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Julian Wilson Wins the Rip Curl Pro, Peniche

Julian Wilson, from the Sunshine Coast of Australia, just beat Brazilian Gabriel Medina in the final of the Rip Curl Pro, Portugal. Jules pocketed a 7.83 early on and was chasing a back-up to overtake Gabs’ 15.37 total for most of the heat. And on his 15th wave (the last he could legally score on), with one minute remaining, he raced through a barrel and clicked three turns. ”I felt like I got it, especially after my other wave that I got a seven on,” said Jules. “But it was really quiet down there (on the beach). I was trying to lip read what (the judges) were saying to each other up there.”

And then, the score was called – an 8.43. Tears dampened Gabriel’s face and the most golden of smiles lit up Julian’s. ”I’m overwhelmed,” continued Jules. “I lost to Gabby on the buzzer in France last year and to beat him back on the buzzer is… I don’t even know how to describe the feeling, I’m just overwhelmed.”

“To win a world tour event is just unbelievable. I can’t really believe that I’m standing here having this interview after winning my first world tour event.”

Photographer profile

Ryan Miller

Ryan Miller, 33 years old, does not know how to write a bad email. Your pals at Stab have learnt to live vicariously through Miller’s red wine-fuelled letters from the road. His travels take him to some dreamy locales and, in those places, he scores all-time photos: “My favourite photo I’ve shot was of Benny Bourgeois in the Caribbean, with a fisheye. Often I just take photos, but rarely do I get to make one.” In an age of tail-highs and released fins, Ryan still most likes to shoot someone who can lay-down a big backside turn. Namely: Jordy Smith, Dane Reynolds, Gabe Kling, Kekoa Bacalso, Damien Hobgood and Peter Mendia. Like most photogs, Miller misses Scott Aichner’s work. But, as far as contemporary inspiration? “Trying to see things through my daughter’s eyes. It’s wild to think about someone experiencing something totally new on almost a daily basis when, as adults, we rarely get to experience something truly new.”

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