April 13, 2014

MICHEL BOUREZ WINS THE WCT MARGARET RIVER PRO

Tahitian powerhouse Michel ‘the spartan’ Bourez has laid claim to his maiden WCT victory via stop two of the ASP World Tour, the Margaret River Drug Aware Pro.

Bourez (PFY) defeated Josh Kerr (AUS) in the final in 4-5ft conditions at the iconic Margaret River main break. With the event heading into the last day of it’s waiting period a winner had to be decided today.

The Tahitian’s powerful rail game was too strong for Kerr in the final and suited the waves of South West WA. Kerr also gunning for his maiden WCT win surfed strong throughout the event. Particularly a stand out when the event moved to the alternative location ‘the box’ a slabby right hander.

Kelly Slater’s 1/4 final against Joel Parkinson was also a highlight of the final day. King Kelly still sticker-less after his split with Quiksilver showed no signs that the exit from his long term sponsor had affected his game. The guy pretty much did a floater in the barrel, it was some jesus’esque surfing or mosses’esque. Anyway he will  be a force to be reckoned with this year and a safe bet heading into Bells.  Kelly went down to Bourez’s trademark forehand hacks in the Semi’s.

The tour will now roll onto Bell’s Beach Victoria for stop three, the Rip Curl Pro which starts this week. The swell forecast should see the Bell’s contest kick off over Easter weekend so get down there if you can.

The title race is wide open at this stage with Gabriel Medina’s semi final finish at Margaret’s and win at Snapper seeing him sit atop of the leader board.

Check to the final day highlight’s here. Also check out the GoPro Challenge that ran around the event. Damn those POV barrel perspectives are  just getting better and better.

 

RANK +/- NAME POINTS ’14 EARNINGS
1 15,200 $115,000
2 13,200 $55,000
3 6 12,000 $52,500
4 9 11,750 $109,500
5 11,700 $35,000
6 -3 10,500 $32,500
7 2 9,200 $27,500
7 -2 9,200 $27,500
9 -6 8,250 $29,500
10 14 7,000 $28,000

 

*Images ASP / Kirstin Scholtz

by I AM STAN