March 10, 2003 (Snapper Rocks, QLD, Australia) Rising star Dean Morrison today overcame 1999 world champion and fellow local Mark Occhilupo to win the Quiksilver Pro. The US$250,000 World Championship (WCT) commenced with round four this morning, running right through to the climax and with countless highlights in between. Two Mitchell Surfing Foundation (MSF) expression sessions also took place, one prior to and another following the grand finale.

Great 3-4ft (1.3m) waves were on offer at Snapper Rocks, with another capacity crowd turning out to support their hometown heroes.

Morrison, who was granted a full-time wildcard position on this year’s WCT following a severe head injury at the end of last season in Hawaii, easily justified the spot today. Commencing his assault this morning against six-time world champ Kelly Slater (USA), the 22-year-old gained momentum as he disposed of Jake Paterson (Aus) in the quarterfinals and then good mate Mick Fanning in the semis.

Against Occhilupo in the 30-minute decider, ‘Dingo’ set a blistering pace. Having opened with a 9.0, he then lifted the extremely high level with a near-perfect 9.73, followed by another 9.23. With only ‘best two’ counting, he created a daunting total for his more experience opponent to try and catch. As the huge and vocally supportive crowd cheered him on, the quietly spoken Morrison claimed his maiden WCT title, US$30,000, and leads the 2003 world title race.

“I don’t want to go to sleep ‘cause I think when I wake up this would be a dream,” began Morrison, after being carried by mates through the thousands of cheering fans. “It’s unbelievable. I don’t know what to say.

“I was just stoked about my first heat this morning,” he continued. “I was up against Kelly and to make the quarters was the best result I’d ever had. Then I got through and was up against Mick in the semifinals. He’s my good mate, so I was thinking at least one of us was going to make the final. Then I went out there then and it was just like a dream. I got three waves off the bat. I didn’t think they were so high, but when I heard, it was just a dream.

“I was just glad to be in this year,” he added, of the World Professional Surfers (WPS) granting him a wildcard spot. “There was no pressure on me this event. I felt like… I don’t know what I feel. I’m overwhelmed (laughs). I’m just going to take this year one heat at a time. The boys are all just getting warmed up and everyone is going to be on fire.”

Occhilupo, who seemed invincible en-route to the final, later acknowledged surfing four heats at Snapper had taken its toll. While he still executed some amazing backhand re-entries, Occy fell a number of times and the title slipped from reach. In the end, the 36-year-old required a combination of scores worth 12.84-points.

“I feel sore, actually,” said Occhilupo afterward. “I said to Deano halfway through, ‘aren’t your legs sore?’ He said, ‘yeah, they’re cramping.’ I couldn’t even feel mine. It’s really strenuous surfing four times, especially with the length of ride here. It’s not really a good excuse ‘cause Deano had plenty and ripped so hard. It’s such a deserving win and I’m really happy for him. He’s got such a big future.

“It’s the best start I’ve had,” he continued. “I’m feeling really good and can’t wait for Bells (next WCT, April 15-26).”

Equal third in the Quiksilver Pro were 2002 Rookie of the Year Mick Fanning (Aus) and Pat O’Connell (USA). Both received US$10,000 and a great start to their 2003 WCT ratings campaign.

Fanning (Aus), who posted the only perfect 10-point ride of the Quiksilver Pro, as well as the highest combined total of 19.6 - out of a possible 20-points during his quarterfinal - couldn’t repeat the unbelievable performance against good mate Morrison. The world #5 appeared destined for another finals berth, but inferior wave selection proved his ultimate downfall, needing a combination of rides worth 10.24-points.

“It was really special,” said Fanning nonetheless, of the pair’s first man-on-man WCT heat. “We grew up surfing against each other all the time and ever since we were little kids Deano beat me, so I guess it just keeps on going on (laughs). I’m stoked to get a good start to the season though, and stoked for Deano to make his first final.

“The waves were so fun,” he added, of his epic quarterfinal. “Everything just felt right. I guess I was just trying too hard in the semis, but it’s all good.”

O’Connell, the only non-Australian to reach the semifinals, was exceptional throughout the Quiksilver Pro. The Californian led at the halfway mark, but then Occhilupo regained the lead with a mediocre 6.2 ride. With 8-minutes remaining it seemed plenty would still happen, but the ocean failed to co-operate until the last minute. Pat required a 6.64 and while he managed a few turns down the line on his final attempt, it wasn’t enough and the judges awarded a 5.07 score.

“It’s funny, as one of the best things to ever happen in my career was when Occy and I had a heat here back in 1998,” recalled O’Connell. “He needed a 5.9 for about eight minutes and nothing ever came. I won and was so excited about it. Then halfway through the heat today, he needed a 5.9 and I just started laughing. But for me it’s a real honor just to be in the water with him, win or lose. It was a great contest and sure I would have liked to get those last couple of points, but I think I did everything I really could have in that heat. Pretty stoked.”

Finishing equal fifth today were Australians Taj Burrow, Jake Paterson, and defending Quiksilver Pro champion Joel Parkinson, along with lone Brazilian Neco Padaratz.

Burrow, in particular, deserves further mention following his quarterfinal performance. The West Australian was in stunning form, posting a 9.37 and 9.1, yet still required two scores worth 10.23-points to match Fanning. The pair’s combined total of 38.07 is the highest since the ‘best two’ wave option came into affect at the start of last season. The world #4’s total of 18.47-points would have been enough to win any other quarterfinal. Additionally, he collected the ‘Torquay Time-Tunnel’ award for the longest tube ride (clocked at 8-seconds) in the Quiksilver Pro for a bonus AUD$5,000 bonus.

Two Mitchell Surfing Foundation (MSF) expression sessions also took place, with one prior to and another following the grand finale. Both extraordinary displays had cash incentives up for grabs totaling US$10,000.

Kelly Slater and Troy Brooks (Aus) took out the best aerial category in their respective sessions for US$1,500 each. Jake Paterson and Nathan Webster (Aus) proved the most radical for US$1,500. Taj Burrow and Richie Lovett (Aus) the most innovative for another US$1,500 apiece, while last but not least, the most entertaining bonuses went to Joel Parkinson and finally Toby Martin (Aus).

Live broadband video webcast was available on www.aspworldtour.com during competition hours courtesy of ASP and www.coastalwatch.com

Official results of the Quiksilver Pro
1st Dean Morrison (Aus) 18.96 - US$30,000
2nd Mark Occhilupo (Aus) 12.84 - US$16,000

Semifinals (defeated=3rd receive US$10,000)
SF1: Dean Morrison (Aus) 18.17 def. Mick Fanning (Aus) 15.83
SF2: Mark Occhilupo (Aus) 14.2 def. Pat O’Connell (USA) 13.9

Quarterfinals (defeated=5th receive US$8,000)
QF1: Mick Fanning (Aus) 19.6 def. Taj Burrow (Aus) 18.47
QF2: Dean Morrison (Aus) 16.57 def. Jake Paterson (Aus) 15.66
QF3: Mark Occhilupo (Aus) 18.07 def. Joel Parkinson (Aus) 15.46
QF4: Pat O’Connell (USA) 17.24 def. Neco Padaratz (Brz) 16.2

Round Four (defeated=9th receive US$5,000)
H1: Mick Fanning (Aus) 17.9 def. Sunny Garcia (Haw) 15.03
H2: Taj Burrow (Aus) 17.6 def. Michael Lowe (Aus) 9.94
H3: Dean Morrison (Aus) 16.17 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 14.16
H4: Jake Paterson (Aus) 18.87 def. Andy Irons (Haw) 16.07
H5: Joel Parkinson (Aus) 18.54 def. CJ Hobgood (USA) 17.7
H6: Mark Occhilupo (Aus) 17.5 def. Kieren Perrow (Aus) 15.33
H7: Neco Padaratz (Brz) 18.1 def. Luke Egan (Aus) 15.03
H8: Pat O’Connell (USA) 18.83 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 16.23

For more information:

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Jesse Faen
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