Hawaiian surfer Gabriela Bryan made waves at Western Australia's Margaret River Pro on Sunday, defeating California newcomer Sawyer Lindblad to win her first World Championship Tour event, and swarmed by a pod of dolphins and waves. shared.
Margaret River local Jack Robinson scored a spectacular victory over two-time world champion John John Florence from Hawaii in the men's final in a rematch of the tournament's 2022 final.
Robinson and Florence were the two form surfers in the event, and when the waves finally got good on the final day of the 11-day competition, they traded huge curves on the double overhead wall.
The decisive moment came midway through the final, when Robinson scored an impressive 9.10 out of 10 with two giant turns on the biggest wave of the day, then hit a high frontside air on the next wave for an 8.17. was recorded.
Florence continued to fight and recorded some nice waves of her own, but was unable to reel in the Western Australian, finishing with a score of 17.27 out of 20 to Florence's 16.04.
“That was the final I wanted and I wanted to give it everything I had. It's always fun to play against John, and I hope to continue to do many heats with him.'' He missed the event last year due to injury. Robinson, who missed the game, said.
The World Tour next heads to the tumultuous tubes of Te Aupoo, Tahiti. There, both Robinson and Florence will be among the favorites to compete for Olympic gold in just a few months.
Florence previously scored the event's only perfect 10 in the semi-final against Australian wildcard George Pitter, blowing his tail off and clinging to the board with the claw of one leg before recovering for several more turns.
Bryan, 22, and Lindblad, 18, had to travel to the hinterland of Margaret River to avoid mid-season cuts and secure a spot on the remainder of the 2024 Tour.
Lindblad sent out two-time world champion Tyler Wright in the semifinals, securing a spot above the cut line and heading into the final in great shape.
With several dolphins swooping around her, Brian hit a 7.83 with two powerful forehand turns to take a commanding lead.
“When I kicked out, I was just amazed! That wave was sent to me by someone, a dolphin inside. It was magical,” said Brian, who ran an even better 8.10 on his second scoring ride. marked.
“We had some good waves today and all the girls put on a really good show and I’m so happy. It’s insane, we just won!”
There will be fewer places in the final four World Tour events for both men and women, with 11-time world champion Kelly Slater and Australian veteran Sally Fitzgibbons set to miss out.
