A huge congratulations to Ethan Ewing for finishing runner-up to Filipe Toledo at the WSL Finals. It was a career-best result for Ewing and remarkable comeback from the multiple vertebrae fractures he suffered in a Tahiti wipeout in early August.
In the exciting match up with the Brazilian, Ewing showed no signs of his frightening back injury. As reported by the WSL, Ewing wasn’t to be stopped and put on a world-class display from start to finish with numerous excellent scores before Toledo stole the show in their World Title showdown.
In the men’s Title Match 1, a critical first exchange put Toledo into a slight lead, earning a 7.33 to Ewing’s 7.00. Fireworks followed from both competitors. Toledo’s combination of a major outside maneuver to a soaring finish garnered a near-perfect 9.00. Ewing’s signature power surfing garnered an 8.50. In the last exchange, Toledo again defeated Ewing with an 8.97 to Ewing’s 8.73.
In their second Title Match, Toledo kept busy and accrued a 12.57 heat total (out of a possible 20) before Ewing had a chance to strike back. Ewing’s 7.67 kept his hopes alive heading into the final minutes, but fell on his last opportunity.
“A lot of physio, a lot of good people around me keeping me positive,” Ewing said earlier in the day of his recovery.
“Their support’s been huge; a lot of people were writing me off and saying I’d be done this year but here I am.
“I love it, keep it coming. I’ve been the underdog my whole career, so keep it going.”
Earlier this year, Ewing achieved one of his dreams of winning the Pro Bells Beach, an event his mother, Helen Lambert, won 40 years prior. He then went on to make the Finals at Rio and J-Bay.
Congrats too, to Tyler Wright, Molly Picklum and Jack Robinson for an incredible season and outstanding performances in the Finals.
Caroline Marks (USA) won her first world title, upsetting five-time champion and top seed Carissa Moore (HAW) in the final after earlier beating Wright.
2023 Rip Curl WSL Finals Women’s Results:
Women’s Title Match, Heat 2: Caroline Marks (USA) 14.60 DEF. Carissa Moore (HAW) 13.53
Women’s Title Match, Heat 1: Caroline Marks (USA) 17.10 DEF. Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.97
Women’s Match 3: Caroline Marks (USA) 17.40 DEF. Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.70
Women’s Match 2: Caroline Marks (USA) 11.67 DEF. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 10.36
Women’s Match 1: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 15.17 DEF. Molly Picklum (AUS) 12.17
2023 Rip Curl WSL Finals Men’s Results:
Men’s Title Match, Heat 2: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 14.27 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 12.37
Men’s Title Match, Heat 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 17.97 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 17.23
Men’s Match 3: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 17.10 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 15.96
Men’s Match 2: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 17.60 DEF. Joao Chianca (BRA) 14.57
Men’s Match 1: Joao Chianca (BRA) 15.33 DEF. Jack Robinson (AUS) 11.87
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