Toledo and Moore claim victory at Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast
COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Friday, March 13, 2015) - A thrilling Finals Day at the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast saw Filipe Toledo and Carissa Moore claim victory at Snapper Rocks in front of a huge, cheering crowd. Toledo defeated Julian Wilson to win the Quiksilver Pro and Moore took down Stephanie Gilmore to take the Roxy Pro title. Both Filipe and Moore will claim the yellow jersey after the opening event on the 2015 Samsung Galaxy World Surf League Championship Tour.
Filipe Toledo, the in-form surfer of the event, claimed his first CT win today at the Quiksilver Pro. The youngest surfer on the men's Tour put on an unbelievable performance throughout the competition and delivered the highest heat total of the event in the Final today, a near-perfect 19.60. Entering his third year on the CT, Toledo consistently delivered mind-blowing turns and blistering aerial maneuvers to become the second Brazilian to win the event. On his way to the Final today Toledo previously dispatched Adriano de Souza and Bede Durbidge).
Toledo faced Julian Wilson in the Final and the new-school match-up between two of the most progressive surfers on Tour did not disappoint. Toledo exploded out of the gates, earning an 8 and a 9 before his opponent had even taken a wave while Wilson waited nearly half the heat before posting his first score. An incredible heat played out, with both surfers locking in nine-point rides. A dynamic Toledo put everything into his turns and his air game was second-to-none, landing maneuver after maneuver. The young Brazilian put on another amazing display for a second 9-point ride and went to take a final wave under Wilson’s priority with one minute remaining to cement his win and bring the cheering crowd to their feet. His fast, radical surfing, earned him a Perfect 10 to seal the deal on his first CT Final and his first CT win.
“This is the best feeling in the world and I’m so happy,” Toledo said. “Only god and my family know how much I’ve been training, both physically and mentally. I’m so happy to win an event and feeling really confident too. After this event it’s going to be a great year for all the Brazilians. I was really having fun and my board was working really well. The last wave was amazing and it was really cool to get a 10. Last year was an amazing year for Brazil and I was very proud of Gabriel. His win was definitely a big motivation for me.”
“The Brazilian fans are unbelievable,” continued Toledo. “No matter the weather, whether it’s raining or sunny or whatever, they’re always with me and I just love the Brazilian people. It feels great that I’m world number one. I was thinking about it after the final, it’s amazing!”
“It’s unreal to get off to such a good start,” said Wilson. “Everyone on the beach knew that Filipe was the in-form surfer of the event so congratulation to him. I had a great event, I love this event and I love having my family here. It’s been incredible and a special one. Second is pretty good so thanks to everyone. This is obviously a great result and I’m carrying the momentum from Pipe.”
“Last year was a really tough year emotionally with everything that went on with my family, I’m a very big family person so it was a hard year,” continued Wilson. “That was the biggest thing to overcome. I got back from Europe after having a big slump on tour and then I had to pack my bags and go to Brazil for the Qualifying Series and back myself up. Once I knew everything was good at home and I could really focus on what I was doing and strive to achieve my dreams.”
The Roxy Pro Final saw Carissa Moore battle Stephanie Gilmore in an epic clash. Moore looked composed and stylish, claiming a win at the first event of the season, taking the yellow jersey from her opponent and defeating the reigning six-time WSL Champion on her home turf. Moore didn’t drop a heat in the competition, winning through each Round on her way to the Final. Today was the 20th CT match-up for the pair and Moore’s win evens the score with 10 victories apiece. The win today is Moore’s 14th on the CT and her second victory on the Gold Coast, having previously won the event in 2011 on the way to her first World Title.
Gilmore got to work early in the Final, maintaining her down-the-line flow for a solid opening score, an 8.33, but it was Moore’s day. The Hawaiian answered back with an unbelievable display, looking perfectly in sync with the wave to take an excellent 9.40. Moore was patient, holding priority and waiting until there were just seven minutes remaining to take her next ride. Moore put together a well-constructed wave earning another nine-point ride for a variety of powerful maneuvers, including a smooth roundhouse cutback, to leave Gilmore in a combination situation that she couldn’t escape. Moore put on a display of crowd-pleasing moves at the end of the heat in celebration of her victory, boasting an 18.43 heat total, the highest of the Roxy Pro.
“It’s amazing! The crowds are incredible today! I’ve never been welcomed by such loud and cheering enthusiasm, to have so many people share it in that moment with you is the raddest feeling,” said Moore. “It definitely feels good to win. Steph’s an incredible surfer and I’m sure she’s going to come back to Bells hungry and fired up so I’ll just enjoy it, relish in it for a minute but I’ll have to get back to work soon. Yellow is my favorite color so I’m stoked to have the yellow jersey back.”
“It’s an amazing time for women’s surfing and it’s such an honor to be a part of that,” continued Moore. “This year is going to be insane and the girls are on fire. It’s special to watch the other girls surf and have them push you but at the same time be happy for them because as a sport you’re changing it. You’re going to leave it better for the next generation so I think we’re all really proud of that.”
“I love Snapper and it’s so cool to see the girls do really well out here,” Gilmore said. “It was a tough one but Carissa was unreal and I made a priority mistake so I was on the wrong side of the rhythm.”
“It was nice that the WSL decided to really show their commitment to getting surfers in great waves and extend the waiting period and here we are competing in the best waves we’ve seen during the whole event,” Gilmore continued. “It’s super contestable and everyone has been surfing so well. Then in the Final Carissa absolutely smashed me. I love watching her surf and she’s a real asset to women’s surfing. She makes me rise and surf better and she definitely put on a clinic out there and she’ll take that confidence into the next event. I’m happy with a second place. It’s definitely not the worst and it’s not the best, but I’ll take it and it’ll definitely be a keeper in my end of year results.”
The highest ranked surfer going into today’s Quiksilver Pro Semifinals, Adriano de Souza, wasn’t able to contain the energy of his younger opponent. Toledo found the wave of the heat for an excellent 9.40, securing his place in the Final. De Souza looked frustrated and deflated as he struggled to escape the combination situation and takes home a 3rd-place finish, equaling his best result at Snapper Rocks.
De Souza previously defeated three-time World Champion Mick Fanning in their hotly anticipated Quarterfinal match-up. Fanning rode only three waves to the Brazilian’s 7 and couldn’t find the opportunity to match De Souza’s excellent 8.57. The two-time Quiksilver Pro winner equals his 5th-place finish at the event last year and will now set his sights on defending his Bells Beach title.
“Adriano started off like he always does and he caught a few good waves and then the ocean went flat,” Fanning said. “I waited for 10 or 12 minutes to get one wave and then I didn’t get a section. Adriano’s 8 was the best waves out there and I want to say congrats to him, he’s a fighter, and I wish him all the best. Bells is always a great event for me, especially having the support of Rip Curl over there. It feels like a home away from home and it will be a fun event.”
A big clash between two long-time rivals Moore and Tyler Wright saw the young Australian leave the event in third place. The pair have previously matched up 10 times in CT history, with Moore taking eight wins to Wright’s two. The two-time World Champion continued her winning streak today, beating the 2014 CT runner-up by 16.86 to 16.06 despite a strong showing from Wright, who previously defeated Courtney Conlogue in the Quarterfinals.
“Supporting the other women inspires me,” said Wright. “When you see the girls doing well it’s not something to worry about. It’s progressive and something that it inspires a whole new generation, including me. It’s truly incredible to be part of it and watch. I love progress and I love the girls surfing amazing so it’s hard to be worried about it.”
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Final Result:
- 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 19.60
- 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 14.70
Roxy Pro Gold Coast Final Result:
- 1: Carissa Moore (HAW) 18.43
- 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.50
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Semifinal Results (1st to Final, 2nd=3rd):
- SF 1: Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.26 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 15.60
- SF 2: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 17.23 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 10.34
Roxy Pro Gold Coast Semifinal Results (1st to Final, 2nd=3rd):
- SF 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.26 def. Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 11.53
- SF 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 16.86 vs. Tyler Wright (AUS) 16.06
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Quarterfinal Results (1st to SF, 2nd=5th):
- QF 1: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 13.79 def. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 13.67
- QF 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 17.44 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 11.17
- QF 3: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.07 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.32
- QF 4: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 17.34 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 16.23
Roxy Pro Gold Coast Quarterfinal Results (1st to SF, 2nd=5th):
- QF 1: Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 14.23 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 11.93
- QF 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.00 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 14.17
- QF 3: Tyler Wright (AUS) 15.33 def. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 13.40
- QF 4: Carissa Moore (HAW) 17.67 def. Lakey Peterson (USA) 15.03
Comments
That was some incredible surfing on the final day. Toledo was tearing.
Granted that even though the waves were tailor made for his surfing, it was a fair insight into the way he could properly contend for world titles once he develops more physical power and experience in heavy waves.
Let's not forget his absence from Tahiti last year.
Fully entertaining viewing. As usual it was lack of waves that created the winning scenarios for some lucky surfers. Mick Fanning in particular was unlucky not to advance.
Carissa Moore tears the bag. Steph Gilmore looked uncharacteristically shakey at times.
Let's hope for some kind of miracle at Marg's , Bells and Rio swell wise .
Good summary Blowin, however I would like to add (being of similar stature) that it was a victory for the little guys. If you take the three Zilla's left in the semi's they are all under 5'10" in the old money. De Sousa is my height (5'6"), I think Toledo and Pupo are 5'9", all ideally suited to small waves and all nimble and light. Simple physics really still can't believe Julian is 6' the way he surfs those little uns. Once it gets really grunty and not super hollow (Margs, Bells and to a lesser extent Jefferey's) that is when these guys fall by the wayside, just too small and light. Look at the way Jordy rips at Bells and Jefferey's just so much leverage from that 6'2" frame.
maybe the aussies can learn how to at least look a bit psyched up for a final. julian looked either bored or scowly.
wake up, the judges award attitude just as much as actual surfing in the junk surf these days, they want people winning heats who actually look like they want to be there.
aussies need to learn the art of theatre, wilko is about the only non-brazilian getting remotely excited.
the brazilians know how to sell a whole heat, rather than just a single ride, they look like they are really sto-ked to be there instead of sulky because the waves are shit. (except medina)
play the game fellas or else you're cooked.
Just watched Toledo's last wave, the 10 pointer, five times in succession. Still can't get my head around that mid-wave turn, the full blooded figure-8 cutback performed right in the pocket.
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152760347027058&set=vb.81269622057&type=2&theater
Anyone who thinks the Brazilians don't have a rail game needs to be pointed in the direction of this vid.
Stu that needs a big qualifier - it was only 2 foot. Huge difference between rail game in that size wave and something of serious consequence. Watching Dane do one of those nose pick things in serious Haleiwa and a massive hack at Sunset, or Jordy last year at Bells is way different to Toledo ripping up mini Schnapper, and that is not denigrating Toledo's skill. One is something I am in total awe over the other is like a gymnastic circus act (and I mean that in positive way): Very entertaining and amazing technical skill but not something I go Oooo and Ahhh over.
Maybe, but whatever the size the simple fact is he's the only one with a rail game like that. You only had to hear the plaudits from guys who know rail surfing, including Jordy, Bede, and the vanquished Julian Wilson, to understand that what Toledo did was something incredible.
The board was buried to the stringer nose to tail for a good portion of the turn, and it was done, not out on the face, but deep in the pocket in the steepest part of the wave. The interacting angles and forces are hard to fathom. So yeah, maybe it was gymnastics, but personally I was in awe of it.
Agree totally with everything you say and if he was doing it at your local beach I too would be in awe (he is the ultimate small wave ripper), however once the consequences of doing radical turns with all of what you have said are there then it is in another universe. Fear and getting seriously injured adds multiple dimensions to surfing and for me that is where the true champions are at. If he can add that to his repertoire then he will end up world champ.
The maneuver, by Toledo, that the commentators were calling a "Club Sandwich"
is actually a Miller Flip. It was invented by Darrell Miller, the skateboarder, back in
the late 1970's. Innovative 40 odd years ago.
Yeah I actually loved that afternoon of surfing in the small stuff. Toledo blew my mind with some of those rail turns. He actually looked like a fair way ahead of most but hopefully he can get a bigger wave act this year. Thoroughly entertaining all round and good to see how the pros have to deal with 1 to 2 foot like we have to all the time.
Toledo ripped the bag, no doubt. The commentators did not. They had no description of the maneuvers' they were witnessing by Filipe Toledo. The WSL needs someone like Tony Hawk to describe the technical aspects of what is happening. That said, why doesn't the WSL adopt the X Games judging, which rewards the best run in a heat with the best score, and thus, the winner.
No com-boed situation and the chance to win a heat with 30 seconds to go. If it is a tie then go to the backup score.
Good idea but it will most likely result in even less action as it's then only scored on one wave which will make most guys even more picky. Personally I'd rather see them scored on 3 again so they are forced into catching more waves which will result in more action
Speaking of scoring surf heats, I have thought of a formula that could be used to better separate the BETTER surfer in any given heat.
My idea eliminates separating great surfing by 0.1 or even 0.01 of a point, or in event of a tie, the highest scored wave wins. Judging 2 x good waves makes too definitive a point on who was the better surfer when clearly, both surfed 2 x waves as well as each other and judging can be slightly out. (cough cough, floatergate)
So, my idea is this;
When competitors cannot be separated by greater than 1 point, the 3rd wave should come into consideration. If the 3rd wave repeats the "closeness" of the score (<1pt), the 4th wave is counted and so on... until someone wins by more than 1 clear point.
e.g.
2 x surfers catch "X" amount of waves.
Best 2 x best scores make the total.
Surfer a) scores 2 wave comb total of 15.5
Surfer b) scores 2 wave comb total of 15.4
As scores are so close, wave 3 must now be counted.
Surfer a) 3rd wave scored 3.4 giving 3 wave combined total of 18.9
Surfer b) 3rd wave scored 6.6 giving 3 wave combined total of 22.2
Surfer b) wins the heat having clearly surfed consistently better.
I think that this formula would further remove human error from separating the heat winner and should cut the judging panel some slack. Where a 2 wave total of 14pts vs 13pts came up, you can safely assume that the judges would have to know who is the clear heat winner. In a tighter situation, why not use the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, (etc) wave to determine who won the heat?
(or cap at 5 waves and if they are tied after that, revert to the highest scored wave)
My formula would/should also encourage surfers to catch more waves during a heat.
e.g. Using this formula, JJF would have beaten KS at chopes in the semi last year due to him catching 4 x waves (KS only 3) after they could not be separated by 1 point after 3 waves each. (ref: calculated by looking at the dots on the heat analyser on the 2014 Tahiti web page)
All in all, I think it would make for even more exciting finishes when surfers cannot clearly be separated after considering their 2 x best waves.
A risk could be that it becomes a wave catching comp but, keeping the 2 x best waves as the initial deciding factor, the existing formula is not compromised, only complimented for all of the reasons stated above.
What do you think?
I think it's a great idea as it lessens the argument of subjectivity. Of course it's still judged subjectively but that concept keeps close calls in check.
A problem may be that introducing it is akin to an admission that judges aren't getting it right.
I did think of that.
However, I don't think it's a case of the judges not getting it correct, I think it's more a case of the judges being able to be definitive on differentiating when the scores are so close.
As you say, given the subjective nature of the judging (criteria and variety of waves that are surfed), the formula goes further toward elimination of awarding a heat win on what is sometimes too narrow a gap to separate the athletes.
And more waves should be caught. We all want to see that...
In fact, I think that more waves being caught is the missing ingredient at the moment. Those 3 man heats are stacked with waves ridden. Makes for much more action and a better consumer experience I think.
I like it. More action and a bit less subjectivity. It's simply not credible to have heats decided by less than a point anyway. I've been mulling this over for awhile too and my idea was to resurf any heat that was closer than a point but your idea is better still. Keeps the guy whos got away to two good ones early still looking for more too rather than just trying to hold priority
For sure.
And, you would find that heat 'strategies' would vary significantly too. I think you would get a greater case for surfers needing to use priority rather than sit on it for 10-15mins which is a well used strategy currently. There would be next to no heat restarts too I'd wager.
I remember having an argument with a friend about watching English cricket team play out meaningless test draws time and again. He argued that it was good 'strategy' as it helped them claim the real prize; the Ashes. I argued that it did indeed help them win but they harm the sport along the way by boring everyone who has tried to take an interest. Thereby cricket as a whole loses in the end. You can be 100% assured that there would be no 'Ashes' if there were was 0% public interest.
Great idea RR! You should email KP
Surely the commish has read it already (being such an avid reader and supporter of Swellnet!)
No rush in dismantling the judges towers etc aren't they normally taken down the very next day ?