Finals day down at the Quiky/Roxy Pro and the call was made to surf the famous barrelling point break Kirra. The massive crowd lined every vantage point and witnessed pumping waves in the 6-8ft size courtesy of Ex-Tropical Cyclone, light up the event with the worlds best men and women taking professional surfing to the next level.
Again the big seeds fell to the rookies on tour with last years winner Owen Wright eliminated in the quarter finals by a refreshed Ace Buchan and the bookies favourite Filipe Toledo taken down by fellow countryman Tomas Hermes.
Californian rookie Griffin Colapinto scored the only perfect 10 point ride taking down ‘The Spartan’ Michel Bourez with eventual winner, Sunshine Coast’s Julian Wilson moving into the semi finals over Brazil’s Michael Rodrigues.
Perfect 10! ?? Griffin Colapinto #QuikPro
Posted by World Surf League on Wednesday, 14 March 2018
The Semi finals saw the end of the rookies dominating performance with tour veterans Julian Wilson up against Ace Buchan.
Julian’s first wave, a meaty looking barrel scored a 9.93 with Ace’s backhand tube riding on form, clocking up an 6.50, with Julian answering back with a 7.50 and putting Ace in combo land. Super cool Ace, tube pigged and amazing ride at 8.60 but wasn’t enough to get the winners cheque.
That’s one way to start a Final ? Quiksilver
Posted by World Surf League on Wednesday, 14 March 2018
The Women’s semi finals was highly anticipated with the call to surf the famous Kirra point. Another Sunshine Coaster was still in the draw up against Sally Fitzgibbons which finished in a small scoring heat win for Keely. An inform Malia Manuel coming back from injury couldn’t find her rhythm that led her to the semi’s losing to Californian Lakey Peterson.
With the Women’s final set, Lakey Peterson jumped out of the blocks and took the lead from the start and with two high scoring waves, left Keely in combination needing 15.67 to take over the lead. Lakey having taken out the final , leads the rankings heading into Bells.
Lakey Peterson | Roxy Pro Gold Coast Winner
Congratulations Lakey Peterson, winner of the 2018 Roxy Pro Gold Coast! ?
?”I want” by RUBY FIELDS
Posted by World Surf League on Wednesday, 14 March 2018
Julian for the first time will wear the yellow jersey and Keely at No. 2 on the women’s tour ,putting the world on notice that the Sunshine Coast surfer’s are one to be reckoned with.