Medina claims victory at Fiji Pro
TAVARUA, Fiji (Friday, June 6, 2014): A thrilling Finals day saw Brazilian Gabriel Medina reign supreme and win the Fiji Pro in three-to-five foot surf at Cloudbreak. The win moves Medina back to the top of the ASP World Championship Tour Rankings after he defeated Hawaiians John John Florence and Freddy Patacchia as well as American Kolohe Andino on his way to the Final.
Gabriel Medina won his second WCT event of the season, taking the win over 2013 Rookie of the Year Nat Young in a hard-fought final. The Brazilian got out of the gates first while Young waited 10 minutes before posting a score. Medina posted a near-perfect 9.87 for a series of barrel sections and sizzling snaps to extend his lead. Young fought back but Medina's additional 8.53 left the American in need of two high scores for the win. Young was unable to break the combination, cementing Medina's fourth career ASP WCT victory.
“It’s great to be back at the top of the ratings, it’s still early but I’m feeling good,” said Gabriel Medina. “I’ve never surfed at Jeffreys Bay before but I’m going home after this to prepare and I’ll be working hard. Nat is a great guy and that was a good Final against him. I was so nervous inside those barrels, I couldn’t see anything, but when I came out I was stoked. Thanks to the Namotu guys who were supporting me. Thanks to everyone in Fiji, I just love it here especially with a win.”
Nat Young posted his best result of the 2014 season today after finishing his third WCT Final as runner-up. He topped reigning three-time ASP World Champion Mick Fanning on route to the Final but, despite being on excellent form throughout the competition, wasn’t able to find the scores he needed to surpass Medina for victory.
"Third final and third runner-up finish so that's frustrating,” said Nat Young. “I felt good. My boards felt good and I waited for a good one to start the Final with. Unfortunately, I got a little out of rhythm and Gabriel found waves with more opportunity. He's been surfing really well so he was always going to be hard to beat, but I felt like I had it in me. Runner-up is a good finish, my best of the year, so hopefully it's good for the momentum heading into J-Bay and Tahiti."
Michel Bourez was defeated in the first Semifinal by Nat Young and secures a third-place finish moving him to No. 2 in the rankings. Both surfers got on the board quickly grabbing average scores. The first major exchange unfolded just before the 15 minute mark, with the Tahitian taking 7.33 to Young's 6.17. The Californian built momentum, navigating a technical tube ride finished with a big frontside carve for a 7.83 and the lead over Bourez with nine minutes remaining. Bourez waited patiently to find the wave needed to surpass Young, but was unable to top the Californian up-and-comer.
“I’m really disappointed with that because I made a mistake on my second to last wave,” said Michel Bourez. “Nat is one of the guys that I thought would get a good result out here. He’s amazing and he surfs so good and I’m super happy that he ended up making the Final. I’m so pleased that I made it to the Semifinals and got another good result.”
Kolohe Andino backed up his Billabong Rio Pro runner-up finish with an equal 3rd place in the Fiji Pro after facing eventual event winner Gabriel Medina in the second Semifinal. Medina paddled deep and it paid off early as he nabbed a fast tube ride for an early lead. Andino answered back but with less than 10 minutes on the clock Medina found a quick tube for an excellent 9.07, leaving the American in an unattainable combination situation.
"It was a good event for me,” said Kolohe Andino. “Gabriel kind of went nuts in our Semifinal and I needed better waves. That's okay though, I've had two really good results back-to-back and I'm having a lot of fun. Next event is Jeffreys Bay and it hasn't been a WCT event since I've been on tour so I'm really excited to surf it."
Fiji Pro Final Result:
- Gabriel Medina (BRA) 18.40 def. Nat Young (USA) 14.77
Fiji Pro Semifinal Results:
- Semifinal 1: Nat Young (USA)14.00 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 12.10
- Semifinal 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 17.50 vs. Kolohe Andino (USA) 9.57
Comments
NO CONTESTS=NO PROS=NO EGOS=NO WINNERS OR LOSERS=NO SURF STAR TEENIE BOPPER GROUPIES==NO SURF INDUSTRY BRAIN WASHING THE YOUTH. WHAT'S LEFT? Just you and a wave--the way it was meant to be..
Hey FR. Settle down just a tad, chill, take a sedative or go play with your dog. The sky's not falling, or not to my knowledge anyway(s). Talk about crusty.
PS. You forgot to mention that the lineup's too crowded.
Freeride25 are you Freeride76's son...?
It's his Grandfather. Born in 1925.
Medina is just beginning a solid domination of ASP´s competitive surfing. He´s a winner. As Kelly Slater, Medina is the kind of surfer who can win events in a row. His dominance in Fiji was absolute. Look the scores. He was comboing his adversaries.
The psicho effect is also very strong. Take a look at John John after his 5th loss in a row to Medina. Is not easy to calm his mind for the next events.
If wasn´t for the "Travis Loggie Accident" in Rio, Gabriel now would be at least 6.000 point ahead the pack. And don´t you forget: after J-bay, all the next events suit Medina very well. And, still about J-bay, don´t you forget about Snapper Rocks. The kid has the skills!
If Medina is a winner I guess that makes you a winner also James B.
I mean your both Brazilian so it stands to reason. Your laughing !
The best thing about that Fiji final was how both Natty Young and Gabby Meds both surfed exactly like screwfoot copies of Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson. Yew!
Really? Did you ever saw Joel or Mick do a combo air in any heat in their lives? Over shallow reef? Because Gabriel did, alley oop to 360 reverse.
Did you you ever see Joel or Mick cry on the podium and storm off without congratulating the winner after being fairly beaten?
Because Gabriel did.
Haha fuckin gold Zen san.
This was long gone. And by the way, maybe Joel would have cried, if somehow he got robbed as Medina was in that final.
But, wait!! Joel is the #1 ovescored ever, so that would never happen. But i enjoyed your effort in the "ater being fairly beaten". Let me guess..... Are you a Julian Wilson´s fan or Richie Porta´s friend?
Neither. I don't particularly like Julian Wilson and I wouldn't know Richie Porta if I tripped over him.
And it wasn't that long ago James. To this day I have never seen such a shameful display of spotsmanship in pro-surfing. Maybe there has been, but not that I have seen. His step-dad also left a lot to be desired with his re-decorating of the surfers area. The knob should have copped a ban for that one.
You have your perspective and I have mine. In that final, I believe Gabe was fairly beaten and the judges thought so too.
I believe Gabe deserved his win in Fiji though, he ripped.
Plain old ripping , and an an occasional shack was what won it, bru.....
channeling their inner Parko and or White Lightening. Yew!
Hey Stu > Any update on the ASP YouTube stat's for this last event? A bit more of your compare and contrast?
Ya Stu, any chance on getting some viewers numbers? Should be interesting. Thanks
Come on Stu, how about some viewer numbers- your the only I know of who knew how to get them and had the guts to post them.
Hey Fellas,
I'll do an update after the next comp, which will be three comps - Rio, Fiji, J,Bay - since the last update, each of them in a very different time zone. I can tell you though that the final day at Fiji recorded the largest viewership yet this year. Not by much but it's still the record, and it goes a long way toward proving the theory that viewers want to see good waves.
I'll have more soon...