Meet Your Semi-Finalists at the Margaret River Pro

It was a very big day of competition today at the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro. Tyler Wright was crowned women’s champ after defeating Courtney Conlogue in the final. While three rounds of competition went down in the men’s draw. Now that the dust has settled, let’s meet our semi-finalists!

Joel Parkinson

Joel has been on a tear in West Oz. Today he leapfrogged round 4 after holding on to victory against Matt Wilko and Julian Wilson in the first non-elimination round of the morning. Against Nat Young in quarterfinal one, the tour vet was simply on fire. His 8.00 ride was stamped with classic Parko style. Before his win against Nat, Joel joined Commissioner Kieren Perrow at the Box and scored a fistful of barrels. With the razor sharp reef earmarked as a potential venue tomorrow, Parko is a firm favourite.

Julian Wilson

I hope Jules hasn’t peaked too early after his performance today. He made light work of Ace in Round 5 and crushed Italian giant killer, Leo Fioravanti in the quarterfinals. Against the WSL wildcard Jules put on a masterclass for the Margaret Rivers masses. His swooping bottom turns and searing carves were beautiful to watch. One would think he’d be hoping for Mainbreak to continue to be the venue for tomorrow’s semi against Joel.

Italo Ferreira

Wow. This kid continues to surprise everyone. He never falls. The gecko-footed Brazilian goofy stuck it Kolohe in the quarters. His backside snaps were explosive and he simply commits to every turn. He surfed smart against the American and continues to bank results that cry “future world champ”.

Sebastian Zietz moving plenty of water on his way to a semi-finals berth. Photo: WSL/Cestari

Sebastian Zietz

Seabass has finally found his mojo. The Hawaiian is taking full advantage of an injury wildcard in 2016 and how good has it been to watch? He looks like he’s having fun, perhaps having realised just what he lost. His surfing is raw, echoes the late Andy Irons and he has got to be one of the favourites with three heats to go. His huge down carve against Caio Ibelli might have only netted him a 4.50 but it would have sent a shudder through the rest of the draw.

Here’s WSL Commish Kieren Perrow giving a Box masterclass with Jack Robinson, Noa Deane and Jay Davies earlier today.

Drug Aware Margaret River Pro Men’s Round 4 Results:

Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.10, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 12.93, Julian Wilson (AUS) 12.43

Heat 2: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 11.97, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 11.87, Nat Young (USA) 11.60

Heat 3: Kolohe Andino (USA) 14.20, Gabriel Medina (BRA) 12.00, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.00

Heat 4: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 14.17, Caio Ibelli (BRA) 12.57, Italo Ferreira (BRA) 12.56

Drug Aware Margaret River Pro Men’s Round 5 Results:

Nat Young (USA) 16.37 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 8.83

Heat 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 14.17 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 10.26

Heat 3: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.93 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.17

Heat 4: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 13.03 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 10.83

Drug Aware Margaret River Pro Men’s Quarterfinal Results:

Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.83 def. Nat Young (USA) 14.24

QF 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 18.17 def. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 13.10

QF 3: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 17.96 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.50

QF 4: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 12.50 def. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 9.93

Drug Aware Margaret River Pro Men’s Semifinal Match-Ups:

Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Julian Wilson (AUS)

SF 2: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Sebastian Zietz (HAW)