Filipe Toledo: 2015 Oi Rio Pro Champion / 2nd Career CT Win

Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - An electrifying final day at the Oi Rio Pro, the fourth stop on the Samsung Galaxy World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), saw Filipe Toledo (BRA) and Courtney Conlogue (USA) reign supreme, claiming victory at Barra da Tijuca in front of a capacity crowd of thousands and thousands of passionate fans. Toledo defeated Bede Durbidge (AUS) to win the men’s event while Conlogue got the better of Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) to claim the women’s event, each securing their second CT win of the season and putting themselves firmly in the world title race.

Filipe Toledo (BRA) claimed the second CT victory of his career today following his inaugural win at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast at the start of this season and continuing his exceptional run of form with a win at the WSL Qualifying Series 10,000 event at Lower Trestles earlier this month. Previously at third place on the rankings, the result sees Toledo move up to second place on the Jeep Leaderboard behind Adriano de Souza (BRA). The blistering aerial manoeuvres of the young Brazilian in each round of the competition kept the fans enthralled and Toledo was on top form throughout the event, winning each of his heats en route to Final with consistently high heat totals.

“I don’t know what to say. The first thing I did was cry because look at the crowd, I’ve never seen anything like that before. It’s been such a blessed week and I have such amazing friends and family. I need to be grateful for everything I have and everything God has done in my life.”

A huge aerial rotation from Toledo early in the heat earned him a Perfect 10, his second of the event, to begin his domination of the Final. The landing creased his board but after an equipment change he continued to look unstoppable, posting an 8.33 for his impressive rail surfing. Toledo bettered his position with another air reverse and an 8.53 for a formidable 18.53 heat total.

“It’s been my dream to win this contest here and since the year that I qualified I’ve been dreaming of this day, I’m feeling really confident right now. It’s going to be a really amazing year for me and the Brazilians and I’m hoping to finish in the top 5 and fight for the title at the end of the year. The Brazilians have really started the year well and that’s really given me so much confidence. It was so crazy when I was trying to get my back-up board and there were just so many fans. Big congratulations to Bede (Durbidge) and to Bianca (Buitendag) and Courtney (Conlogue), you’ve all done such an amazing job and are such great surfers.”

RESULTS
Oi Rio Men’s Pro Final Results:
1- Filipe Toledo (BRA) 19.87
2 – Bede Durbidge (AUS) 14.70

Oi Rio Men’s Pro Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.83 def. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 6.34
SF 2: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 14.63 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 8.23

© WSL

What Did Filipe Ride?

Fins
Filipe used the FCS II Performer PCC Medium throughout the event for its reliability. This versatile fin offers a blend of speed, flow and response, and is suited to a wide range of conditions.

On the days when the waves were bigger Filipe switched to the FCS II MF PC Medium template. This fin has a high degree of sweep, providing more control and a longer turning arc.

System
In this event Filipe was riding the new FCS II Orange Tang plug. The new FCS II coloured plugs will soon be available to order on Firewires, adding a splash of colour to your new board, and are now being used by most of the WSL tour surfers.

Leash
The FCS 6’ Competition Leash is widely used by professional surfers due to its thinner cord and low drag properties. The leash features a double swivel and deluxe high-density neoprene ankle strap with soft lycra edging

Traction
Soon to be released, the new three-piece FCS Traction pad features all new softer EVA materials, perforations for added sensitivity, multidirectional grooves, and sanded surfaces for added grip.

”I’m stoked with all of my equipment. The Performer PCC worked great as the conditions changed through the week, but I was mainly riding the MF Medium template because I was looking to get more projection out of my turns and airs”.

23 WSL World Championship Tour events, and 5 WSL World Titles, have now been won by surfers riding the FCS II system and fins.