Taj wins Snapper

Taj Burrow wins the 2012 Quiksilver Pro, Gold Coast Taj Burrow just won the Quiksilver Pro at Snapper Rocks, for the second time in three years. Can y’believe it? A 33 year old from West Oz, who’s finished outta the WT top ten but twice since his debut in ’98 is, for now, back on top. “I feel so good now!” he said. “I had a really good event last year, but came up short in the final against Kelly. Then today, when I found myself against Adriano, I was really nervous because he got me in a final in Brazil last year. He’s really tough and I don’t like competing against him, to be honest. There was a lot of weight on my shoulders in that final, so it’s pretty rewarding to come out on top.” Competitors in the 2012 title-race started the year with a clean slate and, post-Snapper, Taj’ll wear the crown for a stint (Bells starts in a month – will he forfeit or defend?): “I love Bells,” he continued. “I love throwing on a full wetsuit and doing some big arcs in the Bells Bowl.” It wasn’t an easy victory by any means, and numerous things factored in; First, Josh Kerr rid the event of Kelly Slater, current world champ and the man who beat Taj in the final last year. Also, Taj defeated Jordy Smith, who couldn’t find rhythm. And the final piece of the puzzle was Adriano’s quiet, lethal rise through the ranks. Just ask the Brazilian cheer-squad that were on the beach – they’ll tell you everything. In the final, while Adriano came outta the gates with first-hit air-revs and hacks to the beach, Taj waited, waited, then repeatedly loosened his fins. Adriano, who fought v. bravely, was gracious in defeat. “I’m really happy with my result here today,” said Adriano. “It was such an amazing Final. Last year Taj and I had such a great heat here as well. It was one of the best heats of my life and he beat me. It’s amazing to be on the podium here again. In 2009, it was me and Joel (Parkinson). It’s a great way to start the year and I’m happy to be back up here.” While the men’s event saw the return of Taj, the women’s event saw the return of Steph Gilmore. After a tough-as-heck start to 2011, she struggled to find her feet through the year. But today she made herself known, beating Sal Fitz in the semi and a (til-then) steaming Laura Enever. “To be carried up the beach with your friends underneath you with thousands of people around has got to be one of the best feelings in the world,” said Steph. “It took me back to 2005 when I won here as a grom. Last year went so quickly and it felt like I didn’t even exist on the rankings and that fire wasn’t really there. This year it’s so good to have that back! My cheeks are so sore from smiling already.” QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST FINAL RESULTS: 1 – Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.86 2 – Adriano De Souza (BRA) 15.60 QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST SEMIFINAL RESULTS: SF 1: Adriano De Souza (BRA) 14.16 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 13.57 SF 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.56 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.20 QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST QUARTERFINAL RESULTS: QF 1: Adriano De Souza (BRA) 16.43 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 13.73 QF 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) 14.43 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 13.04 QF 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.56 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 11.30 QF 4: Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.86 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 15.97 CURRENT ASP TOP 5 (After Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast): 1. Taj Burrow (AUS) 10,000 pts 2. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 8,000 pts 3. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 6,500 pts 3. Josh Kerr (AUS) 6,500 pts 5. Kelly Slater (USA) 5,200 pts 5. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 5,200 pts 5. Owen Wright (AUS) 5,200 pts 5. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 5,200 pts ROXY PRO GOLD COAST FINAL RESULTS: 1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.37 2 – Laura Enever (AUS) 14.20 ROXY PRO GOLD COAST SEMIFINALS RESULTS: SF 1: Laura Enever (AUS) 16.70 def. Tyler Wright (AUS) 16.17 SF 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 18.30 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 15.00 CURRENT ASP WOMEN’S TOP 3 (After Roxy Pro Gold Coast): 1. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 10,000 pts 2. Laura Enever (AUS) 8,000 pts 3. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 6,500 pts 3. Tyler Wright (AUS) 6,500 pts