Jason Finlay (Wollongong/AUS) has won the 2011 NMD-Pride-Stealth Fronton Pro, defeating fellow Australian finalist, Mitch Rawlins (Gold Coast/AUS) in heavy and dangerous 8-12 foot (2.5-4 meter) barreling surf.
Starting his campaign in the 2011 NMD-Pride-Stealth Fronton Pro as a sponsored wildcard, Finlay finished 12th in the Leaderboard phase and only really found his momentum in Round 4, when he eliminated world title contender, Jeff Hubbard (HAW). In his Quarter-final, the wildcard defeated fellow countryman Dallas Singer (Box Beach/AUS), setting him up for a Semi-final match-up against trials winner, Andrew Lester (Cronulla/AUS), who Finlay topped in the dying seconds, scoring an 8.25 out of 10 for a big barrel.
After being carried to the podium by a cheering crowd of Aussies, Finlay was awarded the trophy by the mayor of the Galdar and dowsed in champagne by Rawlins and Costes.
"I'm the happiest guy in the world", Finlay elated. "The main goal was never the plan to win the comp, I just wanted to come do some big airs and mix it up with these guys and the locals who really tear this place apart. The final did not have the best waves, but the whole comp I tried my hardest and it paid off. I am stoked."
Twenty one year old Pierre-Louis Costes (Capbreton/FRA) clinched his maiden IBA GSS world title today when he defeated Jared Houston (Cape Town/AUS) in the Quarter-finals. Houston was holding onto the lead with two small scores when Costes scooped into and negotiated his way out of the deepest barrel of the day, scoring him a 9.0 out of 10 to take the lead and eventually the heat win.
"I can say that this wave was the wave of my life. It was the wave that gave me the victory and made my dream come true", the Frenchman explained.
Costes dedicated his world title to his sister and parents, thanking them for all their ongoing support and efforts that helped push him to this point and achieve his dream of becoming a World Champion. Costes choked back his tears, raised his hard eaned trophy and was embraced by the whistling and chanting crowd.
Costes commented, "I am so happy right now and have realized that dreams really can come true. I think it will take a few days for me to realize all this. I just want to say thanks to Fronton."
Below are todays heats results:
With the 2011 IBA GSS and GQS tour wrapped up, the new GSS top 24 for 2012 have been decided and look like this:
1) Pierre Louis Costes-France
2) Jeff Hubbard-Hawaii
3) Ryan Hardy-Australia
4) Amaury Lavernhe-Reunion
5) Uri Valadao-Brazil
6) Guilherme Tamega-Brazil
7) Dave Winchester-Australia
8) Magno Oliveira-Brazil
9) Mark McCarthy-Sth Africa
10) Jared Houston-Sth Africa
11) Dallas Singer-Australia
12) Jake Stone-Australia
13) Ben Player-Australia
14) Dave Hubbard-Hawaii
15) Eder Luciano-Brazil
16) Michael Novy-Australia
17) Alex Uranga-Spain
18) Andrew Lester-Australia
19) Chase O'Leary-Australia
20) Sam Bennett-Australia
21) Mitch Rawlins-Australia
22) Yeray Martinez-Canary Is
23) Roberto Bruno-Brazil
24) Thomas Rigby-Australia
