The Quiksilver Pro France, the only event of the ASP World Tour held in France, started on the 04 October at the Plage de la Gravière in Hossegor. The surf conditions were perfect with clean 2 meter waves, off-shore wind and plenty of sunshine. Dream waves aside, here’s the lowdown to the 2011 competition.
Brazilian surfer, Gabriel Medina wins the Quiksilver Pro France
First victory for the 17 year old surfer who becomes the youngest winner ever of the competition
Today, the Brazilian surfer, Gabriel Medina wins the tenth edition of the Quicksilver Pro France in Hossegor and only leg of the 2011 World Surf Championship to be held in France. In the very last minute of the final, the surfing prodigy from Brazil beat Australian surfer Julian Wilson, scoring 9.17 points on his last wave. He succeeds Aussie surfer Mick Fanning and becomes the youngest surfer ever to add his name to the list of Quiksilver Pro France winners.
This 10th edition of the Quiksilver Pro France comp was marked by the rise of a new generation of surfers; Medina, Wilson, Muniz… who all openly unleashed their ambitions on the ASP World Tour.
Having qualified in the top 34 mid-season, Gabriel Medina pulled off this victory in France whilst competing in only his second elite surf comp.
After beating 10-time ASP World Surfing Champion, Kelly Slater, in the quarter final, Medina then took out Taylor Knox in the semis before putting an end to Julian Wilson’s chances of a first win on the ASP World Tour. Gabriel Medina said of his win:
It’s the best day of my life! I beat some very good surfers, I can’t believe it. It’s been a fantastic week for me. Two years ago I was here competing in the King of the Groms, now I’m competing with the big boys and I win, it’s unreal.
Medina’s victory over Wilson in Hossegor in the Quiksilver Pro France also has an element of revenge since the two surfers were in the final together in the Quiksilver Pro Portugal at the end of June. At that stage, the advantage went to the Aussie.
The next round of the ASP World Tour begins on the 15 October in Peniche, Portugal.
Results 2011
Final
- Gabriel Medina (BRA) 17.00
- Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.10
Semi Finals
- Gabriel Medina (BRA) 19.57 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 7.00
- Julian Wilson (AUS) 18.50 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.55
Quarter Finals
- Taylor Knox (USA) 15.17 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 9.50
- Gabriel Medina (BRA) 16.66 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 8.60
- Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.26 def. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 13.77
- Julian Wilson (AUS) 13.00 def. Taj Burrow (AUS