Julian Wilson wins the 2012 Rip Curl Pro, Portugal

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.” Joel Parkinson’s equal third now means a substantial lead in the world tour race. “An Equal 3rd is good,” he said. “I’m really enjoying myself. If you had told me six weeks ago that between Trestles and now, I’d have two second places and a third, I would have probably taken it instead of a 9th and all that so bring on Santa Cruz.” Yes, bring it indeed. RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL FINAL RESULTS: 1 – Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.262 – Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.37 RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL SEMIFINAL RESULTS: SF 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.80 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 5.27SF 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 19.27 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 5.90 RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL QUARTERFINAL RESULTS: QF 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.60 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 10.67QF 2: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.07 def. John John Florence (HAW) 11.23QF 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.13 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 14.34QF 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.57 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 9.80 RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL REMAINING ROUND 5 RESULT: Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 7.34 def. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 3.34 ASP WCT TOP 5 (After Rip Curl Pro Portugal): 1. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 52,700 pts2. Kelly Slater (USA) 47,200 pts3. Mick Fanning (AUS) 47,000 pts4. John John Florence (HAW) 44,350 pts5. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 37,650 pts