Well, that didn't take long. On day one, just four heats into Round Two of the Quiksilver Pro France, a pair of World Title hopefuls have already seen their chances diminished significantly. Perhaps the sharpest blow was dealt to World No. 3 Julian Wilson who, just eight weeks ago following his victory at the Billabong Pro Tahiti, was the hottest surfer on Tour. Wilson pulled an unfortunate draw in Round Two, facing local wildcard Marc Lacomare, who used local knowledge (specifically, the opposite side of the sandbar) to take the win. The loss will do significant damage to Wilson's World Title aspirations.
The local French standout puts a huge dent in Wilson's World Title aspirations.
World No. 7 Filipe Toledo, on the other hand, was hampered in his Round Two defeat to Miguel Pupo by a painful rib injury caused, innocuously enough, by picking up his toddler. WSL physio, Dr. Chris Prosser, had Toledo's back covered with structural tape, described by Ronnie Blakey as looking like a "human hashtag," but the Brazilian was clearly in significant discomfort despite putting up a good fight against Pupo, who's ranked No. 30. Toledo's early exit probably ends any chance at capturing his first World Title in 2017.
Filipe Toledo - WSL / Damien Poullenot
Filipe Toledo and Julian Wilson Eliminated from Quik Pro France
Brad Drew
Well, that didn't take long. On day one, just four heats into Round Two of the Quiksilver Pro France, a pair of World Title hopefuls have already seen their chances diminished significantly. Perhaps the sharpest blow was dealt to World No. 3 Julian Wilson who, just eight weeks ago following his victory at the Billabong Pro Tahiti, was the hottest surfer on Tour. Wilson pulled an unfortunate draw in Round Two, facing local wildcard Marc Lacomare, who used local knowledge (specifically, the opposite side of the sandbar) to take the win. The loss will do significant damage to Wilson's World Title aspirations.
World No. 7 Filipe Toledo, on the other hand, was hampered in his Round Two defeat to Miguel Pupo by a painful rib injury caused, innocuously enough, by picking up his toddler. WSL physio, Dr. Chris Prosser, had Toledo's back covered with structural tape, described by Ronnie Blakey as looking like a "human hashtag," but the Brazilian was clearly in significant discomfort despite putting up a good fight against Pupo, who's ranked No. 30. Toledo's early exit probably ends any chance at capturing his first World Title in 2017.
Julian Wilson
Joining the Championship Tour in 2011, the upcoming season will be Wilson's 10th, and he still has ample tricks up his sleeve.
Dropping the heat scores of the day, Stephanie Gilmore and Owen Wright got right to work at the Tweed Coast Pro,
A Green Alert has been issued for the first of three Australian Grand Slam events, the Tweed Coast Pro.
Championship Tour surfers are improving their game well into their 30s and even 40s.
Peter "Joli" Wilson looks back at the 2007 Quiksilver pro, a historic event which kickstarted Mick Fanning's first World Title campaign
Quiksilver Pro France
The World Title Race crashes the shores of coastal France.
Top scores and waves from 2017.