FRESNO, CA – AUGUST 9: (left-right) Filipe Toledo of Brazil and Coco Ho of Hawaii winners of the Michelob PURE Ultra Rumble at The Ranch at The Surf Ranch on August 9, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Brady Lawrence/World Surf League via Getty Images)
Coco Ho and Filipe Toledo won the Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Rumble At The Ranch, a one-day, winner-take-all surf showdown in the perfect waves at the Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California. 16 of the world’s best surfers paired up for the first-ever mixed tag team event, with prize money going to charity.
FRESNO, CA – AUGUST 9: Coco Ho of Hawaii winning the final of the Michelob PURE Ultra Rumble at The Ranch at The Surf Ranch with team mate Filipe Toledo of Brazil on August 9, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kenny Morris/World Surf League via Getty Images)
Inspired performances from Ho and Toledo saw them defeat Olympic qualifiers Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) and Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) to take the event title thanks to a near-perfect wave from Toledo (9.67 out of a possible 10) and the highest scoring wave of the day. The winning pair nominated Surfrider Foundation’s LA Chapter as the recipients of a $10,000 charitable donation in their name.
FRESNO, CA – AUGUST 9: Filipe Toledo of Brazil surfing winning the final of the Michelob PURE Ultra Rumble at The Ranch at The Surf Ranch with team mate Coco Ho of Hawaii on August 9, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kenny Morris/World Surf League via Getty Images)
Ho and Toledo powered through the draw to reach the Final, defeating Alyssa Spencer (USA) and Kolohe Andino (USA) in the Quarterfinals, and then eliminating Sage Erickson (USA) and the 11X WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA) in the Semifinals.
Igarashi and Weston-Webb dominated their opening match-ups, with two of the highest heat totals of the day, sending home Lakey Peterson (USA) and Griffin Colapinto (USA) in the Quarterfinals, followed by Caroline Marks (USA) and Adriano de Souza (USA) in the Semifinal. However, the pair fell short in the Final and weren’t able to post the excellent-range scores required to take the win.
“We all compete to have those situations where we get to perform under pressure, and that’s what I’ve been missing the most these past few months,” said Igarashi. “I definitely got my dose over the last couple of hours. It’s an epic format and Tati has been surfing so good.”
“It was fun out there today and it felt good,” said Slater. “It’s different because there’s not so much on the line but there’s a little bit of that competitive feeling there. Sage and I have been having fun and having some practice sessions, getting ready and talking about our game plan.”
“Yesterday was surreal to watch that beautiful empty left and imagine and celebrate Uncle Derek it was awesome,” said Ho. “I’m very thankful to everyone for making it happen.”
The Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Rumble at the Ranch is proudly supported by Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold, Shiseido, Red Bull, Jose Cuervo, Jeep, CLIF Bar, Havaianas, and Hydro Flask.
Final Results
1: Coco Ho and Filipe Toledo (16.24)
2: Tatiana Weston-Webb and Kanoa Igarashi (14.63)
Semifinal Results
SF 1: Coco Ho and Filipe Toledo (15.96) def. Sage Erickson and Kelly Slater (10.33)
SF 2: Tatiana Weston-Webb and Kanoa Igarashi (16.50) def. Caroline Marks and Adriano de Souza (16.17)
Quarterfinal Results
QF 1: Coco Ho and Filipe Toledo (14.07) def. Alyssa Spencer and Kolohe Andino (11.34)
QF 2: Sage Erickson and Kelly Slater (14.32) def. Carissa Moore and Seth Moniz (13.70)
QF 3: Caroline Marks and Adriano de Souza (15.60) def. Kirra Pinkerton and Conner Coffin (10.20)
QF 4: Tatiana Weston-Webb and Kanoa Igarashi (16.03) def. Lakey Peterson and Griffin Colapinto (15.87)
