Aussie surfing wunderkind Jack Robinson wins 'spicy' Pipeline final
The young surfer has achieved his 'dream' after a remarkable Billabong Pipeline victory.
Aussie rising star Jack Robinson has stunned the Billabong Pipeline having won the opening surf event of the season to become World No1. The 25-year-old Margaret River talent knocked out home surfing icon John John Florence in an incredible upset in the quarter-final with the waves offering very little.
The Australian went on to defeat Brazilian surfer Joao Chianca in the semi-final after a week of tough conditions, which offered little in Oahu. In the final, Robinson was up against Italian Leonardo Fioravanti.
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Robinson jumped out to a lead, but could only manage seven waves in what was horrible surf at the famous beach. Fioravanti only managed four waves and went for a 'buzzer-beater' in the final minute, but fell off his board.
Robinson won with a total of 9.17 - his first score of 6.00 essentially winning the clash - in a final that was described as 'spicy' by the commentator.
"Look out world," the commentator said of Robinson's rise to the pinnacle of the sport. The new World No.1 was elated with his win and said it was a dream come true.
"I dreamed of this for a long time...It's an honour, to feel all the emotions. You don't know how you are going to come back," he said in his interview after the final. "For sure, I am just so grateful."
In another great run for Australian surfing, women's star Tyler Wright finished second in the women's event. The surfing world was quick to heap praise on Robinson's rapid rise up the ranks, which has seen him become a serious contender for world champion after just his fourth tour title.
Jack Robinson becomes surfing world number one#pipeline @wsl @abcsport
— Tom Wildie (@tomwildie) February 9, 2023
4th championship tour win, Jack Robinson 🔥some performance🏆🇦🇺 #WSL #BillabongProPipeline #Surf #Aus https://t.co/VBIuvNhijf
— joe smith (@JSsportsjourno) February 9, 2023
Good win for Jack Robinson at Pipeline. Conditions were ordinary, waves and scoring conditions scarce.. but managed to do enough to get the win! #BillabongProPipeline #surfing #pipeline
— I Sea (@RiffRaffBriz) February 9, 2023
Yeeewww Jack Robinson takes out the mens Pipeline. Tyler Wright runner up for the women. #BillabongProPipeline
— Mendy180 (@BigMendy180) February 9, 2023
Jack Robinson. 2023 Pipeline Pro Champ. pic.twitter.com/YUx88RRAny
— ryan zuttermeister (@zuttermeister) February 9, 2023
John John Florence's magical ride stuns surfing world
Despite Aussie Robinson knocking out Florence, the Hawaiian produced arguably one of the all-time great rides. The surfing superstar was up against Miguel Pupo in the heats and produced a near perfect score in one of the most unbelievable rides seen in recent years.
Florence disappeared inside a barrel and the two-time world champion looked certain to go down with the wave. "More waves coming, maybe he shouldn't have taken that one," commentator Kaipo Guerrero said when Florence disappeared.
However, the Hawaiian magician 'teleported' out the other end to produce a memorable surf. "No wait, he does. What just happened?" Guerrero added.
"It was time transport. Time transport just happened with John John Florence. I have no idea how he made that much progress down the line."
Fellow commentator Laura Enever added: "He is toast. But look at this, that is honestly doesn't make any sense at all." Incredibly, Florence wasn't awarded a perfect score. But, his 9.93 score was enough to knock out Pupo and advance after he chalked another score of 9.40 in an amazing sequence.
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