Rip Curl MP Classic

Surfing Queensland
Duranbah, Gold Coast, Qld
5 - 6 February 2005

Shaun Gossman makes it a hat trick at Rip Curl MP Classic

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 09 February 2005: - - Gold Coast surfer Shaun Gossman took out an amazing hat trick of victories in todays Rip Curl MP Surf Classic which enjoyed high performance fun half meter waves at Duranbah Beach today.

The former South African junior and open surf champion moved to the Gold Coast permanently 2 years ago to provide better opportunities for himself as he settles into a full time open professional career and this event has been particuarly special to the talented natural foot surfer.

Delighted with his win today, after the final Gossman said " I can't believe I've taken a hat trick! It's a special event for me, not just because I keep winning it but more so because it honours a legendary surfer in MP - I think all young surfers are in awe of MP and want to win this event - it's a great start to my season for sure!"

Gossman stamped his authority on the final very early opening with a series of excellent waves and leaving his three rivals searching for combination scores to try and beat him! - Gossman's opening early 7 point ride was strong, but what followed was way stronger, posting an outstanding 9.6 second score 5 minutes into the final. Following that another excellent 8.25 ride just about sealed the final for him with all his three rivals requiring a massive 17.86 combination to beat him. Sunshine Coast surfer Jamie Thompson came back late with an excellent 8.25 but still required a 9.6 with only a couple of minutes remaining.

Gossman and Thompson were worthy first and second placed surfers at this event, both clearly stood out throughout the event as the surfers to beat. Thompson, while disappointed not winning was still happy with his overall performance and said - " I've felt strong throughout this event which goes well for the coming season - It's been a strong field and I've posted good scores all the way so I've got to be happy with my form here!"

Third place went to another Gold Coast surfer in Samba Mann with fourth place going to Sunshine Coast's Liegh Sedley.

Now in its fourth year, the Rip Curl MP Classic event is staged for the surfers of today to gather in honour of a truly legendary performer on the Queensland point-breaks and the international scene - Michael ‘MP’ Peterson.

The two-day contest is the perfect way to expose today’s best young surfers to the iconic history of MP and surfing in Queensland.

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Mark Flanagan

Contests - Surfersvillage