Medina and Peterson win the Freshwater Pro
LEMOORE, California/USA (Saturday, September 21, 2019) - Lakey Peterson (USA) and Gabriel Medina (BRA) won the World Surf League (WSL) Freshwater Pro presented by Outerknown today. Peterson and Medina bested their respective fields at the Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California for the seventh stop on the women’s Championship Tour (CT) and the eighth stop on the men’s CT.
Peterson's and Medina’s wins put the 2019 World Title race in full swing with Peterson vaulting up to No. 2 on the World Rankings and Medina climbing to World No. 1. The 2019 CT will not only decide the prestigious World Title but will also determine who from the world’s elite will qualify to represent their country at surfing’s Olympic debut in Tokyo next year.
“I just can’t believe it, I feel like God was just with me on that one and I gave it everything I had,” Peterson said. “It all just came together today and it’s super special. I want to dedicate this win to everyone who was a part of the climate strike after watching everything on TV yesterday and how much our Earth needs our help right now.”
A heated Final came alive between the remaining Top 4 women and event standout Johanne Defay (FRA) shined bright right away with another near-perfect score of a 9.00 (out of a possible 10) on the righthander. In the end, it came down to Peterson and Defay as the last two women standing and fireworks ensued on the bonus waves to determine the 2019 winner. The Santa Barbara, California native brought her clutch form from overtaking Courtney Conlogue (USA) to earn her spot into the Final and did so once more with an incredible air-reverse, earning a 9.33 when needing an excellent score, on her final attempt to capture the win.
“That one was just so clutch," continued Peterson. "The year’s been so up and down with so many different emotions. Obviously, for the World Title, this was huge to win it and with Caroline (Marks) and Carissa (Moore) right there for the Olympics, there’s a lot going on. I’m just so thankful.”
Defay’s runner-up finish marks her best result of the season. Defay moved up one spot to No. 9 on the Jeep Leaderboard and is in a great position to represent France at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The Frenchwoman’s composure throughout the event was unbreakable, even heading into the Final alongside Peterson, over eventual fourth-place finisher Caroline Marks (USA) and three-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW), who exited in third place.
"I knew Lakey (Peterson) would put on such a show and she deserved it," said Defay. "Her surfing above the lip was crazy and I'm happy for second place. This is going to be good for my confidence heading to France and this year I've felt like things haven't gone my way with opportunities, which put me down in the rankings. It's going to be difficult, but it will definitely be good so hopefully I can stay in this mood. Surfing is going in such an incredible direction and I'm happy where I'm at."
Medina’s comeback is in full swing with his second win at the Surf Ranch. The Brasilian’s opening runs in the Final eventually secured his second win in three events this season and sent him from World No. 4 to No. 1 to begin a surge toward a third World Title. Medina’s aerial assaults on the lefthander proved insurmountable once again after earning a near-perfect 9.93 to begin his Final and immediately backing it up with an 8.93 on his backhand.
“It feels amazing and it’s been a long three days for me but it’s amazing to get the win against these guys - they are the best in the world,” Medina said. “Those two first waves of the Final felt really good and it’s amazing to beat guys like Juilan (Wilson), Filipe (Toledo), Owen (Wright), and (Griffin) Colapinto, they all surf amazing. Now hopefully I can keep up my results to the end. I’m really happy with my performance here and these are really important points.”
Once more Filipe Toledo (BRA) earned runner-up with another brilliant performance throughout the week that included multiple, near-perfect rides including a 9.63 in the Final. But the 24-year-old sustained an injury on his second runs which plagued Toledo with pain heading into the bonus waves. With a vital homestretch ahead Toledo will prepare as best he can after taking on the world’s best in amazing fashion.
“It was really amazing and nervous moments being on the screen before that Final but it was motivation at the same time,” Toledo said. “I did those last few waves because the crowd was just feeding me energy and I have to thank the WSL staff for doing everything they could to take the pain away. I’m so stoked for Gabriel with an incredible performance, as well as Lakey and Johanne, and also the that whole leaderboard - everyone just came out swinging on the first waves which I was not expecting.”
“Now I’ll relax a little bit, my plan was to do Ericeira but now I don’t think I’ll be able to,” Toledo added about his injury. “I’ll still go and try to put the jersey to see what’s up but then head straight to France to work with doctors there. I’ll get through these three last contests and maybe get that Title.”
Freshwater Pro pres. by Outerknown Men’s Final Results:
1. Gabriel Medina (BRA)
2. Filipe Toledo (BRA)
3. Owen Wright (AUS)
4. Griffin Colapinto (USA)
5. Julian Wilson (AUS)
6. Yago Dora (BRA)
7. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
8. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Freshwater Pro pres. by Outerknown Womens’ Final Results:
1. Lakey Peterson (USA)
2. Johanne Defay (FRA)
3. Carissa Moore (HAW)
4. Caroline Marks (USA)
2019 Men’s Championship Tour Jeep Leaderboard Following Freshwater Pro
- Gabriel Medina (BRA) - 44,695
- Filipe Todelo (BRA) - 44,400
- Jordy Smith (ZAF) - 40,195
- Kolohe Andino (USA) - 36,505
- Italo Ferreira (BRA) - 34,600
2019 Women’s Championship Tour Jeep Leaderboard Following Freshwater Pro
- Carissa Moore (HAW) - 47,260
- Lakey Peterson (USA) - 43,850
- Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) - 42,070
- Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) - 39,810
- Caroline Marks (USA) - 38,220
Comments
I watched a couple of waves the other day and then tuned in for a few more today. A couple of thoughts:
a) really strange commentary when compared with usual events. None of them appear to have any idea what score the surfer is likely to receive, in fact most of the time it feels as though no one is actually aware scores are being awarded (and subsequently making the viewer aware)
b) I’m sure the wave feels like surfing but something about it looks ‘off’. There’s this strange slow pace to most of the surfing.
c) had to feel for Johanne Defay. A four woman final with which she torched and then she had to surf another round with Lakey?? Whole things feels a bit overkill.
d) There are a few interesting elements but that mainly revolves around whether a surfer actually makes the run and/or can they do the one forced air at some stage. Pretty tough for anyone to chuck in ‘variety’ into their run.
Can’t imagine the level of interest would warrant another crack there next year. Speaking of which is there a schedule due soon?
“. I want to dedicate this win to everyone who was a part of the climate strike after watching everything on TV yesterday and how much our Earth needs our help right now.”
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This coming from someone who takes literally HUNDREDS of flights a year and goes through disposable surfboards like it’s nothing..
Give me a fucking spell Lakey!
Far out people like that make me sick
Not to mention the nature of Lemoore i.e. its power and fresh water consumption.
And how was Slater's plug for Outerknown jeans, all 'sustainable' and stuff.
Fuckin spare me lol.
Hate to be that guy, but it's worth noting that the wavepool is run off of 100% solar energy and emits zero greenhouse gasses.
Not saying they're totally out of the red and the industry has a long way to go to before it's totally sustainable, but at least the ranch is doing something to be somewhat responsible. And hopefully this opens up the gates for others to do the same?
Agreed goofyfoot
spot on
All I hear is resentment. did you poo all natural ingredients onto the soil beneath your feet today or are you a fellow human wrestling with your own guilt around the damage we are doing daily?
better to be a voice of encouragement for good intentions in my opinion.
Something about good intentions and the road to hell...
Haha yep! I've also heard "Good intentions never change anything".
She might as well have said "do as I say and not as I do".
Can’t see Gabs losing from here.
What about the women? Big fan of Carissa so would be happy to see her win. But also want Steph to get another title. Maybe this is Lakey’s year?
All just a yawn swanning in the basin. Where is surfing heading? It ain’t no Olympic sport for f’ sake!! This event is a surfing novelty. Must admit the pond is great technology bringing waves to the driest parts of the globe. Should web sites who promote the ‘stoke’ even bother promoting this sterility?
Thanking God and considering the environment whilst getting paid to fly to man made waves with a massive carbon footprint.
Can the Wozzle and its flock of minions lose any more credibility?
I reckon a few folks here have drunk the anti-environment Cool Aid by holding those who support the climate strikers to impossible standards. ie "I hope those protestors don't travel in cars or use electricity... blah blah blah".
Yes the WSL has a massive carbon footprint, but the answer to this problem doesn't involve lambasting those who care, but incremental and ongoing steps to reduce everyone's CO2 emissions. If pro-surfers can reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and inspire others to do the same, that's a good thing. If the WSL take serious steps to do the same, surely that's the best way forward. Bitching and moaning about pro-surfers CO2 output solves 3/5ths of fuck all.
Mate how can you not see how hypocritical those fuckers are?
As mentioned above they are using an energy draining ginormous steel train to create waves in a fresh water lake while California has just come out of a years long drought.
If they care that much about it, follow the footsteps of Irish pro surfer Fergal Smith.
He quit flying around the world because he didn’t want to keep contributing to the decline, and he’s gotten into politics to try to make a legitimate change.
They’re that full of shit it’s laughable.
Or you could say that Brazil is currently being run by a far right wing anti-environment nutter that green lighted burning the Amazon rainforest.
If Gabs uses his profile to wake up his fellow citizens to a completely fucked up situation, I say good on him.
Yeah absolutely you could say that
Maybe not the best example:
On one level I agree, VL. For mine, it's top down changes that will have most impact, either at city, state, or national level. However, playing devil's advocate a moment, carbon hungry celebrities are dubious spokespeople for change. Paid by companies to promote consumption they're the drivers of capitalism, and then there's the whole FOMO-inducing lifestyle they eagerly embrace, so anyone with half a clue can see their gestures of eco-action are hollow and anything they inspire will be equally vapid.
Vote 1 Fergal Smith.
Capitalism and western values are the best way we know of to create wealth that (by historical standards) is distributed reasonably fairly. Poor people don’t have time to care where their rubbish ends up. If we want to keep enjoying things like electricity and international travel we need to develop the technology to do it sustainably. To do this we need as many highly educated people with enough wealth to focus on this mission as we can get. Imagine how fucked the environment would be if all 6.5 billion of us attempted to resurrect some kind of pastoral existence. Within years all forests would be gone. There is more forested areas on earth now then a century ago. awareness and care is where this problem begins to be addressed but to achieve anything we need to focus on keeping our economies pumping so that technology can continue to develop at its current blinding speed. There is plenty of money to be made in green tech so the incentive is there. If you want to live on a hobby farm and live a clean existence then ok but if everyone did the same the earth would fuck out almost as fast as if nukes started dropping.
George Monbiot disagrees.
"Wealth leads us all to inflict environmental damage."
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/19/life-earth-wealth-megarich-spending-power-environmental-damage
I see your point. Most people don't have an understanding of resources either i.e. natural vs unnatural.
Here is a few
Wood framed door or window uses x amount of energy
An aluminum framed door or window use 110 x the amount of energy to manufacture.
One litre of wine uses 12 litres of water on average to manufacture / produce the amount.
Beer I think from memory is about 8 litres of water for one litre of beer.
Australia uses antiquated farming practices developed in England which has a far greater average rainfall.
Rather than developing climate specific techniques or growing suitable crops for rainfall.
Farmers ignored (goiders line) a surveyed mark highlighting areas of drought in rural Australia.
Instead they chose to farm past this mark in drought prone areas.
We as humans were warned of global warming by a swedish physicist in 1880........
Anyone have an update on the number of eyeballs watching this event? Was it significantly higher or lower than other comps?
The pool allows the WSL to have a really tight run sheet helping them sell X number of advertising slots at specific times per comp, but if people aren't tuning in, the comps days are numbered.
I tuned in yesterday ( in the afternoon finals ) for three waves.
2.6 k
1.4 k
2.2 k
At the region I was viewing.
How's that GF?!
We posted within seconds and both champion Ferg!
Well he’s the only one you can take seriously isn’t he?
He's doing a great cause, cept if he is being paid by patagonia.
He is supported by the buyers of patagonia....who do very bad things to the environment , to buy patagonia clothes .
Only watched a bit but was pretty impressed with Cortney Cologune take on how to surf it...looked like shes was adding a lot more style to her turns...the bottom tun to tube ride turn she did looked insane
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/420072/courtney-conlogue-with-a-67...
It’s one thing to preach caring for the environment whilst riding storm generated ocean waves , it’s another thing to preach caring for the environment whilst you’ve got a for- profit business operating the surfing version of a roller coaster .
The machine has zero productive purpose. Lakey should be speaking out about this otherwise she’s just another parasite with a big mouth and hollow platitudes.
Michelle Bourez wasn’t backwards in lambasting Dirk’s stinking machine.
getting in on the god vibe and all (from an atheist)
"yet he who hath not sinned cast the first stone"
awareness dawns then hopefully action follows
we are all guilty, at least in the privileged western world, of having a way too large environmental footprint. its attached to every decision to consume anything, every day. All we can do is try our best to turn it around, bit by bit
From Matt Warshaw:
My environmentalist game is middling, and looking to step it up we decided last year to price out a home solar rig (steep but not ridiculous), and trade our Mazda 6 for something electric (tested a Chevy Bolt, which felt like driving a huge slot-car; I liked it, Jodi not so much). Meanwhile, we also had to get the exterior of our house painted—and that's where our green plans blew apart like a ripe Granny Smith dropped from the Space Needle. Not only were the bids double what we expected, but the nicks and divots and whatnot that I figured the painters would fill were in fact dry rot, and let's bring in a contractor and etc etc and there goes 60K. Goodbye Bolt. Goodbye solor panels.
The point being . . . what the fuck, WSL?
Dry rot forced me to slow my environmental roll. The WSL last week not only went back to Surf Ranch for another droning low-ratings wavepool contest, they ran that huge energy-sucking iron-foil-dragging beast of a power train back and forth and back and forth on the same day Greta Thunberg and few million other Climate Strike kids marched in the streets worldwide in hopes of staving off our environmental End Days.
Maybe Surf Ranch is still buying energy offsets. I seem to recall they had some kind of deal with PG&E. If so, I didn't catch anything about it on the webcast. And even if Surf Ranch is buying offsets, it is not morally, optically, psychologically, and spiritually wrong to be putting all that energy into producing something we get for free? I'd feel more righteous about this if I was driving a new Bolt, but still.
All the carbon offsets in the world do not reduce the carbon footprint, only the dollars that the footprint costs, the crazy thing is that all King Kelly's (11 time world champ, in case you missed it) sustainable jeans will help with is a UV 100 sun guard when the hole in the ozone layer gets that bad we get fried looking out the window.
As mentioned previously, the enviro crusade must be driven by role models in society, which should be the Wozzle elite athletes in this case. Walk the walk, not just praise god and stoke the diesels for a fucking side show of small wave surfing.
Warshaw quit surfing ten years ago,
Some the best waves in north America are mere hours from where he lives.
I get annoyed by him honestly and here he is crying poor , enough with this guy !
Mere hours, eh?
Yes,
Also I actively dodge any Warshaw articles because I feel he is "antiquated" in this current media landscape.
Quiting surfing helps no one in surf journalism. So if he reads this (which he probably does.)
* suck it up and get out there cause the great uncrowded waves are all around there.
Solar in Seattle sounds like a fruitless affair( overcast rainy 3 hundred days a year.) Electric car would definitely work though.....
The waves Stu net? They are out there.
Yeah I know, just the thought of a "mere" after work session taking "hours" to drive to is a little offputting.
Last N hemi winter a mate and his American wife were on San Juan Islands and with a swell coming I told him to head over to Lower Elwha region. His wife is a longboarder and had the right equipment.
not meaning to be too negative but whats the point of an electric (coal fire powered) car if you don't have solar panels or other renewable energy source to charge it?
It possibly has more environmental impact and carbon emissions than a liquid fuel vehicle
I had thought the same but the NRMA mag had a good breakdown on this issue a few editions back. People have run the numbers and even if 100% coal fired the co2 emissions are less than combustion, can't remember the numbers but.
Honestly the best option is to walk , ride a bike or take public transit.
Electric car would not really work in oz unless you put a giant solar panel on the roof.
Don't think solar is good for the environment also.
It takes tones of batteries to keep the charge. To get those materials, I here you have to dig holes in the ground............
I'm pissed off. Gabs thanks God and Peterson could feel the almighty with her in the basin. Yet I plead for divine guidance out of an Elensbrook tube and get slammed on to dry reef!