Toledo Up at Lowers

The event saw an array of Championship Tour (CT) surfers battling to protect their place in the Top 34 and going head-to-head against up-and-coming Qualifying Series (QS) talent fighting hard to join the elite tour.

Dynamic standout Toledo becomes the third consecutive Brazilian to win the event, after Gabriel Medina (BRA) and Miguel Pupo (BRA) claimed victory in 2012 and 2011 respectively. 2014 QS winner Toledo is currently in third place on the CT rankings following his maiden CT win on the Gold Coast and the result today at Lower Trestles sees him move to second place on the QS rankings.

"I was definitely super blessed this week and got to spend lots of time with my friends and family," said Toledo. "It's such a good vibe to be with them. I think that's what happened, I got all their good vibes. I felt super comfortable and confident out there and my boards felt amazing. It was all just wonderful."

Toledo was the form surfer of the event, previously facing Charles Martin (GLP) and Dusty Payne (HAW) en route to the Final today. The dazzling young Brazilian used his air game to full effect, with an aerial maneuver on almost every wave through the day. Toledo was able to consistently manufacture excellent scores, even on smaller inside waves, and dominated the lineup throughout the event.

"The world title is definitely on my mind and I can't wait to get that yellow jersey back again," continued Toledo. "It's going to be an amazing competition in Brazil and we're going to have a lot of support. After Gabriel's world title last year, this year is going to be amazing and the event will be packed and crazy."

Toledo continued his relentless run of form in the 35-minute Final, with two seven-point rides with just 10 minutes gone, leaving the Frenchman with a modest two-wave total. Another exchange with 13 minutes remaining saw three big turns from Flores for 7.20 and a series of critical maneuvers from the fleet-footed Brazilian for an excellent 8.30. An exhausted looking Flores took a final wave with 30 seconds remaining but couldn't produce the 8.93 required and secures a runner-up finish while Toledo claimed the win.

"The start was a little slow but I began with a good wave and that gave me a lot of confidence and then I took more inside waves," said Toledo. "I think I've got the best support ever. I've got all my family and friends here so it's the best feeling in the world. When I finish the wave I hear everyone screaming and it's really motivating for me."

Flores is currently in 13th place on the CT rankings, with two ninth-place finishes and a 25th during the Australian leg of the CT this season. Today marks the first Final appearance for the CT veteran from Reunion Island since winning the Pipe Masters in 2010. Flores previously dispatched Michael Rodrigues (BRA), Michael Dunphy (USA) and Wade Carmichael (AUS) before facing Toledo in the Final, delivering dominating performances through the event. Flores, who surfed through four heats today, leaps up to 5th on the QS rankings.

"I want to thank everyone for sticking around all week and there's always a good vibe here," said Flores. "I've been coming here for so long that it always feels like home. Toledo is the man and the best surfer in the world in these conditions for sure. Congratulations to him. I really want to thank all my friends and supporters for being there for me through all the ups and downs."

Highlights from the Oakley Lowers Pro are available at OakleyLowersPro.com and WorldSurfLeague.com.
View the QS rankings here.

  OAKLEY LOWERS PRO FINAL RESULTS:

1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) - 16.13

2: Jeremy Flores (FRA) - 13.70

  OAKLEY LOWERS PRO SEMIFINAL RESULTS:

SF 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 17.24 def. Dusty Payne (HAW) 13.27

SF 2: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 12.77 def. Wade Carmichael (AUS) 11.30

  OAKLEY LOWERS PRO QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:

QF 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.00 def. Charles Martin (GLP) 13.30

QF 2: Dusty Payne (HAW) 17.67 def. Yadin Nicol (AUS) 9.66

QF 3: Wade Carmichael (AUS) 15.73 def. Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 14.50

QF 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 16.37 def. Michael Dunphy (USA) 14.23

  OAKLEY LOWERS PRO REMAINING ROUND 4 RESULTS:

Heat 5: Wade Carmichael (AUS) 14.67 def. Jack Freestone (AUS) 13.34

Heat 6: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 14.77 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 11.83

Heat 7: Michael Dunphy (USA) 12.33 def. Adam Melling (AUS) 12.03

Heat 8: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 16.77 def. Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 16.50