Tyler Wright and Filipe Toledo are crowned champions of the Vans US Open of Surfing. Image: ASP/Morris

Brazilian phenom Filipe Toledo continued to build on his rep as the world’s best small wave surfer with a win at last week’s highly coveted US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach.

Coming up against fellow Brazilian Willian Cardoso in the final, Toledo’s aerial combos proved too much for Cardoso despite the powerful natural footer chalking the highest scoring ride of the heat with a valiant display of backhand hooks in the peaky shoulder high surf.

“I’m super stoked and excited,” said Filipe Toledo. “It was an amazing heat against Willian. He’s been surfing really well the whole competition. I just turned my game to the air game so I could do what I love to do and it worked. I had to surf through a lot of pain with my ankle (following a sprain in Africa) and just put it out of my mind. I felt comfortable in these conditions. I won the junior in 2011 and was just feeling confident throughout the week.”

Cardoso’s second place finish moves the Brazilian to No. 12 on the ASP QS.

“I’m really happy with the result,” said Cardoso. “It’s a nice event. I’ve been surfing well all month and everything felt right but until now I haven’t got the result. This has given me confidence for the rest of the year. It’s amazing to be here and it will really help me at the other events.”

For the girls, it’s was Australia’s Tyler Wright who took out her final clash against five-time champ Stephanie Gilmore to claim her first victory of the season. With the event counting as a WCT for the women, the win has allowed the young Australian to battle her way back into the top 3 on the rankings.

“It’s been a long event and really enjoyable for me,” said Tyler Wright. “I wouldn’t be here without my team and they mean the world to me. All the girls have been ripping this entire event and it’s been wonderful to see. I felt really relaxed and comfortable and everything has gone really well for me this week and I loved it.”

Vans US Open of Surfing Men’s Final Results:

Filipe Toledo (BRA) 17.56 def. Willian Cardoso (BRA) 12.80

Vans US Open of Surfing Men’s Semifinal Results:

Semifinal 1: Willian Cardoso (BRA) 15.66 def. Adam Melling (AUS) 8.57
Semifinal 2: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 17.53 def. Brett Simpson (USA) 13.60

Vans US Open of Surfing Men’s Quarterfinal Results:

Quarterfinal 1: Willian Cardoso (BRA) 14.67 def. Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 14.37
Quarterfinal 2: Adam Melling (AUS) 15.60 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.67
Quarterfinal 3: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 14.93 def. Matt Banting (AUS) 12.33
Quarterfinal 4: Brett Simpson (USA) 13.83 def. Garrett Parkes (AUS) 11.43

Vans US Open of Surfing Women’s Final Results:

Tyler Wright (AUS) 14.77 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 13.16

Vans US Open of Surfing Women’s Semifinal Results:

Semifinal 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.17 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 8.70
Semifinal 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.10 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 14.03