Gold Coast Double

GOLDEN MOMENT: Compatriots Wilko and Wright share the podium. Photo WSL / Kirstin 

South Africa's hopes ended when Jordy Smith was knocked out in Round 2, though Bianca Buitendag fared better, losing to close friend Johanne Defay, from Reunion Island, in Round 4.

Wilko's win marked his maiden on the elite Championship Tour. He pushed scorelines and knocked out top-seeded opponents - reigning World Champion Adriano De Souza (BRA) and last year’s event winner, Filipe Toledo (BRA) - to reach the top of the Jeep Leaderboard.

Wright (AUS) battled Courtney Conlogue (USA) in an epic finals clash. Wright looked smooth and powerful and also earns top spot on the leaderboard ... for now.

Wilko faced Kolohe Andino (USA) in the Final and the frontside vs backside match-up saw multiple lead changes. Wilko took an early lead with an 8.60 and held off Andino until halfway when Andino took the lead, staying busy as the clock ticked down. Wilko waited for a wave, and his patience paid off with a 5.60 point ride at the six minute mark to regain the lead. With 30 seconds left, Andino caught a wave to chase the 7.38 score needed, but it was not enough. Wilkinson won 14.22 to 13.66.

BACK ATTACK: Wilko now sits atop the leaderboard courtesy moves like this. Photo WSL / Kirstin

Throughout the womens event, Wright stayed focused and committed, winning each heat leading up to the Final. Today was the 10th match-up for Wright and Conlogue, adding a 7th win to Wright’s tally.

Wright and Conlogue went wave for wave to start the heat, but Wright continued to outperform her previous wave scores to give her a control halfway through the Final. Wright showcased her powerful rail-to-rail surfing, with a clean and precise rhythm. Wright landed a 14.67 over Conlogue’s 10.94 to give Wright her second Roxy Pro Gold Coast Title. Wright will wear the yellow jersey going into Bells. This was Conlogue’s highest finish at this event, as it was her first Finals appearance on the Gold Coast.

Toledo - the defending champ and favorite - was injured after trying to perform an air-reverse in the semi-finals. Toledo fought through his injury to score a 13.27, but Matt Wilkinson (AUS) came back with a 14.43 two-wave combined score, earning a 6.60 in his last wave to advance to the Finals.

Toledo landed on his board and put the pressure on hisleg, "which went up and sideways,” he said. “I kept surfing after that and it was painful. But now I am good. I am not dying at all, I am just feeling a lot of pain. Besides that, I am happy with my result. I was surfing good and the board was good.”

WRIGHT SIDE: Tyler in full carve. Photo WSL / Kirstin 

Wilko knocked out reigning World Champion De Souza in the quarters. Needing a strong second-wave score to defeat the World Champion, Wilkinson caught a buzzer-beater to give him a 0.43 edge over De Souza.

Stuart Kennedy (AUS) continued his streak of upsets when he eliminated John John Florence (HAW) last second ride in the last heat of the Quarters. Kennedy, who gained entry into the event as an injury replacement, earned a 15.23 combined two-wave score to defeat Florence’s 14.00.

Carissa Moore (HAW), reigning WSL World Champion and last year’s event winner, was defeated by Wright in the quarters. Moore was not able to find a second wave score to answer back to Wright’s 8.50. Wright beat the three-time World Champion 14.17 to 14.00.

Highlights an more info at www.worldsurfleague.com

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Final Results:
1 - Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.20
2 - Kolohe Andino (USA) 13.66

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Final Results:
1 - Tyler Wright (AUS) 14.67
2 - Courtney Conlogue (USA) 10.94

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.43 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 13.27
SF 2: Kolohe Andino (USA) 14.23 def. Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 14.20

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 14.17 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.00
SF 2: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 15.27 def. Johanne Defay (FRA) 10.50

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 12.34 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.16
QF 2: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 13.16 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.73
QF 3: Kolohe Andino (USA) 16.00 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 4.83
QF 4: Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 15.23 def. John John Florence (HAW) 14.00

Jeep WSL Men’s Leaderboard (after Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast):
1. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 10,000 pts
2. Kolohe Andino (USA) 8,000 pts
3. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 6,500 pts
4. Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 6,500 pts

Jeep WSL Women’s Leaderboard (after Roxy Pro Gold Coast):
1. Tyler Wright (AUS) 10,000 pts
2. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 8,000 pts
3. Carissa Moore (HAW) 6,500 pts
4. Johanne Defay (FRA) 6,500 pts