South African Michael February has advanced to the quarter-finals of the Tahiti Pro Teahupo’o on Thursday after defeating fellow countryman Jordy Smith in round three and then finding a last-minute tube ride to win his round four encounter.
The 25-year-old rookie from Cape Town, who started the season as an injury replacement but became a full-time member of the team following the retirement of Mick Fanning in April, reached the last eight in an elite level event for the first time.
‘I’m so stoked to finally get through a few heats,’ February said. ‘It’s been a tough year, I feel like I’ve been surfing well but the heats haven’t been breaking my way.
Feels great to get the opportunity to show what I can do and hopefully I can keep it rolling here throughout the rest of the event.’
February will come up against current Jeep rankings leader Filipe Toledo of Brazil when competition resumes at the seventh event of the 2018 season World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT).
Toledo continued his tear through this year’s event with a clutch third round heat victory over local wildcard Tikanui Smith (PYF).
‘Tika [Smith] is a great guy and dangerous out here at any size,’ Toledo said. ‘I don’t take any heats lightly and every one is a step towards another result. Very happy to continue competing in this beautiful place.’
The winner of the Jeffreys Bay and Rio de Janeiro legs of the 2018 tour will be joined in the quarter-finals by Brazilian Storm compatriots 2014 WSL Champion Gabriel Medina and lethal goofy-footer Italo Ferreira, currently No. 3 and 4 respectively on the WSL rankings.
‘I love surfing Teahupo’o, no matter the size,’ Medina said. ‘The forecast this year isn’t great, but we can still go out and be perfect. You’re seeing a different kind of surfing and I’m happy to be in the quarter-finals. It’s an important event for this year’s Title Race and everyone is looking for a result.
Photo: February in action, by WSL/Cestari