The Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy got off to an incredible start today with
racy overhead walls at Sultans providing the perfect canvas for some of
surfings finest artisans to go to work on their single fins, in the first of
three surfboard divisions. In a rematch of the 2012 Pipeline Masters final,
which served as Australian Joel Parkinsons world title coronation, Parkinson
came up against lifelong friend and fellow Australian, Josh Kerr. "Dont get me
started on the judging at Pipe in that one!" laughed a fired-up Kerr before
todays showdown.
Parkinson has long been
considered the most stylish surfer of his generation, and that theory escalates
further when he rides a single-fin. This years competitors have come armed
with modern takes on the staple surfboard design of the 60s and 70s, and
Parkinson put on a high performance display from the start in the final,
signalling his intentions with a big aerial on his opening wave to lock in a
7.33, backed up soon after with an 8.43 to place one hand on the trophy at the
halfway mark. It wasnt to be, however, as defending event champion Kerr
stormed home with an 8.50 for a series of explosive manoeuvres, then a 7.90 for
a huge hit on the opening section and a string of fluent turns down the line,
to win the day in the dying minutes and move to the top of the leader board with
the twin-fin and thruster divisions still to run.
"To come to Four Seasons,
score pumping waves on the first day and take the win, it doesnt really get
much better!" said an elated Kerr after the final. "The vibe is great but were
all old competitive souls so once the contest jersey goes on we want to win.
Joel and I grew up in the same board riders club; hes older than me, was
always in the spotlight and has definitely got the better head-to-head record,
which makes this win even sweeter."
In the semi-finals Kerr
accounted for long time Championship Tour sparring partner Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
in a back-and-forth showdown, though it was Wilkinson who banked the standout
moment, an incredible re-entry that earned him a 6.83 and confirmed the
goofy-footer still has one of the best backhands in surfing. "Thats the best
turn Ive ever done on a right," Wilkinson said afterwards. "Thats the most
dynamic turn that anyone has ever done on a single-fin!" Kerr confirmed. "I
could see half of his board out the back of the wave!" said Parkinson, who was
paddling out for the second semi-final, where he made light work of local
wildcard Mohamed "Pelé" Fayaz (MDV).
"I really enjoyed today,"
said Parkinson. "The single fin is a challenge, it shows your flaws, but it is
so fun to ride. Ive told (two-time winner) Taj Burrow for years that I wanted
to get into this event, and now I can see why he loves it here so much. This is
my type of contest now that Im retired, no pressure, good friends and a lot of
fun with my family, living in luxury. Im really excited for the twin-fin now,
I feel like it should be my strongest division, so hopefully I can snare a win
there and get a little bit closer to being invited back here!"
Due to Wiggolly Dantas
(BRA) having to withdraw from the event last minute, Wilkinson and Fayaz
received first round walk-throughs today. Meanwhile, in the second three-man
round one heat, Kerr and Parkinson narrowly accounted for Hawaiian waterman and
multi-board phenomenon Kai Lenny, on their way to the semi-finals.
The Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy is hosted aboard Four Seasons Explorer – the Maldives ultimate surf vessel. Fans can get up close to the
action with onboard VIP passes while the surf tour experience continues with
nightly events back at Four Seasons Kuda Huraa, which plays host to the contests competitors, judges
and Tropicsurf partners.
Single Fin Division
Results
1. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
2. Josh Kerr (AUS)
3. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) equal with Mohamed Fayaz (MDV)
5. Kai Lenny (HAW)
2019 FS Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy Leaderboard
Josh Kerr (AUS) 1000pts
Joel Parkinson (AUS) 900pts
Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 800pts
Mohamed Fayaz (MDV) 800pts
Kai Lenny (HAW) 700pts
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