Medina Extends Rankings Lead After Teahupo'o Victory

Gabriel Medina delivered one of the most technically complete performances of the Championship Tour season at Teahupo'o last week, taking the event title and extending his rankings lead to more than three thousand points over second-placed Italo Ferreira.

Medina's tube-riding in the final was exceptional even by the standards of what many consider the world's heaviest wave. He connected a deep backdoor entry with a critical exit section in the opening exchanges that judges scored at a 9.73, the highest single-wave score of the event.

The victory is Medina's fourth this season, putting him on track for a fourth world title. He will need to avoid a catastrophic result at the two remaining events — Margaret River Pro and the Rip Curl WSL Finals in San Clemente — to secure the championship.

Women's division leader Molly Picklum also won at Teahupo'o, maintaining a commanding lead in the female rankings heading into the back half of the season.