Breakthrough for February
Friday 17 August 2018 A huge result for Michael February has put him into the quarter-finals of the Tahiti Pro Teahupo'o after beating countryman Jordy Smith in Round 3 and winning his Round 4 heat.
POCKET POWER: February faces the diminutive Brazilian Filipe Toledo. Photo WSL / Cestari
A last-minute barrel in Round 4 early this morning ZA time against Wade Carmichael (AUS) 12.07 and Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 10.97 saw February into the quarterfinals. This is a big result for the lanky Capetonian, who has failed to advance past Round 3 this year, up until now.
The 7th event of the year on the WSL CT blitzed through a full day of competition today, completing Rounds 3 and 4 and determining the remaining eight Quarterfinalists in variable 3-5' surf at Teahupo’o, a far cry from the last event, but it was the same for everyone, bringing out different skills and upsetting a few fantasy picks, made worse for Saffas who picked both countrymen in their team.
“So stoked to finally get through a few heats,” February said. “It’s been a tough year, I feel like I’ve been surfing well but the heats haven’t been breaking my way. Feels great to get the opportunity to show what I can do and hopefully I can keep it rolling here throughout the rest of the event.”
TITLE DENT: At least Jordy will be comforted that it gives February a chance. Photo WSL / Cestari
He has to do it against Filipe Toledo (BRA), current WSL Jeep Rankings Leader, who continued his tear through the event with a Round 3 heat win over local wildcard Tikanui Smith (PYF), and surviving the Round 4 matchup.
“Tika (Smith) is a great guy and dangerous out here at any size,” Toledo said. “I don’t take any heats lightly and every one is a step towards another result. Very happy to continue competing in this beautiful place.
Joining Toledo from the Brazilian Storm were 2014 WSL Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) and lethal goofy-footer Italo Ferreira (BRA), currently No. 3 and 4 respectively on the WSL rankings.
TIGHT FIT: Owen Wright takes down retiring Joel Parkinson in Round 3. Photo WSL / Cestari
2012 WSL Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS) was eliminated by Owen Wright (AUS) in Round 3. In a slow heat, Wright’s sealed the win with an excellent 8.00 by threading a technical tube. It was a humbling win for Wright as he moved into Round 3 having eliminated one of the world’s best barrel riders during his retirement year.
Surfline, official forecaster for the Tahiti Pro, are calling for: The current SW swell slowly eases on Friday, but still provides contestable sets up to chest-shoulder high in the morning and with favorable offshore easterly wind. Another modest but shorter period WSW-SW swell is due to build in Saturday PM and peak by Sunday with similar size surf and conditions. Then yet another small, longer period SW swell lines up for the last day of the event window, Tuesday the 21st, but winds not looking so great (strong SSE). Overall, Friday AM and Sunday are the best options left in event window.
Tahiti Pro Teahupo’o action will be broadcast LIVE on www.WorldSurfLeague.com and the WSL’s Facebook page.
FIGHTING BACK: His quarters berth is a huge boost for Mikey's confidence. Photo WSL / Cestari
Tahiti Pro Round 3 Results
Heat 1: Michael February (ZAF) 9.66 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 4.83
Heat 2: Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 12.50 def. Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 5.07
Heat 3: Wade Carmichael (AUS) 9.50 def. Jesse Mendes (BRA) 9.40
Heat 4: Owen Wright (AUS) 14.27 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 10.83
Heat 5: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 11.40 def. Adriano De Souza (BRA) 11.17
Heat 6: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 14.66 def. Tikanui Smith (PYF) 6.90
Heat 7: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.73 def. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 13.67
Heat 8: Kolohe Andino (USA) 13.27 def. Frederico Morais (PRT) 12.36
Heat 9: Yago Dora (BRA) 12.90 def. Mikey Wright (AUS) 8.24
Heat 10: Connor O’Leary (AUS) 16.53 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 11.34
Heat 11: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.14 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 9.93
Heat 12: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 12.14 def. Ian Gouveia (BRA) 10.34
Tahiti Pro Round 4 Results
Heat 1: Michael February (ZAF) 14.10, Wade Carmichael (AUS) 12.07, Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 10.97
Heat 2: Owen Wright (AUS) 12.69, Filipe Toledo (BRA), Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 8.26
Heat 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.67, Kolohe Andino (USA) 10.43, Yago Dora (BRA) 9.50
Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 15.24, Italo Ferreira (BRA) 13.10, Connor O’Leary (AUS) 11.34
Tahiti Pro Quarterfinal Matchups
QF 1: Michael February (ZAF) vs. Filipe Toledo (BRA)
QF 2: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Wade Carmichael (AUS)
QF 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Italo Ferreira (BRA)
QF 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Kolohe Andino (USA)