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Kelly Slater beaten by 16-year-old Australian Jacob Willcox | Kelly Slater beaten by 16-year-old Australian Jacob Willcox |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Sixteen-year-old Australian Jacob Willcox has announced himself on the world surfing scene by defeating 11-time world champion Kelly Slater. | Sixteen-year-old Australian Jacob Willcox has announced himself on the world surfing scene by defeating 11-time world champion Kelly Slater. |
The wildcard from Western Australia upstaged Slater in the opening round of the penultimate World Championship Tour event at Supertubos in Portugal. | The wildcard from Western Australia upstaged Slater in the opening round of the penultimate World Championship Tour event at Supertubos in Portugal. |
Willcox, who won the under-16 world title in June, was contesting his second WCT event as a wildcard after producing the best wave of the trials – an eight point barrel ride – to secure the coveted spot. | |
Just a newborn when 41-year-old Slater won the fifth of his world titles, Willcox showed he was not intimidated by reputation. | Just a newborn when 41-year-old Slater won the fifth of his world titles, Willcox showed he was not intimidated by reputation. |
"It was pretty fun out there. I got a couple of good ones," said Willcox. "I was stoked to get the opportunity to surf against those guys in the trials, let alone win [a heat] so I'm really happy. | "It was pretty fun out there. I got a couple of good ones," said Willcox. "I was stoked to get the opportunity to surf against those guys in the trials, let alone win [a heat] so I'm really happy. |
"I got a few waves out here yesterday so I knew the banks pretty well and this is my second time competing in a WCT so I just knew I had to keep calm and it worked out pretty well." | "I got a few waves out here yesterday so I knew the banks pretty well and this is my second time competing in a WCT so I just knew I had to keep calm and it worked out pretty well." |
Competing in one and a half metre waves, Wilcox opened strongly against Slater, finding a big left-hand barrel to net an 8.00 point ride. | Competing in one and a half metre waves, Wilcox opened strongly against Slater, finding a big left-hand barrel to net an 8.00 point ride. |
"Kelly [Slater] had priority and I was just up the beach a little bit more," Wilcox said. "This left came and I just pulled into it and got a pretty good score. That got me rolling through the heat and I managed to get a couple of other ones to back it up." | "Kelly [Slater] had priority and I was just up the beach a little bit more," Wilcox said. "This left came and I just pulled into it and got a pretty good score. That got me rolling through the heat and I managed to get a couple of other ones to back it up." |
Willcox won the three-man heat with 13.07 points for his best two rides to advance straight into round three while Slater had 9.60 and fellow American Kolohe Andino 5.50. | Willcox won the three-man heat with 13.07 points for his best two rides to advance straight into round three while Slater had 9.60 and fellow American Kolohe Andino 5.50. |
It meant Slater was relegated to a sudden death second round heat – as was Australia's Mick Fanning, who leads the world championship race from Slater. Fellow Australian Matt Wilkinson netted a 17.37 out of a possible 20 to defeat Fanning and wildcard Francisco Alves. | It meant Slater was relegated to a sudden death second round heat – as was Australia's Mick Fanning, who leads the world championship race from Slater. Fellow Australian Matt Wilkinson netted a 17.37 out of a possible 20 to defeat Fanning and wildcard Francisco Alves. |
Defending event champion Julian Wilson of Australia scored a convincing heat win, fresh off a quarter-final berth in France and sitting sixth on the ASP rankings. | Defending event champion Julian Wilson of Australia scored a convincing heat win, fresh off a quarter-final berth in France and sitting sixth on the ASP rankings. |
"I know I can do good here," said Wilson. "I really enjoy these waves and I know what boards have worked here in the past. I have a lot of experience cause I've won it here before, so I take it as a positive and will take it wave by wave." | "I know I can do good here," said Wilson. "I really enjoy these waves and I know what boards have worked here in the past. I have a lot of experience cause I've won it here before, so I take it as a positive and will take it wave by wave." |
Other heat one winners included Australians Joel Parkinson, Taj Burrow, Josh Kerr and Kai Otton, along with Hawaii's John John Florence. | Other heat one winners included Australians Joel Parkinson, Taj Burrow, Josh Kerr and Kai Otton, along with Hawaii's John John Florence. |
When competition resumes, first up will be 32-year-old Fanning against Alves in the opening heat of the elimination round two followed by Slater. | When competition resumes, first up will be 32-year-old Fanning against Alves in the opening heat of the elimination round two followed by Slater. |
Depending on results, the second-last stop on the 10-event 2013 ASP World Championship Tour might determine the 2013 world champion. | Depending on results, the second-last stop on the 10-event 2013 ASP World Championship Tour might determine the 2013 world champion. |
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