Gabriel Medina Back in the World Title Hunt After Near-Perfect Final

California’s Kolohe Andino Claims Jeep Leader Jersey Heading into Tahiti

The action-packed Finals Day at the Corona Open J-Bay saw no shortage of drama and with six near-perfect 9-point rides and extremely close heats to complete the CT’s halfway marker.

“I haven’t been in the yellow jersey in a few years, so it’s extra special,” said Moore. “I know there’s a lot of work to be done for the rest of the year, but I’m just so excited! Getting to share this win with my support group, my husband, my dad, Duncan (Scott) who’s been helping me here in South Africa, all my sponsors, I couldn’t do it without them. South Africa didn’t disappoint. I’m stoked to be back in the Title race with everyone. It’s probably going to come down to Maui. I’m really stoked and couldn’t have asked for a better end to the day.”

Moore’s 22nd CT win comes after an incredibly consistent season so far with no result below 5th place. The 26-year-old failed to take the win in two previous Finals this year on the Gold Coast and in Rio but now claimed her breakthrough result heading into the Freshwater Pro pres. by Outerknown, where she is the defending event winner.

“It’s kind of come full circle for me from last year,” continued Moore. “Just to come back and feel really good and happy, I’m ecstatic. I’ve been in the Title race from the very beginning. I just want to give my best at every stop and I’m just really happy. I’m super stoked to be in the yellow jersey. Of course, there’s a lot of work that has to be done but it gives me confidence heading into a month break and I can breathe a little bit easier.”

Peterson’s second Final at the Corona Open J-Bay fell just shy of the win again, but the American feels the momentum swinging her way into the final four events of the season. Peterson has one win so far this season at the Margaret River Pro and will be after her second at the upcoming Freshwater Pro from September 19 – 21, 2019.

”It was so awesome to finish with such incredible surf,” said Peterson. “Thanks to everyone for letting us have the lineup the last couple weeks. It’s truly an incredible place. It’s awesome to come back this year and make the Final again and hopefully, I’ll win it one day. Congratulations to Carissa (Moore). She is surfing unbelievably. She always pushes me to surf my best and brings the best out of myself so huge congrats to her, but I’m super stoked to keep rolling with the year now and hopefully get some momentum here and keep it going.”

“That felt so good!” said Medina. “This is a hard contest to win. I had a lot of fun this week, it was amazing and I wasn’t expecting that. I’m really happy right now. Something clicked in that heat that was really special. I knew I could match up with Italo (Ferreira) or Filipe (Toledo), both of them were ripping. I just want to thank God for giving me the waves and I’m so happy I did the job.”

Although Medina only moves up one place to 7th on the Jeep Leaderboard, he is heading into the five events that he has previously won and three of which where he is the defending event winner (Tahiti Pro Teahupo’o, Freshwater Pro, Billabong Pipe Masters). Medina is known to clinch results in the back-half of the season and will be a threat in his hunt for a third World Title.

“It feels so good to get one over Italo (Ferreira),” continued Medina. “He surfs so well, even when he was combo’d I wasn’t comfortable because I know he can do anything. Being in the Final with another goofy-foot was amazing. All the Brasilians are doing so well and to share a Final with Italo means so much. It means a lot and this contest was really special because it’s hard to win out here. I’m back and I feel amazing. I just want to surf and do my best. The year is still long, so I’m happy with a win here.”

The CT event in J-Bay had never seen an all goofy-foot Final before today. The all-Brasilian battle was a momentous clash between Ferreira and Medina. Ferreira opened with a 9.10 (out of a possible 10) to set the tone, but Medina replied with a near-perfect 9.73. It took a while for both surfers to find a winning backup score. Ferreira got a 7.67 and with Medina only requiring something in the 7-point range. He didn’t hold back and matched the speed of the wave, completing his turns in the critical part of the wave with a smooth, flowing rhythm. Medina scored a barreling section to the roar of the crowd and came out flying for a 9.77, capturing 19.50 two-wave total (out of a possible 20) to place Ferreira in a combination situation in the dying minutes.

Ferreira dominated the event with some of the biggest scores in his first run past a 13th place result in J-Bay. The 25-year-old was responsible for the eliminations of J-Bay standout Filipe Toledo (BRA) in the Semifinals, Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) in the Quarterfinals, and 11-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA) in the Round of 16. Ferreira now sits at World No. 4 on the Jeep Leaderboard behind No. 3 John John Florence (HAW), who withdrew from this event due to injury, No. 2 Toledo, and No. 1 Andino.

“It was a long week, but I was glad to be in the Final with Gabriel (Medina),” said Ferreira. “It was a good heat, I started with the 9.10, but after that Gabriel smashed me. It was so fun to surf that wave. I came here early and tried to surf it without a crowd and tried to test my boards and everything. I’m so happy, it’s a good result and let’s keep it ripping.”

“Italo (Ferreira) has been in-form the whole event, and he’s probably my favorite backhand surfing this wave,” said Toledo. “He’s really fun to watch and I was really inspired by him trying the most vertical and fastest turns on this wave. I knew it was going to be really tough, that’s why I waited for the bombs. I got that first one and it felt pretty good. I was just waiting on another one and it didn’t happen, but he actually had priority so it just wasn’t my day. Besides that, I’m stoked with the Semifinal, another keeper, and I’m in a good position for the World Title right now. I’m happy to be part of the Brasilian generation that’s once again making history here in J-Bay.”

The last Quarterfinal saw Ferreira knock out Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) with an 8.50and a 7.03 to Igarashi’s 6.77 and 5.60. Igarashi will now focus his attention on the Vans US Open of Surfing pres. by Swatch Qualifying Series (QS) event, where he is ready to defend his own three-peat in his hometown.

“I am so excited to go back home,” said Igarashi. “I haven’t been back to Huntington Beach since Snapper Rocks in April. I cannot wait to go see my parents and to see my friends back in Huntington. To be able to compete in front of the crowd and the local fans is the best way to go back home. I am going to do whatever I can to win it. Even though it has nothing to do with the World Title or the Olympics, but for me, there is nothing more than I want than to win it three years in a row.”

Watch Kolohe Andino’s post-heat interview.

Peterson defeated Malia Manuel (HAW) in the second Semifinal. Peterson posted the best score of the heat, a 7.67 as her opening ride to put pressure on Manuel right from the start. Manuel tried to catch up, but Peterson found another set wave for a 7.60 backup score for her second Finals appearance in Jeffreys Bay.

The next stop on the 2019 Men’s WSL Championship Tour is the Tahiti Pro Teahupo’o, which holds a competition window from August 21 – September 1, 2019. The next stop on the 2019 Women’s Championship Tour will be the Freshwater Pro pres. by Outerknown, held at the Surf Ranch Lemoore, California from September 19 – 21, 2019. Both events will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and Facebook.com/WSL. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners.

Corona Open J-Bay Men’s Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.30 DEF. Kolohe Andino (USA) 14.00
SF 2: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 17.50 DEF. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 14.00

Corona Open J-Bay Men’s Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.67 DEF. Owen Wright (AUS) 14.60
QF 2: Kolohe Andino (USA) 15.43 DEF. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 14.10
QF 3: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.00 DEF. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 14.40
QF 4: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.53 DEF. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 12.37

2019 Women’s CT Jeep Leaderboard (following Corona Open J-Bay):
1 – Carissa Moore (HAW) 41,175 pts
2 – Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 37,325 pts
3 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 35,065 pts
4 – Lakey Peterson (USA) 33,850 pts
5 – Caroline Marks (USA) 32,135 pts

2019 Men’s CT Jeep Leaderboard (following Corona Open J-Bay):
1 – Kolohe Andino (USA) 33,845 pts
2 – Filipe Toledo (BRA) 33,280 pts
3 – John John Florence (HAW) 32,425 pts
4 – Italo Ferreira (BRA) 29,950 pts
5 – Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 29,450 pts