Wilson wins Portugal; Parko still No 1

Julian Wilson event champion © aSP/Cestari

Rip Curl Pro Portugal

Julian Wilson wins in Portugal. Parko still No 1

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 19 October, 2012 : - - Supertubos, Peniche, Portugal – Julian Wilson defeaated Gaberiel Medina in the dying seconds of a historic Final today to take out the Rip Curl Pro Portugal and claiming his maiden ASP World Championship Tour victory in 3 foot waves at Supertubos. The event played a pivotal role in the hunt for the 2012 ASP World Title, culminating today between the two young superstars.

Medina and Wilson went blow-for-blow in today’s Final in front of a packed audience at Supertubos. While Medina favored a technical approach to the heat, executing a number of progressive maneuvers, it was Wilson’s barrel sense and combination ability to ultimately crown Wilson in the final moments. Wilson’s final wave, a multi-section barrel followed by a number of turns, came in at an 8.43 and tipped the heat in his favor with no time left on the clock.

Both surfers arrived to the shoreline without knowing who had won the Final. Today’s win vaults Wilson to No. 6 on the ASP WCT rankings and sets him amongst the very best surfers in the world. Medina, who had been in form throughout the entire event, was commanding in the hard-fought Final, but was unable to close the door on Wilson. An emotional Medina couldn't hide his dispointment.

Adriano de Souza smashed through Jeremy Flores in the Quarterfinals but was unable to fight back from Wilson’s early heat blitzkrieg in the Semifinals. Today’s Equal 3rd place finish bumps De Souza from 6th to 5th on the ASP WCT rankings.

Joel Parkinson continued his standout performances at Supertubos, besting lethal rookie John John Florence in the Quarterfinals. Parkinson was unable to find a rhythm against Medina in the Semifinals and had to settle for Equal 3rd. Parkinson’s Equal 3rd in Peniche further solidifies his frontrunner status on the ASP WCT rankings. Though disappointed, Parkinson acknowledged he had improved his overall position.

Parkinson added he was aware of how key the win was over Florence. The 2012 Rip Curl Pro Portugal bore witness to the elimination of top seeds Kelly Slater and Mick Fanning in yesterday’s actions, opening up the 2012 ASP World Title Race.

RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.26
2 – Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.37

RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.80 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 5.27
SF 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 19.27 vs. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 5.90

RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.60 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 10.67
QF 2: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.07 def. John John Florence (HAW) 11.23
QF 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.13 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 14.34
QF 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.57 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 9.80

RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL REMAINING ROUND 5 RESULT:
Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 7.34 def. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 3.34

ASP WCT TOP 5 (After Rip Curl Pro Portugal):
1. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 52,700 pts
2. Kelly Slater (USA) 47,200 pts
3. Mick Fanning (AUS) 47,000 pts
4. John John Florence (HAW) 44,350 pts
5. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 37,650 pts