• Filipe Toledo Drops Two Highest Scores of the Day
• Tatiana Weston-Webb Secures Top Spot on the Leaderboard
• Event Continues on June 19 at 8 am PT
• More Available at WorldSurfLeague.com

LEMOORE, California/USA (Friday, June 18, 2021) – The opening day of the World Surf League (WSL) Jeep Surf Ranch Pro presented by Adobe, the sixth stop of the Championship Tour (CT), fired into action with the world’s best taking on perfection at the Surf Ranch.

The pressure-cooker was in full effect with men’s Qualifying Runs powering through half of their heats and the women’s Qualifying Runs getting underway. Setting the bar on the leaderboard was Brazil’s Filipe Toledo and Tatiana Weston-Webb, who both posted rides in the excellent range to establish themselves as the surfers to beat in the basin.

Scoring an 8.83 on his first right wave and an 8.93 on his last left (out of a possible 10), Toledo now stands at the top of the men’s leaderboard followed by Kanoa Igarashi (JPN), Yago Dora (BRA) and Owen Wright (AUS). Coming off a win at the Rumble at the Ranch Countdown Series event, Toledo seems in perfect sync with the wave.

“The vibe is really good, I’ve been hanging out with my family and friends,” said Toledo. “The last three months I’ve been in Australia and I had to go straight to El Salvador so now that I’m finally back home it feels great to be with the kids and my family. It’s that energy that fuels me every morning to come out here and do my job. I’m really happy with my performance.”

Weston-Webb dropped an 8-pointer of her own and is now fronting the women’s leaderboard with a combined score of 14.83 at the end of day 1.

“The wave pool is something different and we’re really accustomed to the pressure that comes with being here at the Ranch,” said Weston-Webb. “You’re always trying to get better on every wave and for me, that’s a goal of mine so to get an 8, I’m so stoked.”

Close behind Weston-Webb is seven-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) and rookie Isabella Nichols (AUS).

“It’s a huge point in the season and it’s really make or break,” said Gilmore. “You really want to get a finals here and solidify your place in the top 5. Everyone is surfing so good here and the girls are on fire so it will be a task for sure.”

11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) made a strong return to competition after missing the past four events due to injury. Slater finished day one of the event in sixth place on the leaderboard with a 13.70 heat total.

“It was fun, I was a little nervous because I haven’t been out in a heat in so long,” said Slater. “I had a good start and my board feels good. Looking ahead I think we’re all really looking forward to the next event in Mexico.”

12-year-old skateboarding sensation and Olympic qualifier Sky Brown visited the Ranch for day 1 of the event.

“I’ve always loved surfing and I surf every day in the morning before I skate,” said Brown. “Everyone here is ripping so hard and I’m so excited to watch it all. It’s like a dream being here, I had to pinch myself! There’s so many people I look up to but Caroline Marks and Caity Simmers are so powerful and super good.”

Adobe and The Ocean Agency are coming together to support #CreateWaves, a new campaign inviting the global community to create powerful digital artwork that raises awareness about the importance of the ocean and the need for ocean protection. Joining the campaign are creative influencers Kelly Malka, Annabelle, Martijn Schrijver, Shaylin Wallace, who will be creating personal works of art that express why ocean protection is important and inspire others to use their creativity to advocate for change. Adobe created a special digital toolkit with templates, images, and illustrations that anyone can use to show their support on social using #CreateWaves.

Jeep Surf Ranch Pro pres. by Adobe full schedule.

The Jeep Surf Ranch Pro will be broadcast live on WorldSurfLeague.com from June 18 – 20 2021. Check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners.

Men’s Surf Ranch Pro presented by Adobe Leaderboard Top 8:

1 – Filipe Toledo (BRA) 17.80
2 – Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 15.33
3 – Yago Dora (BRA) 14.37
4 – Owen Wright (AUS) 14.27
5 – Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.80
6 – Kelly Slater (USA) 13.70
7 – Frederico Morais (PRT) 13.67
8 – Conner Coffin (USA) 13.00

Click here for full leaderboard.

Women’s Surf Ranch Pro presented by Adobe Leaderboard Top 4:

1 – Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 14.83
2 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 13.57
3 – Isabella Nichols (AUS) 12.53
4 – Malia Manuel (HAW) 12.13

Click here for full leaderboard.

COVID-19 Updates
The health and safety of our athletes, staff and the local community are a top priority for the WSL and there are a robust set of procedures in place to keep everyone safe including testing for athletes and essential staff, and closing the event to general admission fans.

The WSL is dedicated to changing the world through the inspirational power of surfing by creating authentic events, experiences, and storytelling to inspire a growing, global community to live with purpose, originality, and stoke.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.