- 2017-08-14
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SPORTS
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Donate to support families affected by the crisis in Ukraine ➔ World Surf League: Billabong Pro Tahiti, Julian Wilson Claims His First Victory at Teahupo'o
The seventh stop on WSL Championship, Billabong Pro Tahiti Final Day watched Julian Wilson (AUS) claimed his first victory of this season at Teahupo'o in Tahiti. Runner-up was Gabriel Medina (BRA).
The Final ran in six-to-seven foot waves, Julian Wilson competed against Gabriel Medina. Both competitors defeated Kolohe Andino (USA) and Jordy Smith (ZAF) in the Semifinals, respectively.
Beginning of the Heat, Gabriel Medina caught several waves and earned 8.67 and 9.20 with total of 17.87, as well as leading the Heat. But Julian Wilson gained 8.10 and 9.30 points with total of 17.40 later, it became a close game.
One minutes half left, Julian Wilson showcased 9.73 points ride and made a comeback to win.
With his victory, Wilson jumps to No. 5 on the Jeep Leaderboard, while Medina moves up two spots to No. 7.
Also, Jordy Smith returned to the top of the Jeep Leaderboard for the first time since his win at J-Bay in 2011. In Round 5, current point leader Matt Wilkinson (AUS) defeated by Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) and dropped down to 3rd on the Jeep Leaderboard.
The next stop on the 2017 World Surf League Championship Tour will be the Hurley Pro and Swatch Women's Pro at Trestles.
The heated WSL Title race will continue in San Clemente, California as the world’s best surfers will take on Lower Trestles from September 6 through September 17, 2017.
Winner Julian Wilson said;
“It has been a few years. It is so special to win. I am ecstatic and I have nothing left in me. I am just so happy and relieved to finally win an event again. It took so many good waves to win this event and I was lucky enough to get those. I felt like I was trending in the right direction. I’ve had a pretty steady start to the year and I am so happy to be in the mix now. With so many events left, I am really looking forward to it. I was already enjoying myself on tour and even more so now. I cannot wait for the rest of the year. It was an awesome Final. With that 9, it was such a good wave and I was a little bit far in, but it was so nice that I wanted to make something special happen. I had plenty of time to get that 8.6. It really turned on for us in the Final and we had some great opportunities, so I am just glad to get that special one. Thank you to Gabby (Gabriel Medina) for an awesome Final. We seem to have these amazing match-ups in the Final and we didn’t disappoint. It has been such a special few days and I think we finished in the best conditions. We had a good battle and I am just so happy.”
Runner-up Gabriel Medina said;
“I am stoked to make another Final against Julian (Wilson). He has been surfing really well the whole event and I think it is a little harder on your backhand, so good job to him. I am stoked. It feels good to be back in the game and now I am thinking about Trestles. I am happy. It is Father’s Day in Brazil and my dad is here, so that was a good present.”
Billabong Pro Tahiti Final Results:
F 1: Julian Wilson (AUS) 18.96 2 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 17.87
Billabong Pro Tahiti Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.16 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 13.90
SF 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 14.26 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 7.33
Billabong Pro Tahiti Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 18.23 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 13.94
QF 2: Kolohe Andino (USA) 14.33 def. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 7.67
QF 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.50 def. John John Florence (HAW) 13.10
QF 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.16 def. Joan Duru (FRA) 9.00
Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 5 Results:
Heat 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.37 def. Connor O'Leary (AUS) 11.66
Heat 2: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 15.50 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 12.00
Heat 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.93 def. Conner Coffin (USA) 11.40
Heat 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) 14.24 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 10.60
Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 4 Results:
Heat 1: Owen Wright (AUS) 14.50, Connor O'Leary (AUS) 13.40, Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 13.40
Heat 2: Kolohe Andino (USA) 13.37, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 12.50, Gabriel Medina (BRA) 6.00
Heat 3: John John Florence (HAW) 15.70, Conner Coffin (USA) 7.90, Julian Wilson (AUS) 4.00
Heat 4: Joan Duru (FRA) 12.33, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 11.43, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 8.40
All photos copyright by World Surf League.- source : World Surf League
