Finals day the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach brought with it impeccable conditions, incredible drama, and an interference call, followed by a reversal. In the final seconds of Filipe Toledo and Ezekiel Lau's Round Four heat, Lau was leading, and sitting in priority, followed by Toledo in second place, and Adriano de Souza in third.
In the closing seconds of the heat Toledo took off on a last gasp attempt. Zeke, holding priority, decided to drop in on him, which the rules allow him to do with priority. But, because the judges thought the horn blew after Toledo got to his feet, and before Zeke got to his, they called an interference on Lau.
According to the WSL Rulebook, "Once a heat has ended all priority ceases. If a surfer is riding on a wave as the heat ends they can't be interfered with by any surfer (even if that Surfer had higher priority before the heat ended). If an interference occurs the violating Surfer will receive a priority situation interference."
The judges, who had a glitch with their audio syncing, didn't hear the horn sound after Zeke stood up. Filipe became the winner.
Fans were in an uproar. Filipe was ecstatic. But perhaps no one had more at stake than the Hawaiian rookie, who submitted a formal protest to the judges -- albeit with poise and maturity. And sure enough, after some investigation, the judges discovered that Zeke hadn't interfered after all. In a rare instance, they reversed their decision: Zeke was named the winner and advanced to the Quarters. Filipe surfed again in Round Five, and won.
Head Judge Rich Porta joined the broadcast team to explain the incident.
Zeke Lau's Rare Reversal of Fortune Explained
WSL
Finals day the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach brought with it impeccable conditions, incredible drama, and an interference call, followed by a reversal. In the final seconds of Filipe Toledo and Ezekiel Lau's Round Four heat, Lau was leading, and sitting in priority, followed by Toledo in second place, and Adriano de Souza in third.
In the closing seconds of the heat Toledo took off on a last gasp attempt. Zeke, holding priority, decided to drop in on him, which the rules allow him to do with priority. But, because the judges thought the horn blew after Toledo got to his feet, and before Zeke got to his, they called an interference on Lau.
According to the WSL Rulebook, "Once a heat has ended all priority ceases. If a surfer is riding on a wave as the heat ends they can't be interfered with by any surfer (even if that Surfer had higher priority before the heat ended). If an interference occurs the violating Surfer will receive a priority situation interference."
The judges, who had a glitch with their audio syncing, didn't hear the horn sound after Zeke stood up. Filipe became the winner.
Fans were in an uproar. Filipe was ecstatic. But perhaps no one had more at stake than the Hawaiian rookie, who submitted a formal protest to the judges -- albeit with poise and maturity. And sure enough, after some investigation, the judges discovered that Zeke hadn't interfered after all. In a rare instance, they reversed their decision: Zeke was named the winner and advanced to the Quarters. Filipe surfed again in Round Five, and won.
Head Judge Rich Porta joined the broadcast team to explain the incident.
Up Next
The Big Wave Tour is placing the Nazaré Challenge on Yellow Alert with a projected swell headed towards the region.
More Videos
XL swell and perfect conditions are expected for Friday, November 16 in Nazaré, Portugal.
The Big Wave Tour is placing the Nazaré Challenge on Yellow Alert with a projected swell headed towards the region.
Catch up on the highest scores and the best moments from opening day in Haleiwa.
World Champion Vs. Pipe Master Vs. Explosive Talent ... who will win it all at Pipe?
With the completion of Round 1, the WSL desk crew breaks down the first day of the Hawaiian Pro.
Quarterfinalists decided at Birubi Beach.
Check in with the WSL desk crew as they open up this year's Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa.
Men's QS1,000 Final Day Action
Top Seeds Take Over Birubi
Michel Bourez is the second Tahitian to qualify for the CT in '09, and only one of five to have won every stop of the Triple Crown.
The Australian's journey back to the Championship Tour has been one of tragedy and perseverance.
Jordy Lawler takes victory on Phillip Island
Finals day action at the QS3000 in Maresias.
India Robinson takes victory on Phillip Island
Penguin Parade turns on for day 2 of competition
Excellent waves for finals day at the QS1500 in Punta de Lobos, Chile.
Cape Woolamai turns on for the opening day of competition
Catch all the action coming out of the QS3000 in Maresias.
Some of the best moments from the second day of the QS1500 in Chile
With a World Title on the line relive all the upsets, buzzer beaters and powerful beachbreak surfing -- premiering Nov. 3 on Facebook.
Excellent waves rolled through the famed Punta de Lobos on day 1 at Pichilemu.
See the Inertia's newest film project that details surfing's fight against apartheid in South Africa.
Top action from the second day of the QS3000 in Maresias.
Local boy Kiron Jabour earns first QS win in his backyard.
In the water the best surfers from around the world also showed all their talent.