Marking off career goals by the bucket
GOLD Coast surfer Liam O’Brien’s strong 2018 has continued after he ticked off an item on his bucket list and claimed a second straight Word Surf League Qualifying Series (QS) win.
In the first competition at the renowned right-hander Yo-Yos, O’Brien secured a late comeback at Indonesia’s West Sumbawa Pro to hold off Angourie’s Chris Zaffis.
O’Brien was second with seven minutes to go, before he landed a solid wave and unloaded three dynamic and explosive turns to net the highest single-wave score of the event – 9.25 out of a possible 10.
O’Brien was 123rd in QS standings before yesterday’s result and has vaulted to 98th after a second straight win.
“It’s a euphoric feeling winning these back-to-back events,” O’Brien said.
“I am so stoked that I came over to these events and managed to come away with a few results too.
“Zaffis got the first two waves and was well and truly out in front, so I was a little worried I wouldn’t be able to come back from that. “Yo-Yos is such a fun wave. “It’s been on my bucket list for a while because it’s been in so many surf movies, so to have a contest here has been awesome.”
Zaffis was philosophical after his final loss.
“I feel good about how today went, I was able to bank some valuable points,” he said.
“I couldn’t think of a better place to have three events in a row. I love Indonesia, the waves and the people are incredible.”
Sunshine Coast’s Farmer won the event.
“Before this trip to Indonesia I had never made the quarter-finals in a QS before, so to get three wins feels unbelievable,” she said. Vittoria women’s