out in the elimination round, with these being Afonso Antunes and Vasco Ribeiro of Portugal, Matthew McGillivray of South Africa and Deivid Silva of Brazil.

Sally Fitzgibbons topped women's qualification in front of Molly Picklum ©Getty Images
Sally Fitzgibbons topped women's qualification in front of Molly Picklum ©Getty Images

Fitzgibbons put down a mark of 15.56 in heat six to qualify as the top surfer in the women's event in front of her compatriot Molly Picklum, who was top of heat four with 15.50.

Hawaii's Olympic champion Carissa Moore had the third-highest mark, winning heat three with 14.00.

American Tia Blanco and Hawaii's Bettylou Sakura Johnson exited after finishing last in their heats in the elimination round.