In testing conditions at Supertubos, Filipe Toledo (BRA) claimed victory over countryman Italo Ferreira with an incredible display in the final of the Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal.
Filipe, back in the title race.
Victory moves Filipe up to second spot on the Jeep Leaderboard ratings, just 200 points behind Mick Fanning (AUS) and marginally ahead of Adriano de Souza (BRA) in third. A quick look at the Top 10 reveals four Brazilians, three Australians, two surfers from the USA, and Frenchman Jeremy Flores. The Brazilian Storm is gathering momentum as we head towards Hawaii for the final event of the season, and Mick will do well to hold on to his ratings lead and claim his fourth world title.
Back to the final day action at Supertubos, where a stiff side-onshore wind and powerful swell combined to make things difficult yesterday. But with just one day left in the waiting period and even stronger onshore winds predicted, organisers were left with little choice but to try and get things wrapped up on Friday.
Filipe, flying to victory.
Filipe beat Joel Parkinson (AUS) and Brett Simpson (USA) to earn a spot in the final, while Italo beat Gabriel Medina in the quarter finals, before ousting Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) in the semis to grab a spot alongside Filipe in the final.
The final match-up started in explosive style, with Filipe earning a Perfect 10 on his second ride. A wicked combination of a fins-free turn, a giant full rotation air reverse and some technical foam climbs saw Filipe grab the early lead, but Italo fought back with a near-perfect score of his own thanks to a quite remarkable backhand air – possibly one of the biggest ever seen in competition.
Filipe’s Perfect 10 in the final.
Italo’s 9.93 answer back.
Italo was left needing a 7.91 with time winding down, and he narrowly missed the score required to finish in second. Italo jumped two spots to sixth in the rankings, and looks like a shoe-in for the ‘Rookie of they Year’ crown.
With things looking stacked at the top of the Jeep Leaderboard, the 2015 world champ will be decided in dramatic fashion at the Billabong Pipe Masters starting 8 December in Hawaii.
Go to worldsurfleague.com to catch all the heat reviews, results and photos from the Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal.
