Patrick Gudauskas (USA) is eliminated from the 2018 Billabong Pipe Masters with an equal 25 finish after placing second in Heat 10 of Round 2 at Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii, USA.
The Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons, the final stop on the 2018 World Surf League (WSL) Men’s Championship Tour (CT) and final jewel of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing (VTCS), saw a climactic day of competition as Rounds 2 and 3 were called on in excellent Pipe conditions with wave face heights reaching 15-to-20 feet.
The shocking elimination of World No. 2 Filipe Toledo (BRA) saw the Brazilian’s hope for a world title dissolve at the hands of 11x World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) in the final heat of the day (Round 3 Heat 12). Meanwhile, World No. 1 Gabriel Medina (BRA) also endured heavy heats, but ultimately survived to continue his fight for the prestigious World Title alongside Julian Wilson (AUS).
11X World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) advances to Round 3 of the 2018 Billabong Pipe Masters after winning Heat 6 of Round 2 at Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii, USA.
The day’s final heat carried huge repercussions as 11-time World Champion Slater took on the World Title hopeful Toledo. The Floridian put a first good score on the board with a decent backdoor tube but the excitement reached an all-time high when both surfers started on back-to-back bombs on the 10-minute mark. Slater found the exit for an 8.67 (out of a possible 10) and Toledo looked like he was coming out of a perfect ride until the lip clipped him at the very last second. The result remained unchanged and Slater advanced into Round 4, ending Toledo’s World Title campaign, just shy of the final competition day of the season.
“I shared a little lineup stuff with Filipe,” Slater said. “I wanted to see a good battle come down. And just as a fan, I wanted to see a come from behind victory, at least a good battle in the end. We just had a couple of texts back and forth, you know, I really did want to help him out, but I didn’t I guess. It was fun, there was a lot of action out there. I saw a lot of good waves go unridden, I feel like I got lucky. Filipe didn’t go into a really good backdoor wave, it’s just experience, he didn’t quite see what they were going to do.”
In his sixth season among the world’s best surfers, Toledo put on a great fight and claimed two event wins at the Oi Rio Pro and the Corona Open J-Bay earlier this summer, to arrive in Hawaii tied for second place on the rankings with Wilson. Unfortunately, his run for a maiden World Title came to an abrupt end in Round 3 when he could not defeat Slater.
“I took a really bad wipeout at the end of that wave and everything went black for a few seconds,” Toledo said. “This is surfing, we put in so much work all year long, sometimes going away from the family on a trip to get better in waves like this, so this is hard. But I’m definitely proud of myself. I’ve had an amazing year as a father, as a son, as a professional surfer, it was really amazing. I’m definitely sad right now but at the same time it was an honor to surf perfect, heavy Pipe with Kelly in the water.”
Medina’s World Title hopes were on the line this afternoon in Round 3 when the Brazilian faced lethal replacement surfer Seth Moniz (HAW) in pumping surf. The Hawaiian was first to put a serious number on his scorecard with a good barrel at Backdoor for a 6.33 that pressured Medina to answer. The current Jeep Frontrunner stuck to the lefts and rode a critical tube for a 7.70 to turn the situation but Moniz kept chasing waves and once again jumped in the lead with a 5.50 on his backhand. With six minutes on the clock, the 2014 World Champion dropped into a final Pipe bomb and made it out clean for a 6.60 and the win into Round 4.
“I was really excited to wake up and finally see the waves,” Medina said. “I thought it was going to be bigger but it’s still pretty good. It’s really fun when you find the good ones but it’s challenging out there, it’s not easy. I’m really focused on my next round. It’s going to be a good one and hopefully, I can find more barrels.”
With the dual-heat system in play, Julian Wilson (AUS) entered the water while Medina was still surfing and witnessed his advancing. After a couple of unsuccessful tries, the current No. 2 in the world rode a solid right and laid into a good carve for a 6.00 and the lead over Miguel Pupo (BRA). Pupo answered with a 5.83 for a good left-hand barrel but Wilson kept the lead. In the dying seconds of their matchup, both surfers started on the same wave, splitting the peak, Wilson going right and Pupo on the left. The wave shut down and the situation remained unchanged with Wilson advancing into Round 4 to keep his World Title hopes alive.
“I just took all the experience I have and I let Pipe and Backdoor decide my destiny there,” Wilson said. “I just put myself in position, gave myself chances and never gave up. I feel like my injury and my year is kind of all coming together at the right time and I’m excited to put on a good performance.”
The Men’s World Title Scenarios at the Billabong Pipe Masters:
– If Gabriel Medina finishes 1st or 2nd at the Billabong Pipe Masters, he wins the World Title;
– If Gabriel Medina finishes 3rd at the Billabong Pipe Masters, Julian Wilson will need to finish 1st;
– If Gabriel Medina finishes 5th-25th, Julian Wilson will need a 2nd or 1st at Pipe.
2012 WSL Champion Parkinson Still Advancing at Career-Ending Event
Former Pipe Master and 2012 World Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS) advanced through one more heat in the last professional surfing event of his career with a clinic on forehand barrel riding. The Australian started on a big Backdoor set and locked in deep, exiting right before the whole wave collapsed, posting an excellent 8.77 in the process. While Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) struggled to find any wave of consequence, Parkinson stayed in tune with the lineup and scored another good barrel on his backhand, this time for a win into Round 4.
“Tomorrow will be my last day of competitive surfing ever in my life so I’ll enjoy it,” Parkinson said. “I’ve made it to the last day of the year and no matter what I’ll never surf another WSL event for purpose again. I was expecting a right at any time, I was up for anything, I was just lucky that right came in and I got barreled and I just backed it up with a small four. 8.77, guys are winning heat totals with that and I was just lucky to get it all in one wave and just get a little score after.”
Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Race Narrows to Final Four
Ryan Callinan (AUS) advances to Round 3 of the 2018 Billabong Pipe Masters after winning a close Heat 7 of Round 2 at Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii, USA.
At this stage, only four surfers remain in contention for the prestigious VANS Triple Crown of Surfing title. Jesse Mendes (BRA) leads the rankings and is closely followed by Parkinson, Jordy Smith (ZAF) and Joan Duru (FRA). 2017 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing winner, Griffin Colapinto (USA), was eliminated in Round 3 Heat 5 by Sebastian Zietz (HAW).
While the day was filled with jaw-dropping action and a few scary wipeouts from the world’s best surfers, only two athletes tasted the near-perfection of Pipeline, namely Ryan Callinan (AUS) and VTCS contender Duru. In their Round 2 heats, both surfers found incredible rides and posted the day’s highest numbers, Callinan on top with a near-perfect 9.17 and a 7.67 to back it up. Duru’s best ride came in as an 8.93 for a deep and foamy left-hand barrel. While Callinan’s future is sealed – the Australian officially qualified for the CT in 2019 – Duru’s career is on the line as the Frenchman currently sits in 23rd position on the rankings, and has a final chance to move up the ranks in this event.
With a 13th place result in this event and the elimination of his last opponents today, Wade Carmichael (AUS) has officially built a strong enough lead to claim the 2018 Rookie of the Year award.
The next call for the Billabong Pipe Masters will be tomorrow, Monday, December 17, at 7:30 a.m. HST, when event organizers will reconvene to assess conditions and decide if the Finals will be on.
Griffan Colapinto of USA placed second in Heat 5 of Round 3 at the Billabong Pipe Masters at Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii.
Billabong Pipe Masters Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Ryan Callinan (AUS) 8.77 def. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 2.43
Heat 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 10.16 def. Michael February (ZAF) 2.56
Heat 3: Conner Coffin (USA) 13.00 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 6.40
Heat 4: Michel Bourez (PYF) 11.70 def. Connor O’Leary (AUS) 7.36
Heat 5: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 8.00 def. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 5.24
Heat 6: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.30 def. Seth Moniz (HAW) 11.83
Heat 7: Yago Dora (BRA) 5.27 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 2.64
Heat 8: Julian Wilson (AUS) 8.43 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 7.00
Heat 9: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.20 def. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 1.10
Heat 10: Jesse Mendes (BRA) 7.17 def. Wade Carmichael (AUS) 2.84
Heat 11: Joan Duru (FRA) 8.20 def. Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 4.86
Heat 12: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.60 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 6.77
Billabong Pipe Masters Round 4 Matchups:
Heat 1: Ryan Callinan (AUS), Jordy Smith (ZAF), Conner Coffin (USA)
Heat 2: Michel Bourez (PYF), Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Gabriel Medina (BRA)
Heat 3: Yago Dora (BRA), Julian Wilson (AUS), Joel Parkinson (AUS)
Heat 4: Jesse Mendes (BRA), Joan Duru (FRA), Kelly Slater (USA)
Adrian Buchan (AUS) is eliminated from the 2018 Billabong Pipe Masters with an equal 25 finish after placing second in Heat 7 of Round 2 at Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii, USA.
So the QS grind is done. All those air miles, contests and complex math computations are done. The guys below made the cut, with only a couple of Pipeline shifts possible to maybe allow Jack Freestone back in for another crack at the big time. The WSL release doesn’t mention Mikey Wright who’s qualified from his wildcard starts this season. Which seems a tad of a shortcut, but, hell, he’s had to kick arse righteously to come into Pipe in 12th place counting one less event than everyone else so good on him.
–From the WSL–
The 2018 Qualifying Series season is officially over and with that a new crop of rookies.
Twelve months and 64 events later, 11 QS grinders have done the job and will surf on the elite Championship Tour in 2019. Among them, the majority are familiar faces who have been on the world stage before but a few newcomers will also make their official debut with the Top 34 come April.
WSL / KEOKI SAGUIBO
2019 CT Rookies:
Seth Moniz is Hawaiian surf royalty. His dad Tony was a pioneer pro in the ’80s, his sister Kelia a two-time World Longboard Champion and brother Josh another solid threat on the QS. But what the 21 year-old achieved in the span of two years is nonetheless exceptional. He jumped from 142nd on the rankings at the end of 2016 to No. 2 this year with major results in Japan, Ballito, the US Open and at home at Haleiwa. Moniz will join two-time World Champion John John Florence and possibly Ezekiel Lau and Sebastian Zietz if the pair manages to keep their spot on the 2019 CT roster.
Peterson Crisanto could have been a household name by now as he already fought on the QS back in 2011 along the likes of Gabriel Medina and Miguel Pupo when the Brazilian storm emerged. But career choices by his sponsors at the time cost him a potential run for the big show and he spent the next seven years battling to come back. The comeback story started early last year when Crisanto showed up at a small QS in Israel after two years off-tour (and won it!) but all the hard work he put in really paid off in 2018 as the Brazilian surfed to a victory in Ballito this summer. This incredible effort is a testament to his determination and Crisanto might just be the hungriest rookie on tour next year.
Peterson CrisantoWSL / TONY HEFF
In his fourth full year on the Qualifying Series, Garuja’s Deivid Silva made his own push for the big leagues, racking up big points at the Vissla Sydney Surf Pro early on, and confirming his excellent form in Ericeira, Maresias and Haleiwa to claim his own ticket for the big show next year. His progressive nature and ability to take to the sky will fit right in with his compatriot on Tour in 2019.
The 23-year-old Australian has been working his way through the Qualifying Series since 2012. After a 9th place finish at the Ballito Pro pres. by Billabong, a 9th place finish at the EDP Billabong Pro Ericeira, a 9th at the Hawaiian Pro and his latest 5th place finish at the Vans World Cup, he will officially be making his Championship Tour debut in 2019 – wrapping this year ranked No. 11 on the QS.
Mateus Herdy and Deivid SilvaWSL / TONY HEFF
Returning Surfers:
Kanoa Igarashi qualified for the CT in 2015 and has since then kept pushing his surfing to gain ground in the rankings. This year, two Semifinals and a Quarterfinal finish pushed him all the way up to 8th before Pipe. But despite all his success, the Huntington Beach surfer hasn’t just turned his back on the QS and continues to surf select events. In 2018, Igarashi claimed a second consecutive title at the US Open, a runner-up in Ericeira and a win at a smaller QS in Portugal to claim the QS rankings top spot.
Current No. 20 in the World Griffin Colapinto is right on the bubble of re-qualification through the Championship Tour, but his efforts on the QS have already guaranteed him a spot on next year’s roster. Colapinto’s first season on tour was a rollercoaster with a 3rd on the Goldie, a 5th in Bali and a bunch of 13th and 25th in other events, having a tough time finding his groove through the back half of the season. But with a safety net guaranteed, the Californian could be a threat in the final event of the season, and, if he stays at 20th or above, he will also free one more spot on the QS for the surfer next in line.
Griffin ColapintoWSL / KEOKI SAGUIBO
Ryan Callinan is another former CT athlete ready to give the elite tour another crack next year. The Australian spent a single season on tour in 2016 but failed to make most of it and went back to the QS. Followed a dramatic year for the young surfer who lost both his parents. The Newcastle native came back fired up this season having worked through his issues and showed a renewed love for competition. He won his first-ever QS in Japan before taking out the QS10K in Portugal weeks later. With a wildcard into the Quiksilver Pro France, Callinan made the most of the opportunity with a runner-up result and a massive statement about his intentions for next year.
Although just 20 years old, Fioravanti first qualified for the CT in 2017 but due to a 26th place finish he failed to requalify and went back to the QS in 2018. His Quarterfinal finish today at the Vans World Cup saw him qualify again for next year’s CT and will be more than motivated this time around. His best result this year was a win at the QS 3,000 Martinique Surf Pro.
Jadson AndreWSL / KEOKI SAGUIBO
Jadson Andre is accustomed to last-minute comebacks and late, late qualification, but today’s drama must have been borderline unbearable for the Brasilian. In Quarterfinal No. 2, Andre was sitting in last position and virtually eliminated both from the event and the qualifying race, until in the final moments, he picked up a set wave and destroyed for an 8.10. That ONE more heat win made all the difference in the world, as it pushed his season tally to 18,160 and moved him in 10th position. One of the friendliest faces around, Andre will join the world’s best for an eighth year on Tour.
Ricardo Christie spent the 2015 season on the Championship Tour but failed to re-qualify and has since then battled his way on the QS grind. After two tough years, he came back to winning form in 2018 and acted when it mattered most and the big points were on the line. A 5th in Ballito, 9th in Ericeira and a 3rd at Haleiwa did the trick for the Kiwi and he’ll get a second chance to showcase his stylish carving game on some of the most iconic waves of the planet.
Ricardo ChristieWSL / TONY HEFF
Jesse Mendes suffered a similar fate in the long run, but his final effort today was more convincing and with the runner-up finish at Sunset, Mendes climbed up to sixth on the QS. While the Brasilian struggled to find his feet in his first season on the Championship Tour, his late-season charge on the QS and especially an epic finish in Hawaii proved he’s more than deserving of his seat in the big leagues.
There still could be one more addition to the Championship Tour next season. If Colapinto can hang on to his 20th spot on Tour after Pipe, it will open to No. 12 on the QS. Ezekiel Lau currently occupies this spot, BUT, Zeke may not need it as he’s virtually qualified through the CT as well at the moment. If the Hawaiian maintains his position within the Top 20, another spot will open up for the No. 13 on the QS, Jack Freestone.
Ben Skinner At the 2018 Taiwan Open Of Surfing World Longboard Championships.
The stage has been set for an epic weekend finale at the Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship after yet another epic day of surfing from some of the best longboarders on the planet. In moderate cross-shore winds and 2-to-3 foot surf, the event ran through Men’s Round 3 leaving only 12 of the original 36 competitors left in contention for the 2018 World Title.
Ben Skinner At the 2018 Taiwan Open Of Surfing World Longboard Championships.
By far the performance of the event till now went to surfer shaper Ben Skinner (GBR), who on a board he shaped himself posted an excellent 18.07 heat total, the highest of the event so far. Skinner rode the nose through critical sections of the wave then put the ultimate exclamation point on his ride by adding one of his trademark drop-knee cut-back turns to complete the wave and post a near excellent 9.47 (out of a possible 10).
“I feel like if that heat kept going I would have kept posting good scores,” Skinner said. “I was just feeling really confident and in sync with the waves. My board is feeling really good — I’ve been working on refining this model for a while now so it’s nice to feel it go so good. Recently I have come to terms with the fact that I’m in the back end of my career and that I should enjoy competing as much as I can while I’m still doing it. I think relaxing like that has helped me perform as there is less pressure on me.”
Ben Skinner At the 2018 Taiwan Open Of Surfing World Longboard Championships.
Round 3 got underway with Phil Rajzman (BRA) coming up against the first Uruguayan representative at the WSL World Longboard Championship, Julian Schweizer (URY). The two time World Champion Rajzman took a while to find his feet but eventually posted a 13.57 heat total to take a solid lead. Needing a score, Schweizer took off on a set wave with only a few seconds left in the heat, but unfortunately for Julian, the wave didn’t offer much opportunity and he didn’t meet the requirement, leaving Rajzman to move into Round 4.
“The waves are really good but with that wind blowing into the rights it’s hard to nose ride,” Rajzman said. “I didn’t have much confidence to walk along my board early in the heat and it was quite stressful, but eventually I got into a rhythm. When Julian was paddling into that last wave I was nervous as he is a really capable surfer but thankfully it didn’t offer him much and I was able to get the win.”
Harley Ingleby At the 2018 Taiwan Open Of Surfing World Longboard Championships.
Australian title hopeful Harley Ingleby (AUS) rebounded well from his appearance in Round 2, taking a dominating win over Austin Hollingshead (USA) in Heat 3 of round 3. Ingleby showed great variety on both rail and the nose to win with a heat total of 14.07.
“I’m happy with how that heat went,” Ingleby said. “I started with a couple of decent scores and was able to build from there. The waves are nice today but you can definitely feel that there is a little less push in the waves. It looks like the next few days are going to pick up again and the wind will stay a little more cooperative so it should be a good end to the event.”
Reigning three-time World Champion Taylor Jensen (USA) had an unfortunate matchup with Aussie Jared Neal (AUS) as the ocean decided to go flat and the wind began to puff up from the North. Jensen posted his two-wave total off the bat and then struggled to find a wave of real consequence. Fortunately for him, Neal had minimal opportunity as well, meaning Jensen was able to hang onto the lead and sneak through the heat into Round 4.
“I have a really interesting relationship with this wave,” Jensen said. “Yesterday I had a similar experience where I paddled out and the waves just stopped. It wasn’t ideal that it happened in a heat but it’s all good because I made it through. It’s looking like this is the worst day for conditions so I’m looking forward to the next round. I’m surfing some new boards at the moment that feel really good and that always makes a difference.”
Antoine Delpero At the 2018 Taiwan Open Of Surfing World Longboard Championships.
Antoine Delpero (FRA) continued his dominating form at Jinzun, taking down World Championship debutant Sam Christianson (ZAF) with an impressive heat total of 15.17. The always stylish Delpero will now face off with Piccolo Clemente (PER) and his younger brother Edouard, the event defending champion, in Round 4, Heat 3.
“With the waves like they are at the moment, you just have to take off on anything and hope for the best,” Delpero said. “I was glad I got a couple of good waves in that heat and am looking forward to coming up against my younger brother. We have surfed against each other so it’s nothing new but it is always fun — especially if we both progress.”
Other heat winners in Round 3 included former two-time World Champion Piccolo Clemente (PER), Steven Sawyer (ZAF), Tony Silvagni (USA), Cole Robbins (USA), Jefson Silva (BRA) and Kai Sallas (HAW)
Event directors will reconvene at Jinzun Harbour tomorrow morning to make a call on competition for a likely 6:30 am local time start.
The 2018 WSL World Longboard Championships will run in conjunction with the Taiwan Open of Surfing from November 26 to December 2. Head to worldsurfleague.com and on the Free WSL App. Head here for more information, images, highlights and results.
Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship Men’s Round 4 Matchups:
Heat 1: Phil Rajzman (BRA) 13.57 DEF. Julian Schweizer (URY) 12.67
Heat 2: Steven Sawyer (ZAF) 15.56 DEF. Jack Entwistle (AUS) 10.97
Heat 3: Harley Ingleby (AUS) 14.07 DEF. Austin Hollingshead (USA) 7.50
Heat 4: Tony Silvagni (USA) 11.67 DEF. Eduardo Bage (BRA) 11.50
Heat 5: Ben Skinner (GBR) 18.07 DEF. Emilien Fleury (FRA) 11.84
Heat 6: Taylor Jensen (USA) 10.67 DEF. Jared Neal (AUS) 7.63
Heat 7: Edouard Delpero (FRA) 15.10 DEF. Scotty Fong Jr (HAW) 11.00
Heat 8: Piccolo Clemente (PER) 13.34 DEF. Kevin Skvarna (USA) 11.50
Heat 9: Antoine Delpero (FRA) 15.17 DEF. Sam Christianson (ZAF) 10.83
Heat 10: Cole Robbins (USA) 15.24 DEF. Josh Constable (AUS) 10.70
Heat 11: Jefson Silva (BRA) 12.86 DEF. Rodrigo Sphaier (BRA) 12.33
Heat 12: Kai Sallas (HAW) 14.04 DEF. Makamae Desoto (HAW) 10.53
Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship Men’s Round 4 Matchups:
Heat 1: Phil Rajzman (BRA) vs. Steven Sawyer (ZAF) vs. Harley Ingleby (AUS)
Heat 2: Tony Silvagni (USA) vs. Ben Skinner (GBR) vs. Taylor Jensen (USA)
Heat 3: Edouard Delpero (FRA) vs. Piccolo Clemente (PER) vs. Piccolo Clemente (PER)
Heat 4: Cole Robbins (USA) vs. Jefson Silva (BRA) vs. Kai Sallas (HAW)
Steven Sawyer At the 2018 Taiwan Open Of Surfing World Longboard Championships.
Carissa Moore of Hawaii won the Final of the Beachwaver Maui Pro, Honolua Bay, 2018.
The conditions at this year’s Beachwaver Maui Pro, the final stop on the 2018 World Surf League (WSL) Women’s Championship Tour (CT), were all-time and 3X WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) took full advantage, winning over Malia Manuel (HAW) in the Final heat of the season with a Perfect 10-point ride.
Moore clinched her 20th CT victory today, her third at Honolua Bay, and rounds out the season at No. 3 on the Jeep Leaderboard.
“It’s so special,” said Moore. “My whole family came over and the waves were perfect. Probably the best competitive day I’ve had in my life and just to finish off the season like that is so good. I’m so in love with everything in my life right now. My support crew, surfing and I’m so grateful for the WSL. I’m speechless right now.”
“It was a dream come true to get a 10,” continued Moore. “There was so much emotion at that point, I just started crying and I can’t thank the locals enough for letting us surf your beautiful wave. I’ll definitely take some time off to soak it in. Nothing beats winning in the ocean in perfect surf. The Surf Ranch was awesome, but this is pretty sweet. I’m just loving what I’m doing and so fired up. I’m excited for next year and stoked for Steph (Gilmore), it’s been a big event and a big year and everyone deserves some time off.”
Malia Manuel (HAW) advances to the Semifinals of the 2018 Beachwaver Maui Pro after winning Quarterfinal Heat 1 at Honolua Bay, Maui, Hawaii, USA.
Manuel finished runner-up for the second consecutive year, after blitzing through her Quarterfinal match-up against an injured Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) and eliminating the newly crowned WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) in the Semifinals before facing Moore in the Final. Today’s result, Manuel’s best of the year, sees her move up to ninth place on the Jeep Leaderboard and secure her place on the CT for 2019.
3X World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW – left) is the WINNER 2018 Beachwaver Maui Pro with Malia Manuel (HAW) runner-up at Honolua Bay, Maui, Hawaii, USA.
“It’s such an honour to share the stage with Steph (Gilmore) and Carissa (Moore), two of the best surfers of my generation,” Manuel said. “I’m happy to be here and having an event at home, and having my friends from Kauai here is so lovely. I’m feeling a lot of good vibes right now. I have a new spark in me now that I’ve qualified for the Tour next year. I’ve got a lot of plans. Sally (Fitzgibbons) had a tough day yesterday but she’s an animal. I knew she was going to want to surf even with the injury. We’re both just looking forward to next year and hopefully, we will both be in the World Title conversation together.”
Although eliminated in the Semifinals, 7X World Champion Gilmore will come back on the 2019 Championship Tour ranked No. 1 on the Jeep Leaderboard.
“Malia (Manuel) is always on the best waves,” said Gilmore. “I tried to fight my way back but it’s all good. I’ve had an incredible couple of days. This year has been beyond anything I could’ve dreamed of. Surfing is so fun. People always ask me why I’m smiling so much but if they did what I did they would know why.”
7X World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) advances to the Semifinals of the 2018 Beachwaver Maui Pro after winning Quarterfinal Heat 2 at Honolua Bay, Maui, Hawaii, USA.
Billy Kemper Wins Jaws Challenge at Pe’ahi, Hawaii
Across the island, Maui’s own Billy Kemper (HAW) won the Jaws Challenge at Pe‘ahi, one of three stops on the World Surf League (WSL) Men’s Big Wave Tour (BWT), for the third time in his career. Competition resumed with Round 1 Heat 2 after being called off yesterday and Kemper picked up where he left off to set today’s tone with more exhilarating performances as he battled back and forth with Kai Lenny (HAW) in the Final.
“Yesterday was probably the most radical day of surfing competition and I’m glad I got to kick that day off and got to end this event,” Kemper said. “This is for my mom and if you’re looking down on me right now mom, this one’s for you.”
This marks a career-defining moment for Kemper as his third Big Wave Tour win on home turf. Kemper’s ability to hunt down some of the heaviest waves and attack the barrels on offer separated him from the rest of the competition today with a brilliant 23.84 (out of a possible 30) heat total.
“I put everything into this year and I was second guessing if I’d be able to surf again by the end of the year,” Kemper continued. “My team got me back here and this is for us. I didn’t do this on my own. My beautiful wife, my children, I love you guys so much.”
Men’s Jaws Challenge at Pe’ahi, Hawaii Final Results:
1 – Billy Kemper (HAW) 23.84
2 – Kai Lenny (HAW) 23.56
3 – Albee Layer (HAW) 17.40
4 – Tyler Larronde (HAW) 16.06
5 – Grant Baker (ZAF) 8.10
6 – Koa Rothman (HAW) 2.19
Beachwaver Maui Pro Final Results:
1 – Carissa Moore (HAW) 18.67
2 – Malia Manuel (HAW) 14.67
Beachwaver Maui Pro Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 13.50 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 13.36
SF 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.67 def. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 14.44
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Kai Lenny (HAW) is the runner up at the Jaws Challenge at Pe’ahi in Maui, Hi, USA
Were you watching last night? How did you choose? Big wave insanity at Jaws or a world title race on a razor’s edge on the same island… Flipped a coin for mad Jaws as opposed to perfect Honolua, helpfully Jaws was called off due to the very real possibility of carnage, leaving Kai Lenny to put on a tow masterclass, so attention switched, in a timely fashion to the ladies. In time for Alana Blanchard to shut the door on Lakey Peterson.
–PRESS RELEASE–
Yesterday, Stephanie Gilmore claimed an historic seventh World Surfing Title at Honolua Bay in Hawaii. Gilmore’s incredible achievement comes following remaining challenger Lakey Peterson’s (USA) early elimination from the Beachwaver Maui Pro, the final stop on the 2018 World Surf League (WSL) Women’s Championship Tour.
“I was not expecting it to happen just then,” said Gilmore in an emotional post-heat interview. “I was feeling so nervous, that was an intense heat and Alana (Blanchard) just went to town. I can’t believe it. I just want to thank everyone, my friends and my family and everyone that gets me here and lets me do what I do. My parents are back in Australia, all my friends that flew here to watch and my sister Whitney, who does so much for me. I want to thank everyone at Roxy and everybody that’s helped me and supported me in my career up to this point. The WSL, every single thing they’ve done for us, for the women, it’s just unbelievable. All the locals for letting us surf this wave to ourselves. Everyone who puts on this event, my coach Jake Patterson, my shaper Darren Handley, who’s made the best boards for me for the last 13 or 14 years. Without all these people I couldn’t have done it. I’d like to dedicate this win to Pierre Agnes.”
This victory sees her equal the record for the most women’s world titles (currently held by Layne Beachley) and puts Gilmore, 30, in an elite class within surfing’s World Champions – only two other individuals have accomplished the feat of earning seven World Titles: Beachley (AUS) (7) and Kelly Slater (USA) (11).
“Layne, it’s an honour to sit alongside you,” continued Gilmore. “You’ve been a huge inspiration for my entire career and for so many female surfers all around the world so to equal you is amazing. Thank you for setting the standard. I’m just going to lap up seven titles – this is so, so cool.”
Gilmore won her first world title in her rookie season (2007) and became the first surfer ever (male or female) to accomplish such a feat. She went on to claim three more consecutive titles (2008, 2009 and 2010) and has racked up an impressive 29 Championship Tour victories during her career, second only to Slater.
The now 7X World Champion (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018) narrowly missed out on clinching her seventh title in Maui last year, but came into the event this year in first place on the Jeep Leaderboard with three of event wins so far this season at Bells Beach, Australia; Saquarema, Brazil and Jeffreys Bay South Africa. A thrilling year-long battle with Lakey Peterson (USA), who was on the hunt for her maiden world title, saw the pair trade the Jeep Leader Jersey until Gilmore’s cemented her place atop the rankings following her with at the Corona Open J-Bay.
Gilmore is also the 4X defending event winner in Maui and will look to top off her incredible season with one final victory in Honolua Bay. The newly crowned World Champion sailed through her Round 1 and 3 heats with her impeccable form.
Peterson’s world title hopes were dismantled after she was eliminated from the event in Round 2 at the hands of replacement surfer Alana Blanchard (HAW). Despite the early exit, 2018 marks Peterson’s best CT finish to date, who will finish up the year as runner-up.
“I just didn’t perform to my best ability today, but it’s just been an incredible season and so much fun,” said Peterson. “There’s still so much for me to learn and to grow from today and the whole year. Huge congratulations to Steph (Gilmore), what a beautiful surfer and it’s so great to have her as an inspiration — there’s no one more deserving. It hurts, but it’s been a really fun year and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I’m not done, I think the hurt will drive me even more next year. I think I’ve broke down a lot of barriers for myself and proved to that I can be in this position and going for a World Title at the end of the year.”
The Beachwaver Maui Pro will be broadcast LIVE on Facebook.com/WSL and WorldSurfLeague.com. Also check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners.
Stephanie Gilmore’s 2018 WSL Championship Tour Results:
Roxy Pro Gold Coast: 5th
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach: 1st
Oi Rio Women’s Pro: 1st
Corona Bali Protected: 5th
Uluwatu CT: 3rd
Corona Open J-Bay: 1st
Vans US Open of Surfing: 2nd
Surf Ranch Pro: 2nd
Roxy Pro France: 2nd
Beachwaver Maui Pro: TBD
The Beachwaver Maui Pro ran through the opening three rounds of competition and narrowed the field down to eight from 18, setting the stage for the Quarterfinals.
Incredible surf was on offer for the world’s best surfers and it was Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), Carissa Moore (HAW) and newly crowned Gilmore that really capitalized on the excellent conditions to earn their place in the final eight. Meanwhile, top seeds Lakey Peterson (USA) and Caroline Marks (USA) fell in Round 2 at the hands of Alana Blanchard (HAW) and Paige Hareb (NZL) respectively.
Wildcard Alana Blanchard (HAW) advances to Round 3 of the 2018 Beachwaver Maui Pro after winning Heat 3 of Round 2 at Honolua Bay, Maui, Hawaii, USA. With the heat win Blanchard eliminated Lakey Peterson (USA) and ended her hopes for maiden World Title.
Stephanie Gilmore of Australia won Heat 3 of Round 1 at the Beachwaver Maui Pro, Honolua Bay, 2018.
Paige Hareb (NZ) advances to Round 3 of the 2018 Beachwaver Maui Pro after winning Heat 2 of Round 2 at Honolua Bay, Maui, Hawaii, USA.
Beachwaver Maui Pro Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 12.23, Johanne Defay (FRA) 8.00, Paige Hareb (NZL) 3.53
Heat 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.17, Bethany Hamilton (HAW) 8.33, Coco Ho (HAW) 6.23
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)16.16, Sage Erickson (USA) 2.76, Alana Blanchard (HAW) 8.43
Heat 4: Lakey Peterson (USA) 7.43, Malia Manuel (HAW) 14.00, Zoe McDougall (HAW) 9.23
Heat 5: Summer Macedo (HAW) 8.47, Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 8.20, Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 6.70
Heat 6: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 14.63, Caroline Marks (USA) 12.43, Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 11.90
Beachwaver Maui Pro Quarterfinal Matchups:
QF 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Malia Manuel (HAW)
QF 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Johanne Defay (FRA)
QF 3: Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) vs. Courtney Conlogue (USA)
QF 4: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Paige Hareb (NZL)
Watch LIVE
The Beachwaver Maui Pro will be broadcast LIVE on WSL’s Facebook page and WorldSurfLeague.com. Also check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners. Follow WSL Social platforms for coverage of behind-the-scenes preparation for an epic week of surfing.
Italo Ferreira (BRA) advances to the final of the 2018 MEO Rip Curl Pro after winning Semifinal Heat 1 in Peniche, Portugal.
The dust is settling in Peniche after a dramatic end to the European leg of the World Tour. Italo beat Medina at his own game in small boostable lefts to take the honours depriving his countryman of nailing another world title. The title race, as it should, will come down to Pipeline. Gabe and Jools are no slouches at the Banzai so it should be a doozy.
The Euro leg has been a highlight of a season plagued by cack surf with plenty of drama, good waves and heavy beatings. It’s also been far more of interest in Carve towers since we realised you can have a flutter on heats. Giving proceedings a lot more interest. Sure the shift to FB has been glitchy and unwelcome but the show is tight, when it works. We look forward to Pipeline and a 2019 of things more or less the same. Seems all the plans for a shorter season and Mentawai play off for the title have been shelved for now…
**WSL PRESS RELEASE**
Italo Ferreira (BRA) has won the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Stop No. 10 of 11 on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), over Joan Duru (FRA) in a Final held in clean three-to-four foot (1 – 1.2 metre) surf at the iconic Supertubos beach break. Tens of thousands of fans flocked the beach and dunes of Supertubos to support the athletes and enjoy high-performance surfing at one of Europe’s finest surfing spots. The electric vibe peaked every time surfers took their act to the air and fans lit up in loud cheers.
The 10th edition of the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal witnessed incredible performances by the world’s best surfers earlier this week as Supertubos pumped heavy surf, and culminated today with Ferreira’s first-ever win on Portuguese soil.
“This is crazy, I can’t believe it,” Ferreira said. “In my first year I got a second here, so now I’ve got my first win here. Thank you Portugal and thank you to everyone on the beach and my family and friends. I’m so excited. That was a crazy year for me, I got a couple of wins and some bad results, but I’m just living my dream and this is the best feeling.”
Italo Ferreira (BRA) Winner of the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal 2018
World No. 4 Ferreira claimed his third event victory of the season after winning the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach and the Corona Bali Protected earlier this season. Despite being inconsistent with six early losses, the 24-year-old is in his best-ever season on the Championship Tour and will be a strong contender for the World Title race in years to come. In an incredible air show, Ferreira defeated compatriot Gabriel Medina (BRA) in the Semifinals and effectively sent the World Title race to Hawaii by depriving Medina of a win in Portugal.
“I’m still learning and enjoying myself,” Ferreira added. “This is the best job in the world!”
Duru pulled the trigger first in the Final with a combination of two critical backhand turns for a 7.00 (out of 10) to apply pressure on Ferreira early on. But the Brasilian just went to what he does best and landed two back-to-back forehand rotations for a 7.43 and an excellent 8.50 to turn the situation mid-heat. The ocean, unfortunately, did not provide many more opportunities for Duru and the result remained unchanged for the remainder of the Final, giving Ferreira the win.
World No. 33 on the Jeep Leaderboard coming into this event, Duru posted with this runner-up result, his career-highest placing and will rocket up ten spots in the rankings to No. 23, to give himself a strong shot at re-qualifying in the final event of the year in Hawaii (only the Top 22 male surfers will requalify from the Jeep Leaderboard). Duru was the event’s giant-killer, having previously eliminated Filipe Toledo (BRA) in Round 3, Julian Wilson (AUS) in the Quarters and Owen Wright (AUS) in the Semifinals.
Joan Duru (FRA) advances to the final of the 2018 MEO Rip Curl Pro after winning Semifinal Heat 2 in Peniche, Portugal.
“I’m so stoked and I didn’t have many results before,” Duru said. “I just came here to have fun and make some heats so I’m really stoked to be here and it’s amazing. I really didn’t think about requalification and rankings, I just wanted to surf and that’s it. I’m stoked I had my family, my grandparents and my mom here with me, and thanks to all my friends for the support.”
In the first Semifinal, Ferreira got a quick start with a 7.17 in the early minutes of his exchange with Medina, launching what would become an incredible air show, with a good forehand rotation. Medina did not wait long to reply with a similar wave for a 6.83 and later upgraded to a 7.90 with an alley-oop to take the lead. Both surfers continued to showcase the different variations of their aerial repertoire and Medina seemed in control of the heat. But, out of nowhere, Ferreira pulled the biggest manoeuvre of the whole event for an incredible 9.30 to upset the 2014 World Champion and advance into the Final.
Gabriel Medina (BRA) placed 1st in Quarters 2 at the Meo Rip Curl Pro Portugal 2018
With his equal 3rd result in Peniche, Medina further extended his pole position on the Jeep Leaderboard, finishing ahead of his two rivals in the World Title Race, Toledo and Wilson. Coming off of four consecutive excellent results, Medina is undoubtedly the form surfer of the back half of the 2018 season and seems poised to claim a second World Title as the year winds up.
“It was a good heat against Italo as always,” Medina said. “He’s a good friend of mine and he deserved that one. I’m happy with my performance. I know I did my best and now my focus is on Pipe. We didn’t hassle each other, we knew it was going to be an air show. I come from two wins and two thirds so I’m happy with my performance and Pipe is a wave that I like so now I’ll focus on that.”
The Men’s World Title Scenarios going into the last event of the season, the Billabong Pipe Masters in Hawaii, are as follows:
– If Gabriel Medina finishes 1st or 2nd at the Billabong Pipe Masters, he wins the World Title;
– If Gabriel Medina finishes 3rd at the Billabong Pipe Masters, Julian Wilson & Filipe Toledo will need to finish 1st;
– If Gabriel Medina finishes 5th-25th, Julian Wilson & Filipe Toledo will need a 2nd or 1st at Pipe.
In the second Semifinal, Duru took on Wright in another goofyfoot showdown, but this time most of the action happened on the wave face. Both surfers attacked the rights on their backhand, but the best wave of the heat came to the Frenchman and he posted a 7.83 to distance himself from Wright and take the spot for the Final. With an Equal 3rd place, Wright posted his second-best result of the season and moved up ahead of Jordy Smith (ZAF) to No. 5 on the rankings before the Billabong Pipe Masters.
Michel Bourez (PYF) is eliminated from the 2018 MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal with an equal 5th finish after placing second in Quarterfinal Heat 1 in Peniche, Portugal.
Michel Bourez (PYF), the first surfer eliminated today in Quarterfinal 1, kickstarted a return to form with an Equal 5th place in Peniche. The Tahitian surfer started his 2018 season strong with two 5th place results and a runner-up result in the first four events, but then suffered a heavy setback with four consecutive 13th place finishes and an even more unusual last place loss in France. A former Pipe Master, Bourez will have one more chance to redeem himself at the final event of the season in December.
In the second Quarter, World No. 1 Medina lit the beach on fire with aerial mastery and gave his opponent Matt Wilkinson (AUS) no chance with a 16.16 heat total (out of a possible 20). The Australian stuck to a different peak with clean little rights to exploit on his backhand but eventually bowed out in equal 5th place at Supertubos.
Duru continued his giant-killing spree and once again played spoilers in the World Title race as he eliminated Wilson in the third Quarterfinal. In a slow heat, Wilson waited too patiently to start putting scores on the board while his opponent was building his scoreline on smaller waves. Eventually, the gap was too big for the Australian to fill and he placed equal 5th. Wilson needed to advance through to the Semifinals to push the title race to Pipeline.
The last Quarterfinal continued with the slow pattern and once again it was a goofyfoot who found the best opportunities early on. Wright surfed a very similar heat to Duru’s and put together a 5.00 and a 6.17 (out of a possible 10) to eliminate Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) in equal 5th. The Japanese surfer failed to advance into a fourth Semifinal this season but put on a satisfying result following a disappointing 25th in France.
For highlights from the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
The men will now head to the North Shore of Oahu for the final event on the Championship Tour, the Billabong Pipe Masters. The event window will open on December 8 and run through December 20, 2018.
The women’s World Title will also be decided in Hawaii at the Beachwaver Maui Pro, which holds a competitive window from November 25 – December 6, 2018.
Both events will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the WSL’s Facebook page. Also check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners.
MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Final Results: 1 – Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.93 2 – Joan Duru (FRA) 10.77
MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Semifinal Results: SF 1: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 16.47 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.73 SF 2: Joan Duru (FRA) 13.60 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 12.00
MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Quarterfinal Results: QF 1: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 16.10 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 5.20 QF 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 16.16 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 11.03 QF 3: Joan Duru (FRA) 11.57 def. Julian Wilson (AUS) 5.10 QF 4: Owen Wright (AUS) 11.17 def. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 4.60
