2017 CT Rookie Frederico Morais (PRT) upset the competition with a massive win over 2014 WSL Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) in the opening heat of Round 3. Medina kicked things off with a 13.57 combined score, while Morais got to work with a 13.94. Medina was not able to find the 6.38 required to regain control and will fall out of the draw in Equal 13th place. This win marks Morais’ first Round 4 berth of his rookie season. “I knew it was going to be a really aggressive heat because Gabriel [Medina] is a formidable opponent,” Morais said. “We were both hassling for the inside at the beginning of the heat so it was intense in the first few minutes. Luckily I got the first good wave. Getting an excellent score at the start put me in a comfortable position that I could just build on. I don’t want to get to ahead of myself. I’m just really pumped to keep surfing because the waves are so fun. Hopefully I can continue to put a show on for all of the people that come down to Bells Beach.” Video (C) WSL