Filipe is carried through the sea of Brazilian fans to the winner’s podium. Photo: WSL / Kelly Cestari
It was absolute fireworks and fandom on the final day down at Barra da Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro, as Brazil’s very own Filipe Toledo clinched his second WCT victory in front of his hometown crowd of friends and family. In the explosive final heat against Australian Bede Durbidge (beer maker!), Filipe utilized his impeccable aerials, scoring a near-perfect 20 of a 10.0 and a 9.87. Within the first ten minutes of the final, Toledo had the Australian vet in a combo situation, but he didn’t let off the gas. Midway through the heat, the young Brazilian powerhouse was sitting on a throwaway score of 8.33 with a total of 18.53.
“The first thing I did was crying, because look at the crowd,” he said from the back of a ski after his win. “I’ve never seen such a blessed week. Such blessed friends and family. I need to be grateful for everything God has done in my life.”
In the post-heat interview with Rosie, the elated Filipe was very emotional, as he expressed his gratitude to God, friends, family, and his country for the overwhelming love and support, which, according to Filipe, is responsible for his results this year. This was obviously a very special victory for Filipe, but he won this contest before it even started. He’s been on an absolute tear this year. It’s his third first place of the year, and ever since Snapper Rocks there hasn’t been another surfer who has been in form quite like Filipe.
On the women’s side of things, it was Courtney Conlogue who took the top spot on the podium. In a final against Bianca Buitendag–who knocked Carissa Moore out in the semis, causing her to miss her first final since October of 2014–Conlogue stepped her game up to a level that she is proving to be more and more capable of. It was clear from the start who would control the final. While Buitendag found a few smaller waves, Conlogue stroked into two waves that turned into 7 point rides, pushing her through to a win. Conlogue’s performances this year are indicative of a group of new women who will be the next generation of winners. While Stephanie Gilmore’s injury kept her out of the event, it’s refreshing to see a few names other than Gilmore, Moore, Wright, or Sally Fitzgibbons making their way to the finals.
This is Conlogue’s second win of the season, and the way things are looking now, there’ll be plenty more to come.
