Gilmore and Toledo Claim World Titles

Gilmore and Toledo Claim World Titles

Today, Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) and Filipe Toledo (BRA) won the 2022 World Surf League (WSL) Titles at the second-annual Rip Curl WSL Finals in dreamy four-to-six foot conditions at Lower Trestles in San Clemente, Calif. A historic day for Gilmore marked her eighth World Title, making her the winningest women's surfer in the sport; while Toledo finally made his vision of being a World Champion a reality with his victory today.

2022 World Champion  Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) Photo: WSL / Nolan

GR8TEST EVER: Stephanie Gilmore Wins Record-setting Eighth Surfing World Title

Domination and determination were the themes of the day as World No. 5 Gilmore made her way up from the bottom of the bracket to the top, taking out World No. 4 Brisa Hennessy (CRI), No. 3 Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), and No. 2 Johanne Defay (FRA) en route to the Title Match where she defeated World No. 1 Carissa Moore (HAW).

The women’s title race finished with a Title Match for the books, featuring two surfing legends, seven-time WSL Champion Gilmore and five-time WSL Champion Moore going head-to-head in a best-of-three World Title Showdown. Gilmore continued her momentum, winning the first of the three matches and leaving Moore in a do or die situation. In the Title Match 2, Gilmore proved to be unstoppable, picking the best waves and putting her trademark style on full display. In an emotional finish, Gilmore not only became the 2022 World Champion, but the greatest female surfer of all time with a record breaking eight World Titles.

“There really are not many words that can describe this feeling right now and that’s why I now really love this format. It puts the pressure on you, it puts you under the pump, can you do it, it’s truly incredible.”

Golden Gilmore (AUS) Photo: WSL / Diz

Gilmore, aged 34 from New South Wales, Australia, won her first World Title in her rookie season (2007) and became the first surfer (male or female) to accomplish such a feat. She went on to claim three more consecutive titles (2008, 2009, and 2010) followed by two more World Titles in 2012 and 2014. Gilmore has racked up an impressive eight Championship Tour victories during her career, second only to Kelly Slater (USA). In 2018, after a four year-gap, she clinched her record-tying seventh World Title (to equal Australian Layne Beachley), and went on to finish the 2019 CT season as World No. 4, qualifying for surfing’s Olympic debut in Tokyo. She was short of winning a medal at the Games and watched on as her rival Moore won both Gold and the World Title.

However, at the end of 2021 Gilmore again committed herself to the CT, vowing to win the 8th World Title that would, yet again, make history. Today, she has done just that, further cementing herself as one of surfing's legends.

Gilmore’s style is listed by many as one of the best in the business. Her aggressive, elegant approach is grounded in genius precision and technical expertise that has set a new performance benchmark for surfing. She’s been a role model and inspiration to a generation of women who have become her greatest competitors, and she couldn’t be happier.

"I’m really proud that I was able to make it past Brisa (Hennessy), Tatiana (Weston-Webb), Johanne (Defay), all of the most incredible female surfers in the world," said Gilmore. "And then to be able to make it all the way to the Final against Carissa, who in my mind, she’s the real world champ this year. I was out there thinking, if this happens, this is freaking cool because I’m out here against Carissa - the greatest of all time in my opinion.”

Filipe Toledo Realizes Dream of Maiden World Title Photo:  WSL / Diz

The day also belonged to 27-year-old, Ubatuba, Brazil competitor Toledo who has spent the previous nine years among the world’s best. Qualifying for the CT in 2013, Toledo’s career has accounted for some of the sport’s wildest highlights from his Perfect 10s across the globe to 13-career CT event victories, and now adding the prestigious World Title.

The men’s Title Match finished out the day with an in-form Italo Ferreira (BRA), charging from the first heat of the day, and Toledo taking the stage. Toledo was the first competitor of the day able to take down Ferreira in the first match of three, inching his way closer to the World Title. The final match of the day was a close one with each competitor left it all on the table in the final and closest match of the day. In the end, Toledo emerged victorious and finally claimed his maiden WSL World Title.

Search and destroy, Filipe Toledo Photo: WSL / Nolan

“It doesn’t get much better than this,” said Toledo. “This is for Brazil, for my family, and for you all here. First of all I want to thank Jesus. What he did for all my life and the last week, and the entire year. I kept calm and collected with help from the guy up there. Last night we had a moment with Pastor John, Terry, my wife and whole family and two words that he gave to us were peace and power. That’s what I had all day.”

The Brazilian’s commitment to his family and his craft is more apparent than ever. Traveling with them to each event and dominating the 2022 CT season with five Final appearances, including two wins, and flourishing in his Title Match against compatriot Ferreira.

“Whoever is chasing your dreams, it does pay off,” added Toledo. “It’s hard, you get tired, there’s a lot of ups and downs, and bad thoughts, but we did it. We did it.”

Italo Ferreira (BRA) Photo: WSL / Nolan

An immaculate run from World Title runner-up, Ferriera, witnessed the 2019 WSL Champion surge through each match with his signature flair and power. The Brazilian powerhouse started his Finals Day charge against World Title threat, Southern California's own and Japanese representative, Kanoa Igarashi in men's Match 1. Ferreira then took a commanding win over one of the CT's best styles of Ethan Ewing (AUS) before moving into a heavily-anticipate Match 3 with World No. 2 Jack Robinson (AUS).

But, one of 2022's standout performers, Robinson, couldn't find the opportunities to fight back against Ferriera and the Brazilian gave everything he had in the Title Match, best two-of-three face-off with Toledo.

“It’s been incredible," said Ferreira. "I’m just so thankful for the opportunity. I’ve been a regular in the Top 5 for the past few years and I just hope that I continue to be blessed, stay healthy and continue to evolve. I’m stoked for Filipe, he totally deserves this title and I’m glad that I made it to the Finals today."

This time last year, it was glory for Moore (above) to the ring of being a five-time WSL Champion. But, one of the sport's greatest couldn't find her rhythm with the ocean in the Title Match as her attempts to overthrow Gilmore's dominant form fell short each ride. It marked nothing short of an incredible season for the 28-year-old who earned four Finals appearance in the 2022 CT season and had a dominant lead in points head into the Rip Curl WSL Finals.

Now, Moore heads into the break to reflect on an incredible year and see what 2023 holds in store for the five-time WSL Champion.

Rip Curl WSL Finals Results:
Women’s Match 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 14.76 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRI) 14.33
Men’s Match 1: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 13.37 DEF. Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 11.83
Women’s Match 2: Stephanie Gilmore (USA) 15.30 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 14.87
Men’s Match 2: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 13.10 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 11.83
Women’s Match 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.83 DEF. Johanne Defay (FRA) 10.53
Men’s Match 3: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 12.10 DEF. Jack Robinson (AUS) 4.30
Women’s Title Match, Heat 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.00 DEF. Carissa Moore (HAW) 10.90
Men’s Title Match, Heat 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA 15.13 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 14.97
Women’s Title Match, Heat 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.23 DEF. Carissa Moore (HAW) 11.97
Men’s Title Match, Heat 2: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 16.50 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 14.93

For highlights from the 2022 Rip Curl WSL Finals, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Locked Into Lowers

Locked Into Lowers

With the Rip Curl comp rapidly approaching, 8 - 16 Sep at the hallowed grounds of Lower Trestles, San Clemente. The Brazilian Mr Toledo has his A-game dialled. Is there anyone who can reign down on the Brazilian storm, we shall see.

ASU – Hinako Islands

ASU – Hinako Islands

South East wind and medium size swell is the call for Asu! Just a few hours from Lagundri Bay, up the coast from Nias Island (2,5 hour taxi, 30min speedboat) you find Asu, the most north Island of the Hinako Island chain.This left-hander works the best, when Lagundri gets onshore wind, Asu will be offshore! Only few people out this session living the dream.

Giant Tubes at Uluwatu

Giant Tubes at Uluwatu

6000-7000 of energy, a 18-20 seconds period with a south swell direction made this day the biggest day of the year in Bali. The morning started slow, a bit rainy at low-tide, few surfers where getting waves at outside corner, racetracks. Around 9:30-10am the rain stopped and two jet-skis showed up, for a tow-in session at the bombie with the tide rising. By this time the swell started to kick in and the current was too strong to stay on the outside corner. Hit play for the full edit.

JOB Hits The Surf Ranch

JOB Hits The Surf Ranch

There's probably more chance of the likes of your average surfer hitting the local swimming pool, than hacking into the GOATS golden wave pool. But you've gotta have hope right, in the meantime take a look at the social media master Jamie O'Brien digging in at The Ranch.

Outerknown Tahiti Pro Final 5

Outerknown Tahiti Pro Final 5

• Teahupo’o Delivers Perfection to Set Stage For Finals Day Tomorrow
• Big Barrels and Bigger Scores for World’s Best at Teahupo’o
• Event Winners To Be Decided Tomorrow
• More Available at WorldSurfLeague.com

Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia (Thursday, August 18, 2022) -  The Outerknown Tahiti Pro, Stop No. 10 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Championship Tour (CT), has seen an incredible day of competition with Teahupo’o turning on six-to-eight-foot surf with eight-foot-plus sets for the completion of men’s Opening Round, Elimination Round, and the Round of 16. With the Quarterfinalists locked in for men and women here in Tahiti, the race to the WSL Final 5 is all but set, with only one spot left in the women’s and all 5 men’s spots decided after the completion of competition today. 

Men’s WSL Final 5 Decided in Epic Waves at Teahupo’o
Today’s huge day of competition saw the completion of 21 heats, the Quarterfinalists locked in, and the WSL Final 5 men decided ahead of the upcoming Rip Curl WSL Finals. With his equal 9th place finish here in Tahiti, Jack Robinson (AUS) has locked the second spot in the WSL Final 5 with Filipe Toledo (BRA) clinching the top seed spot after falling out in the Elimination Round.

Current World No. 3 Ethan Ewing (AUS) has booked himself a spot in the WSL Final 5 with a Round of 16 finish here at the Outerknown Tahiti Pro. Ewing had a clutch win over Michel Bourez (BRA) in the Elimination Round, but was eventually beaten by trials winner Kauli Vaast (FRA) in his following heat. An equal 9th was enough for Ewing to clinch and his performance against two of the best at Teahupo’o was commendable. Vaast progressed into the Quarterfinals looking like the one to beat, posting a 17.07 (out of possible 20) two-wave total in Heat 1 of the Round of 16.

Heat 5 of the men’s Elimination Round saw two good friends in Jadson Andre (BRA) and Italo Ferreira (BRA) go head-to-head in an all goofy match-up. It was a massive heat for former WSL World Champion Ferreira who is currently sitting in fourth on the rankings and needed to make the heat to clinch his spot in the WSL Final 5. It was a high scoring affair with the friends going wave-for-wave, each posting multiple excellent scores, but it was Andre who took the win with a 17.00 point two-wave total, one of the highest of the event so far. With the loss, Italo was left to rely on the fate of Griffin Colapinto (USA) and Callum Robson (AUS). With the two of them being ousted early he was able to hang onto his spot in the WSL Final 5 and will be off to Trestles for a shot at a second World Title this September. 

In a nail biting and emotional end to the day, Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) clinched the last spot in the WSL Final 5 by taking the win over Andre in Heat 7 of the Round of 16. Coming to Tahiti as World No. 6, Igarashi needed a huge moment and he got it with a 9.70 in the dying minutes of the heat. This landmark win makes his dreams of a first shot at a World Title a reality. Along with his heat win today, Igarashi needed Griffin Colapinto (USA) to fall out of the draw early which he did in Heat 3 of the Round of 16 at the hands of Yago Dora (BRA). Colapinto will fall short of the title race, but after a breakthrough season in 2022 he’s certain to be knocking on the door of a World Tile in years to come. 

“I really don’t know what to say – this is super emotional to me –  I’m lost for words right now,” Igarashi said. “First of all I want to thank Teahupo’o – I’ve been coming here for so long and spending time with some of the locals and preparing myself for a moment like this, and when that wave came I knew if it was meant to be it was going to happen right there. Now, I'm into the top five and heading home.”

Big Barrels and Bigger Scores For World’s Best at Teahupo’o

In an unbelievable performance, South African CT sophomore Matt McGilivray (RSA, above), who surfed Teahupo’o for the first time yesterday, scored a perfect 10 point ride in Heat 2 of the Round of 16, with an incredible fins-free drop into a deep, square tube, disappearing from sight then getting spat out into the channel. His opponent Samuel Pupo (BRA), took the heat to the final buzzer, posting a heat total of 16.43, but McGillivray was able to find a 7.00 in the dying seconds to claim the heat win of his career and book himself a spot in the Quarterfinals. 

“I could feel the nerves all morning and right before I was going to paddle out,” said McGilivray . “All morning I have been feeling the adrenaline. To have these conditions in the contest is a dream come true and to surf it with only one other person out is amazing. You really have to be in the moment and calm yourself. It was cool to surf with Sammy (Pupo), he  has been charging in his heats so it’s cool to see everyone pushing it out there today. I’m stoked to be through the Quarterfinals here and can’t wait to get back out there.” 

The standout heat of the day was World No. 2 Robinson going up against event wildcard and former Tahiti Pro finalist Nathan Hedge (AUS) in Heat 5, Round of 16. Robinson, an event favorite, demonstrated his barrel riding skills, navigating the foam-ball with a high-line to score a 9.10, then backed it up for a heat total of 17.60, leaving Hedge in a combination situation (needing two new scores to take the lead). With less than 10 minutes left, the 43-year-old Hedge never gave up and found two hugely committed barrels to post a heat total of 18.30, the highest of the entire event, to overcome Robinson’s 17.60 total.

“At the start of that heat Jack (Robinson) really showed me what was up,” Hedge said. “He paddled behind me for one and the only person that has done that to me out here was Andy (Irons), and I was like, ‘he’s gnarly’ which was a fair bit to deal with mentally for me. I knew If I was to beat Jack (Robinson) I’d have to be on the biggest best waves. He kept improving his scores on every wave but I just kept patient and held onto the faith and eventually the right ones came to me. When I’m paddling into these waves I just remind myself that this is where I want to be and to stay super committed and that quietens down the noise a bit and I can focus on getting pitted.” 

Hedge will face off against Caio Ibelli (BRA) who was a huge standout in the Round of 16 and Opening Round. Ibelli took down an in-form Jordy Smith (RSA) to lock in a matchup with old friend Hedge in Quarterfinal Heat 3. 

Five-time Tahiti Pro winner Kelly Slater (USA, above) is into Quarterfinals after a close heat against an in-form Connor O’Leary (AUS). Slater opened the heat with back-to-back waves scoring in the excellent range for a two-wave total of 17.00 . O’Leary answered back with two excellent scores of his own but it wasn’t enough to overtake Slater, who will now take on Yago Dora (BRA) in Quarterfinal Heat 2 as he looks for his sixth victory at Teahupo’o.

The 2022 Outerknown Tahiti Pro looks to conclude tomorrow with the men’s and women’s event winners being crowned by the end of the day. Be sure to tune in as a call is made at 6:45 a.m. TAHT for a possible 7:05 a.m. start to competition.

Outerknown Tahiti Pro Men's Opening Round Results:
HEAT 1: Yago Dora (BRA) 8.66 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 8.14, Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) 5.10
HEAT 2: Kauli Vaast (FRA) 13.60 DEF. Barron Mamiya (HAW) 10.93, Ethan Ewing (AUS) 2.33
HEAT 3: Jack Robinson (AUS) 16.26 DEF. Nat Young (USA) 7.33, Michel Bourez (FRA) 6.70
HEAT 4: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.00 DEF. Nathan Hedge (AUS) 8.67, Filipe Toledo (BRA) 1.87
HEAT 5: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.94 DEF. Jadson Andre (BRA) 12.86, Griffin Colapinto (USA) 8.33
HEAT 6: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 12.50 DEF. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 7.76, Jackson Baker (AUS) 3.17
HEAT 7: Samuel Pupo (BRA) 13.00 DEF. Callum Robson (AUS) 10.44, Seth Moniz (HAW) 6.53
HEAT 8: Connor O'Leary (AUS) 15.63 DEF. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 15.27, Jake Marshall (USA) 6.60

Outerknown Tahiti Pro Men's Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: Kauli Vaast (FRA) 17.07 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 15.17
HEAT 2: Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) 17.00 DEF. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 16.43
HEAT 3: Yago Dora (BRA) 14.94 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 14.63
HEAT 4: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.00 DEF. Connor O'Leary (AUS) 16.83
HEAT 5: Nathan Hedge (AUS) 18.30 DEF. Jack Robinson (AUS) 17.60
HEAT 6: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 15.97 DEF. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 13.20
HEAT 7: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 15.70 DEF. Jadson Andre (BRA) 13.40
HEAT 8: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 11.00 DEF. Jake Marshall (USA) 2.40

Outerknown Tahiti Pro Men's Quarterfinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Kauli Vaast (FRA) vs. Matthew McGillivray (ZAF)
HEAT 2: Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Kelly Slater (USA)
HEAT 3: Nathan Hedge (AUS) vs. Caio Ibelli (BRA)
HEAT 4: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA)

Outerknown Tahiti Pro Women’s Quarterfinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Caroline Marks (USA)
HEAT 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Courtney Conlogue (USA)
HEAT 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Vahine Fierro (FRA)
HEAT 4: Brisa Hennessy (CRI) vs. Lakey Peterson (USA)

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.