| Filipe Toledo and Lakey Peterson crowned at Huntington Beach Pier |
| Sunday, 07 August 2011 10:40 |
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Filipe Toledo and Lakey Peterson have won the 2011 US Open of Surfing Pro Junior, in clean two-to-four foot (1 metre) waves at Huntington Beach Pier against some of the world’s finest under-21 surfers. The Brazilian surfero proved to be unstoppable in the rippable beachbreak conditions, and defeated prodigies Kolohe Andino and John John Florence as well as California powerhouse Conner Coffin, when he launched a flurry of frontside air-reverses to net a 15.17 out of 20 heat total in the Final. “I feel unbelievable,” Toledo said. “Thanks to all of my Brazilian brothers and my new sponsor Nike and my family in Brazil. The wave here in Huntington is a beachbreak, just like Brazil and I think I’m a good surfer in these waves, it’s just unbelievable to win.” The massive victory earned by the young Brazilian dark-horse now puts him on the international stage alongside his fellow countrymen who are pushing the limits of surfing to new heights and Toledo plans on returning to Brazil to establish himself on the ASP World Ranking. “I feel like this win puts my name with the rest of the Brazilians like Alejo (Muniz) and Miguel (Pupo),” Toledo said. “I’m going to go back to Brazil and do some ASP contests and hopefully I can do well.” Lakey Peterson clawed her way back into the Nike US Open of Surfing Pro Junior Final after former event champion Malia Manuel opened her account with a 7.67 and tore into two right-handers, earning an 8.50 and a 7.27 for the rides to solidify her victory. The up-and-coming Californian took out Manuel, and elite ASP Women’s World Title Surfers Laura Enever and Coco Ho and was elated to win at Huntington Beach. “It’s amazing to win this event,” Peterson said. “I was looking at the trophy before I paddled out and I was like ‘I want that thing so bad.’ Nike does such a great job and I’d like to thank them for putting on this event. It’s been an amazing day. The final wasn’t really serious, we were all laughing and cracking jokes, it was really fun.” Peterson, wildcard into the Nike US Open of Surfing ASP Women’s World Title event, continued her tear against the ASP Top 17 as well when she ousted Laura Enever (AUS), 19, in their Quarterfinals bout and will face top seed Carissa Moore (Honolulu, HI), 18, in the Semifinals. “I’m actually shaking pretty bad right now,” Peterson said. “I’m just really excited. I got to the Semifinals last year as a 6-Star but it’s a World Tour event this year. I’m surfing against Carissa (Moore) in the Semifinals. She’s a great friend and I’m looking forward to surfing against her, she always pushes me to surf the best that I can.” Nike US Open of Surfing Pro Junior Men’s Final Result: Nike US Open Pro Junior Women’s Final Result:
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