Snapper Rocks, QLD, Australia (Sunday, March 10) Two-time ASP world junior champion Joel Parkinson (Aus) today defeated world #3 Cory Lopez (USA) in the final of the Quiksilver Pro. The hometown victory puts him on top of the World Championship Tour (WCT) ratings, and secured US$30,000 prizemoney.

Surf remained 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m), with ideal southeast winds throughout the day helping to create fantastic conditions. Snapper Rocks showcased the dramatic climax, with competition commencing this morning in the quarterfinals.


Parkinson, who in 1999 won his first WCT as an 18-year-old wildcard in South Africa, today added another incredible chapter to his illustrious list of achievements. After eliminating six-time world champion Kelly Slater (USA) yesterday, high expectations mounted. With an always-casual approach, however, ‘Parko’ overcame fellow Australian Danny Wills this morning, before taking down Shea Lopez in the semifinals, and then the Floridian’s younger brother in the all-important clash.

The 35-minute decider showcased superb surfing from both, but it was the natural-footer’s near-perfect 9.5 ride that separated them. After emerging from a deep tube right off the take-off, he continued to carve the clean wave face through the inside section, offering the supportive crowd exactly what they wanted. Then, after holding a commanding lead until the end, he picked off another inside barrel, turned to the mass of onlookers, and raised his hands in celebration. A jet ski even took him for a lap of honor, before friends and media swarmed the shoreline.

“Feeling great,” began Parkinson, over the roar of applause and cheers. “I can’t (believe it went so well). I got that one when Cory had priority, but he was out too far, and I just snuck into it. I’ve over the moon.

“I was fairly confident the whole way ‘cause it was at Snapper,” he continued, of his local surf break. “Everybody is so good at Snapper, and Cory, I saw what he did in the semi. It was always open, but I’m just stoked I got it.

“All the boys, I can’t wait to party with them,” he added, to further cheers. “It’s great, and the money’s good (laughs). It’s a great start to the year. I just hope the roll keeps going. A few more wins through the year would be awesome.”

Lopez, 24, who has had an ankle injury for the past month, showed no signs of easing up during the last match. His backhand barrel riding and committed re-entries proved deadly en-route, but if anything, local experience gave his final opponent the advantage. The goofy-foot came back from needing a combination of rides, but still required a steep 9.66-points when the 2002 tournament concluded.

“I’m stoked to have made the final,” said Lopez. “Unfortunately I had priority and ‘Parko’ got that one inside me, as I couldn’t keep him off it. I was pretty bummed, but that’s the way it worked out. ‘Parko’ was ripping the whole contest and I saw his 9.6 against my brother. He took him out, took us both out, so our family is pretty bummed about that, but maybe next time we’ll get him.

“It hurts a little bit here and there,” he explained of his ankle. “You’ve just got to forget about things like that, especially in the final. After this result I’m feeling more solid and will probably just focus on the (coming) WCT’s and get my foot better.”

Finishing equal third were Shea Lopez (USA) and 1999 world champion and last year’s tour runner-up Mark Occhilupo (Aus).

The 27-year-old Lopez also failed to match the form of Parkinson today, searching for a combination of rides (11.46-points) when time elapsed. The fact his rival posted the day’s highest single wave score of 9.6, and the second best tally of the entire tournament with 25.6-points, contributing dearly.

“I didn’t get the best waves,” explained Lopez. “To beat ‘Parko’ you have to. It came down to wave selection.”

Occhilupo, 35, appeared unstoppable as his semifinal got underway against Cory, but then made some tactical errors, and Lopez picked off a 9.0 to close the gap. From there, his command loosened, and ultimately, it was lost when the Floridian paddled into his fifth and final ride, posting more than required with a 6.95 score.

“I can’t believe I made the silliest mistake,” began Occhilupo. “I was thinking I had him, which is the biggest no no. After I heard he got the 9.0, he only needed a five, which is really hard to stop someone getting out there when every wave is worth at least that.

“I feel really good with that result going into Bells,” he acknowledged, referring to the next WCT event in Australia. “That’s my preferred event, so I feel great to have a good result already.”

Finishing equal fifth in the Quiksilver Pro were Richie Lovett (Aus), Wills (Aus), Andy Irons (Haw) and tour rookie Maz Quinn (NZ). For 25-year-old Quinn, the result was especially sweet, being only his first WCT event.

“It’s a dream start for me,” said Quinn. “Quarterfinals in my first ‘CT ever… It’s a huge confidence boost going into all the other events.”

Two Mitchell Surfing Foundation (MSF) Expression Sessions also took place today. One before the grand finale, and one afterward, with US$10,000 divided into four categories over two heats. A score of the world’s best surfers went berserk, without the usual ratings pressure to worry about, and results follow:

Heat one: Mick Fanning (Aus) took out the best aerial award, Andy Irons the most innovative, the most radical maneuver went to Kalani Robb (Haw), while ‘Occy’ and Luke Egan (Aus) shared the most entertaining prize when they crashed into each other.

Heat two: Luke Munro (Aus) took out the best aerial, Slater the most innovative, the most radical maneuver went to Damien Hobgood (USA), while Kieren Perrow (Aus) proved the most entertaining.
Live heat scores and surfer profiles are available on www.aspworldtour.com, and a detailed release will follow the completion of the day’s surfing action.
*Official Results of the Quiksilver Pro: http://64.78.63.45/res02/kirra02/mr1.htm
Further Information:
www.aspworldtour.com & www.quiksilver.com

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Jesse Faen
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Mark Rayner, Quiksilver Domestic Media Director
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Mandy McKinnon, ASP Australasian Media Director
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