2016 Taggart Women’s Pro Champion Sally Fitzgibbons : WSL/Sproule[/caption]
Gilmore surfed an amazing contest posting a near perfect heat score of 19.50 in her Semifinal but was unable to find the waves she was after in the Final.
“It’s been a really good week,” Gilmore said. “I feel like we had some really fun waves this event. I definitely peaked in my Semi then couldn’t really buy a wave in the Final, but I’m really happy with this result, it’s a great start to the year. During my semi everything was feeling really good, my body, my boards just everything was working so that is definitely encouraging as we approach Snapper. I haven’t felt like that competing in a really long time so I’m stoked on that.”
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6X’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore finished runner-up at the Taggart Women’s Pro : WSL/Sproule[/caption]
Men’s No.1 Seed Wilkinson came up against young Italian sensation Leonardo Fioravanti in the Final. Both Surfers had been standing out but it was Wilkinson who had been building serious momentum through the finals posting huge score in the Quarters and Semis. The Final was no different with Wilkinson demolishing the righthand walls with massive vertical backhand re-entries to post two excellent range scores, an 8.83 and a 9.00 to take his first victory in longer than he can remember.
“I’m so stoked, I didn’t really realise how long it had been since I had won something,” Wilkinson said. “I’ve had a few seconds and thirds but it definitely feels good to be on top. Newcastle is so great I’ve been coming up here for years and have a good group of friends here do I always feel comfortable here. We had such good waves today it was awesome. I was getting some good rights so I feel like It’s pretty good preparation for Snapper.”
Fioravaranti was in a combination situation (needing two scores) for the entire heat but never gave up until the final siren went. A second at the first QS6,000 of 2016 sets up the young Italian for a big year on the QS, eyeing al all-important spot on the CT.
“I’m pretty bummed to make the final and not win, but of course I’m really happy with a runner-up,” Fioravaranti said. “Congrats to Wilko he surfed so well all event. I’ve been to Newcastle a few times and I always have a great time with good friends and fun surf.”
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