- WSL / Damien Poullenot
- WSL / Damien Poullenot

For the second straight year, Kolohe Andino has bounced back from a disappointing result at Trestles and re-found the form that has him positioned in the Top 10 on the Jeep Leaderboard. His Semifinal appearance at the Quiksilver Pro France two weeks ago echoes a string of three straight 3rd-place results that he used to finish his 2016 season flying high. A number of strong performances so far in Peniche, including an absolute Backdoor-like keg in Round Two, appear to mark the return of the Californian's crackling form.

Andino Gets Payback, Sends World Title Race to Hawaii
7:16
The Californian gets payback on John John Florence in the Quarterfinals, ending Florence's shot of clinching in Portugal.

Matched against World Champ and Jeep Leader John John Florence in the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal's Round Four non-elimination heats, Andino's electric, above-the-lip attack forced the current No. 1 ranked surfer on Tour to pull a rabbit out his Monster Energy cap -- a long tube on the buzzer to scrape through to the Quarterfinals.

Kolohe Andino of the USA advances to Round Four of the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal after defeating Italo Ferreira of Brazil in Heat 4 of Round Three at Supertubos, Peniche, Portugal. Just like surfing T-Street, at home in San Clemente. - WSL / Laurent Masurel

Fired up and focused (will he set the single event record for number of post-ride claims?), despite the tight loss, Andino took the time, and incentive, after his Round Four loss to visit the judging tower to see just what it is they're looking for in conditions that feature both tubes and ramps. Like a true pro, he used that insight to great effect in his Round Five victory, dominating rookie Leo Fioravanti from the get-go.

Kolohe Andino (USA) won his heat 2 Round Five at MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal 2017 in Peniche, Portugal This huge f/s 540 punt scored a 9.63 in Andino's Round Five win. - WSL / Laurent Masurel

The fruit of his labor? Another mano-à-mano battle with Florence in the Quarters, where Andino finally got some payback on his old buddy, beating him for the first time. The win couldn't have come at a better time, too. By taking Florence out in the Quarterfinals Andino ended John's hopes of clinching another World Title in Portugal. The Jeep Leader will now have to take care of that issue at home in Hawaii, where he'll have his hands full with Gabriel Medina, Jordy Smith and Julian Wilson.

Kolohe Andino Tames Supertubos
1:05
The Californian opened his Round Two heat with a 9.07 for a steep drop into a throaty barrel in Peniche.
World Surf League
Download it for free on the App store. Download it for free on Google Play.