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. 

GABRIEL MEDINA WINS MEO RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL
- MEDINA CLAIMS BACK-TO-BACK EVENT TITLES IN EUROPE, CLIMBS UP TO NO. 2 ON THE JEEP LEADERBOARD
- JULIAN WILSON KEEPS WORLD TITLE HOPES ALIVE WITH RUNNER-UP FINISH
- WSL TITLE SHOWDOWN GOES TO HAWAII FOLLOWING QUARTERFINAL ELIMINATION FOR JOHN JOHN FLORENCE
- MORE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption: The finalists of the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal.
Credit: © WSL /  Poullenot

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SUPERTUBOS, Peniche/Portugal (Wednesday, October 25, 2017) - Gabriel Medina (BRA) has won the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Stop No. 10 on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), over Julian Wilson (AUS) in a rematch of their 2012 final at Supertubos. The event culminated in good three-to-five foot waves with Medina’s victory, the eighth event title of his career, only a short ten days after the Brazilian won in France.

“I’m really happy right now, I had a goal to just win an event in Europe so to win those two is incredible,” Medina stated. “Now I feel tired, that was a lot of work! Julian (Wilson) got me so many times so it feels good to get one back over him. When he got the score at five minutes I thought ‘Oh My God’ not again, but I kept going and I’m so stoked I won in the end.”


Caption: Gabriel Medina takes flight and lands a second event win in Europe and the number 2 spot on the Jeep Leaderboard.
Credit: © WSL /  Poullenot

Coming into Europe ranked eighth on the Jeep Leaderboard, the 2014 WSL Champion rocketed up to second with his back-to-back wins in Hossegor and Peniche and will be a legitimate threat to John John Florence’s WSL title ambitions when the tour concludes in Hawaii in December. If Florence fails to advance to the Final at Pipe, Medina could clinch his second WSL Title with a win there.

“Before I wasn’t but now I’m definitely thinking about the title,” Medina added. “He (Florence) has an advantage with more points but you know anything can happen. I want to surf Pipe so bad, I love that wave and I got some good results there in the past, and nothing’s impossible!”

In the final, Medina capitalized on average waves to build his scoreline and apply pressure to Wilson early on. The Brazilian surfed an incredible fourteen waves and kept scouring the lineup to improve his heat total, while Wilson stayed slightly more patient. The Australian turned the heat with a good little backhand barrel with five minutes on the clock, but Medina stayed active and posted two new scores to finally claim an event title in Peniche.


Caption: Julian Wilson scored the last few barrels on offer at Supertubos.
Credit: © WSL /  Poullenot

Julian Wilson (AUS) won through every heat on his way to the Final and today defeated Sebastian Zietz (HAW) in the Quarterfinals and Kolohe Andino (USA) in the Semifinals before facing Medina in the Final clash. After a disappointing 25th place finish in France, this result keeps Wilson’s title hopes alive and closes the gap on Jeep front-runner Florence. Previously in sixth place on the Jeep Leaderboard, today’s result sees him move up to fourth.

“It was an awesome few days here, we had great challenging conditions before and cute smaller conditions today,” Wilson stated. “We always get a good test coming here to Peniche, it can be intimidating, or super exciting going for big airs. I’m glad we got a couple of exchanges in that heat and congratulations to Gabriel! Thank’s Peniche for having us again and supporting us, we all love the wave, the challenge, we really embrace your positivity ”

In an epic Semifinal clash, Wilson and Kolohe Andino (USA) got off to a quick start to post two big scores each in the opening ten minutes of the heat. Both surfers found a long barrel to start things off, Andino on a right and Wilson on a left, both making impossible sections for an 8.83 and a 9.43 respectively. The battle for the highest back-up went Wilson’s way with a good full rotation to eliminate Andino in equal third place.

Andino was stopped in the Semifinals for the third time this season, but will climb up a few spots into 8th position with his result in Peniche. The Californian had previously played spoiler in the WSL Title race by eliminating John John Florence in their Quarterfinal match-up.

“It was really tough out there, I thought we’d get more big scores,” Andino said. “There’s one I thought I could have come out of and maybe that would have been the score. I feel like I finally showed how I can surf, especially yesterday so I’m stoked on that. Six years on tour and I feel like I’ve never surfed at 100% and yesterday I feel like I did that so I’m really happy. I’m trying to be honest with myself and get better at the things I need to get better at so I’ll continue to work hard on that.”

In the second Semifinal conditions didn’t provide many opportunities for Medina and Kanoa Igarashi (USA) and a battle of low scores ensued. Medina got a head start with a decent little tube on his forehand and quickly backed it up with his signature full rotation for a solid lead. Igarashi bounced back with only two minutes on the clock and an alley-oop to minimize the requirement for first place, but time ran out and the Californian was forced out in equal third position.

Igarashi claims his best result of 2017 and will jump up to 20th on the Jeep Leaderboard. Already re-qualified for the 2018 CT thanks to a massive Qualifying Series (QS) campaign, the young Californian in his second year on tour could free up one spot for a QS surfer if he ends the CT season inside the Top 22.

“This back-end of the year is my favorite part, I was really stoked to solidify my spot on the QS in Cascais and I surfed these last few events stress-free and that definitely helped,” Igarashi said. “Hopefully with this result I get in that Top 22 and open up a spot on the QS for maybe some of my other friends. Pipe is such a special place for me, especially with what happened at the end of last year there for me, I’m really excited to be going to Hawaii now.”

Current World No. 1 John John Florence (HAW) was unusually out of rhythm in his Quarterfinal match-up with Andino and couldn’t quite compose with the tricky lineup. While Andino found two good waves to build a solid scoreline, the Hawaiian selected average waves and fell on a few occasions, eventually eliminated in equal fifth position.

“It was just really hard to find waves out there,” Florence said. “He found two really fun ones but even still it wasn’t those ones we were seeing in the morning, I was excited to get out there and get barreled but couldn’t find them. I get to go home now and I’m really excited to go surf Pipe and hopefully we get some good waves. If I win at home it will be even more meaningful I feel like.”

Florence’s defeat in the Quarterfinals means the WSL Title race will head to the final stop on the 2017 Championship Tour at the Billabong Pipe Masters on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. Four surfers remain in contention heading into the final event: Florence who leads the rankings, Jordy Smith (ZAF), Medina and Wilson. Florence will win his second WSL Title if he makes the final at Pipeline.

World Title Scenarios going into the Billabong Pipe Masters:
-          If Florence gets 1st or 2nd at Pipe he will clinch the World Title;
-          If Florence gets a 3rd, Medina will need a 1st at Pipe to win the World Title;
-          If Florence gets a 5th, Medina will need a 1st at Pipe to win the World Title;
-          If Florence gets a 9th, Medina will need a 2nd,  Smith a 1st;
-          If Florence, gets a 13th or 25th, Medina will need a 5th, Smith a 2nd and Wilson a 1st .

Event highlights are available via WorldSurfLeague.com and the WSL app.

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Final Results:
1 - Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.26
2 - Julian Wilson (AUS) 10.94

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.83 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 14.56
SF 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 11.10 def. Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 6.24

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Quarterfinal Match-Ups:
QF 1: Julian Wilson (AUS) 7.50 def. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 7.40
QF 2: Kolohe Andino (USA) 14.00 def. John John Florence (HAW) 3.80
QF 3: Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 12.50 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 8.44
QF 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 11.33 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 3.17

WSL Jeep Leaderboard Top 5 (after MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal):
1 - John John Florence (HAW) 53,350 pts
2 - Gabriel Medina (BRA) 50,250 pts
3 - Jordy Smith (ZAF) 47,600 pts
4 - Julian Wilson (AUS) 45,200 pts
5 - Owen Wright (AUS) 39,850 pts

QUARTERFINALISTS DECIDED AT THE MEO RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL 
- WSL TITLE CONTENDERS JOHN JOHN FLORENCE, GABRIEL MEDINA & JULIAN WILSON SECURE ROUND 4 WINS
- STAGE SET FOR AN EXCITING FINISH ON WEDNESDAY 
- MORE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption: Kolohe Andino (USA) throws his board above the lip for a spot in the quarterfinals where he'll face John John Florence (HAW) for the second time.
Credit: © WSL /  Poullenot

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SUPERTUBOS, Peniche/Portugal (Tuesday, October 24, 2017) - The MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Stop No. 10 on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), resumed in clean three-to-five foot surf at Supertubos. Competition ran through the all important Rounds 4 and 5 to decide the event’s Quarterfinalists and prepare for an exciting finish on Wednesday.

Reigning WSL Champion and defending event winner John John Florence (HAW) came out on top of a tense battle with Kolohe Andino (USA) and Connor O'Leary (AUS) and got one step closer to a second title. Andino put two solid scores on the board with big aerial maneuvers and put Florence under pressure. The Hawaiian didn’t tremble and locked into a long and clean barrel in the dying moments of the heat to turn in an excellent 8.67 and the win. Florence will face Andino again in the Quarterfinals when competition resumes.

“I learned a lot last year and coming into this year I’m in a similar position but I’m having a lot more fun with it and enjoying the waves,” said Florence. “I’m in a much better headspace than last year when I was nervous and this year I’m going with it more and enjoying it. It’s so important to soak up every moment and to have the support of the crowd is great - I’m having so much fun.”

Florence has a shot at backing up his maiden world title in Peniche if he can go all the way and win the event. If Florence finishes second only Gabriel Medina (BRA) can stop him claiming the prestigious title in Portugal by winning the event. A 3rd place result or lower for the reigning WSL Champion would see the title race go to the final event in Hawaii in December.

Caption: John John Florence (HAW) found one of the rare barrels of the day.
Credit: © WSL /  Poullenot

Andino kept his momentum going into Round 5 where he once again put his air game on display to post a near-perfect 9.63 and eliminate rookie Fioravanti in equal 9th, locking in his own Quarterfinal berth.

Medina took the final Round 4 win over Mick Fanning (AUS) and Miguel Pupo (BRA), courtesy of a mix of airs and carves. Coming off a victory in France, his first of the season, Medina seems to be in total control and a deadly form on the other side of the draw from Florence. Medina matches-up against three-time World Champion Fanning in the Quarterfinals.

“I was almost too excited watching the previous heats and at the beginning I was kind of lost, I couldn’t get a wave,” Medina reflected. “Then I got that good right, my first score and then the air. I got a little confused with the scores but then I turned the heat. I’m super happy to be in the quarters and I’m having fun, when you’re having fun the scores kind of come naturally.”

Pupo later engaged in a back-and-forth aerial battle with Kerr for a spot in the Quarters, eventually besting the Australian to keep his re-qualification efforts alive.

Three-time WSL Champion Mick Fanning went on to score an important round 5 win over local hero Frederico Morais (PRT). The Australian scored an excellent barrel in the opening moments of their match-up to post an 8.50 and keep the lead all the way. The heat went very quiet swell-wise and despite all his efforts in and above the lip, Morais could never challenge Fanning for the win.

“We’ve had some battles out here over the years and he (Frederico Morais) is extremely smart and confident in what he does,” Fanning said. “I started off strong but just couldn’t back it up, I didn’t feel like I was switched on, I couldn’t feel my legs. Gabe (Medina) is incredible, he gets in this scary mode where he’s unstoppable but in tricky conditions like this it’s anyone’s game so hopefully I’ll wake up tomorrow feeling a bit better and put on a good show.”

In medium-sized waves, airs took precedence over barrels at Supertubos and Julian Wilson (AUS) dominated the opening Round 4 heat with a couple of nice backhand rotations to send Sebastian Zietz (HAW) and Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) in to Round 5 while the Australian belted a ticket straight for the quarters. Currently ranked sixth on the Jeep Leaderboard, Wilson is still a contender in the 2017 World Title race at this point.

“The wait was so similar to last year’s, but opposite conditions it was too big and too messy and we had so many conversations with Kieren (Perrow) as I was in the first heat again,” Wilson said. “Today it was a joint decision to wait and wait, but there’s enough waves out there now, obviously we wish it was a bit bigger and barrels like the first couple of days. I took the pressure off myself in France, here I’m just taking this event for what it is, I feel like it’s a very long shot and I’m not thinking about it too much. I just hope I get a match-up with John (Florence) we haven’t surfed against each other this year.”

Heat 3 was an amazing display of everything modern professional surfing is, with Kanoa Igarashi (USA), Frederico Morais (PRT) and Josh Kerr (AUS) all opting for different approaches. Igarashi scored one of his two best scoring rides for a long and technical backhand barrel, local hero Morais absolutely destroyed a set wave on his backhand too with three radical power turns and Kerr launched into a massive alley-oop rotation for a 9.57, the heat’s highest single score. Eventually it was Igarashi with a long right and a couple of big turns that took the win to skip the elimination Round 5.

The last three 2017 rookies O'Leary, Fioravanti and Morais all bowed out in 9th place, keeping the Rookie of the Year race extremely intense as Morais and O’Leary sit in 13th and 15th position respectively.

Surfline, official forecaster for the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, are calling for:

Reinforcing WNW swell for Wednesday with sets mainly around chest-head high at Supertubos (slow through early AM due to high tide). Inconsistent waves/peaks that are slightly overhead during best tides. Offshore SE flow through first half of Wednesday, before turning onshore in the afternoon. Swell fades Thursday into Friday, with no swells of significance due for rest of waiting period at this time.

Event organizers will reconvene at 7:45 a.m. (local time) tomorrow at Supertubos to reassess conditions and make the next call.

The events 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.

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Round 4 Results:
Heat 1: Julian Wilson (AUS) 11.67, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 8.10, Leonardo Fioravanti (ITL) 7.77
Heat 2: John John Florence (HAW) 17.00, Kolohe Andino (USA) 15.57, Connor O'Leary (AUS) 13.50
Heat 3: Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 16.83, Josh Kerr (AUS) 15.44, Frederico Morais (PRT) 13.60
Heat 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.47, Mick Fanning (AUS) 12.47, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 5.27

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Round 5 Results:
Heat 1: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 12.10 def. Connor O'Leary (AUS) 12.07
Heat 2: Kolohe Andino (USA) 16.53 def. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 10.83
Heat 3: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 15.50 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 10.67
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 11.87 def. Frederico Morais (PRT) 10.00

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Quarterfinal Match-Ups:
QF 1: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Sebastian Zietz (HAW)
QF 2: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Kolohe Andino (USA)
QF 3: Kanoa Igarashi (USA) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA)
QF 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Mick Fanning (AUS)

FLORENCE AND MEDINA SPEARHEAD EXCITING SECOND DAY AT
MEO RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL
- WORLD TITLE RACE TIGHTENS UP AS FIVE CONTENDERS BOW OUT EARLY IN PENICHE
- JOSH KERR ELIMINATES WORLD NO. 2 JORDY SMITH, ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR
- MORE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption: Local hero Frederico Morais (PRT) slows himself down to slide under a perfect Supertubos lip.
Credit: © WSL /  Masurel

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SUPERTUBOS, Peniche/Portugal (Sunday, October 22, 2017) - Stop No. 10 on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, resumed in excellent waves again as Supertubos delivered six-to-eight foot barrels all-day for the World’s best to perform. The World Title race took an exciting turn today with five of the eight contenders bowing out early in Peniche, opening the door for John John Florence (HAW) to potentially claim back-to-back World Titles with a big finish in Portugal. Gabriel Medina (BRA) will try to play spoiler in the Hawaiian’s campaign when competition recommences as the 2014 World Champion can still push the title race to Hawaii with a win at Supertubos.

Current World No. 1 John John Florence (HAW) took on lethal wildcard Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) in Round 3 and left nothing to chance as the reigning World Champion -- who was crowned in Peniche last year -- operated his barrel riding magic to put two solid scores on the board early on. Ribeiro fought hard and navigated a couple of great barrels but wasn’t unable to match Florence’s impeccable wave selection and fell short of turning the heat.

“It was definitely a scary heat, there were a lot of good waves coming through and he’s a really good surfer!” Florence said. “I just wanted to be on the same peak as him when I was in priority and kind of play it safe. I was so excited, the wind was blowing into the lefts and I was going so fast on that first wave I just had to hit it. I thought for a second I had it but I landed way too much into the flats.”

Josh Kerr (AUS) landed the day’s biggest upset by eliminating current No. 2 on the Jeep Leaderboard Jordy Smith (ZAF) in their Round 3 match-up. The Australian caught a good wave in the opening minutes to post a 7.17 and take an early lead. Smith multiplied his efforts but opportunities didn’t come his way and the South African contemplated a potential end to his world title campaign as Kerr walked away with the win.

“It’d be cool to re-qualify to surf just one more event at Snapper where I grew up, but yes I’m pretty much officially done with the tour,” Kerr admitted post-heat. “I’m looking forward to doing a lot more trips and traveling with the family, we have great opportunities to turn to. My daughter really wants to do an event with me so at some point I might come out of retirement to do a QS if she’s doing the QS. I’m Jordy (Smith)’s number one fan and I really want him to win the world title so hopefully he still gets a shot at Pipe and can pull it off there.”

Gabriel Medina (BRA) is the last remaining World Title contender still going at Supertubos. As the day winded down in slower heats and lower scores, the former World Champion and recent winner in France paddled out into the sunset and put on an all time performance to keep his Portuguese campaign alive. Medina started his 30-minute bout with a near-perfect barrel ride scored 9.77 to instantly push Ethan Ewing (AUS) in a pressure situation. Freed from all pressure, the explosive goofyfoot took his act to the air and entertained the massive crowds posted on the water’s edge.

“I’m not thinking about the title, I just want to surf and I’m stoked I got some good waves in that last heat it was super fun,” Medina said. “Ethan (Ewing) is a very good surfer and I don’t think you can ever hold back in a heat. I always tried to replace and improve my backup and that’s why I went for the airs. Supertubos is hard, you can get two 9s quickly on two sets so I just tried to go big.”

In a slow match-up between current No. 5 on the Jeep Leaderboard Matt Wilkinson (AUS) and Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA), the Italian rookie got busy at the 10-minute mark to score two back-to-back barrels, the best of which on his forehand to post a 6.33 and put Wilkinson up against the ropes. The giant killer from Rome, who ended the World Title race efforts of Filipe Toledo (BRA) yesterday, continued to upset the World’s best to keep his Portuguese campaign alive.

“I’m at a point where I don’t have much to lose so I’m just going out there and waiting for good waves,” Fioravanti said. “Here in Europe, I feel really comfortable and I have so many people here supporting me. I’m just trying to go out there and have fun and if I lose it doesn’t matter.”

Fresh off his season-best result in France, an excellent quarterfinal finish, Miguel Pupo (BRA) continued his recent successful trend and once again defeated Adriano De Souza (BRA) in Round 3. Pupo already altered the former World Champion’s title race in France and definitely buried his chances today in Peniche. Despite De Souza’s catching the heat’s best wave, an incredible 9.27, Pupo stayed busy to try to improve his heat total and eventually took the win.

“When you surf against Adriano (de Souza) there’s no hesitation, you have to take every wave and make them count,” Pupo said. “I’ve worked so hard all year to get to this point, I’ve made a few heats in this European leg so let’s do it! I’m not really counting points or anything, I just really want to surf well and make my heats to show everyone I still can surf and hopefully keep my spot on tour for next year.”

Sebastian Zietz (HAW) opened his account with an insane backhand barrel on a massive set wave and came out clean to claim the second highest single-wave score of the event, a near-perfect 9.70 out of 10. As time ran out, the ocean went quiet and both Zietz and Conner Coffin(USA) scoured the lineup for smaller waves and any scoring opportunity. But eventually, the Hawaiian’s early effort became the only major wave of the heat and saw Zietz move on to Round 4.

“It was just a really perfect wave,” Zietz stated. “I saw a lot of good ones and I was so excited to get out there. The waves are absolutely pumping. The wave got a little small at the end, so I got really small to get out and I’m stoked to get a big score. Yesterday the bombs weren’t always the good ones, but today you can pretty much wait for the bigger ones and go right or left on it.”

Julian Wilson (AUS), who won his opening heat yesterday with the round’s lowest heat total of 4.97, built momentum in Round 3 to eliminate fellow Aussie Jack Freestone (AUS) and move on to Round 4. The Sunshine Coast resident, currently sixth on the Jeep Leaderboard, still has a mathematical chance to rival Florence for the 2017 World Title but will need two massive results in Peniche and Hawaii.

“It helps just to come down and feel out the swell and the waves are so nice down this morning,” said Wilson. “I was excited to get out there today, it was a fun heat and I’m so happy to make it. The forecast is so good and I’m staying with Bede (Durbidge) and he had me so pumped up. The crowds are amazing here and so passionate for the sport so it’s infectious to feed off the energy that’s on the beach.”

An extremely patient Kolohe Andino (USA) was trailing Italo Ferreira (BRA) for the most part of their Round 3 battle. Andino put two scores on the board early on and sat patiently while Ferreira surfed twelve waves to try and build house. In the dying seconds of their match-up, a good right rolled through the lineup just in time for Andino to pull in and get barreled for a buzzer-beater 7.83.

“In my mind that heat earlier when I got the 9 was what we do these events for but actually that last heat was a better feeling for me,” Andino said. “Getting a wave in the last second was really incredible. I think I claimed it about 5 times. I get inspired by baseball players -- I feel like the pitching is kind of similar to the waves, you never know what you’re going to get, and their demeanor is kind of low key but pumped at the same time.”

Frederico Morais (PRT) and Connor O'Leary (AUS) both made it out of Round 3 today, to keep the Rookie of the Year race increasingly close while Joan Duru (FRA), Ian Gouveia (BRA) and Ezekiel Lau (HAW) bowed out in equal 25th in Peniche. With only one more event after Peniche, every point taken in Portugal will be crucial to claim the coveted title by year’s end.

“It was a great battle and we both managed to get some good scores, which was great,” said O’Leary “It’s been a good year from me. I had a little slump on the last two events, but I have to keep reminding myself that I’m a rookie and I have a lot to learn. I’m stoked to get a few results earlier this year so I don’t have to worry too much about the QS.”

“It was a really tough one,” Morais said of his match-up with Michel Bourez (PYF). “I’m not sure, but it feels like every time I paddle out it just gets super slow. I didn’t get any big scores, but it was a fun heat. I waited and built my scoreboard, so I’m stoked to get through.”
 
Surfline, official forecaster for the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, are calling for:

Head high to slightly overhead waves leftover on Monday morning with clean conditions, but size continues to ease through the day. Fresh run of head-overhead WNW swell moves in Tuesdayand continues through mid-week, while good wind conditions prevail. At this point, there are no swells of much significance lining up for the last days of waiting period (27th-31st).
 
Event organizers will reconvene at 7:45 a.m. (local time) tomorrow at Supertubos to assess conditions and make the first call.
 
The events 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. 

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 11.66 def. Mason Ho (HAW) 6.33
Heat 2: Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) 11.20 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 10.17
Heat 3: Adriano De Souza (BRA) 12.27 def. Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 4.93
Heat 4: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 15.34 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 8.40
Heat 5: Kolohe Andino (USA) 14.24 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 8.00
Heat 6: Frederico Morais (PRT) 5.03 def. Nat Young (USA) 2.87
Heat 7: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 9.07 def. Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 6.90
Heat 8: Connor O'Leary (AUS) 10.70 def. Ian Gouveia (BRA) 5.97
Heat 9: Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 15.93 def. Joan Duru (FRA) 9.23
Heat 10: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 11.53 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 7.77
Heat 11: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 12.33 def. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 3.87
Heat 12: Conner Coffin (USA) 11.10 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 8.60

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 9.76 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 5.63
Heat 2: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 12.10 def. Conner Coffin (USA) 4.77
Heat 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) 13.43 def. Jack Freestone (AUS) 7.00
Heat 4: Kolohe Andino (USA) 13.96 def. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 12.56
Heat 5: Connor O'Leary (AUS) 15.73 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 15.50  
Heat 6: John John Florence (HAW) 14.74 def. Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) 13.73
Heat 7: Josh Kerr (AUS) 8.67 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 8.27
Heat 8: Frederico Morais (PRT) 11.00 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 8.74
Heat 9: Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 11.67 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 5.27
Heat 10: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 13.54 def. Adriano De Souza (BRA) 13.24
Heat 11: Mick Fanning (AUS) 11.40 def. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 10.40
Heat 12: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 17.34 def. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 10.40

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Round 4 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITL), Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 2: John John Florence (HAW), Kolohe Andino (USA), Connor O'Leary (AUS)
Heat 3: Josh Kerr (AUS), Frederico Morais (PRT), Kanoa Igarashi (USA)
Heat 4: Miguel Pupo (BRA), Mick Fanning (AUS), Gabriel Medina (BRA)

MASSIVE SURF GRACES DAY 1 OF MEO RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL
- TITLE RACE CONTENDERS MAKE THEIR WAY TO ROUND 3
- LOCAL WILDCARD VASCO RIBEIRO ELIMINATES WORLD NO. 4 OWEN WRIGHT
- ROOKIE LEONARDO FIORAVANTI DISPATCHES FILIPE TOLEDO
- MORE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption: Michel Bourez (PYF) finds a bomb to secure his place in Round 3 of the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portgual.
Credit: © WSL /  Masurel

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SUPERTUBOS, Peniche/Portugal (Saturday, October 21, 2017) - Stop No. 10 on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal launched today in epic conditions, with the world’s best surfers tested in solid eight-to-twelve foot surf at the main venue of Supertubos. In a day of upsets, big performances and heavy wipeouts, competition ran through the opening round as well as four heats of Round 2.
 
Matt Wilkinson (AUS) was the first surfer to find a decent barrel in the shifting lineup of Supertubos, to post a buzzer-beater win over compatriots Stuart Kennedy (AUS) and Bede Durbidge (AUS). In second position into the final moments of the heat, Wilkinson locked into a foamy lefthander and hid just under the lip before floating his way out for a 5.17 and the win.
 
“It’s super hard out there, pretty much straight closeouts and you’re trying to make do,” Wilkinson said. “To get that fun one at the end was pretty lucky and I’m happy I made it out and got that little floater out in time. It looks like this afternoon could see some amazing waves, so it’s going to be fun to watch.”
 
Ethan Ewing (AUS) sent current World No. 4 Owen Wright (AUS) and Conner Coffin (USA) into the elimination Round 2, claiming his career-first Round 1 win in maxing Supertubos. The young Australian found a long and clean medium-sized  barrel on his forehand to post a 6.50 and advance straight into Round 3.
 
“This morning I came down and it was pretty small so I was disappointed because it’s been so hyped up about this swell,” Ewing said. “But it picked pretty quickly and it’s a crazy wave! I’ve been staying with Mick (Fanning) and Joel (Parkinson) and I’m really lucky to be able to get a few tips from them, it’s been fun!”
 
Wright was later eliminated in Round 2 in 25th place, struggling to find above-average waves while his opponent, local Portuguese up-and-comer Ribeiro, found a near-perfect ride for the win and his place in Round 3.
 
Josh Kerr (AUS) secured a rare Round 1 win in Heat 4 over current World No. 2 Gabriel Medina (BRA) and Wiggolly Dantas (BRA). Kerr sits in equal 35th place on the Jeep Leaderboard and 25th place on the Qualifying Series and is in danger of failing to re-qualify for the CT in 2018.
 
“I’ve definitely had a really lacklustre year and I’m really looking forward to turning things around and focusing on next year,” said Kerr. “It’s fun to get some closeouts and slabs here. I do think I could turn it around but I am feeling a little done with things and ready to move on with another chapter and try some new things. Coming into France I felt a lot of pressure but after getting a 25th in France I feel like the pressure is off.”
 
Medina went on to eliminate Rip Curl wildcard Mason Ho (HAW) in their Round 2 match-up, keeping his recent winning form alive and moving into Round 3.
 
Jordy Smith (ZAF) survived a low-scoring affair against local wildcard Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) and Italo Ferreira (BRA) to advance into Round 3 as well. The powerful South African found two smaller barrel sections and went to his turns repertoire to lock in two average scores when his opponents could barely find one wave of consequence.
 
“At this stage it’s head down, no looking back and a Round 1 win is just as important as a win in the final,” Smith said. “The conditions are extremely tough out there, it’s huge. I’m very relaxed but I feel like this result in France killed me. I have nothing to lose at this point, if I finish the year second it’s a great year, if I win the World Title even better, so everything to gain!”
 
Ribeiro went on to defeat Wright and upset his title race efforts in elimination Round 2, claiming the day’s highest single wave score of 9.37 for a long and big tube followed by two punctuation turns.
 
“I knew there were some really good double-ups down the beach and that was my strategy, to just wait for a really good one,” Ribeiro reflected. “Owen (Wright) is one of my favorite surfers and I wish he could have continued but I’m just doing my job and trying to make heats. It’s amazing to have everyone here on the beach supporting me. We always travel and to come home and compete in pumping waves with everyone watching is a dream come true.”
 
“That was definitely a tough one,” Wright said. “I felt like conditions were really in my favor and I was really happy that we ran today. I was in a good head space and surfing well but nothing really came in my zone towards the end there. I’m really bummed about the result today and be out of the Title race but I’ll brush it off and I feel like I’m well and truly caught up and got my health back. I’ve got mixed emotions about going back to Pipe though.”
 
John John Florence (HAW) found one of the biggest barrels of Round 1, standing tall under a heavy lip to exit cleanly after a short ride and post a 7.67 for the win. The current World No. 1 and reigning WSL Champion, who is the only surfer with a mathematical chance of claiming the WSL Title in Portugal, managed to fend off dangerous wildcard Ho and Kanoa Igarashi (USA).
 
“I’m super stoked to be back here and for the waves to be pumping like this, it is amazing,” Florence said. “It’s got a little Off-the-wall feel to it, like it’s a little bit unpredictable and you see those big ones coming in and you never know if you’re going to make it or not. There’s definitely some insane waves and someone’s bound to get a 10 today!”
 
Jack Freestone (AUS) put together a massive performance to edge out 2015 WSL Champion Adriano De Souza (BRA) and barrel specialist Jeremy Flores (FRA). The Australian found the longest tube, a nearly-impossible section to make and somehow found an exit through a whitewater wall, to post a 9 point ride and move into Round 3
 
“I couldn’t hear my score actually cause the fans were screaming so hard but I knew it was a good score as soon as I came out,” Freestone said. “I’m just trying to make the most of the tour, I haven’t really focused on the QS so I’m just going to try to surf as best as I can in these last two events.”
 
Michel Bourez (PYF) continued the trend of upsets in the massive surf of Supertubos, surfing a big forehand barrel for an 8.50 to relegate Filipe Toledo (BRA) and Jadson Andre (BRA) into Round 2. The Tahitian will look to build momentum to break out of Round 3 for the first time in the last three events and solidify his spot on the Championship Tour next season.
 
“It was a triathlon out there, swimming, running and surfing,” Bourez said. “I caught a few waves on my head and I was just surviving out there. That’s what I’m on the tour for, to surf waves likes this it’s absolutely pumping out there. It doesn’t matter who you’re against, it’s just a matter of having fun and catching the two best waves. It’s very difficult but when you’re in the right spot it gets dreamy.”
 
Toledo, current No. 8 on Jeep Leaderboard, was eventually eliminated by an in form Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) in Round 2. The Italian rookie found back-to-back waves to build a 15.34 heat total, one of the highest of the day, and send Toledo home in 25th place.
 
“The waves were hard but it’s pumping when they come,” said Fioravanti. “I was stoked to get to two waves back-to-back. When I come up everyone on the beach was cheering it was mental. It’s not over yet but I’m just having fun being here in Europe and it’s wonderful to have so many people here around me and supporting. That energy that they give me is amazing.”
 
Mick Fanning (AUS) wrapped up the opening round with the biggest combined heat total of the day, courtesy of a near-perfect 9 point ride on a massive barrel and a good 6.50 backup for a smaller and shorter ride. Fanning’s fitness level was then tested when the Australian broke two boards, but the three-time WSL Champion controlled the situation to eventually send local favorite Frederico Morais (PRT) and Ian Gouveia (BRA) to battle again in Round 2.
 
“I had a look at my watch and there was still 7 minutes to go after I broke my board so I thought I couldn’t really come in,” Fanning said. “The runaround killed me, then the paddle out, and when I was almost out the back, that one landed on my head, broke my board and then I had another 3 or 4 on the head. But it was fun, I got down here to watch Parko (Joel Parkinson) and got all fired up to go out and get a win. You just have to go out there and expect nothing, hope for everything.”
 
Surfline, official forecaster for the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, are calling for:

Solid swell and well overhead surf this weekend (peaking Saturday afternoon), while side-offshore North-NE wind and good conditions prevail. Smaller yet plenty contestable surf around the head high+ range continues Monday the 23^rd through Thursday the 26^th, and with good wind conditions for at least the mornings. Nothing of much significance is lining up for the last days of waiting period (27^th-31^st) at this time.
 
Event organizers will reconvene at 7:45 a.m. (local time) tomorrow at Supertubos to assess conditions and make the first call.
 
The events 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.
 
MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Julian Wilson (AUS) 4.97, Leonardo Fioravanti (ITL) 4.20, Caio Ibelli (BRA) 2.03
Heat 2: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 9.84, Stu Kennedy (AUS) 7.90, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 7.44
Heat 3: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 10.37, Conner Coffin (USA) 9.34, Owen Wright (AUS) 9.33
Heat 4: Josh Kerr (AUS) 12.83, Gabriel Medina (BRA) 10.87, Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 2.90
Heat 5: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 9.20, Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) 3.64, Italo Ferreira (BRA) 2.04
Heat 6: John John Florence (HAW) 11.67, Mason Ho (HAW) 3.67, Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 0.50
Heat 7: Jack Freestone (AUS) 14.90, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.67, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 4.33
Heat 8: Michel Bourez (PYF) 12.00, Filipe Toledo (BRA) 7.74, Jadson Andre (BRA) 4.73
Heat 9: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.50, Nat Young (USA) 9.27, Joan Duru (FRA) 4.73
Heat 10: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 8.00, Kolohe Andino (USA) 6.66, Connor O’Leary (AUS) 5.17
Heat 11: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 9.77, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 7.90, Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 3.97
Heat 12: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.50, Frederico Morais (PRT) 6.84, Ian Gouveia (BRA) 3.97
 
MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 11.66 def. Mason Ho (HAW) 6.33
Heat 2: Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) 11.20 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 10.17
Heat 3: Adriano De Souza (BRA) 12.27 def. Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 4.93
Heat 4: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 15.34 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 8.40
 
Upcoming MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Round 2 Match-Ups:
Heat 5: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)
Heat 6: Frederico Morais (PRT) vs. Nat Young (USA)
Heat 7: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
Heat 8: Connor O'Leary (AUS) vs. Ian Gouveia (BRA)
Heat 9: Joan Duru (FRA) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (USA)
Heat 10: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Italo Ferreira (BRA)
Heat 11: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA)
Heat 12: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Conner Coffin (USA)

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

HAWAIIAN JOHN JOHN FLORENCE CLINCHES 2016 WORLD SURF LEAGUE (WSL) TITLE 
- DESTINY EMBRACES SURFING PHENOMENON IN PORTUGAL WITH EMOTIONAL WIN
- FIRST HAWAIIAN TO CLAIM MEN’S WORLD SURFING TITLE SINCE LATE ANDY IRONS IN 2004
- MORE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption: John John Florence (HAW) claims his maiden World Surf League Title at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal.
Image: © WSL /  Poullenot

SUPERTUBOS, Peniche/Portugal (Tuesday, October 25, 2016) - John John Florence (HAW), 22, today clinched the 2016 World Surf League (WSL) Title in dramatic fashion with a victory at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal in Peniche, marking the first time a Hawaiian has held the world surfing crown since the late Andy Irons (HAW)in 2004.
 
“I honestly can’t believe it right now, it’s obviously not sunk in just yet,” Florence said. "I know my mom and family are watching online right now and I really wish they were here with me. I’m so stoked. I’ve worked my whole life towards this and I have so many people to thank for this.”



Caption: John John Florence (HAW) is chaired up the beach as the World Surf League Champion and winner of the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal.
Image: © WSL /  Cestari

Florence’s season started out slowly with mediocre results across the Australian leg before posting a victory in Brazil in May. The Hawaiian carried the momentum of his Rio de Janeiro win to strong showings in Jeffreys Bay (2nd), Tahiti (2nd) and France (3rd) while challengers Gabriel Medina (BRA), Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Jordy Smith (ZAF)and 11-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA) failed to maintain consistency, eventually falling out of reach in Portugal.
 
“It’s been a long year, but one of the best years in my life, so many fun events and just having a really good time all together and I’ve learned so much,” he continued. “I was expecting it to go to Hawaii and I was just trying to keep surfing through heats.”
 
A six-year competitor on the elite WSL Championship Tour, the Hawaiian had been threatening the throne since his inception in 2011 having previously finished 4th (2012) and 3rd (2014). Seemingly destined for surfing excellence since stepping foot on board at two years young, Florence has spent the last two decades evolving into one of the most dynamic talents the sport has ever seen.
 
“My whole life has gone into this, everything I’ve done but just this year especially, learning so much about competitive surfing, focusing completely on it and having so much help and support, it’s been amazing.” Florence added. “The title was my goal this year so at this point I’m just going to go out and have fun.”



Caption: John John Florence (HAW) takes to the air during the Final at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal.
Image: © WSL /  Poullenot

FLORENCE 2016 WSL CT RESULTS - 
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast: 5th
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach: 13th
Drug Aware Margaret River Pro: 13th
Oi Rio Pro: WINNER
Fiji Pro: 5th
J-Bay Open: 2nd
Billabong Pro Tahiti: 2nd
Hurley Pro at Trestles: 13th
Quiksilver Pro France: 3rd
Meo Rip Curl Pro Portugal: WINNER
Billabong Pipe Masters: TBD
 
FLORENCE CAREER WSL CT FINISHES:
2011: 34th
2012: 4th
2013: 10th
2014: 3rd
2015: 14th
2016: WSL CHAMPION
 
The newly crowned WSL Champion took on rookie Conner Coffin (USA), 23, in an exciting Final where the two surfers adopted different strategies for the final bout of the European leg. Florence took things to the air with numerous massive rotations while Coffin kept chasing the tubes, successfully navigating a deep one for an excellent 8.60. Florence’s flair peaked in the Final with a huge alley-oop for a 9.50 and the win. Coffin secured a career-high runner-up spot on the Championship Tour and rocketed to No. 19 on the Jeep Leaderboard.
 
“This feels amazing, I love Portugal, the waves are so fun and the people are amazing, food’s good, it feels kind of like California and I feel right at home here,” Coffin said. “Obviously I know John and everyone in his camp from Hurley and Pyzel but I wasn’t thinking of his title too much in my semifinal heat. I was focusing on doing my job, I had a lot to do here in this event to stay on tour for next year so that was my goal. ”
 
World No. 3 Jordy Smith (ZAF), 28, couldn’t match Coffin’s rhythm in their Semifinal clash despite excellent surfing in the Supertubos barrels and was forced out in third position, putting an end to his World Title campaign for 2016.
 
“I’m really happy with that result, obviously I would have loved to go to Hawaii to fight for the title but I’ll take it,” Smith admitted. “I started as an injury wildcard this year so I’m just glad to be back surfing at my best and to end with a title shot is really an achievement so I’m happy with this year. I’m still fighting to try to get second so i’ll continue up to Pipe. After the season ends I just want to take some time off and regroup and try to improve in every aspect that I can towards next season.”
 
Kolohe Andino (USA), 22, secured his second consecutive Semifinal berth following his performance in France, but once again fell just short of reaching the Final, eliminated in this morning’s opening heat by Florence. With a third place in Peniche, the Californian cements his World No.5 position before the final event of the season in Hawaii.
 
The next and final stop on the 2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour will be the Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons from December 8 - 20, 2016.
 
For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com
MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Final Results:
1 - John John Florence (HAW) 16.67
2 -  Conner Coffin (USA) 9.93
 
MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Semifinal Results:
SF 1: John John Florence (HAW) 13.84 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 8.47
SF 2: Conner Coffin (USA) 15.00 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.37
 
WSL Jeep Leaderboard Top 5 (after MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal):

1. John John Florence (HAW) 56,400 pts
2. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 45,450 pts
3. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 41,700 pts
4. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 38,250 pts
5. Kolohe Andino (USA) 38,150 pts