Gabriel Medina wins the Quiksilver Pro, France

Gabriel Medina, 17 years old and from Brazil, just won the Quiksilver Pro, France. On the final day of his second event as a dream tour competitor Gabs did his usual act, stomping back-to-back airs to scalp Kelly Slater in the quarters, Taylor Knox in the semis and Julian Wilson in the final. Jules put up a good fight, throwing down an above-the-lip varial on a left and a steezy frontside air-revs on a right, but it wasn’t quite enough. The mongo frontside full-rote against Taylor Knox in the semi, which earned Gabs a perfect 10, was loony and worthy of many replays. Be sure to watch all the heat reviews here, for some of the most exciting business-end battles this year. Gabriel was unstoppable on the final day. Photo: ASP/Cestari Jules came close, oh so close, but Gabs’ last-minute 9.1 clinched it. Photo: ASP/Kirstin Yup, it’s a screen-grab, but if y’missed Jules’ varial, here it is. Jordy Smith is back. He may’ve lost to Julian in the semis, but he made his return to competition known. Photo: ASP/Kirstin Though he was his usual solid-self, Taylor Knox was never gonna beat Gabriel Medina’s near-perfect combined heat total of 19.57. Especially after dropping in on the kid and earning an interference. Photo: ASP/Kirstin Kelly Slater dropped the ball against Gabs Medina, uncharacteristically posting a combined total of 8.60 and bowing out in the quarters. Photo: ASP/Kirstin Michel Bourez faced off against Taylor Knox again in the semis, but this time came off worse. Photo: ASP/Kirstin It wasn’t by much, but Alejo Muniz fell to Jordy Smith in the quarters. Photo: ASP/Kirstin QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE FINAL RESULTS: 1 – Gabriel Medina (BRA) 17.002 – Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.10 QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE SEMIFINAL RESULTS: SF 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 19.57 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 7.00SF 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 18.50 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.55 QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE QUARTERFINAL RESULTS: QF 1: Taylor Knox (USA) 15.17 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 9.50QF 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 16.66 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 8.60QF 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.26 def. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 13.77QF 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) 13.00 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 3.54 ASP WORLD TITLE TOP 5 (After Completion of Quiksilver Pro France): 1. Kelly Slater (USA) 50,150 pts2. Owen Wright (AUS) 43,900 pts3. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 35,900 pts4. Taj Burrow (AUS) 34,450 pts5. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 34,000 pts