JULIAN Wilson has joined best mates Matt Wilkinson and Owen Wright as Australia’s best hopes of ending the year with a world surfing title after a thrilling comeback to claim his maiden Billabong Pro Tahiti crown.
Australians now fill three of the top five positions in a world title race shaping up as the closest in recent memory after Wilson became the seventh different surfer this season to win a world championship tour event – and only the fourth Australian to win at the infamous Teahupo’o reef break.
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The win – over high-flying Brazilian former world champion Gabriel Medina – saw Wilson crack the top five on the world rankings with just four events on the world tour to contest.
Julian Wilson celebrating after defeating Brazilian Gabriel Medina in the final of the Billabong Pro.Source:AAP
“I’ve had a pretty steady start to the year and I am so happy to be in the mix now,’’ said Wilson, who posted two nine point plus rides in the final five minutes of the final to join fellow Australians Mark Occhilupo, Mick Fanning and Ace Buchan as a Billabong Pro winner.
“With so many events left, I am really looking forward to it. I was already enjoying myself on tour and even more so now. I cannot wait for the rest of the year.”
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A career-best third place finish has seen South African Jordy Smith take the world tour lead from American world champion John John Florence. Australians Wilkinson, Wright and Wilson fill the next three places with Joel Parkinson now eight and rookie Connor O’Leary 10th.
Julian Wilson (left) and Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina posing with their trophies at Billabong Pro at Teahupo’o, Tahiti.Source:AAP
The last Australian to win a men’s world crown was triple titleholder Mick Fanning back in 2013.
Wilson, a Pipe Master champion and the man surfing against Fanning when he was attacked by a shark in 2015, beat Medina 18.96 to 17.87 after surfing a marathon six heats on the final day in Tahiti.
“I won, I won,’’ shouted Wilson in delight.
“It is so special to win. Such a good final. I’m pretty speechless. I’m pretty worn out. I’m pretty ecstatic.’’
Originally published as Julian Wilson back in world surf title mix
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