What a Day! The Roxy Pro rapped up and last years world champ Stephanie Gilmore started the year out with the perfect start. Taking out the first contest of the year over runner up Melanie Bartels.
On the other side the Quiky Pro started into round three and the biggest upset of the day was Julian Wilson over 9x world champ Kelly Slater. Julian started quickly out of the gate and didn’t look back leaving Kelly wave starved and needing a 7+ point ride to come back. Time & tide got the better of him in the end with the ocean not delivering the waves he needed to fight back before the heat ended.
It was a perfect day weather wise with blue skys and beautiful clean blue water. The crowd was huge on the beach espesially when kelly was in the water. He exited the water down at rainbow bay and the crowd just followed him. Mobbed by thousands of admiring fans, all the way back to the contest site. I don’t know anyone else that has that sort of magnetic pulling power. Julian Wilson who was the star of the heat was left alone in comparison. He must have been over the moon though having just beaten the biggest name in surfing history so far.
Its looking interesting with cyclone Hamish making its way down the coast. We should be seeing the effects of this system sometime in the next 24hrs or so. It should bring some good solid waves, but it may also bring the ugly winds and rain.
Mick Fanning & Joel Parkinson nailed their heats with solid wins and you could see the experience of their local break paying dividends.
So the Aussies are in good position so lets hope they take it all the way.
Till next time,
Scott
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