The Airshow Pro

TIGHT SQUEEZE: Jordy Smith tucks into a little tube on the righthander. Photo WSL / Cestari

The big South African surfed well, but he was up against the aerial assault brigade - small of stature for those tight chlorinated tubes, with a propensity to get good scores for big airs. Not to say Jordy can't do that, but in a wave like that, his stature and style is just not suited.

Lakey Peterson (USA) won the women's event at the Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California for the seventh stop on the women’s Championship Tour (CT), and she moves to #2 in the rankings.

Medina's comeback for his second win at Lemoore puts the 2019 World Title race in full swing as he jumps from 4 to 1 in the final stretch toward a third World Title. His aerial attack on the lefts were insurmountable. He began the final with near-perfect 9.93 and backed that up with an 8.93 on his backhand.

AERATED: Lakey Peterson was in explosive mood in the gentle rollers. Photo WSL / Vankirk

“It’s been a long three days for me ... those two first waves of the Final felt really good and it’s amazing to beat guys like Juilan (Wilson), Filipe (Toledo), Owen (Wright), and (Griffin) Colapinto, they all surf amazing. Now hopefully I can keep up my results to the end. I’m really happy with my performance here and these are really important points,” Medina said.

Filipe Toledo (BRA) again earned runner-up with a brilliant weekend that included multiple, near-perfect rides including a 9.63 in the Final. But the 24-year-old sustained an injury on his second run that plagued Toledo with pain heading into the bonus waves. With a vital homestretch ahead, Toledo will prepare as best he can after taking on the world’s best in amazing fashion.

“It was really amazing and nervous moments being on the screen before that Final but it was motivation at the same time,” Toledo said. “I did those last few waves because the crowd was just feeding me energy and I have to thank the WSL staff for doing everything they could to take the pain away.

AIR TEAM: Medina and Toledo: two Brazilians that are tough to beat here. Photo WSL / Cestari

“I’m so stoked for Gabriel with an incredible performance, as well as Lakey and Johanne, and also the whole leaderboard - everyone just came out swinging on the first waves, which I was not expecting.

“Now I’ll relax a little bit, my plan was to do Ericeira but now I don’t think I’ll be able to,” Toledo added about his injury. “I’ll still go and try to put the jersey to see what’s up but then head straight to France to work with doctors there. I’ll get through these three last contests and maybe get that Title.”

The next stop on the 2019 CT is the Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Pro France, which holds a competitive window from October 3-13. For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

FRESHWATER WINNERS: Johanne Defay and Lakey Peterson surfed the final. Photo WSL / Cestari

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Men's Results
1. Gabriel Medina (BRA)
2. Filipe Toledo (BRA)
3. Owen Wright (AUS)
4. Griffin Colapinto (USA)
5. Julian Wilson (AUS)
6. Yago Dora (BRA)
7. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
8. Jordy Smith (ZAF)

Women's Results
1. Lakey Peterson (USA)
2. Johanne Defay (FRA)
3. Carissa Moore (HAW)
4. Caroline Marks (USA)

Men’s Jeep Leaderboard
Gabriel Medina (BRA) - 44,695
Filipe Todelo (BRA) - 44,400
Jordy Smith (ZAF) - 40,195
Kolohe Andino (USA) - 36,505
Italo Ferreira (BRA) - 34,600

Women’s Jeep Leaderboard
Carissa Moore (HAW) - 47,260
Lakey Peterson (USA) - 43,850
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) - 42,070
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) - 39,810
Caroline Marks (USA) - 38,220