Filipe Toledo Claims "Food Poisoning" for Pipeline Pull-Out, Surf World Calls B.S.
On Wednesday, the World Surf League kicked off the 2024 Championship Tour season at the world’s deadliest wave: Pipeline.
Although this format has been in play since 2021, it’s still strange to start the season at Pipeline rather than end it there. Sort of like having the Superbowl as the kickoff event in the NFL. Regardless, as countless storylines unfolded throughout the day, the surf world focused in on one. And it wasn’t a crazy wave ridden; rather it was the opposite.
Reigning world champion Filipe Toledo withdrew from the event after scoring a heat total of 1.77 (out of 20), citing “food poisoning” as the cause.
Of course, speculation ensued. Was Toledo actually sick? Or was he feigning illness due to fear of surfing bigger waves? The comments poured in, mainly supporting the latter theory, given the Brazilian’s history at certain waves on Tour like Teahupo’o, Tahiti.
Back in 2015, Toledo famously surfed a 0.00 heat at Teahupo’o. And that just so happens to be the location of this year’s Olympic surfing event, in which Toledo will be representing Brazil.
To the haters, however, Toledo clapped back following his withdrawal at Pipeline. In an Instagram story – awkwardly translated from Portuguese – he wrote:
“To the critics on duty, and the world champions who comment on social networks outside, believe what you want, I'm not here to prove anything to you!
“My health is my priority! To those cheering me on, thank you very much! We are together and we will be back better and stronger!”
The Olympics start in late July. A few months to practice. See you at Teahupo’o.
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