Saturday, 24 March 2012

John John Florence (HAW) has taken out the ASP Prime rated Telstra Drug Aware Pro, with Courtney Conlogue (USA) winning the ASP 6-Star Women's event. Western Australia turned it on for the final day of the event with clean 3 - 4 foot surf and perfect clear sunny skies for the surfers and thousands of spectators.
 
Florence's performance at this event will go down as one of the most dominant in the event's history. Florence collected five of the top ten single wave scores and the top three two-wave heat totals thanks to his full repertoire. Florence defeated fellow Hawaiian, Olamana Eleogram in the final by scoring two 9-point-rides, for mixing huge power gouges with technical aerials.

Courtney Conlogue (USA) today won the event for the second year in a row. Conlogue's powerful backhand attack is perfectly suited to these powerful South West Oz waves. The young Californian dominated the final against Hawaiian Malia Manuel, posting two scores in the 8-point-range (out of a possible 10), to etch her name on the winners list once again.

Another stand out in this year's event was Mark Occhilupo (AUS). Occy was ASP World Champion back in 1999, has twice won this event and although retired from full-time competition, scored a wild card entry. Occhilupo's affinity for Margaret River was clear from day one, with surf fans being treated to watching his iconic style and flair as he progressed through the contest. His dream run ended in the last minute of his semifinal today, when Olamana Eleogram (HAW) posted a 6.50 and took the lead, sending Occhilupo home with an equal 3rd place finish...not bad at all for a 45 year old retired surfer!

MEN'S FINAL RESULT:

John John Florence (HAW) 18.76 def. Olamana Eleogram (HAW) 15.43

MEN'S SEMIFINAL RESULTS:

SF 1: Olamana Eleogram (HAW) 11.67 def. Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 9.84

SF 2: John John Florence (HAW) 19.13 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 14.37

MEN'S QUARTERFINALS RESULTS:

QF 1: Olamana Eleogram (HAW) 14.83 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 2.34

QF 2: Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 17.63 def. Tom Whitaker (AUS) 16.03

QF 3: John John Florence (HAW) 15.44 def. Nic Muscroft (AUS) 13.10

QF 4: Kai Otton (AUS) 16.90 def. CJ Hobgood (USA) 13.93

WOMEN'S FINAL RESULT:

Courtney Conlogue (USA) 16.23 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 11.03

WOMEN'S SEMIFINAL RESULTS:

SF 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 15.90 def Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 13.40

SF 2: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 15.67 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 11.00

WOMEN'S QUARTERFINALS RESULTS:

QF 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 12.00 def. Pauline Ado (FRA) 9.83

QF 2: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 12.17 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 11.17

QF 3: Rebecca Woods (AUS) 10.33 def. Laura Enever (AUS) 9.06

QF 4: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 15.26 def. Kirby Wright (AUS) 12.90