- 2017-06-15
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SPORTS
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Donate to support families affected by the crisis in Ukraine ➔ World Surf League: Matt Wilkinson Claims His First Victory of 2017 Season in Outerknown Fiji Pro
The Fifth Stop on WSL Championship, Outerknown Fiji Pro, Final Day saw Matt Wilkinson (AUS) competed against 2017 CT Rookie Connor O’Leary in Final in clean four-to-five foot waves.
Matt Wilkinson (AUS) defeated Julian Wilson (AUS), Ian Gouveia (BRA), Michel Bourez (PYF) in Roud 4, Quarterfinals and Semifinals.
While Connor O’Leary elminated 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) and 2012's World Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS) and advanced to Final. It is his best result this year.
In the Final, Matt Wilkinson focused on big wave, Connor O'Leary tried to catch middle size and to make tube sections.
Matt Wilkinson earned 8.57 and 8.30 points with big maneuver including speed, ripping and cutback. Meanwhile, Connor O’Leary made clear tube sections and gained 8.33 and 7.37 points. But he lacked of speed than Matt Wilkinson. Finally, Matt Wilkinson claimed his first victory of this season.
This result marks Matt Wilkinson moves up to top on the leaderboard. He will wear yellow Jeep Leader Jersey at next stop "Corona Open J-Bay" in South Africa.
And Connor O’Leary moved up 7th from 15th on the Jeep Leaderboard. The impressive performance from the young Australian sees him leading the 2017 WSL Rookie of the Year race and become the only rookie to make a final this year.
After the Final, winner Matt Wilkinson said;
“We’ve had an awesome week that started with pumping waves and then had some lay days. If you were going to have lay days anywhere, this is the place to do it. Happiness translates to results. I am so stoked. It definitely feels good to pick up momentum rather than to have the yellow Jeep Jersey to lose. Now I have it to keep. Thanks to everyone - all my support crew and everyone that has helped me."
Runner-up Connor O’Leary said;
“It was such a good final back-and-forth and I’m really glad we put on such a good show for everyone. Wilkinson’s a legend. He got second here last year so he really deserves the win - he’s been ripping. I’m going to do some training and then head to Ballito and J-Bay.”
Outerknown Fiji Men’s Pro Final Results:
Heat 1: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 16.60 def. Connor O’Leary (AUS) 15.70
Outerknown Fiji Men’s Pro Semifinals Results:
Heat 1: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.23 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 14.00
Heat 2: Connor O’Leary (AUS) 15.40 vs. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 8.36
Outerknown Fiji Men’s Pro Quarterfinals Results:
Heat 1: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 17.00 def. Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.30
Heat 2: Michel Bourez (PYF) 17.80 def. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 13.57
Heat 3: Connor O’Leary (AUS) 11.16 def. Joan Duru (FRA) 10.70
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.67 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 11.23
Outerknown Fiji Men’s Pro Round 5 Results:
Heat 1: Julian Wilson (AUS) 13. 34 def. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 7.34
Heat 2: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 14.83 def. Ian Gouveia (BRA) 11.33
Heat 3: Joan Duru (FRA) 17.33 def. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 12.50
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.57 def. Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 12.36
Outerknown Fiji Men’s Pro Round 4 Results:
Heat 1: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.27, Julian Wilson (AUS) 13.93, Ian Gouveia (BRA) 10.40
Heat 2: Michel Bourez (PYF) 15.73, Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 10.77, Italo Ferreira (BRA) 8.50
Heat 3: Connor O’Leary (AUS) 13.66, Joan Duru (FRA) 13.50, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 10.83
Heat 4: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 11.10, Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 5.54, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 4.67
All photos copyright by World Surf League.- source : World Surf League
