toledo-qgc15

Filipe Toledo Claims Victory at Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast

Photos: Kerstin/Cestari | WSL

Coolangatta, Queensland/Australia (Friday, March 13, 2015) – A thrilling Finals Day at the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast saw Filipe Toledo (BRA) claims victory at Snapper Rocks in front of a huge, cheering crowd. Toledo defeated Julian Wilson (AUS) to win the Quiksilver Pro. Filipe will claim the yellow jersey after the opening event on the 2015 Samsung Galaxy World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT).

Filipe Toledo (BRA), 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 (BRA) and Bede Durbidge (AUS).

Toledo faced Julian Wilson (AUS) 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 highest ranked surfer going into today’s Quiksilver Pro Semifinals, Adriano de Souza (BRA), 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 (AUS) 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.”

 

Final Result:

1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 19.60
2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 14.70

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

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