Surfing phenomenon Filipe Toledo defied logic at Bells Beach in the same way that his stunning aerials appear to defy physics.
With most of the men's third round completed on Monday at the Rip Curl Pro, the consensus was that experience on this day would count for everything.
Bells Beach was at its trickiest, with competitors having to decide between the neighbouring breaks at the Bowl and Rincon.
Mick Fanning, a three-time winner at Bells, won in the third round heat by milking his local knowledge superbly.
Julian Wilson, a relative novice, bemoaned his lack of experience at the famous beach as he bowed out with a third-round loss.
Then came Toledo.
Less than a month after beating Wilson for a breakthrough win on the Gold Coast, the 19-year-old Brazilian lit up an overcast Bells Beach day.
He unleashed a series of outstanding aerial moves to dominate his heat against Hawaiian Sebastian Zietz.
Later in the day, also Toledo beat Frenchman Jeremy Flores and fellow Brazilian Jadson Andre to reach the quarter-finals.
"I don't think I've ever seen anyone that confident, ever," said Australian Taj Burrow, who won Bells in 2007 but bowed out on Wednesday in the third round.
"After winning his first event (last month), he's just walking around like he's the man now, which he is."
Toledo is well aware that after his blistering early-season form, everyone is watching him.
And he couldn't be happier.
"I don't know - I'm just having fun, I'm just going out there to do my best and doing what I really love to do.
"It's the best job I've ever had.
"After winning in 'Goldy', I feel really confident and comfortable to surf against these guys."
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