Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal Finals Gallery

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All photos by Alan Van Gysen / Monster

Filipe Toledo (BRA), 20, has won the Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal over tour rookie Italo Ferreira (BRA), 20, this afternoon in an amazing final contested in solid six foot surf at the iconic Supertubos in Peniche.

Stop No. 10 on the 2015 Samsung Galaxy World Surf League (WSL) Men’s Championship Tour (CT), the Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal delivered substantial upsets in the WSL Title race and high-drama scenarios with local wildcards and new generation athletes reaching finals day in front of capacity crowds.

 

Toledo started his final with a bang, claiming the event’s second perfect 10 point ride for a combination of two aerial maneuvers and transitional floaters to launch his assault towards a third event title this season. In a combination situation halfway through the Final, Ferreira took his air game to the next level and launched into a huge aerial for a near-perfect 9.93 that put him right back into the battle for first place.

Toledo kept building momentum and confidence and improved on his back-up score with another two-airs combination to increase his lead over Ferreira, ultimately clinching the Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal title. With a third victory this season, Toledo climbs up to second on the Jeep Leaderboard, only 200 points behind current WSL No.1 Mick Fanning (AUS).

“I have no words, I’m just so stoked,” Toledo said. “I had a crazy two-weeks here, I hurt my back right when I got here after France. France was such a bummer for me, but it made me think about everything and put my mind in the right place and now the results are showing. The Final to me is the best heat, I don’t have anything to lose and I just go for it.”

One of the most in-form surfers throughout this whole event, Ferreira fell just short of a first ever CT victory in the final against Toledo, but proved to be extremely consistent in the various conditions on offer in Peniche. Current leader in the Rookie of the Year race, Ferreira nets a career-high result and vaults up to 6th on the Jeep Leaderboard in his inaugural season amongst the World’s Best surfers.

“I just want to thank God for the amazing moments, and thank everyone who showed up here,” Ferreira said. “I can’t believe I just made my first final, I’m so happy. I’m super excited to go to Hawaii and am going to do my best there.”

Brett Simpson (USA), 30, equalled his career-best result with a 3rd place in Peniche, defeated by event winner Toledo in their Semifinal bout. Simpson had a solid campaign in Portugal, defeating giant killer Frederico Morais (PRT) for his spot in the semis among other big performances. This result will propel Simpson to 26th on the CT rankings, giving the Californian a shot at requalification in Hawaii.

“I think just getting through some heats was a big confidence boost, maybe especially that first one with Parko (Joel Parkinson) where I was behind,” Simpson said. “It’s pretty fatiguing surfing these conditions day in and day out. I physically felt great and my surfing has been there for a while, I just wasn’t making a lot of those close heats. I’m super happy with this result. I will probably need a huge result in Hawaii to re-qualify, but at least with this event I’ve given myself a chance and I’m excited about that.”

In a re-match of last year’s World Junior Championship final, local wildcard Vasco Ribeiro (PRT), 20, took on Ferreira in the semifinals, but this time Ferreira was on a roll and Ribeiro couldn’t find the waves he needed to overtake the Brazilian. Ribeiro’s path to the semis was exemplary, having defeated Jeremy Flores (FRA), Michel Bourez (PYF) and Adriano De Souza (BRA) on his way to an equal third for his first time competing at the highest level.

“It’s amazing, you can’t be sad with a semis result in your first CT ever,” Ribeiro said. “I want to thank everyone who came here to support us and thanks Moche for the opportunity. This for me was just a taste of what the CT is, this is where I want to be. There are a couple more events to go this season and I hope I can keep the ball rolling.”
Reigning WSL Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA), 21, had a mathematical shot at leaving Portugal with the Yellow Jersey had he won the event, but his Peniche campaign was halted in the quarterfinals by a lethal Ferreira. With an equal 5th today, Medina jumps up to No. 4 on the Jeep leaderboard and will be a strong contender when the World Title race resumes at Pipeline next month.

“Conditions were tricky and I couldn’t find the right waves,” Medina explained. “I can’t wait to go to Hawaii, I’ll be surfing in the Triple Crown too. Like I said I wasn’t thinking about the World Title, but to be back in the race feels great. I’m heading home now and will train and do a QS at my home break to get ready.”

Frederico Morais (PRT), 23, saw his Portugal dream run stopped for a mere 0.08 in his quarterfinal matchup against Simpson. Despite the frustration of losing in difficult conditions, Morais looked back at an amazing event in Peniche, and this learning experience might see the current QS No.55 carry momentum into the all-important Hawaiian leg of events coming up.

“It’s been an incredible event for me, a fifth place is just unbelievable, especially considering as a wildcard I had to go against the very best surfers in the rankings,” Morais stated. “I’m stoked with the way I surfed and the maturity I displayed competing against those guys. I will definitely get a huge confidence boost from this, but the QS are very different events, and contested in different conditions. I’m keen to hit the water again, next time will be in Brazil and I’ll see how I go there. I can’t wait to be on the CT full-time, it’s definitely my dream and I’m working hard towards it, hopefully it will come sooner than later.”

Following the completion of the Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal, the World Title Race heads to Pipeline, Hawaii for the final stop in the 2015 Samsung Galaxy World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), the Billabong Pipe Masters from December 8-20. Heading into Pipe, six athletes remain in a mathematical position to clinch the coveted WSL Title with the following scenarios:

* If Mick Fanning finishes 25th/13th
Owen Wright & Julian Wilson will need a 1st;
Gabriel Medina will need a 3rd or better;
Adriano de Souza will need a 9th or better;
Filipe Toledo will need a 13th or better to clinch the World Title;

* If Fanning finishes 9th
Medina will need a 1st;
De Souza will need a 5th;
Toledo will need a 9th;

* If Fanning finishes 5th
Medina will need a 1st;
De Souza will need a 3rd;
Toledo will need a 5th;

* If Fanning finishes 3rd
De Souza will need a 2nd;
Toledo will need a 3rd;

* If Fanning finishes 2nd
De Souza will need a 1st;
Toledo will need a 1st;

If Mick wins the event he will clinch the World Title.
The Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal will run from October 20 – 31, 2015 and be LIVE via webcast on WorldSurfLeague.com and on the WSL mobile app.

 

Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal Round 5 Results:

Heat 3: Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) 10.43 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 9.77

Heat 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 9.26 def. Keanu Asing (HAW) 5.30

 

Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal Quarterfinal Results:

QF 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 9.73 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 8.67

QF 2: Brett Simpson (USA) 10.54 def. Frederico Morais (PRT) 10.46

QF 3: Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) 13.34 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 8.17

QF 4: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 18.27 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 6.83

 

Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal Semifinal Results:

SF 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 14.60 def. Brett Simpson (USA) 12.94

SF 2: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 13.37 def. Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) 9.10

 

Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal Final Results:

1 – Filipe Toledo (BRA) 17.83

2 – Italo Ferreira (BRA) 17.13

 

WSL Men’s Top10 (after Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal):

  1. Mick Fanning (AUS) 49,900 pts
  2. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 49,700 pts
  3. Adriano De Souza (BRA) 49,450 pts
  4. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 45,530 pts
  5. Owen Wright (AUS) 43,600 pts
  6. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 41,600 pts
  7. Julian Wilson (AUS) 41,450 pts
  8. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 37,700 pts
  9. Kelly Slater (USA) 34,150 pts
    10. Nat Young (USA) 33,200 pts

Supertubes?

The Moche Rip Curl Pro window opens today and the forecast is looking interesting to say the least. Looks like a few lay days to start and then depending on what models you’re looking at all hell breaks loose. Couple of mega feisty lows brewing. It won’t be flat we know this much. But if you’re tracking the storms on the pressure maps you’ll know there’s a big degree of *shoulder shrug* every time the models are run the next batch of charts have changed wholesale. It’s a chaotic system living up to its name. We’ve got our fingers crossed the Atlantic delivers.

In the meantime here’s what happened on our trip down there last winter…

Medina's 540 & Other Quik Pro Goodness…

MEDINA’S BACKSIDE 540. So the contest has continued to pump, the quarterfinalists have been MEDINA’S BACKSIDE 540 decided and it’s set up for an awesome finale. The girls are live MEDINA’S BACKSIDE 540 now so hit the WSL site for the feed MEDINA’S BACKSIDE 540. As for yesterday the highlight was MEDINA’S BACKSIDE 540. Reproduced in various angles in the videos presented here. Seen a better air this year?!?!

The Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Pro France, Stop No. 9 on the 2015 Samsung Galaxy World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), ran in pumping conditions, deciding the men’s and women’s Quarterfinalists at Culs Nus. Huge crowds gathered on the water’s edge to witness an epic day of mind-blowing performances from the world’s best surfers.

Gabriel Medina (BRA), 21, reigning WSL Champion, blew up in his non-elimination Round 4 matchup and posted the men’s event first perfect 10 point ride for a no-grab stratospheric full-rotation. Medina then turned to maximum-risks vertical backhand hooks to back it up with a couple of 9 point rides and put his opponents in a combination situation. The 2011 Quiksilver Pro France winner, Medina looked unstoppable in the pumping conditions and will look to go all the way and post his first event win of 2015 when the competition resumes.

“It felt like I was free surfing, surf against Wilko and Owen we’ve been doing this for a long time as we always stay in the same house as a team. It was sick, I had a lot of fun,” Medina said. “This might have been the biggest air I’ve ever done. It feels good to be in the quarters. I’ve had a couple of losses early this season and I’m surfing more relaxed now, not thinking about World Titles and just enjoying.”
The high-flying Brazilian will be joined by defending event champion John John Florence (HAW) in a much anticipated superheat when the event resumes.

Julian Wilson (AUS), 26, current WSL No. 5, dominated his Round 4 bout to put an end to a series of unlikely 13th place finishes in Tahiti and Trestles. Wilson fired up and entertained the capacity crowds with aerial maneuvers and carves on the glassy canvas conditions provided.

“The waves are fun, the tide just turned before our heat and gradually as our heat went on the waves got a better shape to them,” Wilson stated. “The medium ones are definitely the best, but even on those big sets if you know it’s going to reform with a big section in the inside, you can roll the dice under priority, there was lots of opportunities out there.”

Mick Fanning (AUS), 34, three-time WSL Champion, marched through Round 4 to get one step closer to an unprecedented fifth event title in France, as the current Jeep Rankings Leader unleashed his signature power carves to rack up two excellent scores. Fanning did not let yesterday’s close call against wildcard Huscenot hinder his momentum and looked lethal in the rippable peaks.

“It felt like I’m building and my surfing is getting a bit better,” Fanning reflected. “Hopefully comes final day it can peak and I can put another good performance. I like these big matchups, even though they are stressful, they keep you in a good frame of mind. Sometimes when you surf easy heats, then you get those big matchups and you sort of forget what to do.”

Adriano De Souza (BRA), 28, followed right into Fanning’s path with a similar approach to dispatch of Jeremy Flores (FRA) and John John Florence (HAW) on his way to an exciting quarterfinal matchup against Owen Wright (AUS). De Souza laid down his sharp forehand turns to collect the day’s second-highest total of 18.50.

“I was watching conditions since the first heat of the day and I realized our heat was going to be pumping,” De Souza said. “I watched John John’s last heat, he smashed it and Jeremy grew up here and knows everything about it so I really had to do everything I could. I’m happy to make this heat and am looking forward to finals day.”

WSL Top17 athletes had previously launched the day’s action with the completion of Round 3 at the Roxy Pro France to determine the first four surfers in the quarterfinals. With waves pulsing all the way through the changing tide, the women later took it to the lineup to complete the fourth round as well.

Local favorite Johanne Defay (FRA), 21, continued her successful Roxy Pro France campaign with an important win this morning to skip a round and obtain her quarterfinal ticket. Defay chose her waves wisely in a tricky lineup and applied her smooth style on the clean shoulders to send defending event champion Tyler Wright (AUS) and Sage Erickson (USA) to Round 4.

“The tide was pretty low and there was a little rip in the inside and a little backwash, the smaller waves were the best with an open face whereas the sets just closed out,” Defay explained. “Tyler beat me in the semis here last year and put me in combo in the first round this year so I’m happy to get a win over her. I’ll get some rest now and prepare for the quarters.”

Coco Ho (HAW), 24, upset current Jeep leaderboard frontrunner Courtney Conlogue (USA) and 6-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) in Round 3 to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since the Oi Rio Women’s Pro. With two disappointing early exits in the last two events, Ho’s position on the Samsung Galaxy Women’s Championship Tour is all but certain for 2016 and this result will help in her re-qualification campaign.

“I kind of wasn’t even in the heat until Steph let out my 8, I was really lucky and that’s when the ball started rolling for me,” Ho admitted. “And getting that last wave of the set to back it up was great. Courtney and Carissa in that title race are pretty close, but I’m more focused on my own game and trying to get the results that I know I can.”

Capitalizing on Conlogue’s setback, Carissa Moore (HAW), 23, seized the opportunity to send the World Title race to the last event of the season in Hawaii when she advanced into the quarters. Moore performed her surgical approach on a clean righthander with three solid turns and a little cover up for an 8.90 and the win.

“It’s crazy, balancing energies and stuff. I had such a fun time this morning in my warm up session and I didn’t want to come in but I had to keep myself at a pretty even energy level,” Moore said. “I didn’t really know how Courtney’s heat ended and I focused on myself and stayed in my own bubble. I’m happy to take the battle home to Maui.”

Conlogue would be eliminated later in the day by an in-form Tyler Wright (AUS). With Conlogue’s elimination, Moore will overtake the frontrunner position on the Jeep Leaderboard with a Semifinals berth in France.

The Quiksilver and Roxy Pro France is webcast LIVE on worldsurfleague.com and via the WSL app.

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:

QF 1: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Italo Ferreira (BRA)

QF 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Bede Durbidge (AUS)

QF 3: Adriano De Souza (BRA) vs. Owen Wright (AUS)

QF 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. John John Florence (HAW)

 

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE ROUND 5 RESULTS:

Heat 1: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 16.23 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 15.07

Heat 2: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 18.30 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 10.20

Heat 3: Owen Wright (AUS) 18.50 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 16.17

Heat 4: John John Florence (HAW) 16.80 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.87

 

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE ROUND 4 RESULTS:

Heat 1: Julian Wilson (AUS) 17.37, Jadson Andre (BRA) 12.93, Kolohe Andino (USA) 10.47

Heat 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.67, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 15.43, Italo Ferreira (BRA) 13.73

Heat 3: Adriano De Souza (BRA) 18.50, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.00, John John Florence (HAW) 13.37

Heat 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 19.83, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 16.00, Owen Wright (AUS) 15.56

Flores Flourishes in Tahiti

https://youtu.be/QbooSXOR6uU

Jeremy Flores (FRA) has won the Billabong Pro Tahiti in the Final bout against reigning WSL Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) held in six foot surf at Teahupo’o. Stop No. 7 of 11 on the 2015 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour (CT) has been treated to incredible performances by the world’s best surfers, culminating today with Flores’ win.

Flores claimed the second CT victory of his career to jump up five places on the Jeep Leaderboard to 7th. One of the standout performers of the event, Flores defeated some of the world’s best surfers – Medina, C.J. Hobgood (USA), Kelly Slater (USA) and Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) – before claiming victory today.

“Gabriel (Medina) is one really tactical guy so I thought I’m going to play his game,” said Flores. “He’s really aggressive in the water so I thought I’m going to be even more aggressive. Hats off to him, he’s surfed amazing all event and that was definitely one of the hardest heats.”

Jeremy Flores of Capbreton, France (pictured) won the Billabong Pro Tahiti by defeating reigning WSL World Champion and defending event winner Gabriel Medina (BRA) in the final at Teahupoo on 25 August 2015. IMAGE CREDIT: WSL / Cestari PHOTOGRAPHER: Kelly Cestari SOCIAL MEDIA TAG: @wsl @kc80 The images attached or accessed by link within this email ("Images") are hand-out images from the Association of Surfing Professionals LLC ("World Surf League"). All Images are royalty-free but for editorial use only. No commercial or other rights are granted to the Images in any way. The Images are provided on an "as is" basis and no warranty is provided for use of a particular purpose. Rights to an individual within an Image are not provided. Copyright to the Images is owned by World Surf League. Sale or license of the Images is prohibited. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Today’s win backs up a Semifinal berth for Flores at the Fiji Pro and marks an end to a disappointing few years on the CT with his best result of the year and his first event win since the Billabong Pipe Masters in 2010. The result was made even more remarkable because Flores came into the event following a serious head injury suffered during a freesurf that forced him to miss the J-Bay Open and wear a helmet throughout competition in Tahiti.

“That 9.87 in the Final was the wave that got things started for me,” continued Flores. “I was sitting out there getting nervous, waiting for waves. I reminded myself that even if I lost the heat I’m the luckiest guy in the world to be out here. I just tried to stay calm.”

“The last couple of years I haven’t been getting the results I wanted, but more importantly I wasn’t having fun,” Flores said. “Surfing is the most beautiful sport in the world and if you’re not having fun surfing then there’s something wrong. I had to really restart and regain my mindset. I did that by being close to my family and my loved ones and it’s because of them that I got back to having fun and being hungry like I used to be. This year I’ve been out there to win it and if it doesn’t happen it’s all good.”

Jeremy Flores of Capbreton, France (pictured) won the Billabong Pro Tahiti by defeating reigning WSL World Champion and defending event winner Gabriel Medina (BRA) in the final at Teahupoo on 25 August 2015. IMAGE CREDIT: WSL / Cestari PHOTOGRAPHER: Kelly Cestari SOCIAL MEDIA TAG: @wsl @kc80 The images attached or accessed by link within this email ("Images") are hand-out images from the Association of Surfing Professionals LLC ("World Surf League"). All Images are royalty-free but for editorial use only. No commercial or other rights are granted to the Images in any way. The Images are provided on an "as is" basis and no warranty is provided for use of a particular purpose. Rights to an individual within an Image are not provided. Copyright to the Images is owned by World Surf League. Sale or license of the Images is prohibited. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Flores came out firing in the Final, posting a near-perfect 9.87 on his first wave to put the pressure on Medina. With half the heat gone the Brazilian had only a 0.73 heat total while Flores controlled the lineup and found another solid score, a 7.00. Medina answered quickly with a tube of his own for a 7.17 but was left searching for an excellent 9.17 to turn the heat. He continued to hunt the lineup as the minutes ticked by but with only a 6.03 on offer for the 2014 event winner, Flores took the win.

“I think I made a mistake at the beginning to let Jeremy (Flores) have priority,” Medina said. “The ocean was too slow and I couldn’t find the score. I’m happy with a second place though and I’m happy for Jeremy as well especially after his injury. I’m stoked to be back on the podium. It was a tough one and I wish we had more waves but I’m happy with the result.”

Gabriel Medina of Maresias, Sao Paulo, Brazil (pictured) placed second in the final of the Billabong Pro Tahiti after being defeated by Jeremy Flores (FRA) at Teahupoo on 25 August 2015. IMAGE CREDIT: WSL / Cestari PHOTOGRAPHER: Kelly Cestari SOCIAL MEDIA TAG: @wsl @kc80   The images attached or accessed by link within this email ("Images") are hand-out images from the Association of Surfing Professionals LLC ("World Surf League"). All Images are royalty-free but for editorial use only. No commercial or other rights are granted to the Images in any way. The Images are provided on an "as is" basis and no warranty is provided for use of a particular purpose. Rights to an individual within an Image are not provided. Copyright to the Images is owned by World Surf League. Sale or license of the Images is prohibited. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Runner-up Medina also moves up five places on the Jeep Leaderboard from 15th to 10th place. The result today is Medina’s best of the year and his first Final appearance since the Billabong Pipe Masters in 2014. He previously dispatched Owen Wright (AUS) and Kai Otton (AUS) en route to his 10th CT Final today.

Today’s Semifinal berth for Owen Wright (AUS) marks another good result for the new world no. three. Wright, who needed a runner-up finish or better to take the Jeep ratings lead, went down to Medina in the opening Semifinal. The Brazilian locked in some big scores in the opening half of the match-up to leave the Australian in a combination situation and send him home with a third-place finish.

“I wasn’t even really thinking about the ratings lead, I was just reveling in getting another heat out at Teahupo’o, especially with my good friend Gabriel (Medina),” said Wright. “I’m pretty disappointed that I didn’t get through that one. There were two waves that I fell off on that I think would have given me the score but that’s the way it goes. I more than happy with that result and we’re coming into a fun leg on the tour.”

C.J. Hobgood of Melbourne, Florida, USA (pictured) advanced to the Quarter Finals of the Billabong Pro Tahiti after defeating Aritiz Aranburu (ESP) in Round 5 at Teahupoo on 25 August 2015. IMAGE CREDIT: WSL / Cestari PHOTOGRAPHER: Kelly Cestari SOCIAL MEDIA TAG: @wsl @KC80 The images attached or accessed by link within this email ("Images") are hand-out images from the Association of Surfing Professionals LLC ("World Surf League"). All Images are royalty-free but for editorial use only. No commercial or other rights are granted to the Images in any way. The Images are provided on an "as is" basis and no warranty is provided for use of a particular purpose. Rights to an individual within an Image are not provided. Copyright to the Images is owned by World Surf League. Sale or license of the Images is prohibited. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Former event winner and 2001 WSL Champion C.J. Hobgood (USA) earned his best result since the Gold Coast in 2014 after facing eventual winner Flores in the second Semifinal. Flores stayed selective and found the best two waves of the heat for a commanding lead and the win. A third-place finish for Hobgood, who defeated Aritz Aranburu (ESP) and Josh Kerr (AUS) today before facing Flores, sees him move up ten place from 36th place on the Jeep Leaderboard to 26th. It was a dream run at the Billabong Pro Tahiti for Hobgood, after claiming his first man-on-man heat win of the year in Round 2 and the only Perfect 10 of the competition in Round 3.

The Andy Irons Most Committed Performance Award is given out every year to the standout surfer of the Billabong Pro Tahiti. Previous winners include Owen Wright (2014), John John Florence (2013), Ricardo dos Santos (2012) and Jeremy Flores (2011). This year’s award goes to Hobgood for his commitment, passion and courage during the event.

“It’s just been awesome,” said Hobgood. “To have the opportunity to be here and compete and be part of the Final day is just so rad. I’m so stoked, I think I’m as stoked as if I won the event. It was really, really fun, enjoyable and challenging to be here every year and be part of the learning curve at Teahupo’o over the last two decades. That means a lot to me right there. Last time I made the Final out here was with Andy (Irons) when he won and he was really emotional. That moment I shared with him will be with me for the rest of my life.”

11-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA) was defeated in the Quarterfinals by an in-form Flores. Slater had the edge but Flores posted an 8.23 in the closing minutes to eliminate the four-time event winner, who takes home a fifth-place finish. The result sees Slater remains at no. 6 on the Jeep Leaderboard.
“We had two different game plans in that heat,” said Slater. “It looked like he was going to patient and I was going to keep active. His wave just had more of that wall. I caught that one wave and I fell so I don’t know how that would have been scored. Jeremy’s had some of the highest scores out here and he’s definitely one of the guys to beat so I knew it would be a hard heat.”

Italo Ferreira (BRA), the highest ranked rookie on Tour, achieved back-to-back Quarterfinals appearances today after defeating compatriot Filipe Toledo (BRA) in Round 5 before going down to Wright. Ferreira also made the Quarterfinals in Fiji and the result sees him move to 8th place on the Jeep Leaderboard.

“I just did my best but Owen (Wright) is amazing,” said Ferreira. “I’m super stoked, it’s my first time here and that was a great result for me. I just want to keep it going for the next two events and I’m going back to Brazil to get ready.”

 

The next stop on the 2015 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour will be the Hurley Pro at Trestles from September 9 – 20, 2015.

Billabong Pro Tahiti Final Results:
1: Jeremy Flores (FRA) – 16.87
2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) – 13.20

 

Billabong Pro Tahiti Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 16.63 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 8.70
SF 2: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 15.86 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 8.93

 

Billabong Pro Tahiti Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Owen Wright (AUS) 16.93 def. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.94
QF 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.64 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 11.00
QF 3: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 12.90 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 11.16
QF 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 16.83 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 15.66

 

Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 5 Results:
Heat 1: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.00 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 00.00
Heat 2: Kai Otton (AUS) 13.50 def. Bruno Santos (BRA) 11.76
Heat 3: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 14.36 def. Aritz Aranburu (ESP) 14.00
Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.37 def. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 13.21

 

2015 WSL Jeep Leaderboard Top 5 (after Billabong Pro Tahiti):
1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 34,950 pts
2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 34,700 pts
3: Owen Wright (AUS) 34,400 pts
4: Julian Wilson (AUS) 33,200 pts
4: Filipe Toledo (FRA) 33,200 pts

Billabong Pro Tahiti: Penultimate Day…

https://youtu.be/FeR3jxRFUqU

The world’s best surfers battled dangerous conditions at Teahupo’o as competition ran through Rounds 3 and 4 of the Billabong Pro Tahiti, stop No. 7 on the 2015 Samsung Galaxy World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT). Four surfers earned a direct advance to the Quarterfinals and the stage is set for a thrilling Finals Day tomorrow, beginning with Round 5.

Owen Wright of Culburra Beach, New South Wales, Australia (pictured) winning in Round 4 of the Billabong Pro Tahiti with a heat total of 14.84 points (out of a possible 20.00) to advance in to the Quarter Finals at Teahupoo, Tahiti on 24 August 2015. IMAGE CREDIT: © WSL / Cestari PHOTOGRAPHER: Kelly Cestari SOCIAL MEDIA TAG: @wsl @KC80

Round 4 started with a bang, as Filipe Toledo (BRA), Kai Otton (AUS) and Owen Wright (AUS) fought for a place in the Quarterfinals. The trio quickly got to work and kept busy, but it was Wright that locked in the only excellent score of the heat, an 8.17, to take the win.

“I heard Jeremy (Flores) say this morning that these conditions are really dangerous and I’d have to agree with him,” said Wright. “It’s so shallow and every time you take off you can just see the reef. It’s pretty crucial to make those waves now and that really played into that heat. I’m stoked to win because it’s the first time I’ve really utilized the three man heats this year.”

Gabriel Medina of Maresias, Sao Paulo, Brazil (pictured) winning in Round 4 of the Billabong Pro Tahiti with a heat total of 17.64 points (out of a possible 20.00) which included a near perfect 9.97 point ride (out of a possible 10.00) to advance in to the Quarter Finals at Teahupoo, Tahiti on 24 August 2015. IMAGE CREDIT: © WSL / Cestari PHOTOGRAPHER: Kelly Cestari SOCIAL MEDIA TAG: @wsl @KC80

Wildcard Bruno Santos (BRA) posted an excellent nine-point ride to open Round 4 Heat 2 and put the pressure on reigning WSL Champion and defending event winner Gabriel Medina (BRA). Medina answered by finding one of the biggest barrels of the day and a near-perfect 9.97, backing it up with a 7.67 for a place in the Quarterfinals. Rookie Italo Ferreira (BRA) was left trailing behind his more experienced competitors and will surf again in Round 5 alongside Santos.

Reigning WSL World Champion and defending event winner Gabriel Medina of Maresias, Sao Paulo, Brazil (pictured) soars through the air after completing a perfect 10 point ride during Round 4 of the Billabong Pro Tahiti at Teahupoo on 24 August 2015. IMAGE CREDIT: © WSL / Cestari PHOTOGRAPHER: Kelly Cestari SOCIAL MEDIA TAG: @wsl @KC80

“I knew that would be a tough one, against Bruno (Santos) especially,” Medina said. “The 9.97 felt really good but then Bruno almost got me at the end. I’m really happy for the win and excited for the next Round. It would mean a lot to win here again because I love this wave. It feels good to be out there and getting a lot of waves and it would be so special.”

Josh Kerr (AUS) claimed his second victory of the day in Round 4 Heat 3 and earned a place in the Quarterfinals. Kerr battled injury wildcard Aritz Aranburu (ESP) and rookie Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) in the day’s penultimate match-up after eliminating 2013 event winner Adrian Buchan (AUS) in Round 3.

Owen Wright of Culburra Beach, New South Wales, Australia (pictured) winning in Round 4 of the Billabong Pro Tahiti with a heat total of 14.84 points (out of a possible 20.00) to advance in to the Quarter Finals at Teahupoo, Tahiti on 24 August 2015. IMAGE CREDIT: © WSL / Cestari PHOTOGRAPHER: Kelly Cestari SOCIAL MEDIA TAG: @wsl @KC80

“I think we all forgot how shallow this wave actually is,” said Kerr. “Now, when the good ones come it’s very shallow. I bumped the reef and I saw Ace (Buchan) do the same on his last wave. It’s been great to hang in such a beautiful place while we’ve been waiting for our next heats.”

The final heat of the day saw 11-time WSL Champion and four-time event winner Kelly Slater (USA) take on Jeremy Flores (FRA) and C.J. Hobgood (USA). After a slow start Flores was first to earn a score of significance with a 7.83. Slater answered with a 6.83 to take the lead but Flores quickly came back. Last-minute heroics from Slater netted him an excellent 9.77 and a pass to the Quarterfinals.

“Those first waves out there you don’t really want to catch them because they’re so bumpy and frothy,” said Slater. “I was doubting that 9.77 but I just went on the wave anyway. The first foam ball bounced me and slowed me down and then the next one slowed me down even more but then I made it out. I’m stoked to make it through to tomorrow and make it to the final day and I think we’re going to have even better waves.”

Hobgood, who will surf again in Round 5, claimed the first Perfect 10 of the competition in Round 3 to upset current no. 3 on the Jeep Leaderboard Julian Wilson (AUS). The 2004 event winner found his way out of an impossible barrel after the foam ball to send Wilson home in equal 13th place.

“The lineup was that tough for some reason,” said Hobgood. “Even when a wave came you didn’t know how good it was going to be. The swell is coming up, there’s so much water so it’s hard, and you have to take off deep. I didn’t care if I lost in Round 3 because I would have gone out with a 10 on my last wave at Teahupo’o.”

Flores will join Hobgood in elimination Round 5 and previously dispatched Joel Parkinson (AUS) in Round 3 with the highest heat total of the day, an 18.87, for his show of commitment and technical barrel riding.

“The wave was really hollow and gnarly and I those were conditions where you can really get hurt,” Flores said. “I’ve surfed this wave a million times so I didn’t freesurf this morning and take the risk. I’m still feeling a bit sketchy with my head injury and every time I fall it’s the first thing I think about. It’s hard because I’m definitely scared but I just have to find the right balance. On my best day I feel like I can beat anyone but every single surfer on this tour is so so good. I’m hoping and I’m training hard and if I can win an event then I’m sure I can win another one.”

First to compete tomorrow will be Filipe Toledo (BRA) and Italo Ferreira (BRA) in Heat 1 of Round 5.

Event organizers will reconvene at 7 a.m. tomorrow to assess conditions and make a call for competition.

The Billabong Pro Tahiti runs from Friday, August 14 to Tuesday, August 25, 2015 and is webcast LIVE at WorldSurfLeauge.com and via the WSL mobile app.

Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 3 Results:

Heat 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 16.97 def. Brett Simpson (USA) 12.50

Heat 2: Kai Otton (AUS) 13.13 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 12.00

Heat 3: Owen Wright (AUS) 18.23 def. Dusty Payne (HAW) 15.70

Heat 4: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 16.10 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 9.83

Heat 5: Gabriel Medina (HAW) 19.00 def. John John Florence (HAW) 18.84

Heat 6: Bruno Santos (BRA) 16.20 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.70

Heat 7: Aritz Aranburu (ESP) 15.17 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 6.67

Heat 8: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 16.83 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 8.66

Heat 9: Josh Kerr (AUS) 15.80 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 13.67

Heat 10: Kelly Slater (USA) 14.06 def. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 13.33

Heat 11: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 18.87 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.60

Heat 12: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 13.60 def. Julian Wilson (AUS) 9.50

 

Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 4 Results:

Heat 1: Owen Wright (AUS) 14.84, Filipe Toledo (BRA) 13.06, Kai Otton (AUS) 12.70

Heat 2: Gabriel Medina (HAW) 17.64, Italo Ferreira (BRA) 17.10, Bruno Santos (BRA) 6.84

Heat 3: Josh Kerr (AUS) 13.20, Aritz Aranburu (ESP) 11.43, Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 6.40

Heat 4: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.60, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.66, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 8.30

 

Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 5 Match-Ups:

Heat 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Italo Ferreira (BRA)

Heat 2: Bruno Santos (BRA) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)

Heat 3: Aritz Aranburu (ESP) vs. C.J. Hobgood (USA)

Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA)