Only 24 surfers remain in the men's QS 10,000 in Huntington Beach as San Clemente-based elites advance at the Vans US Open of Surfing.
The day opened with Round 2 of the men's QS 10,000 with the top two surfers from each heat advancing to Round 3 of the Vans US Open of Surfing.
Defending event winner Filipe Toledo (BRA) dominated the lineup in the opening heat of the day to advance through to Round 3. The young Brazilian's air-game was in full effect and he posted two excellent scores to earn the highest heat total of the contest so far, an 18.20.
Filipe Toledo matches his top score for an 18.20 heat total and a Round 2 win.
"I'm really confident and my board is really good," said Toledo. "This is actually the exact board I rode at Snapper at the start of the year. I'm feeling confident to the point that I don't need a leash. Actually I don't train for the airs, it's natural -- I just watch a lot of movies."
Heat 10 of Round 2 saw former CT surfer Dion Atkinson (AUS) dominate the field. He capitalized on the best waves coming through to deliver a succession of big turns for two eight-point rides and the win.
"It's hard out there at the moment," Atkinson said. "It's just about trying to maximise any opportunity out here. You have to get a big first turn. I got down here early to watch the first few heats. I'm just trying to stick to my strengths and do the biggest turns I can."
CT standout Kolohe Andino (USA) looked focused and confident in Heat 11 and carried his momentum from Round 1. Andino sailed through in the face of a tough field, advancing on with a heat-high 9.10 for two big backside snaps.
Kolohe Andino goes backside for a big points in Round 2 of the US Open.
"I'm doing everything in my power to do good for the rest of the year," said Andino. "I feel like if I keep working outside of the event it will be reflected in my results. I was thinking I definitely don't want those guys to get the best waves otherwise I'm going to lose. Because if they do get them, they're going to get big scores because that was a stacked heat. I'm stoked that I got the good waves and surfed them well."
Competition will continue with Men's Round 3 Friday, July 31 at 7:30 a.m. local time. Watch LIVE here and on the WSL App.
Toledo: "I Don't Train for Airs"
WSL
The day opened with Round 2 of the men's QS 10,000 with the top two surfers from each heat advancing to Round 3 of the Vans US Open of Surfing.
Defending event winner Filipe Toledo (BRA) dominated the lineup in the opening heat of the day to advance through to Round 3. The young Brazilian's air-game was in full effect and he posted two excellent scores to earn the highest heat total of the contest so far, an 18.20.
"I'm really confident and my board is really good," said Toledo. "This is actually the exact board I rode at Snapper at the start of the year. I'm feeling confident to the point that I don't need a leash. Actually I don't train for the airs, it's natural -- I just watch a lot of movies."
Heat 10 of Round 2 saw former CT surfer Dion Atkinson (AUS) dominate the field. He capitalized on the best waves coming through to deliver a succession of big turns for two eight-point rides and the win.
"It's hard out there at the moment," Atkinson said. "It's just about trying to maximise any opportunity out here. You have to get a big first turn. I got down here early to watch the first few heats. I'm just trying to stick to my strengths and do the biggest turns I can."
CT standout Kolohe Andino (USA) looked focused and confident in Heat 11 and carried his momentum from Round 1. Andino sailed through in the face of a tough field, advancing on with a heat-high 9.10 for two big backside snaps.
"I'm doing everything in my power to do good for the rest of the year," said Andino. "I feel like if I keep working outside of the event it will be reflected in my results. I was thinking I definitely don't want those guys to get the best waves otherwise I'm going to lose. Because if they do get them, they're going to get big scores because that was a stacked heat. I'm stoked that I got the good waves and surfed them well."
Competition will continue with Men's Round 3 Friday, July 31 at 7:30 a.m. local time. Watch LIVE here and on the WSL App.
Filipe Toledo
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