Adriano de Souza has become the first Brazilian man to win the Rip Curl Pro presented by Ford, downing American tour rookie Nat Young in the final staged in 3–5 foot waves at Bells Beach, Victoria. Event No 2 of 10 on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, culminated after an epic Easter swell saw the event finish with five days still remaining in the waiting period.
De Souza, 26, held the lead throughout a closely fought final at the iconic Victorian surf break, winning 16.26 points to 15.83. It capped one of the greatest days in the history of Brazilian surfing and came four years after compatriot Silvana Lima won the women’s title at Bells. It was a perfect end to the Brazilian storm that blasted Bells this Easter. Between them, De Souza and his compatriots took down the three top seeds, which opened up the draw for an unpredictable result and shortened the ratings odds.
An emotional De Souza said the win was a dream come true after he rang the Bell Trophy so hard it broke.
De Souza’s win today vaults the young South American ASP WCT No 4 heading into the third event on tour in Brazil. It was de Souza’s fourth elite level victory and his first in Australia.
Young, the rookie goofy footer from California’s Santa Cruz, posted a career best result today, wowing spectators and competitors alike with his run to the finals. Young’s runner-up finish today pushes him to No 5, tied with reigning ASP World Champion Joel Parkinson, on the ASP WCT.
Young ended Australian interest in the Rip Curl Pro by beating Taj Burrow in the semifinals.
The twenty-one year old, who was named after Australian surfing legend and four times Bells champion Nat Young, downed Burrow 15.10 to 13.43 in the first semi on Tuesday.
Young said the Australian leg had been amazing.
Taj Burrow, perennial ASP World Title threat, continued his blistering Bells Beach run this morning against compatriot Kai Otton in the quarterfinals before coming up short to Young in their semifinal bout. Burrow said coming so close was tough.
South Africa’s Jordy Smith consistently notched up high scoring rides. The powerful South African’s run was ended, however, in the semifinals at the hands of De Souza.
Though disappointed Smith said it felt good to find form again.
Defending champion Mick Fanning was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Rip Curl Pro by de Souza. The Brazilian clinched the victory in the final minute of the half-hour heat with his second scoring wave of 7.00 points. He won with a combined score of 14.33 to 13.76 for Fanning, a two time world champion. Fanning’s demise came a day after the other two major drawcards, 11 time world champ Kelly Slater and defending world title holder Joel Parkinson, were eliminated in the third round.
Highlights from the 2013 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will be available via www.live.ripcurl.com.
The next stop on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT) will be the Billabong Rio Pro from May 8 to 19, 2013.
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com.
RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Adriano de Souza (BRA) 16.26
2 – Nat Young (USA) 15.83
RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Nat Young (USA) 15.10 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.43
SF 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 18.44 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 18.40
RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.50 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 14.50
QF 2: Nat Young (USA) 17.27 def. Willian Cardoso (BRA) 14.83
QF 3: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.33 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.76
QF 4: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 16.77 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 13.20
CURRENT ASP WCT TOP 5 (Following Completion of Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach):
1. Kelly Slater (USA) 11,750 pts
2. Mick Fanning (AUS) 11,700 pts
2. Taj Burrow (AUS) 11,700 pts
4. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 10,500 pts
5. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 9,750 pts
5. Nat Young (USA) 9,750 pts
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