Surf -

Italo Ferreira Claims Victory at the 2018 MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal

After an exciting finals day at the 2018 MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Italo Ferreira is back in the Winner's Circle for the third time this season.

"I can't believe this is real...thank you to Portugal & everyone on the beach, my family, and my friends," said Italo in his post-heat interview. "I am living my dream - this is just the best feeling."

WInning every heat he was in during the entire event, Ferreira's giant-slaying freight train never let up - charging through the competition all the way to the finals - where he took out a surging Joan Duru.

After defeating the Portugal's hometown hero, Frederico Morais, in Round 1, Italo picked up right where he left off in Round 3 - narrowly defeating fellow Brazilian, Jesse Mendes, in a close heat decided by less than a point.

Italo carried that momentum right along, getting past Michel Bourez & World Title favorite, Gabriel Medina in the quarters & semifinals, before coming out on top in an epic final on the shores of Peniche.

Huge congrats to Italo Ferreira on an incredible run of surfing, and we can't wait to see what else is in store as we finish the 2018 season on the North Shore for the Billabong Pipe Masters.