Final four decided at both Quiksilver and Roxy Pro France
SEIGNOSSE/HOSSEGOR/CAPBRETON, Landes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine / France (Sunday, October 9, 2016) - The Quiksilver and Roxy Pro France, Stop No. 9 on the Samsung Galaxy World Surf League Championship Tour, completed 16 heats today, whittling the men’s and women’s fields down to the final four surfers and setting up the Semifinals for a dramatic finish later this week.
The hotly anticipated match-up between John John Florence (HAW) vs. Filipe Toledo (BRA) in the Quarterfinals turned into a progressive surfing show as waves started to shut down, offering limited options other than air sections. The current World No. 1 on the Jeep Leaderboard got his revenge over Toledo who outshone him in the previous round yesterday and advances to the Semifinals where he will face Keanu Asing (HAW).
“I’m super stoked just to make it through that heat, it’s like perfect conditions for Filipe (Toledo) right now,” Florence said. “The tide is real low and it’s really dumpy on the inside right now, a lot of the waves are running really fast.”
Current World No. 2 Gabriel Medina (BRA) showcased why he is the defending event winner in France as he took to the air to land incredible maneuvers to earn a phenomenal 15.07 combined heat score. Medina had the crowd on their feet as he performed epic stunts for the heat win over Julian Wilson (AUS). Wilson attempted to fight back, but with a 10.13 combined score, could not find the 8.24 needed to challenge the former World Champion. Wilson will leave the event with a 5th place finish. Medina will faceKolohe Andino (USA) in the Semifinals.
“That was a good heat, I was feeling tired before that one because of yesterday, but my board felt good and I’m stoked I landed those airs,” Medina said. “It’s good to be in the title race but it’s hard, not only because it’s against John John (Florence). Hopefully everything goes well and we have a good battle in Hawaii.”
The two dark horses of this 2016 Quiksilver Pro France, Matt Banting (AUS) and Keanu Asing (HAW), went head-to-head in the opening Quarterfinal battling for an all-important semifinal ticket as both surfers currently sit well outside the re-qualification bubble and desperately need the points. Both surfers exchanged multiple waves but ultimately it was Asing who built the stronger house and advanced to reach a career-first Championship Tour Semifinal.
“I’m just elated, this feeling is so surreal, to be here now in the semis is a dream come true,” Asing stated. “I’ve always dreamt of being on this tour, so actually making it to the Semifinals with the best surfers in the world is pretty amazing. I watched Carissa (Moore) light up a left when I was walking down the beach and it really got me fired up. We grew up surfing together at Kewalos and it sort of made me at home and I knew exactly what I had to do.”
Stopped in Round 5 by Florence, reigning WSL Champion Adriano De Souza (BRA)claimed an equal 9th place finish and will head to Portugal with a relative confidence boost after the Brazilian surfed three excellent heats in France to put a halt to an early loss streak in Tahiti and Trestles.
“For me it was definitely frustrating, if I had won that heat I would have made the Top 5,” De Souza said. “I know John John (Florence) is a tough man, number one in the World, he has a lot of pressure on his shoulders and I tried to use that as an advantage. I put everything I could in the last two waves, but it wasn’t enough.”
Kolohe Andino (USA) rounded up the day’s action and eliminated Kai Otton (AUS) to advance past the quarterfinals a second time this season. The Californian will face World No. 2 Gabriel Medina (BRA) in the semis when competition resumes.
The Roxy Pro France ran through Round 4 and the Quarterfinals to decide the event’s Semifinalists and whittle the field down to just four hopefuls for a title in France.
Tyler Wright (AUS), current frontrunner on the Jeep Leaderboard, will continue her charge for the WSL World Title as she defeated compatriot Laura Enever (AUS) in the second Quarterfinal heat. Wright, the two-time defending event winner, posted two strong 6-point rides on her backhand to advance to the Semifinals.
“I like the crowd and how they do not just cheer one surfer, but they cheer on everyone whether you win or lose up the beach or down the beach,” Wright noted. “As a general crowd that is pretty amazing. I plan to do my thing [in the Semifinal]. I do not know who is going to win or lose, but I know what I can do and I know me. I am happy with that. I have a very good team behind me so we will go after that heat with the same goal in mind -- to win every heat and win every final. Other than that, I cannot do much more.”
As the only surfer able to block Wright’s Title win in France, all eyes were on Courtney Conlogue (USA), current Word No. 2, in her Quarterfinal heat against Nikki Van Dijk (AUS). Conlogue unleashed a series of powerful backside turns to secure a 7.33 and a 7.97, but Van Dijk posted an excellent 8.60 to narrow the gap. Conlogue waited for a set to fire back with a near-perfect 9.17 to secure her place in the Semifinals and keep her World Title hopes alive.
“It is down to the nitty-gritty right now and Nikki (Van Dijk] got me in the first round so I did not want that to happen again,” Conlogue explained. “To be honest, I wanted to take the opportunity off of Nikki when I used priority in the last few minutes. I have had so many times where there has been a minute remaining and that one wave ends up being it. I decided to put my cards in when taking that wave. This World Title race is really exciting for me. Now, I am simplifying and giving myself the best shot I have.”
The final Quarterfinal matchup saw an intense clash between three-time WSL ChampionCarissa Moore (HAW) and six-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS). Moore powered through the heat with an excellent 8.67 and a near-perfect 9.57 to put Gilmore in a combination and take the win. Moore will advance to the Semifinals where she will face Conlogue. Gilmore will walk away with an Equal 5th place finish, her sixth Quarterfinal loss this season.
“I wish Steph (Gilmore) was on the other side of the draw so we didn’t have to meet up until the Finals,” Moore said. “I love competing against her, I think she brings out the best in everybody. I knew I’d have to go out there and swing my best swing if I wanted to beat her. It would be amazing to win her, so far this year it’s been tough for me to break the Semis and win.”
Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) fired in the opening Quarterfinal matchup to defeat Sage Erickson (USA). Weston-Webb put on a clinic with a near-perfect 9.47 and a commanding 7.77 second wave score. The Californian battled back with a 13.84 combined score, but could not challenge the Hawaiian’s excellent forehand rides. Weston-Webb’s win will mark her fourth Semifinal berth of the year.
“I have really just been enjoying myself this whole week and taking a serious/fun approach to this event,” commented Weston-Webb. “I feel really confident and feel like my surfing is there. As long as I catch the waves, I feel good. After the 9.47, I knew that was the most amazing, fun wave I’ve probably ever caught in a contest. I kicked out and thought that it should hopefully be an 8. I was really surprised when I heard it was a 9, but forgot how many turns I did on that wave.”
Previously, Erickson eliminated crowd favorite Johanne Defay (FRA) in the opening heat of Round 4, and continued her recent rise through the CT ranks to reach the Quarterfinals for the fourth time in a row.
“Johanne (Defay) has been one of my inspirations on this tour, when she qualified she came in as the last seed from the QS and she’s won events and completely transformed her surfing,” Erickson said. “Luckily I had good scores at the beginning, I would have liked to build on that 5 but I made it so I’m happy. I’m excited to compete, I have amazing people around in my life and it’s a beautiful time in our sport, I think the girls are incredible and I just want to be a part of that mix.”
QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE SEMIFINAL MATCH-UPS:
SF 1: Keanu Asing (HAW) vs. John John Florence (HAW)
SF 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Kolohe Andino (USA)
QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Keanu Asing (HAW) 13.04 def. Matt Banting (AUS) 12.67
QF 2: John John Florence (HAW) def. Filipe Toledo (BRA)
QF 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA)15.07 def. Julian Wilson (AUS) 10.13
QF 4: Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.70 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 9.93
QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE ROUND 5 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Keanu Asing (HAW) 11.00 def. Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 10.53
Heat 2: John John Florence (HAW) 10.64 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 10.37
Heat 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) 13.87 def. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 13.84
Heat 4: Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.50 def. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 11.70
ROXY PRO FRANCE SEMIFINAL MATCH-UPS:
SF 1: Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) vs. Tyler Wright (AUS)
SF 2: Courtney Conlogue (USA) vs. Carissa Moore (HAW)
ROXY PRO FRANCE QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 17.24 def. Sage Erickson (USA) 13.84
QF 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.06 def. Laura Enever (AUS) 2.07
QF 3: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 17.14 def. Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 13.93
QF 4: Carissa Moore (HAW) 18.24 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 9.54
ROXY PRO FRANCE ROUND 4 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Sage Erickson (USA) 13.34 def. Johanne Defay (FRA) 12.93
Heat 2: Laura Enever (AUS) 13.50 def. Alessa Quizon (HAW) 12.63
Heat 3: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 14.33 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 10.87
Heat 4: Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.50 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.70
Comments
Off topic but where's the article gone for the p pass competition?
Check the editors picks, Mibs.
Under the Wave Of The Day.
Got ya thanks Stu. My eyes are painted on.
Hey Stunet, good to see you posting. Haven't read much from you since your post in the surf injuries thread.
Hope you're going ok man!
I've been watching this comp on and off and missed quite a bit due to the middle of the night and just plain bad waves at times. But I'm intrigued that when Medina gets a lucky one in his favour there's not a peep from anyone in Brazil. Compared to what happened at Trestles which went against him. I missed it at the time but just had another look at that heat with Gabby and Leonardo. I think Zen mentioned it the other day and it doesn't matter how you look at it, Leonardo definitely got the score on his last wave. He was chasing a 4.7 something and they gave him a 4.33. The commenatators said he did and that a lead change was coming but the score fell way short. Pretty rough on the young guy and Medina dodged a huge bullet. But not a peep from team Brazil about it. I reckon Medina has had way more in his favour than against. I know it's all subjective and most scores look right but I'd still love some kind of challenge system for this sort of thing.
I'm so glad you mentioned it PM. I don't hide the fact that I can't stand Medina but I do concede the fact when he wins fair and square. The judges had been throwing out 4's for one complete turn all day and Leo did a pretty decent set up turn but then smashed his forehand reo, on the strength of that I reckon he would have got a high 4 if not a low 5. Done. The judges then took ages to post the score and the conspiracist in me reckons they were directed by the wsl to juice Gabs through as it would set him up closer to an end of year showdown with JJ. Also, they failed to show Leo's second wave during the heat re-cap too adding to my suspicion. Dodged a bullet? Leo took one right between the fucking eyes for him.
Yep i couldn't agree more Zen. I remembered you mentioned it the other day so had another look today. I was thinking somewhere around 5 to 5.5 as a fair score. Certainly over 4.77 or whatever it was. Go back and check Gabbys first wave a 6.17 it was so average. I'm not totally off Gabby but lame footage of him shaving his armpits and the cry baby stuff just makes me go off him!
100% agree.
But unfortunately thats just something you will have to get used to with the way the WSL is now run.
WSL has turned into a SOAP opera, the likes of Medina, Toledo, JJF are going to be walked through seasons. Its all about ratings and $$$.
If they were serious about getting the best waves they would be much more mobile and not set up this Grandstand plush event sites and have the blokes surf average waves when around the corner it is pumping.
You will never see a guy win the tour before Hawaii ever again.
Infact i'd go as far as saying you will never see a bloke win until the Semi finals at Pipe.
The WSL want/need the Drama, they need Brazzo's doing well, they need 1 or 2 Aussies doing well and 1 or 2 Hawaiians and 1 or 2 seppos, they love the 1 punt airs and will continue to throw out 10's for big airs. They want the massive claims and last minute scores.
WSL is now a commercial business.
Kelly needs to stop spending all his money on gimmicks and environmental bullshit and start a roge tour thats all about the waves
Totally agree. Leo should have got the score and Gabby should have been gone. He seemed to be panicking quite a bit in that heat. You could tell Leo thought he had the score because he immediately went chasing down Medina up the beach. Whereas if he thought he needed another score he probably would have stayed put and chased down another wave.
Could you imagine the shitstorm that the WSLwould have had to endure if Leo got a 4.8 and edged Medina out by 0.03 or whatever it would have been. Now that would have been entertaining...
What's all this talk of Medina being over-scored? What do you mean, like winning a world title on the back of one turn and a punt with an average landing getting scored 7+ in 2' pipeline in a semi final heat, where everyone else in those conditions was getting 4 and 5's even if they found a barrel? You mean like that?
:-)
I don't believe in conspiracy theories, they take too much co-ordination, but I do believe in groupthink and other latent psychological games where people influence each other into rationalising away poor decisions, and commercial imperatives.
I am just as likely to be affected by confirmation bias, where I see Medina getting over-scored and then when I go looking for it, I see it everywhere. I didn't see this one though, best if I don't go looking for it.
Just having a quick look at the semis. Gab, one wave with a speed run and punt, one more with one turn and a punt. 15 out of 20!
Riveting surfing.
It's not just a case of overscoring Medina specifically, it's also a case when what may be perceived by some as blatant underscoring. I don't think I'm alone in thinking Leo was underscored but also going back to Trestles, Simpo/Wilko heat, Simpo was scored correctly imo but I reckon Wilko was fully underscored costing him the heat. He knew that and reacted justifiably. Most armchair judges could see he was robbed in that one.
Wilko choked in France though, no denying that.
Didn't see the heat as I can't stand watching Medina. His turns are more snaps and relies on his wits, airs and forehand barrel riding. Good competitor, bad loser and all round brat. Toledo is over the top with the claims but seems a good guy (and that one air was worth a 10 I reckon). Wilko did choke but the guy can surf. Some on this site see him as limited however I think he is definite top 10. I think Jules is the most frustrating of the lot. The guy is a great surfer but cannot seem to nail any sort of consistency in heats. Really hot and cold or just doesn't catch enough waves or the right ones. If he had a brain like Mick the guy would be a world champ.
If anything in the JJF vs Toledo 'Heat of the Year' (fuck, how many times have we had one of those this year....) I reckon John John's 9.4 was slightly underscored. Agreed Toledo deserved the 10 for the air, but deserved a deduction for the claim and not surfing the wave to its full potential.
Pretty funny though Toledo just standing there claiming away while the wave has still got more sections to hit. Something about those brazilians getting carried away in the moment and forgetting there's a job still to be done. I remember when Gabby won the world title and he spent most of his next heat celebrating on the beach while his opponent (Toledo) didn't know what to do out the back at pipe. Then Gabby beats him in the last 10 minutes when he finally paddles out because Toledo didn't have a clue. Seemed pretty funny at the time!