It’s full rotation air reverses like this that earn you 10 points, a final win, and a serious chance at a World Title. Photo: WSL/Poullenot/Aquashot
Can you feel it? Gale force winds. Heavy rains. And a high chance of multiple world titles. It’s the Brazilian storm and it’s in full-effect, engulfing the WSL with a downpour of domination. After Gabriel Medina paved the way as the 2014 world champ, the flood gates were busted open – the Brazilians are coming, the Brazilians are coming!
After a waiting period filled with varying conditions – everything from clean tiny barrels to challenging victory-at-sea slop – the 2015 Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal has wrapped up and we have a new champion: Filipe Toledo. The 20-year-old has been on a tear lately with two previous wins and now another one to add to the list.
Filipe was joined in the final by fellow young gun and Brazilian countryman, Italo Ferreira, who has also been having a dream year. In his first final during his inaugural year on tour, Italo put up quite the battle with a 7.20 and a high 9 from what has to be one of the biggest backside airs of the year. But it wasn’t enough to beat Filipe’s 7.83 and a blow-tail to full-rotation air reverse, which earned him a 10. Both Italo and Filipe blew up with massive airs in the final, proving that the young Brazilians are overshadowing most of the world when it comes to above-the-lip progression.
The win slots Filipe just 200 points behind Mick Fanning on the Jeep leaderboard as the world heads to Hawaii for the final event, the Billabong Pipe Masters. There’s been some serious swell hitting the Islands recently but you can guarantee their will be another fierce front a brewin’: the Brazilian storm.
Here’s our champion triple fisting Coronas. Cheers!
Photo: WSL
