Caption: California's Griffin Colapinto (USA) will join the elite men's Championship Tour in 2018. 
Credit: © WSL / Cestari

LOS ANGELES, California/USA (Tuesday, December 19, 2017) - The 2017 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) season has come to a close, with John John Florence (HAW)and Tyler Wright (AUS) both defending their respective maiden world surfing crowns to become two-time WSL Champions.

The 2018 elite men’s Championship Tour (CT) will be contested by the WSL Top 34, made up of the top 22 finishers on the 2017 CT season, the top 10 finishers on the 2017 Qualifying Series (QS) and two WSL wildcards.

2017 Top 22 CT:
John John Florence (HAW)
Gabriel Medina (BRA)
Julian Wilson (AUS)
Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Owen Wright (AUS)
Kolohe Andino (USA)
Adriano de Souza (BRA)
Joel Parkinson (AUS)
Filipe Toledo (BRA)
Sebastian Zietz (HAW)
Mick Fanning (AUS)
Connor O’Leary (AUS)
Frederico Morais (PRT)
Jeremy Flores (FRA)
Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Kanoa Igarashi (USA)
Caio Ibelli (BRA)
Michel Bourez (PYF)
Conner Coffin (USA)
Joan Duru (FRA)
Italo Ferreira (BRA)

2017 Top 10 QS (minus double qualifiers from CT):
Griffin Colapinto (USA)
Jesse Mendes (BRA)
Wade Carmichael (AUS)
Tomas Hermes (BRA)
Yago Dora (BRA)
Willian Cardoso (BRA)
Keanu Asing (HAW)
Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
Michael Rodrigues (BRA)
Patrick Gudauskas (USA)

WSL Wildcards: Kelly Slater (USA) and Ian Gouveia (BRA)

CT Men’s Replacement Surfers:
Michael February (ZAF)
Bede Durbidge (AUS)
Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Wiggolly Dantas (BRA)

The 2018 elite women’s Championship Tour (CT) will be contested by the WSL Top 17, comprised of the top 10 finishers on the 2017 CT, the top six finishers on the 2017 QS and the WSL wildcard.

2017 Top 10 CT:
Tyler Wright (AUS)
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
Courtney Conlogue (USA)
Carissa Moore (HAW)
Lakey Peterson (USA)
Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)
Sage Erickson (USA)
Johanne Defay (FRA)
Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW)

2017 Top 6 QS (minus double qualifiers from the CT):
Silvana Lima (BRA)
Bronte Macaulay (AUS)
Coco Ho (HAW)
Caroline Marks (USA)
Keely Andrew (AUS)
Paige Hareb (NZL)

WSL Wildcard: Malia Manuel (HAW)

CT Women’s Replacement Surfers:
Macy Callaghan (AUS)
Pauline Ado (FRA)
Dimity Stoyle (AUS)
Bianca Buitendag (ZAF)

The 2018 WSL Championship Tour season will commence with the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast from March 11 - 22, 2018.

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com. 

Caption: Julian Wilson (AUS) claimed victory today at the Billabong Pro Tahiti and will now move to 5th on the Jeep Leaderboard. 
Credit: © WSL / Cestari

TEAHUPO’O, Tahiti (Sunday, August 13, 2017) - Julian Wilson (AUS) claimed victory today at the Billabong Pro Tahiti, Stop No. 7 of 11 on the 2017 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), after defeating Gabriel Medina (BRA) in the Final. A full day of competition witnessed intense action from the remaining competitors as they battled through 15 heats in six-to-seven foot (1.8 - 2 metre) surf at Teahupo’o. 
 
Today’s win marks Wilson’s third CT victory and best result at the Billabong Pro Tahiti. The Australian is always a serious WSL Title contender and his first place finish moves him up from 8th to 5th place on the Jeep Leaderboard heading into the Hurley Pro at Trestles. 
 
“It has been a few years,” said Wilson. “It is so special to win. I am ecstatic and I have nothing left in me. I am just so happy and relieved to finally win an event again. It took so many good waves to win this event and I was lucky enough to get those. I felt like I was trending in the right direction. I’ve had a pretty steady start to the year and I am so happy to be in the mix now. With so many events left, I am really looking forward to it. I was already enjoying myself on tour and even more so now. I cannot wait for the rest of the year.”
 
Wilson had a slow start to this season on the Australian leg but has been building momentum throughout the 2017 season, with improved results at each event, specifically his 3rd place finish in J-Bay, 5th in Fiji and 9th in Rio. The contender’s win now puts him just 2,150 points behind World No. 4 Owen Wright (AUS). 

The exciting Final saw an all-out battle between Medina and Wilson. The Brazilian got the lead over the Australian with an incredible 17.87 combined score (out of a possible 20), with a near-perfect 9.20 (out of a possible 10) and excellent 8.67. Wilson was stuck in a combination situation and needed two new scores with time running out. Wilson fought back with a critical 8.10 and outstanding 9.23, but still trailed by 1.09 points. Under pressure but with priority, Wilson found his way out of a deep tube to earn a near-perfect 9.73 for the win in the dying minutes of the Final. 


Caption: Julian Wilson (AUS) escaped out of tricky barrels to earn the highest two-wave total of the event, a near-perfect 18.96. 
Credit: © WSL / Cestari

“It was an awesome Final,” continued Wilson. “With that 9, it was such a good wave and I was a little bit far in, but it was so nice that I wanted to make something special happen. I had plenty of time to get that 8.6. It really turned on for us in the Final and we had some great opportunities, so I am just glad to get that special one. Thank you to Gabby (Gabriel Medina) for an awesome Final.  We seem to have these amazing match-ups in the Final and we didn’t disappoint. It has been such a special few days and I think we finished in the best conditions. We had a good battle and I am just so happy.”

The runner-up finish for Medina is his best result this season. The 2014 WSL Champion and event winner has struggled to excel past the Semifinals in 2017, but the Final appearance today proves that Medina is back in the game heading into the second-half of the season. The Brazilian superstar will improve two places to 7th on the Jeep Leaderboard.

“I am stoked to make another Final against Julian (Wilson),” said Medina. “He has been surfing really well the whole event and I think it is a little harder on your backhand, so good job to him. I am stoked. It feels good to be back in the game and now I am thinking about Trestles. I am happy. It is Father’s Day in Brazil and my dad is here, so that was a good present.”


Caption: Gabriel Medina (BRA) earned a runner-up finish after great performances at the Billabong Pro Tahiti. The Brazilian posted a Perfect 10 in the Quarterfinals, the highest single-wave score of the event. 
Credit: © WSL / Poullenot

Wilson previously ended Jordy Smith’s (ZAF) run in Tahiti in the second Semifinal. Today the South African earned his best result in Tahiti, a 3rd place finish, and the top spot on the Jeep Leaderboard. Current World No. 1 Smith will head into the Hurley Pro at Trestles not only ready to defend his event win but eager to keep his lead over the world’s best surfers to improve his World Title campaign. 

“I am still learning a lot and I wish I had figured it out earlier in the event,” Smith said. “I am just going to continue to keep learning and watching John (Florence), Jeremy (Flores), Kelly (Slater) and those guys and keep learning. I am stoked to be in the top spot. Obviously, it is a long way to go, but it is sick to be in the front there. This year is a new year and I just want to bring something new, something fresh, and keep trying my hardest.”

The first Semifinal heat saw Medina eliminate Kolohe Andino (USA) with two commanding 7-point rides. Andino posted the highest single-wave score of the heat, an 8.90, but could not secure the backup score required to advance to the Final. Andino’s excellent 3rd place finish marks his career-best result in Tahiti after a disappointing 25th place at the 2017 Corona Open J-Bay. Andino will look to bring the momentum from his Semifinal finish into his hometown of San Clemente, which will host the next stop on the 2017 CT.     

2017 World Title contenders John John Florence (HAW), Owen Wright (AUS) and Matt Wilkinson (AUS) were eliminated from the event prior to the heated Semifinal match-ups but will keep within striking distance of the Jeep Leader Jersey as they remain in the Top 4 on the rankings. 

Smith dispatched Florence in the third Quarterfinal match-up. The 2016 WSL Champion could not find the scores to close the 1.40-point gap and reclaim the yellow Jeep Leader Jersey for the next event. Florence leaves with a back-to-back Quarterfinal result to stay in 2nd on the Leaderboard, only 950 points behind Smith. 

Florence showcased incredible surfing in Tahiti and posted the event’s second highest two-wave total, a near-perfect 18.70 in Round 3. In addition to his 5th place result, Florence received the Andy Irons Most Committed Performance Award for the second time in his career (2017, 2013). This prestigious award is given out every year to the standout surfer of the Billabong Pro Tahiti. Previous winners include Kelly Slater (2016), C.J. Hobgood (2015), Owen Wright (2014),Ricardo dos Santos (2012) and Jeremy Flores (2011). 

“This is super amazing,” Florence said. “It is such an honor to get this award. Andy Irons was a part of that era that I looked up to growing up. He was the guy that we watched the footage of air-dropping at 12-foot Chopes and just standing in big barrels and getting spit out. Andy being the last Hawaiian World Champ -- and that was when I was younger -- so to win the World Title last year and bring it back to Hawaii and have everyone in Hawaii supporting me was such an amazing thing. It is so cool to win this because Andy is one of my all-time heroes.” 

En route to his second place result, Medina knocked out Wright in the Quarterfinals with a Perfect 10 on his opening exchange. Wright was not able to escape the combination and was eliminated in Equal 5th place. Wright will stay in 4th on the Jeep Leaderboard. 

Wilkinson was eliminated in Round 5 Heat 2 by Brazilian threat Wiggolly Dantas (BRA). Wilkinson came into Tahiti as World No. 1, but his 9th place finish will move him down to 3rd on the Leaderboard. The Australian will now look to Trestles to climb back to the frontrunner position and strengthen his World Title campaign. 

2017 CT Rookies Joan Duru (FRA) and Connor O’Leary (AUS) put up strong fights today but were eliminated in Equal 5th and 9th, respectively. 

The next stop on the 2017 World Surf League Championship Tour will be the Hurley Pro and Swatch Women’s Pro at Trestles. The heated WSL Title race will continue in San Clemente, California as the world’s best surfers will take on Lower Trestles from September 6  through September 17, 2017.

Highlights from the Billabong Pro Tahiti can be found atWorldSurfLeague.com.

For more information, check outWorldSurfLeague.com.

Billabong Pro Tahiti Final Results:
1 -Julian Wilson (AUS) 18.96
2 - Gabriel Medina (BRA) 17.87

Billabong Pro Tahiti Semifinal Results:
SF 1:Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.16 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 13.90
SF 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 14.26 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 7.33

Billabong Pro Tahiti Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 18.23 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 13.94
QF 2: Kolohe Andino (USA) 14.33 def. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 7.67
QF 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.50 def. John John Florence (HAW) 13.10
QF 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.16 def. Joan Duru (FRA) 9.00

Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 5 Results:
Heat 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.37 def. Connor O’Leary (AUS) 11.66
Heat 2: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 15.50 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 12.00
Heat 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.93 def. Conner Coffin (USA) 11.40
Heat 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) 14.24 def Adrian Buchan (AUS) 10.60

Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 4 Results:
Heat 1: Owen Wright (AUS) 14.50, Connor O’Leary (AUS 13.40), Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 13.40
Heat 2: Kolohe Andino (USA) 13.37, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 12.50, Gabriel Medina (BRA) 6.00 
Heat 3: John John Florence (HAW) 15.76, Conner Coffin (USA) 7.90, Julian Wilson (AUS) 4.00
Heat 4: Joan Duru (FRA) 12.33, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 11.43, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 8.40

2017 WSL Men’s Jeep Leaderboard (After Billabong Pro Tahiti ):
1 - Jordy Smith (ZAF) 37,850 pts
2 - John John Florence (HAW) 36,900 pts
3 - Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 35,950 pts
4 - Owen Wright (AUS) 35,350 pts
5 - Julian Wilson (AUS) 33,200 pts

Caption: Rookie Connor O'Leary (AUS) eliminated former event winner Jeremy Flores (FRA) in Round 3 today.
Credit: © WSL / Poullenot

TEAHUPO’O, Tahiti (Saturday, August 12, 2017) - An action-packed day unfolded at Stop No. 7 of 11 on the 2017 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), the Billabong Pro Tahiti. Competition ran through Rounds 2 and 3 in 6 foot (1.8 metre) surf at Teahupo'o and the stage is set for an exciting Finals day tomorrow after the field was narrowed down to 12.
 
Day two of the event saw 10 nine-point rides and no shortage of drama as three WSL Champions were eliminated from the draw, while the top 4 surfers on the Jeep Leaderboard remain in the competition.
 
Injury replacement Nat Young (USA) put the pressure on reigning WSL Champion John John Florence (HAW) early during their Round 3 match-up but his lead didn’t last. Florence dominated the final minutes of the clash with two nine-point rides for an impressive 18.70 heat total and a place in Round 4.
 
“That was a lot of fun,” said Florence. “It’s a pretty scary wave but the reward is just so good. The view from inside the barrel is amazing and the way it sucks you in and spits you out is pretty cool.”
 
Earlier in the day Young eliminated rookie Frederico Morais (PRT) in Round 2 Heat 5. Morais, who is fresh from a runner-up finish in Jeffreys Bay, is currently ranked 12th on the Jeep Leaderboard takes home the second 25th place finish of the season.
 
“It’s an interesting position to be in being an injury wildcard,” said Young. “I’m stoked to be here but it’s a bummer for Kelly [Slater]. I just want to make the most of the opportunities I get and I just love surfing this wave.”
 
Connor O’Leary (AUS) and Joan Duru (FRA) are the only rookies to remain in the draw and each caused an upset on their way to securing a Round 4 berth.
 
2015 event winner Jeremy Flores (FRA) was dispatched in Round 3 at the hands of 2017 WSL rookie O’Leary. Flores held the lead through much of the heat with an early 7.00, but back-to-back barrels from the pair in the finals minutes made for an exciting conclusion to the bout. O’Leary found something special and was rewarded with an excellent 9.33 to steal the heat from Flores, and eliminate him from the competition with a fifth consecutive 13th place finish.
 
Earlier in the day a high-scoring affair played out in Round 2 Heat 10 between Flores and Italian rookie Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA). Both surfers went into the excellent range with 9-point rides but a near-perfect 9.77 from Flores for a deep tube ride sealed his heat win and sent the rookie home in equal 25th place.
 
“Jeremy [Flores] is one of the best out here,” said O’Leary. “To see his Round 2 performance was amazing and to have a heat against him was great. That was really fun and I’m happy to make it through and crack Round 3. It’s such a perfect wave and I’m looking forward to having a few more heats out there.”
 
Duru continued his impressive run of form by eliminating 2012 WSL Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS) in Round 3 Heat 10. Parkinson took an early advantage but an excellent 9.17 from Duru changed the lead. The Frenchman backed up his score with a 7.23 and will advance on to Round 4 while Parkinson leaves in equal 13th place.
 
“I’m so lucky and thanks to all my friends and family I’m in a good place and so happy,” Duru said. “I got lucky that the good waves came to me and the ocean was with me today.”
 
Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) also looked strong in Round 3 today when he dispatched 2015 WSL Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA). The heat came down to a battle of the back-up scores and it was Dantas that came out ahead to take the win and send De Souza home.
 
“Adriano [de Souza] surfed pretty good so I focused on getting the best wave of the heat,” said Dantas. “I’m stoked to make the heat. I am feeling some pressure because I want to get results but I do like surfing under pressure.”
 
An all-out battle between Julian Wilson (AUS) and Italo Ferreira (BRA) played out in Round 3 Heat 9. The pair traded big scores throughout the heat but it was an excellent 9.13 from Wilson that clinched the heat. The Brazilian is eliminated in equal 13th place and Wilson will move on to Round 4 when competitions continues.
 
“You have no control over your opponents so you just have to focus on yourself and try to make good decisions,” said Wilson. “I had a poor start to that heat but I was able to shake that off and search a really good second half of the heat. It’s turned on for us which is amazing and it’s such a reward to be still in the competition. Italo [Ferreira] is such a good competitor so I knew it would be a tough heat.”
 
Two former event winners Mick Fanning (AUS) and Adrian Buchan (AUS) matched up in the penultimate heat of the day. The three-time WSL Champion found a bomb and earned an near-perfect 9.83 (the highest single-wave score of the event) to storm into the lead over the 2013 event winner. Buchan put himself back in contention with an 8.00 and an 8.70 and took first position. Fanning was not able to find a response and is eliminated from the event.
 
“I’ve got so much respect for Mick [Fanning] - he’s not just a three-time world champion but also an awesome human,” Buchan said. “He’s just the ultimate competitor and a consummate professional so to have a heat with him is always special. I feel like I’m surfing really well and making good decisions and it feels really good to make it through.”
 
An incredible Round 3 performance from CT veteran Bede Durbidge (AUS) wasn’t enough to earn his place in Round 4. The Australian was eliminated by 2014 WSL Champion and event winner Gabriel Medina (BRA) in Heat 4 despite the highest score of the heat, 9.73. Medina took to the air to secure a pair of seven-point rides and earned the win.
 
“That felt really good,” Medina said. “I felt a bit nervous because I waited so long for my first wave so I’m really happy to make it. I love to surf doing airs and the wind is tough out there so it’s hard to get the barrels. Hopefully I can keep going and get a good result.”
 
Top seeds Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Jordy Smith (ZAF) and Owen Wright (AUS) won through their Round 3 heats against Ethan Ewing (AUS), Kanoa Igarashi (USA) and Ian Gouveia (BRA) respectively. They each advance on to Round 4 and the battle to win the event and get one step closer to becoming the 2017 WSL Champion will continue tomorrow when competition resumes.
 
The event will be broadcast LIVE via WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL app and on Facebook LIVE via the WSL’s Facebook page.  Also check the local listings for coverage on CBS Sports Network in the U.S., Fox Sports in Australia, ESPN in Brazil, Sky NZ in New Zealand, SFR Sports in France and Portugal, Sport TV in Portugal and the EDGEsport Network.
 
For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com
 
Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.83 def. Taumata Puhetini (PYF) 9.60   
Heat 2: Owen Wright (AUS) 14.50 def. Aritz Aranburu (ESP) 12.10     
Heat 3: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 10.06 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 6.56
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.00 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 8.16
Heat 5: Nat Young (USA) 10.74 def. Frederico Morais (PRT) 8.93
Heat 6: Michel Bourez (PYF) 14.97 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 14.77
Heat 7: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 11.50 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 2.67   
Heat 8: Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 10.53 def. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 5.60
Heat 9: Conner Coffin (USA) 12.56 def. Stu Kennedy (AUS) 7.10   
Heat 10: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 18.77 def. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 16.60   
Heat 11: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 10.50 def. Jack Freestone (AUS) 7.27
Heat 12: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 12.57 def. Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 8.03
 
Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Owen Wright (AUS) 13.77 def. Ian Gouveia (BRA) 10.60
Heat 2: Connor O’Leary (AUS) def 14.33. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.27
Heat 3: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 13.33 def. Adriano De Souza (BRA) 9.57
Heat 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.60 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 13.23
Heat 5: Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.67 def. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 12.27
Heat 6: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 11.57 def. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 8.67   
Heat 7: John John Florence (HAW) 18.70 def. Nat Young (USA) 15.23
Heat 8: Conner Coffin (USA) 13.77 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 12.90
Heat 9: Julian Wilson (AUS) 17.46 def. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 16.54
Heat 10: Joan Duru (FRA) 16.40 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.40
Heat 11: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 16.70 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.90
Heat 12: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.00 def. Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 2.26
 
Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 4 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Owen Wright (AUS), Connor O’Leary (AUS), Wiggolly Dantas (BRA)
Heat 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Kolohe Andino (USA), Matt Wilkinson (AUS)   
Heat 3: John John Florence (HAW), Conner Coffin (USA), Julian Wilson (AUS)  
Heat 4: Joan Duru (FRA), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Jordy Smith (ZAF)   

Caption: Rookie Joan Duru (FRA) claims his first Round 1 win of the season.
Credit: © WSL / Cestari

TEAHUPO’O, Tahiti (Friday, August 11, 2017) - Stop No. 7 of 11 on the 2017 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), the Billabong Pro Tahiti, got underway today and recommenced this season's hotly contested race for the 2017 WSL Title. The day opened with Round 1 where 36 surfers battled for a direct advance to the third round and was followed by heats 1 - 4 of Round 2, which served up the first of the early eliminations in 3-to-5 foot (0.9 - 1.5 metre) surf at Teahupo'o.
 
In the tricky conditions it was the rookies who impressed and Ian Gouveia (BRA) led the 2017 WSL rookie class by posting the highest heat total of the day, a 15.00, to sail through his Round 1 heat against Michel Bourez (PYF) and Frederico Morais (PRT).
 
“I was super excited to come to Teahupo’o and compete here,” said Gouveia. “It’s a wave where I need to get more experience but it’s so great to be here and to make it through.”
 
Fellow rookie Connor O'Leary (AUS) dug deep and secured victory over Sebastian Zietz (HAW) and Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) with a 13.10 heat total. O’Leary is the highest ranked rookie on the Jeep Leaderboard, currently sitting at 10th place thanks to a runner up finish in Fiji, and today is only his second Round 1 win of the season. Zietz and Fioravanti will surf again in elimination Round 2 when competition resumes.   
 
“It’s so good to be back here,” said O’Leary. “It’s a big advantage to have Luke Egan in my corner because he has such a broad knowledge. This is my second Round 1 heat win and it’s massive to get through. Round 2 is tough so it’s great to stay out of that.”
 
Also representing the rookies, Joan Duru (FRA) put on an impressive performance to net his first Round 1 win of the season over current No. 3 on the Jeep Leaderboard Jordy Smith (ZAF)and fellow rookie Ethan Ewing (AUS). Duru advances directly to Round 3 while Smith and Ewing went on to surf again in Round 2.
 
“It feels really good to get that win,” Duru said. “It’s tough to go to Round 2 so I’m happy. I’m glad to make it because it was a really hard heat it really hard conditions. I have been here a few times before so that helped me today.”
 
Reigning WSL Champion and 2016 event finalist John John Florence (HAW) claimed a Round 1 win with a 14.90 heat total, over opponents Ezekiel Lau (HAW) and trials winner Aritz Aranburu (ESP) in Round 1 Heat 5. Just two waves from Florence were enough to claim victory and secure his place in Round 3.
 
“I love coming to Tahiti and I’m always excited to be here,” said Florence. “The forecast doesn’t look great this year so it’s definitely tricky but it’s still fun. Everyone is a threat so I’m trying to focus on myself and my own surfing and I’m going to let everyone else do their thing. Kelly [Slater] seems to have my number out here but he’s not here this year so maybe I’ll do better.”
 
2013 event winner Adrian Buchan (AUS) found a rare barrel for the highest score of the day, an 8.83, to claim a Round 1 win over Brazilians Filipe Toledo (BRA) and Miguel Pupo (BRA) and will advance directly to Round 3.
 
“Coming back here year after year gives you confidence to be in the right spot,” Buchan said. “I’ve been coming to Tahiti for over a decade and I’ve never brought my family so it’s really nice to be here all together this year. I’m feeling happy and relaxed and it was exciting to put the jersey back on today. I just love competing and my competitive fire has never dulled for me, I’m still just as driven as I ever was and there are still things I want to achieve in my career.”
 
2014 WSL Champion and event winner Gabriel Medina (BRA) powered through his Round 1 heat against Caio Ibelli (BRA) and Stu Kennedy (AUS). A confident win will see Medina skip elimination Round 2 and advance directly to Round 3.
 
“I just love Teahupo’o, it’s such a fun wave,” Medina said. “We’re in paradise and that makes me comfortable. I’ve had some good results here in the past, especially when I won here and the waves were on fire. This year it’s going to be tricky but I’m confident. Everyone is capable of winning here, especially in these conditions, but I feel ready.”
 
WSL Champions Joel Parkinson (AUS) and Adriano de Souza (BRA) also secured Round 1 wins to earn their place in Round 3 along with current World No. 1 Matt Wilkinson (AUS).
 
Following the conclusion of Round 1 competition ran through the opening 4 heats of elimination Round 2.
 
Wildcard Taumata Puhetini (PYF) challenged World No. 3 Smith in the opening heat of Round 2, holding the top spot for the majority of the 30-minute bout. With only five minutes remaining the South African found a 6.13 to take the lead, avoid early elimination and keep his world title hopes alive.
 
“It was stressful but I think I made the most of those opportunities,” said Smith. “It’s hard to really identify what the judges are looking for so you really have to pick what you what to do and focus on that. You have to be really patient out here. I’m pretty competitive in all things I do but I try and stay as positive as possible and appreciate the journey.”
 
No. 4 on the Jeep Leaderboard Owen Wright (AUS) delivered an exciting performance in his Round 2 heat against trials winner and former CT surfer Aranburu. The pair traded barrels and big scores, with Aranburu getting the better of the exchange with an excellent 8.60. However it was Wright that had the backup score, took the win and his place in Round 3.
 
“I find myself trying to be really aware of what’s going on,” said Wright. “Aritz [Aranburu] is so good in the barrel so I knew he was going to be dangerous. He got the highest score of the heat so I’m really happy it went my way. At the start of the year I was just focused on health but now being in the title race is where I want to be.”
 
Rookie Ewing earned his first ever Round 1 win on the Championship Tour after he defeated top seed Toledo. A drama-filled, low-scoring affair between the pair saw Ewing get the advantage and end his run of 25th place finished. Toledo sat scoreless through the opening half of bout and a 6.56 heat total sees the World No. 7 eliminated from the competition.
 
“It’s definitely been hard and my confidence hasn’t been been very high so far this year,” said Ewing. “It hasn’t been going my way this year so I’m happy to get that one. This year I’ve learnt to shake off my losses. I’ve been really hard on myself so I’m focusing on looking forward to the next event so I’m just really happy to make it through.”
 
3X WSL Champion and 2012 event winner Mick Fanning (AUS) escaped early elimination by defeating compatriot Josh Kerr (AUS) in the final heat of the day.
 
“It’s always hard going up against a friend but that’s the way it goes. It all came down to the first wave and if I didn’t get it we would have been neck and neck. You always try and capture the ‘mana’ when you’re here and we’ll see over the next few days who’s getting that energy. We’ll really miss Kelly [Slater] here this year so I hope he’s healing up well.”
 
Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. to assess conditions and make the next call.
 
Surfline, official forecaster for the Billabong Pro Tahiti, are calling for:

The new SSW swell (205-190°) that has been building in today will top out for Saturday with about 4-5 feet at 15-16 seconds. That will be good for overhead to well overhead sets at Teahupo’o all day. A new and rather intense area of low pressure recently developed within 1800 miles SSE of Tahiti, packing a fetch with wind speeds up to 35-50kts. As a result, a good size shot of reinforcing South shifting SSE swell (180-170° shifting 170-160°) will move in for Sun/Mon. We’re expecting about 6’+ of swell at 13-15 seconds to peak early Sunday. Although this is not the best angle for Teahupo’o, it certainly looks strong enough to maintain overhead to double overhead sets. Early Sunday morning looking strongest overall during this entire run with occasional waves even bigger than double overhead. This energy will gradually taper off next week. 

The event will be broadcast LIVE via WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL app and on Facebook LIVE via the WSL’s Facebook page.  Also check the local listings for coverage on CBS Sports Network in the U.S., Fox Sports in Australia, ESPN in Brazil, Sky NZ in New Zealand, SFR Sports in France and Portugal, Sport TV in Portugal and the EDGEsport Network.
 
For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com
 
Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 10.00, Jadson Andre (BRA) 8.30, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 7.50
Heat 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 8.77, Nat Young (USA) 6.27, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 3.63
Heat 3: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 12.50, Owen Wright (AUS) 9.40, Josh Kerr (AUS) 7.57
Heat 4: Joan Duru (FRA) 12.26, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 7.83, Ethan Ewing (AUS) 7.17
Heat 5: John John Florence (HAW) 14.90, Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 10.93, Aritz Aranburu (ESP) 9.37
Heat 6: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 7.33, Taumata Puhetini (PYF) 7.13, Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 7.10
Heat 7: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 14.33, Filipe Toledo (BRA) 8.33, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 5.27   
Heat 8: Julian Wilson (AUS) 12.77, Conner Coffin (USA) 12.40, Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 10.03   
Heat 9: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.06, Stu Kennedy (AUS) 8.60, Caio Ibelli (BRA) 6.50
Heat 10: Connor O'Leary (AUS) 13.10, Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 11.94, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 10.64
Heat 11: Kolohe Andino (USA) 13.57, Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.43, Jack Freestone (AUS) 11.67    
Heat 12: Ian Gouveia (BRA) 15.00, Michel Bourez (PYF) 10.67, Frederico Morais (PRT) 9.56
 
Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.83 def. Taumata Puhetini (PYF) 9.60   
Heat 2: Owen Wright (AUS) 14.50 def. Aritz Aranburu (ESP) 12.10     
Heat 3: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 10.06 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 6.56
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.00 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 8.16
 
Upcoming Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 2 Match-Ups:
Heat 5: Frederico Morais (PRT) vs. Nat Young (USA)
Heat 6: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)
Heat 7: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA)   
Heat 8: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (USA)
Heat 9: Conner Coffin (USA) vs. Stu Kennedy (AUS)   
Heat 10: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)   
Heat 11: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Jack Freestone (AUS)
Heat 12: Ezekiel Lau (HAW) vs. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA)

Caption: Current World No. 1 Matt Wilkinson (AUS) will look for a strong finish at the Billabong Pro Tahiti, but will first need to defeat Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) and event wildcard Taumata Puhetini (PYF)  in Round 1 Heat 6. 
Credit: © WSL / Poullenot

TEAHUPO’O, Tahiti (Thursday, August 10, 2017) - The world’s best surfers are readying themselves to tackle one of the most dangerous waves on the planet, the infamous Teahupo’o, for Stop No. 6 of 11 on the 2017 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), the Billabong Pro Tahiti, from August 11 - 20, 2017.

The hotly contested race for the 2017 WSL Title will recommence in Tahiti, with the top three surfers on the Jeep Leaderboard separated by just 600 points. At the same time the battle for requalification rages on with lower-ranked surfers looking to turn their respective seasons around through the back half of the year.

Matt Wilkinson (AUS) once again comes into this event wearing the Jeep Leader Jersey after a Quarterfinal finish in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa. The Australian’s best result in Tahiti is a Quarterfinal berth back in 2011 but recent years have seen him claim a string of 13th-place finishes.

"It's one of my favorite stops on tour,” Wilkinson said. “I've been here for a few days now to get settled and I'm looking forward to the event. Lefthand reef passes in paradise, no complaints."

Wilkinson is closely followed by reigning WSL Champion John John Florence (HAW) and Jordy Smith (ZAF). Florence, a serious threat in Tahiti, made it to the Final last year where he faced eventual winner 11X WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA) while Smith has never made it passed Round 5. 

"It's a good race this year and if you look at the Top 5 on the rankings at the moment,” said Florence. “None of us have won in Tahiti so we're all hungry to a win there. Hopefully we get some good waves this event."

2015 WSL Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA) is the highest ranked Brazilian and currently sits in fifth place on the Jeep Leaderboard. De Souza has had a string of early-round exits in Tahiti over the past six years and will need a strong result to keep himself in world title contention.

"It's been a good year so far,” De Souza said. “We've had great waves for many of the events and the surfing has been at a new level. I keep trying to improve my own surfing at different spots. Tahiti is beautiful and I'm looking forward to the event."

Former CT surfer Aritz Aranburu (ESP) has won the trials to earn his place in the main event. Aranburu will face Florence and Ezekiel Lau (HAW) in Round 1.

Taumata Puhetini (PYF) claimed a Semifinal berth in the trials, finishing as the highest placed Tahitian, and also secures a wildcard into the Billabong Pro Tahiti. 2017 marks Puhetini’s fourth appearance in the event and he will face No. 1 on the Jeep Leaderboard Wilkinson and Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) in the opening round of competition.

Defending event winner Kelly Slater (USA) claimed his fifth Teahupo’o victory last season but has been forced to withdraw from the contest this year following a freesurfing injury in South Africa last month. Slater will be replaced by Nat Young (USA).

Surfline, official forecaster for the Billabong Pro Tahiti, are calling for:

New, longer period SSW swell will be filling in over Friday while old shorter period SSW energy fades. This new swell was pushed out by a fairly strong storm that recently slid across the deep Southwest Pacific. Wind speeds within the fetch aimed at Tahiti reached 35-45kts+, even a small patch in there up to 50kts, but the storm was rather far away and its track wasn't ideal. As a result, we're expecting about 4 feet+ of SSW swell (205-190°) at 15-16 seconds to peak late Friday night and hold through Saturday. Teahupo’o will see overhead sets with occasional waves up to a few feet overhead, and even pushing near or at the double overhead mark (possibly before dark on Friday as well).

The event will be broadcast LIVE via WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL app and on Facebook LIVE via the WSL’s Facebook page.  Also check the local listings for coverage on CBS Sports Network in the U.S., Fox Sports in Australia, ESPN in Brazil, Sky NZ in New Zealand, SFR Sports in France and Portugal, Sport TV in Portugal and the EDGEsport Network.

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com 

Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Jadson Andre (BRA)
Heat 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Bede Durbidge (AUS), Nat Young (USA)
Heat 3: Owen Wright (AUS), Italo Ferreira (BRA), Josh Kerr (AUS)  
Heat 4: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Joan Duru (FRA), Ethan Ewing (AUS)  
Heat 5: John John Florence (HAW), Ezekiel Lau (HAW), Aritz Aranburu (ESP)     
Heat 6: Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), Taumata Puhetini (PYF)   
Heat 7: Filipe Toledo (BRA), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Miguel Pupo (BRA)   
Heat 8: Julian Wilson (AUS), Conner Coffin (USA), Kanoa Igarashi (USA)   
Heat 9: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Caio Ibelli (BRA), Stu Kennedy (AUS)   
Heat 10: Connor O'Leary (AUS), Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)   
Heat 11: Mick Fanning (AUS), Kolohe Andino (USA), Jack Freestone (AUS)    
Heat 12: Frederico Morais (PRT), Michel Bourez (PYF), Ian Gouveia (BRA)    

ELITE WSL MEN'S & WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR CLASSES DETERMINED FOR 2017
WSL CHAMPIONS FLORENCE AND WRIGHT LEAD WORLD’S BEST SURFERS NEXT SEASON
NINE COUNTRIES REPRESENTED IN 2017 BATTLE FOR THE WORLD SURFING CROWN
MORE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption: John John Florence (HAW) and Tyler Wright (AUS) will lead the men's and women's fields respectively into the 2017 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour season.

Tyler Wright (AUS), reigning WSL Women’s Champion and winner of five of 10 CT events in 2016 (including the closer at the Maui Women’s Pro), will lead the world’s best female surfers into battle next season. The 2017 WSL Top 17 is comprised of the Top 10 finishers from the 2016 Championship Tour, the Top 6 finishers (barring double qualifiers) from the 2016 Qualifying Series and the WSL Wildcard.

2016 CT Top 10 Finishers:
1 - Tyler Wright (AUS)
2 - Courtney Conlogue (USA)
3 - Carissa Moore (HAW)
4 - Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW)
5 - Johanne Defay (FRA)
6 - Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
7 - Malia Manuel (HAW)
8 - Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
9 - Sage Erickson (USA)
10 - Laura Enever (AUS)

Wildcard:
- Lakey Peterson (USA)

2016 Top 6 QS Finishers:
- Silvana Lima (BRA)
- Bronte Macaulay (AUS)
- Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)
- Keely Andrew (AUS)
- Coco Ho (HAW)
- Pauline Ado (FRA)

Replacements:
- Bianca Buitendag (ZAF)
- Alessa Quizon (HAW)
- Chelsea Tuach (BRB)
- Isabella Nichols (AUS)

The 2017 WSL Women’s Wildcard has been allocated to Lakey Peterson (USA).

Caption: Silvana Lima (BRA), former WSL Women's Runner-Up and perpetual danger woman, returns in 2017 as the frontrunner off the Qualifying Series.
Image: WSL / Smith

John John Florence (HAW), reigning WSL Men’s Champion, will look to defend his maiden title against the 2017 WSL Top 34 in 2017. Wrapping the 2016 season on Monday with Michel Bourez’s (PYF) victory at the Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons, next year’s elite men’s class has been solidified with the Top 22 finishers from the 2016 Championship Tour, the Top 10 finishers (barring double qualifiers) from the 2016 Qualifying Series and two WSL Wildcards.

Caption: Michel Bourez (PYF) capped off the 2017 season with a win at the Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons rocketing him to 6th on the year-end rankings.
Image: WSL / Heff

2016 CT Top 22 Finishers:
1 - John John Florence (HAW)
2 - Jordy Smith (ZAF)
3 - Gabriel Medina (BRA)
4 - Kolohe Andino (USA)
5 - Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
6 - Michel Bourez (PYF)
7 - Kelly Slater (USA)
8 - Julian Wilson (AUS)
9 - Joel Parkinson (AUS)
10 - Filipe Toledo (BRA)
11 - Adriano de Souza (BRA)
12 - Sebastian Zietz (HAW)
13 - Josh Kerr (AUS)
14 - Adrian Buchan (AUS)
15 - Italo Ferreira (BRA)
16 - Caio Ibelli (BRA)
17 - Mick Fanning (AUS)
18 - Conner Coffin (USA)
19 - Stuart Kennedy (AUS)
20 - Kanoa Igarashi (USA)
21 - Wiggolly Dantas (BRA)
22 - Miguel Pupo (BRA)

Wildcards:
- Bede Durbidge (AUS)
- Owen Wright (AUS)

2016 Top 10 QS Finishers:
- Connor O'Leary (AUS)
- Ethan Ewing (AUS)
- Frederico Morais (PRT)
- Joan Duru (FRA)
- Leonardo Fioravanti (ITL)
- Jeremy Flores (FRA)
- Jadson Andre (BRA)
- Ian Gouveia (BRA)
- Jack Freestone (AUS)
- Ezekiel Lau (HAW)

Replacements:
- Nat Young (USA)
- Bino Lopes (BRA)
- Keanu Asing (HAW)
- Jesse Mendes (BRA)

The WSL Commissioner’s Office has allocated the two available wildcards for the 2017 WSL Top 34 class to Bede Durbidge (AUS) and Owen Wright (AUS).

Wright's acceptance of his wildcard position for 2017 is contingent upon medical evaluation and approval for competition prior to the start of the season.

Should Wright be unable to accept his position for the 2017 season, the wildcard spot will then be allocated to Alejo Muniz (BRA).

The world's best surfers will return to competition at the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast on March 14, 2017.

The full 2017 WSL Schedule can be found HERE

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com

KELLY SLATER CLAIMS FLAWLESS IN VICTORY AT BILLABONG PRO TAHITI 

 Caption: 11-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA) claimed his 5th win at Tahiti and his 55th career CT victory today at the Billabong Pro Tahiti. 
Image: © WSL / Cestari

11-time WSL Champion Slater claimed the 55th CT victory of his career to jump 11 places on the Jeep Leaderboard to 8th. The win today is Slater’s fifth in Tahiti, with previous event titles in 2000, 2003, 2005, 2011 and solidifies his position as the best surfer at Teahupo’o.

“When I look back that will for sure be one of the best wins I have ever had,” said Slater. “To have John John [Florence] in the Final is a dream for me. It is no secret that I am towards the tail-end of my career. John John and Gabriel [Medina] are on their way up and those guys are just monsters. John John is all of our favorite surfers, so I want to see how many heats I can get with him before I am done and to have him out here where he and Gabriel are the favorites. This is a really special time for me. I am stoked.”

Today’s win is Slater’s best result of the season and backs up a Semifinal berth in Fiji and a Quarterfinal finish in Jeffreys Bay. It also marks a return to form and his first CT event win since the Billabong Pipe Masters in 2013.

“It just came together for me,” continued Slater. “I was on the right waves, I was in sync and totally relaxed the whole time. To be in that Final with John John and lose would have been no problem for me. I was taking each heat as a bonus. I have had such a bad run for me historically over the last couple of years that anything was going to be good.”

The Final saw a stacked match-up between the two CT superstars. Florence was quick to get points on the board with an 8.00 on his opening ride, but Slater fired with a near-perfect 9.77. Slater landed a miraculous free-fall drop followed by escaping a deep barrel to garner a stunning 9.17. Florence, with a 15.23, was put in a combination situation and needed two new scores with ten minutes left on the clock. Slater continued to better his score with a phenomenal 9.90 for a near-perfect 19.67 combined total to claim his victory.

En route to the Final Slater posted a Perfect 20 heat total in his Round 5 match-up withKeanu Asing (HAW). This is only the ninth time a perfect heat has been achieved in 40 years of professional surfing and the third time Slater has accomplished this feat. Despite a strong opening from Asing, the Slater juggernaut picked up momentum throughout the back half of the heat, posting a Perfect 10, an excellent 8.10 and then another Perfect 10 to seal the win and etch another achievement in the history books.

“The first 10 of that heat was a more difficult ride definitely, but the second one was a bigger, more perfect, classic tube,” said Slater after winning Round 5. “I just thought that the first one was a lot more difficult, so I was not sure if they would throw a 10 on the second one. I have been feeling good all week. A perfect heat is not going to happen many times in your life so I am stoked.”

Caption: Kelly Slater (USA) scored a perfect heat with two 10 point rides in Round 5 Heat 2 of the Billabong Pro Tahiti. 
Image: © WSL / Poullenot

Slater previously dispatched event Wildcard Bruno Santos (BRA) in the Quarterfinals with another Perfect 10 and a commanding 9.27 back-up score to take the win.  

Slater also received the Andy Irons Most Committed Performance Award, which is given out every year to the standout surfer of the Billabong Pro Tahiti. Previous winners include C.J. Hobgood (2015), Owen Wright (2014), John John Florence (2013), Ricardo dos Santos (2012) and Jeremy Flores (2011).

“I’m so stoked, I’ve worked for this thing for years,” said Slater. “Andy [Irons] would be equally mad and stoked that I won this. Last time I surfed against Andy, it was here at Teahupo’o and he won the event. It was his last win, and I lost to him in the Semifinals. It was a really special heat for me and this is a really special award. This is rad and I can’t wait to put the award in my house. I feel like I’ve won the contest already.”

The runner-up finish for Florence is his best ever result at Teahupo’o and sees the 23-year-old claim the Jeep Leader Jersey heading into the next event on the CT at Lower Trestles. Florence previously defeated Joel Parkinson (AUS) in Round 5, Julian Wilson (AUS) in the Quarterfinals and Gabriel Medina (BRA) in the Semifinals.

“I am super stoked to be the leader on the Jeep Rankings,” Florence said. “But at this point, it is only a yellow jersey and what counts is at the end of the year and there is still a lot to go this year. I am going to keep chipping away at it.”

Caption: John John Florence (HAW) charging through a barrel at Teahupo'o at the Billabong Pro Tahiti.  
Image: © WSL / Cestari

Gabriel Medina (BRA), 2014 event winner, takes home a third-place finish following an incredible match-up against Florence in the second Semifinal. The sensational superheat saw the pair battle for a place in the Final and the chance to claim the Jeep Leader Jersey. The surfers traded impressive scores throughout the heat, posting seven excellent barrels above 9.00 between them during the bout. The Hawaiian held a slight lead with a near-perfect 18.44 to Medina’s 17.46, but with ten minutes left on the clock, Medina challenged Florence by coming out of a monstrous barrel to earn a Perfect 10 (the fifth of the day) and gain control of the heat. Under pressure and with four minutes remaining, Florence needed a 9.31. In a dramatic exchange, Florence used his priority to land a critical 9.93 to regain the lead and followed it up with a 9.73 to seal the win.

“It was a really fun heat,” said Medina. “John [Florence] is always hard to beat anywhere. We both had really good waves. It was his day today. I look forward to Trestles.”

Medina previously dispatched Jadson Andre (BRA) in Round 5 and Josh Kerr (AUS)in the Quarterfinals before facing Florence. Following today’s result Medina will remain in third place on the Jeep Leaderboard heading into the next event on the CT at Lower Trestles.

Caption: Gabriel Medina (BRA) won his Quarterfinal heat against Josh Kerr (AUS) at the Billabong Pro Tahiti.  
Image: © WSL / Poullenot

Adrian Buchan (AUS) finished the event in third place, matching his best result of the season, after being defeated by eventual winner Slater in the Semifinals. The bout was a rematch of the 2013 Final between the two former event winners, however this time it was the 11-time World Champion that took the win. Slater found a near-perfect 9.63 and a 6.67 to take the lead from Buchan on his opening exchange, while Buchan trailed close behind with an 8.17. Buchan, needing an 8.14, made numerous attempts to escape deep barrel rides, but was unsuccessful on his attempts. Slater increased his lead with an 8.77 to put Buchan in a combination in the last thirty seconds.

Today's result sees Buchan move up from 11th to 4th place on the Jeep Leaderboard. Buchan previously dispatched Jordy Smith (ZAF) and Kolohe Andino (USA) from the event in Round 5 and the Quarterfinals, respectively.

Julian Wilson (AUS) was defeated by eventual runner-up Florence in Quarterfinal 4 by only 0.74 points in a close head-to-head battle. Florence fired early with excellent rides, but Wilson kept selective. A wipeout on the razor-sharp reef rattled the Australian, but he fired back by coming out of a deep tube to earn a Perfect 10. Despite Wilson’s strong score, Florence was quick to answer back with the dominant combined score for the win. Wilson moves up to 5th place on the Jeep Leaderboard.

“I had the two waves to win that heat for sure,” said Wilson. “The first one I waited for but I got caught out of position and got absolutely walloped and split my chin and took some skin off. It rattled me a bit and I had to reset and gave myself another chance. That 10 was super fun, I knew I had to make the most of that wave. I got the lead for a minute but John John got that wave right behind.” 

The next stop on the 2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour will be the Hurley Pro and Swatch Women’s Pro at Trestles, which will see the battle for this season’s World Title heat up as with the world’s best surfers take on Lowers from September 7 -18, 2016.

Highlights from the Billabong Pro Tahiti will be webcast LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI FINAL RESULTS:
1: Kelly Slater (USA) 19.67
2: John John Florence (HAW) 15.23

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 18.40 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 16.10
SF 2: John John Florence (HAW) 19.66 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 19.23

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 18.16 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 16.00
QF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 19.27 def. Bruno Santos (BRA) 17.43
QF 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 17.90 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 13.40
QF 4: John John Florence (HAW) 17.34 def. Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.60

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 5 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 16.77 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.60
Heat 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 20.00 def. Keanu Asing (HAW) 14.70
Heat 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.43 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 14.33
Heat 4: John John Florence (HAW) 18.30 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.90

2016 WSL Jeep Leaderboard Top 5 (after Billabong Pro Tahiti):
1. John John Florence (HAW) 39,900 pts
2. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 36,000 pts
3. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 35,700 pts
4. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 26,200 pts
5. Julian Wilson (AUS) 25,200 pts

 11X WSL CHAMPION KELLY SLATER SCORES PERFECT HEAT AT BILLABONG PRO TAHITI

 Caption: Kelly Slater of USA (pictured) scores a perfect heat with two ten point rides in Heat 2 of Round Five at the Billabong Pro Tahiti on Tuesday August 23, 2016.
Image: © WSL / Poullenot

DOWNLOAD HI-RES IMAGES OF SLATER’S HISTORIC FEAT HERE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, TEAHUPO’O, Tahiti (Tuesday, August 23, 2016) - The world's best surfers are currently battling it out LIVE in the remote South Pacific for the final day of the 2016 Billabong Pro Tahiti, Stop No. 7 of 11 on the 2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour (CT).

Held at the infamous reef pass of Teahupo'o, today's conditions are the best they have been all event with the 8-to-10 foot (2.5 - 3 meter) waves already lending themselves to a historic moment this morning:

11x World Surf League (WSL) Champion Kelly Slater (USA) posted a PERFECT 20heat total in his Round 5 match-up with Hawaiian Keanu Asing (HAW).

This is only the ninth time a Perfect Heat has been achieved in 40 years of professional surfing.

Despite a strong opening from Asing, the Slater juggernaut picked up momentum throughout the back half of the heat, posting a Perfect 10, an excellent 8.10 and then ANOTHER Perfect 10 to seal the win and etch another achievement in the history books.

At 44 years of age, Slater continues to showcase his otherworldly abilities and unparalleled rapport in this wave of consequence - a masterclass in sporting excellence from arguably the greatest athlete of all time.

Slater will next take on Trials Winner and wildcard Bruno Santos in the upcoming Quarterfinals with the Billabong Pro Tahiti coming to a close today. Watch the world's best surfing LIVE.

“The first 10 of that heat was a more difficult ride definitely, but the second one was a bigger, more perfect, classic tube,” said Kelly Slater after winning Round 5. “I just thought that the first one was a lot more difficult, so I was not sure if they would throw a 10 on the second one. Had I got the second one in any other heat I thought that they would probably give me a 10. I have been feeling good all week. My first heat was a little slow and I had to grind out that first win against Michel [Bourez]. That is just how close the Championship Tour is nowadays. Had Keanu [Asing] gotten that wave, I would have lost. That heat was really close. A perfect heat is not going to happen many times in your life so I am stoked.”

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com