Alex Ribeiro (BRA), 25, came from behind in the Final to defeat Jeremy Flores (FRA) by a score of 14.93 to 14.17 at the 2015 Quiksilver Pro Saquarema presented by Powerade. With his victory today (Sunday), Ribeiro received U$ 40,000 in prize money and 10,000 World Surf League Qualifying Series points. After starting off the competition in 57^th place on the QS ranking, Ribeiro catapulted up to 2^nd place as a result of his performance. In addition to the event win, Ribeiro also received the last wildcard position available for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour event, the Oi Rio Pro at Barra da Tijuca, which begins on Monday. 

Flores jumped to an early lead in the Final after scoring an 8.60 on his best wave and a 5.57 on his back up. However, Ribeiro’s composure paid off and with 10 seconds remaining in the heat, he paddled into his last opportunity and blasted a combination of huge hacks to leap into first place and straight to victory.

“I was relaxed going into the Final because I thought I had already gotten the wildcard spot for the CT in Rio,” stated Ribeiro. “But then someone told me that I had to win the event to get it, so I was very focused on getting the victory. I stayed patient and waited until the very end for that last wave because I knew it would come. Jeremy (Flores) had the high score in the heat and I had two medium scores. But I knew that if a good wave came, I knew I could get the score. I’m stoked that my strategy worked out. I’m so happy I’m in 2^nd on the QS and I get to compete in the CT too. It’s a lot of excitement for just one day!”

Flores has been on a torrid streak in May. He started off the month with a 2^nd place finish at the first QS 10,000 ranked contest of the year, the Oakley Lowers Pro, in California. After succumbing to Filipe Toledo (BRA) at Trestles, the experienced Frenchman quickly packed his bags for the long flight to Brazil for the Quiksilver Pro Saquarema. Flores showed solid form throughout the competition and guaranteed another substantial result at Praia de Itauna.

“I’m still very pleased with this result,” said Flores. “It’s very difficult to reach the Finals, but I was a little disappointed that I didn’t win. But that’s what competition is like. There can only be one winner. So congrats to Alex (Ribeiro) for the victory. Everything happens for a reason. I got two great results against an incredible group of talented surfers in the last two events. I feel good, my boards feel great, my head’s in a good place and I’m healthy. So I’m stoked and ready to compete in Rio de Janeiro during the next few weeks.”

The setting for the final day of action at the Quiksilver Pro Saquarema was spectacular. Warm weather, sunny skies, light winds and rippable waves in the 3-4 foot range (1-1.5 meters) were on hand for the outcome of the 2^nd QS 10,000 event of the year.

The day began with the remaining 4 heats from Round 4 before competition segued into the Quarterfinals. Yesterday, Ribeiro eliminated Italo Ferreira (BRA) in Round 4 before defeating Nate Yeomans (USA) in the Quarters, Noe Mar McGonagle (CRI) in the Semifinals and ultimately prevailing over Flores in the Finals.

Flores had an even longer route to the Finals after having to compete in Round 4 to begin the day. He began by beating Jesse Mendes (BRA) in Heat 8 of Round 4. He then displayed his powerful surfing over the lightening-quick surfer from Costa Rica, Carlos Munoz. In the Semis, Flores scored an 18.17 heat total to take down Caio Ibelli (BRA) before claiming his second runner-up finish in as many contests.

Things have shaken up on the WSL QS rankings after completion of the 2015 Quiksilver Pro Saquarema. Only the Top-10 ranked surfers on the QS at the end of the year will qualify for the 2016 WSL Championship Tour (CT). Four new surfers have moved into eligibility. Alex Ribeiro (BRA), Ryan Callinan (AUS), Caio Ibelli (BRA) and Noe Mar McGonagle (CRI) have moved into the Top-10, while Michael Rodrigues (BRA), Michael Dunphy (USA), Wade Carmichael (AUS) and Charles Martin (GLP) have moved down in the rankings.

McGonagle looked impressive throughout the competition by exhibiting a powerful, yet polished, style of surfing. The young Costa Rican was ecstatic after earning a Semifinal result at the Quiksilver Pro Saquarema.

“It’s a great feeling to be part of the top ten in the ranking,” declared McGonagle. “Us Costa Ricans work together as a team and I believe that our unity makes a big difference. We work together every day and we’re like a family. A win for one is like a win for all of us. I’m very satisfied with my result in Saquarema. It was my first time here and the event was perfect. I’ll definitely be here next year.”

 

 

2015 QUIKSILVER PRO SAQUAREMA RESULTS:

Winner: Alex Ribeiro (BRA) 14.93 points (8.00 + 6.93) – U$ 40,000 and 10,000 points

Runner-up: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.17 points (8.60 + 5.57) – U$ 20,000 and 8,000 points

 

SEMIFINALS – 3^rd place = U$ 11,000 and 6,500 points:

Heat 1: Alex Ribeiro (BRA) 15.87 x 15.60 Noe Mar McGonagle (CRI)

Heat 2: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 18.17 x 12.20 Caio Ibelli (BRA)

 

QUARTERFINALS – 5^th place = U$ 7,000 and 5,200 points:

Heat 1: Alex Ribeiro (BRA) 13.67 x 13.33 Nathan Yeomans (USA)

Heat 2: Noe Mar McGonagle (CRI) 18.23 x 13.87 Cooper Chapman (AUS)

Heat 3: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 17.67 x 16.57 Tom Whitaker (AUS)

Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 15.77 x 13.40 Carlos Munoz (CRI)

 

WORLD SURF LEAGUE QUALIFYING SERIES RANKING– after 11 events

1st: Jeremy Flores (FRA) – 16,400 points

2^nd: Alex Ribeiro (BRA) – 12,420

3^rd: Jesse Mendes (BRA) – 12,250

4^th: Jack Freestone (AUS) – 11,950

5^th: Stu Kennedy (AUS) – 10,495

6^th: Filipe Toledo (BRA) – 10,000

7^th: Ryan Callinan (AUS) – 9,850

8^th: Joan Duru (FRA) – 9,680

9^th: Kolohe Andino (USA) – 9,360

10^th: Dusty Payne (HAW) – 9,255

11^th: Caio Ibelli (BRA) – 8,800

12^th: Noe Mar McGonagle (CRI) – 8,770