By Andrea Swayne
The Hurley Pro and Swatch Women’s Pro at Trestles wrapped up today with Stephanie Gilmore winning the first ever Women’s World Championship Tour event at Lower Trestles and the first win of the year for South African, and new San Clemente resident, Jordy Smith.
Five-time world champion Gilmore was spot on in the Swatch Women’s Pro final, facing fellow Australian Sally Fitzgibbons.
Gilmore started out strong with a 9.50 and followed up with an 8.33 to combo Fitzgibbons.
Fitzgibbons’ scores in the 7.0-point range were no match for the five-time world champion. Gilmore’s momentum never let up and she went on to drop a 10-point ride, the only perfect score of the event, with just under five minutes on the clock.
The Hurley Pro final saw Smith taking on John John Florence of Hawaii.
Smith started out with an impressive 9.33 to take the early lead. Florence answered back with two blow tail reverses for a 7.17. These scores would remain the best for both past the halfway mark of the 35-minute heat.
At the 10-minute mark Florence got his back-up, a beautiful ride that started off with a powerful layback turn followed by a string of four power gouges for an 8.60 to take the lead.
Smith kicked out of a throw away in an attempt to answer back and Florence dished out another high scoring wave starting with a big reverse for a 7.27.
With less than two minutes to go, Smith found a nice stretch of open face and worked it out, putting on a variety show. Needing a 6.54 for the win, he gave it his all and as indicated by a double fist pump claim at the end, it felt good.
Florence was right behind him, starting with a tail slide reverse and capping it with another, but incomplete reverse for a 6.17.
Florence would await the final scores on the beach while Smith stayed out the back with Peter Mel who was announcing from the water.
When Smith’s score was announced at a 7.17 for the win 16.50 to 15.87, Mel was right there to get his reaction.
Mel asked Smith how he was feeling after getting his first win of the year.
“It’s the best thing ever. I just moved to town … I’m just overwhelmed. Dude I don’t believe it. Ha. I’m even saying dude instead of bru now,” he said.
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