Gabriel Medina wins Rip Curl Pro Search
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
17-year-old Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina has taken out the Rip Curl Pro Search in San Francisco, making this his second win in only four events. The young champ has quickly risen through the ranks and his talent is being compared to that of legendary surfer Kelly Slater. Medina quickly scored a seven-point ride right on the opening horn. Joel Parkinson was caught off guard, and Medina followed this up with a nine-point ride, which almost decided the final scores within the first ten minutes.
Medina was showered with champagne by Parkinson as he stammered onto the podium. Medina was genuinley overwhelmed.
I don’t even know what I did.
Parkinson’s response:
He’s one of the best surfers I’ve ever seen.
Medina edged out newly crowned Slater in a high-flying quarterfinal, and dispatched Taylor Knox in the semis. Medina was only a baby grom when Slater won his first title, “I’m old enough to be his dad,” joked Slater. Knox and Slater were the two oldest surfers on the circuit.
Medina had this to say:
I didn’t really think about it when I qualified, I was just busy surfing and trying my best. Just trying to do the best I can. But yeah, man, I’m just so stoked. I can’t even believe it.
The ASP’s new tour format mid year cut-off has encountered some criticism, though Medina’s two victories in only four events proves that the system is working and that someone can jump on tour halfway through the year and make an immediate impact. Medina’s dazzling performance represents a new school of talent. As for what it means for his country, Brazil may have more talented surfers on the way:
Medina put it best:
We’re coming. I hope someday soon somebody from Brazil can win a world title.
Many believe that Medina will be that someone.
RIP CURL PRO SEARCH SAN FRANCISCO FINAL RESULTS:
1. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 16.50
2. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 10.90
RIP CURL PRO SEARCH SAN FRANCISCO SEMIFINALS RESULTS:
SF 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 17.33 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 14.27
SF 2: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.97 def. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.34
RIP CURL PRO SEARCH SAN FRANCISCO QUARTERFINALS RESULTS:
QF 1: Taylor Knox (USA) 14.96 def. Kieren Perrow (AUS) 12.83
QF 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.50 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 11.10
QF 3: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 13.83 def. Brett Simpson (USA) 11.83
QF 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.76 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 10.93
RIP CURL PRO SEARCH SAN FRANCISCO ROUND 5 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Taylor Knox (USA) 14.67 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.83
Heat 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.93 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 13.70
Heat 3: Brett Simpson (USA) adv. Patrick Gudauskas (USA) *Gudauskas withdraws due to injury
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 11.60 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 6.40
Check out video of the event here:
via: espn
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