With The Win Ferreira Jumps From 16th To World #5.
Italo Ferreira (BRA) won the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro Presented by Outerknown, Stop No. 6 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2024 Championship Tour (CT), in firing eight-to-twelve-foot surf at Teahupo’o. It was an incredible day of competition in Tahiti with some of the biggest performances of the year coming from the world’s best, posting 27 excellent rides in only 15 heats.
Teahupo’o displayed its true power and beauty during this memorable event with the world’s best surfers. These competitors have put the world on notice ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 when competitive surfing will return to this location in late July.
Ferreira Claims Victory at ‘The End of The Road,’ Beats Florence in Final
Coming into the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro, Italo Ferreira (BRA) had only made Finals Day once in 2024 and was sitting at 16th on the rankings. The 2019 World Champion was in desperate need of a big result if he was to be any chance of booking a spot in this year’s Lexus WSL Finals. He started the day with huge wins in his Round of 16 and Quarterfinal heats and built unstoppable momentum on his way to his first Final in Tahiti. The win today propelled Ferreira 11 spots up the rankings into the 5th spot with three events remaining on the schedule before the one-day, winner-take-all Championship event.
“I have really been waiting for this moment,” Ferreira said. “I have won in different types of waves, not barrels, and that is what I’ve been looking for. I missed this event last year and I have finally got my win here. I’m really really stoked. I want to thank God, and my family and friends. That’s it, job done. Now it’s time to prepare for El Salvador, which is next.”
In the Final, Ferreira came up against the momentum surfer of the men’s Finals Day, John John Florence (HAW) in a classic goofy, versus natural-footer matchup in perfect pits at Teahupo’o. Ferreira got started early, posting back-to-back excellent scores to earn a heat total of 17.70 (out of a possible 20) in the first 12 minutes. Florence struggled to counter early, taking a solid wipeout on his first wave and needing time to recover and get himself out of a combination situation. Eventually, Florence found a super critical late drop and tube make to post a 9.33 (out of a possible 10) but as time wound down, he was unable to find a backup, leaving the 2019 World Champion Ferreira to claim his first win since the Surf Ranch Pro in 2023.
“That was a really special heat against John [Florence], I’m so inspired by him,” continued Ferreira. “That was a great heat. We started early today and it was a long day, and I’m so happy to make the Final and win this comp. I always knew it was a possibility for me and it was no my moment and I’m really happy for that.”
TEAHUPO'O, TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA - MAY 30: WSL Champion Italo Ferreira of Brazil surfs in the Final at the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro on May 30, 2024, at Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia. (Photo by Ed Sloane/World Surf League)
TEAHUPO'O, TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA - MAY 30: WSL Champion Italo Ferreira of Brazil after winning the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro on May 30, 2024, at Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia. (Photo by Matt Dunbar/World Surf League)
Florence Finishes Runner-Up and Moves to No. 1 on World Rankings
Florence may have fallen short in the Final, but he was one of the standout performers of the event and Finals Day in particular, posting the third-highest heat total of the event in his Quarterfinal and fourth-highest in his Semifinal (18.33 and 18.00). Always a standout in heavy barrelling waves, it was Florences’ seventh Finals Day from ten events at Teahupo’o and his second runner-up finish. Although he fell short of claiming his maiden win in Tahiti, Florence will leave Tahiti in the yellow Leader’s jersey as the World No. 1 ahead of the Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented by Corona.
“Surfing today and getting to surf four heats today was great, and the waves were so fun,” Florence said. “It was pumping out there and so beautiful. This is one of the most beautiful places in the world so be out there and surf it with no one out and get big barrels and get worked and do the whole thing is amazing. Thank you to the Teahupo’o community, you are awesome. All the support we get in the channel and for having us every year, this is one of my favorite places in the world, thank you.”
TEAHUPO'O, TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA - MAY 30: Two-time WSL Champion John John Florence of Hawaii surfs in the Final at the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro on May 30, 2024, at Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia. (Photo by Ed Sloane/World Surf League)
Kelly Slater Earns Best Result Since 2022 with Impressive Quarterfinal Finish
11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) came into the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro as an event wildcard and took total advantage, earning his best result since 2022 (3rd place at the Tahiti Pro). The five-time Tahiti Pro event winner showed his form as Teahupo’o turned on and reminded us of the Slater magic, particularly in his Round of 16 matchup with Ethan Ewing (AUS). Ewing had an impressive start, earning a two-wave total of 14.17 (out of a possible 20), leaving Slater needing two solid scores. Eventually, a bomb set rolled in, and the 52-year-old dropped in late, pulled up high, flew over the foamball and into the channel to earn a near-perfect 9.73 (out of a possible 10) and get himself back in the heat. Then, needing a low mid-range score with seconds left, Slater found a small set and rode the tube for as long as possible to come out and take the win.
TEAHUPO'O, TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA - MAY 30: Eleven-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater of the United States surfs in Heat 1 of the Round of 16 at the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro on May 30, 2024, at Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia. (Photo by Ed Sloane/World Surf League)