Yeah Wilko!

Australians Matt Wilkinsonand Tyler Wright emerged victorious today, claiming the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast titles respectively, in clean three-to-four foot (1 metre) waves at Snapper Rocks.

The opening events on the 2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour, the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by BOQ showcased the world’s best surfing, massive upsets and a significant tone-setting for the season ahead.

Wilkinson’s victory today marked his maiden on the elite Championship Tour with the Australian putting on an exciting performance throughout the event, pushing scorelines and knocking out top-seeded opponents. The goofy-footer unleashed a variety of technical maneuvers to solidify his position atop the ranks of the Jeep Leaderboard. Wilkinson previously dispatched reigning World Champion Adriano De Souza (BRA) and last year’s event winner, Filipe Toledo (BRA).

Wilkinson faced Kolohe Andino (USA) in the Final and the frontside verse backside match-up did not disappoint. The two battled wave for wave, with multiple lead changes throughout. Wilkinson took an early lead with an 8.60 opening score and held off Andino until halfway through. Andino took the lead and stayed busy as the time ticked down, while Wilkinson waited for a wave. The Australian’s patience paid off with a 5.60 point ride at the six minute mark to regain the lead. With thirty seconds left on the clock Andino caught a wave to chase the 7.38 score needed, but Andino’s efforts were not enough. Wilkinson won the event 14.22 to 13.66.

“I started this year with a win in the Qualifying Series and to win this event felt amazing. I did not expect this but I was hoping for it,” said Wilkinson. “My heat against Adriano is the kind of heat where I usually lose. I just got the score right at the end and it gave me the fire to make me feel like the ocean was on my side. I surfed well with so much pressure on, and I knew I hadn’t gotten a great Snapper wave this whole event, and that first wave of the Final had two really nice sections at the start. I am so stoked to win.”

“I was hoping to make it in the top five or ten this year, and I have been at the back end of the teens for the last few years, so this is a different start,” continued Wilkinson. “I feel like I have matured a lot in my heat surfing and in my surfing in general. Hopefully I can put a lot of heats together this year and win the Title.”

“There are so many great surfers that went out early in this event or did not make the final, so I am stoked, but obviously I wanted to win that final really bad,” Andino said. “I guess it is like the first loser, so it is going to fire me up even more. I am excited for the rest of the year. Obviously, I’ve got big goals and big plans, but it’s a long year. I’m trying to stay even-keeled with my attitude in surfing.”

The final match-up of the Roxy Pro Gold Coast saw Tyler Wright (AUS) battle Courtney Conlogue (USA) in an epic clash. Wright looked smooth and powerful, claiming a win at the first event of the season and climbing the Jeep Leaderboard ranks to earn the top spot. Throughout the competition, Wright stayed focused and committed, winning each heat leading up to the Final. Today was the 10th match-up for Wright and Conlogue, adding a 7th win to Wright’s tally.

Wright and Conlogue went wave for wave to start the heat, but Wright continued to outperform her previous wave scores to give her a control halfway through the Final. Wright showcased her powerful rail-to-rail surfing, with a clean and precise rhythm. Wright landed a 14.67 over Conlogue’s 10.94 to give Wright her second Roxy Pro Gold Coast Title. Wright will wear the yellow jersey going into Bells. This was Conlogue’s highest finish at this event, as it was her first Finals appearance on the Gold Coast.

“The last few months and everything that has happened, it has been such an experience and a crazy one. It brought so much clarity for me and simplified everything so I could come here and absolutely be my best on the day. It made me realize that I want to win a World Title and I want to do it my way.”

“I want to verse the best, and Steph (Gilmore), Carissa (Moore), Courtney (Conlogue) and all the girls on Tour, they are all the best. I just want to do my own thing. I’ve known for a long time that I could win and it is having that belief and going out in heats saying ‘Yes, you’ve got this – just get it done.’”

“I want to thank Micro [Glen Hall] for being in my corner and helping me out, as well as my family and Rip Curl and everyone who came down today and supported us. It has been absolutely incredible so thanks.”

“It was an amazing final as I always wanted to have a heat against Tyler, and she surfed absolutely stellar,” said Conlogue. “ I’m really looking forward to being at Bells and starting over again. I thought every heat was a challenge posing obstacles I had to overcome. Your biggest challenge is usually you and the ocean and trying to get yourself on the right waves and creating those opportunities to perform. I am happy to be out here. To be able to surf Snapper with only a few women out there is amazing.”

Filipe Toledo (BRA), defending Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Champ and favorite to win the event, was injured after trying to perform an air-reverse in the Semifinals. Toledo fought through his injury to score a 13.27, but Matt Wilkinson (AUS) came back with a 14.43 two-wave combined score, earning a 6.60 in his last wave to advance to the Finals.

“I went for the air on the last maneuver of the wave and when I was landing the wave just came up on my board and put the pressure on my leg, which went up and sideways,” Toledo said. “I kept surfing after that and it was painful. But now I am good. I am not dying at all, I am just feeling a lot of pain. Besides that, I am happy with my result. I was surfing good and the board was good.”

In a major upset, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) knocked out reigning World Champion, Adriano De Souza (BRA), in the Quarterfinal match-up. De Souza began the heat with a relaxed approach, where Wilkinson took an early lead, but De Souza snagged the lead right back from Wilkinson. Needing a strong second-wave score to defeat the World Champion, Wilkinson caught a buzzer-beater giving him a 0.43 edge to eliminate De Souza.

“He [Matt Wilkinson] has been surfing good with a nice rhythm as well,” De Souza said. “It was a tough heat. He got the score he needed right at the end. I’ll just keep fighting. It is another result where I’ll walk away thinking I can do better, I can improve. I’m definitely hunting for a good result at Bells.”

Stuart Kennedy (AUS) continued his streak of upsets as he eliminated John John Florence (HAW) from the competition with a buzzer-beater ride in the last heat of the Quarters. Kennedy, who gained entry into the event as an injury replacement, earned a 15.23 combined two-wave score to defeat Florence’s 14.00.

“I learned so much coming out of last year and I’m putting it all together this year and figuring out how it all fits together,” Florence said. “The Quarters isn’t a super bad result at all. I am confident going into the next events. I love Bells and Margaret. I am looking forward to doing some carves.”

Carissa Moore (HAW), reigning WSL World Champion and last year’s event winner, was defeated by long-time rival Tyler Wright (AUS) in the Quarterfinals. Moore was not able to find a second wave score to answer back to Wright’s 8.50. Wright beat the three-time World Champion 14.17 to 14.00 despite a strong event showing from Moore who swept all heats leading up to the Quarterfinals.

“Two minutes to go, I still feel like that was a lot of time,” said Moore. “Just the way that the waves were coming in I was losing a little bit of faith there, but wanted to fight all the way to the end. I am stoked for Tyler. It is good to see she is surfing really well and she’s in rhythm with the ocean. I think for me the most disappointing part of it is that I never felt like I opened up the entire event. It’s just one of those events where I didn’t feel like I really clicked. I am super stoked to start off the year with the semis, not bad.”

Highlights from the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast will be webcast LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com.

For more information, log onto WorldSurfLeague.com   

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Final Results:
1 – Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.20
2 – Kolohe Andino (USA) 13.66

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Final Results:
1 – Tyler Wright (AUS) 14.67
2 – Courtney Conlogue (USA) 10.94

Quik Pro Reaches The Sharp End…

Competition continued today at the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by BOQ with an action packed day at Snapper Rocks. Silky smooth 3 to 4 foot (1.5 meter) waves rolled into Rainbow Bay, providing the perfect canvas for the world’s best to battle for a chance to compete on finals day.

The first stop on the 2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast bore witness to the world’s best surfing once again today as major results and huge upsets unfolded in front of thousands on the beach and millions watching around the world.

The opening Quarterfinal match-up saw a battle between Tyler Wright (AUS) and Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), six-time World Champion and five-time event winner. Gilmore and Wright fought hard for the lead after tying their first wave scores. Wright came out on top by earning a 6.50 point ride to eliminate Gilmore by 1.27 points.

“This year I feel different,” said Wright. “I’ve come into this year different with a coach, and I’m ready to take on Steph and Carissa and girls like that. I asked Micro [Glen Hall] to come on and help me. In the past I was definitely not open to a coach, and it took me a long time to realize that I could actually learn more. It has been an easy transition, because with Micro it is a balance between having fun and going out there and doing what you are best at.”

Carissa Moore (HAW), reigning WSL World Champion and last year’s event winner, defeat compatriot Malia Manuel (HAW) in the Heat 2 of the Quarterfinals. Moore came out with an early lead, creating a 2.93 gap that Manuel was unable to close.

“I was actually really nervous going into that heat because I knew the high tide was coming and I knew it was slowing down,” Moore said. “I feel comfortable when there are lots of waves and we just get to surf, but when it comes down to wave selection, I think that is my biggest weakness and Malia really thrives on that. I was just trying to be patient and wait for the good ones that had the wall, but also stay busy.”

Courtney Conlogue (USA) went up against Sage Erickson (USA) in the Quarterfinal match-up, and with a semifinal spot on the line, both competitors gave their all to advance. Conlogue showcased her power game and took an early lead to hold off the fellow Californian with 15.17 points. Erickson put up a 10.00 two-wave combined score, but could not find the waves to defeat Conlogue.

“I just thinking ‘come on, you can get into the semis’ and I think it was just a matter of getting on the right waves and getting on the opportunities that allowed me to let loose,” Conlogue said after her heat. “These conditions are incredible with the low tide pushing out and it is so fun being out there. I am just trying to get through so I can surf more.”

Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), 2015 WSL Rookie of the Year, took on Johanne Defay (FRA) in the last heat of the Quarterfinals. Defay pulled off a major technical maneuver in the heat to lock in a 7.17 point ride. Weston-Webb struggled to fight off Defay’s 12.50 two-wave combined score and close the 2.96 gap needed to advance to the next round.

“I am trying to go big with innovation and I just felt like I had nothing else to do on this wave, so I just tried and it went well,” said Defay. “I am very happy and there’s not a lot of times where I am innovating in the heat, so it was good timing.”

Adriano De Souza (BRA), reigning WSL World Title holder, defeated 2016 WSL Rookie, Conner Coffin (USA), in Round 5 Heat 2. Coffin opened the heat with a solid 8.00 ride, surfing sharp and clean, but was unable to find a second score to match-up. Coffin held priority for 85% of the heat, but De Souza worked away at the inside to gain a 0.99 point lead over the rookie.

“I needed to fight so hard in order to come back in this heat,” De Souza said after advancing to the Quarterfinals. “Conner is a super talented kid and he started the heat pretty well with that 8. I realized that when I have the opportunity I have to push as hard as I can every single turn.”

Injury replacements Stuart Kennedy (AUS) and Sebastian Zietz (HAW) faced off in the last heat of Round 5. Both surfers caused massive upsets earlier in the event, and the showdown between the two did not disappoint. Throughout the heat Kennedy kept increasing wave scores forcing Zietz to chase his lead. Kennedy eliminated Zietz with a 17.67 combined two-wave score.

“It is good to finally let loose on that one,” Kennedy said. “I felt a lot more comfortable and glad the waves turned on in that heat.”

Joel Parkinson (AUS), hometown hero and 2012 WSL World Title winner, defeat 2016 WSL Rookie, Caio Ibelli (BRA), in a close match-up. Ibelli surfed with lots of variety, notably completing a huge layback hack, but it was Parkinson who answered back with two solid 8 point rides.

“We both got an opportunity or two,” Parkinson said. “Caio’s waves probably did not have the length. He ripped on them and had good starts on them, but they just didn’t have the legs the rest of the way. I hadn’t had a heat where I had two 8s, but I wanted to really put a heat together with a big total.”

Adrian Buchan (AUS) set a tough pace against 18 year old rookie, Kanoa Igarashi (AUS). Buchan earned a towering 16.04 two-wave combined score to defeat Igarashi. Igarashi tried to deliver aggressive moves, but could not find a rhythm to advance.

“I give him [Kanoa Igarashi] a lot of respect.” Buchan said. “I didn’t give him an inch and I just wanted to use all of my experience in that heat. I knew it was going to be slow, but I knew there would be good waves if I was patient and I managed to pick two good ones.”

Keely Andrew (AUS), 2016 WSL Rookie, and Bronte Macaulay (AUS), who gained entry into the competition as an injury replacement, were knocked out of the competition in Round 4 by Sage Erickson (USA) and Malia Manuel (HAW) respectively.

The WSL Commissioner’s Office will reconvene tomorrow morning at 6:30am to assess conditions for a possible 7am start.

Highlights from the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast will be webcast LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com.

For more information, log onto WorldSurfLeague.com   

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Remaining Round 4 Results:
Heat 3: Kolohe Andino (USA) 16.10, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 15.74, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 15.33
Heat 4: John John Florence (HAW) 11.90, Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 11.43, Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 4.74

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 5 Results:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.07 def. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 12.66
Heat 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.76 def. Conner Coffin (USA) 12.77
Heat 3: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 16.04 def. Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 9.87
Heat 4: Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 17.67 def. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 10.77

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Quarterfinal Match-Ups:
QF 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
QF 2: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Adriano de Souza (BRA)
QF 3: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
QF 4: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Stuart Kennedy (AUS)

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Round 4 Results:
Heat 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.43 def. Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 15.24
Heat 2: Malia Manuel (HAW) 18.03 def. Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 16.66
Heat 3: Sage Erickson (USA) 12.90 def. Keely Andrew (AUS) 9.57
Heat 4: Johanne Defay (FRA) 15.50 def. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 8.93

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 15.10 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 13.83
QF 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 12.50 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 9.57
QF 3: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 15.17 def. Sage Erickson (USA) 10.00
QF 4: Johanne Defay (FRA) 12.50 def. Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 9.54

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Semifinal Match-Ups:
SF 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Carissa Moore (HAW)
SF 2: Courtney Conlogue (USA) vs. Johanne Defay (FRA)