Wilson through but world title bid comes to an end
JULIAN Wilson’s world title hopes are over despite the Australian progressing to the fourth round of the seasonending Pipeline Masters in Hawaii. Wilson was almost done a huge favour by emerging compatriot Ethan Ewing, who came within a whisker of knocking out world No.1 John John Florence.
Fourth seed Wilson was the only Australian with a chance to clinch the world crown in Hawaii but needed local Florence to stumble against Ewing at Banzai Pipeline at Oahu yesterday.
Florence looked to have the heat wrapped up before Ewing’s final wave fell just 0.07 points short of causing a huge upset.
“It was crazy close. Ethan’s such a great surfer. That was really hard out there. It’s hard to find the good ones (waves),” Florence said.
Wilson started the day by eliminating local Benji Brand in the second round before handing Ezekiel Lau the same fate in his next match-up. He rode one of the waves of the day, a big barrel scored a 9.93 to defeat Lau. “That was a sweet wave any day of the week. Such a beautiful wave,” he said.
Brazilian world No.2 Gabriel Medina remains the only surfer able to steal the championship from Florence after winning through to the fourth round. South African Jordy Smith’s hopes ended when he was beaten in the third round by Kelly Slater, while Medina needs to win the event and Florence not get past the semi-finals to claim the crown.
Australians Owen Wright, Matt Wilkinson, Jack Freestone, Adrian Buchan, Josh Kerr, Connor O’Leary and Bede Durbidge joined Ewing in being eliminated. The 34year-old Fanning, a threetime world champion, was unsure if he’d remain on the elite tour in 2018.
“I don’t know yet. I’m going to go home and just sit and think about it and about the year,” Fanning said.
“I’ll probably give you a more solid answer probably before the (Gold Coast) Pro. Until then, I’m just enjoying the moment.” Durbidge has farewelled the tour to take up a position coaching Australian surfers ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.