Julian Wilson Wins Nike US Open of Surfing

by: Cyrus

Julian Wilson displayed a wide variety of high scoring surfing maneuvers to win the Nike US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach.  Wilson took out a bevy of heavy hitters en route to winning the contest, taking out Gabriel Medina then John John Florence before defeating Miguel Pupo in the Finals to win the contest.

 

“I’m over the moon,” said Wilson. “I got a really good start and my hat goes off to Miguel (Pupo) he’s deadly. I knew he was going to be hunting those lefts the whole heat and I just tried to apply a bit of pressure on him. He got that 8.93 and was right back in the heat with plenty of time left. There weren’t that many opportunities out there but it came down to the last minute and I had to just pray there wasn’t one behind it.”

 

Despite being just an ASP Prime event, the Nike US Open of Surfing remains a very prestigious contest.  This was a huge win for the young Aussie, who will carry the momentum of his victory to Tahiti. The contest window for the Billabong Pro Teahupoo opens August 16^th and closes August 27^th.

 

“I felt like I was just building house the whole event,” said Wilson. “I really had to fight for it every heat in the dying minutes and those heats always feel good. I wouldn’t say I peaked in the final but I got a good start and got two good waves.”

 

The most highly anticipated heat of the event was the Quarterfinal heat between reigning 11-Time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater and Dane Reynolds.  Slater defeated Reynolds before losing to Pupo in the Semifinals of the contest.

 

“I never really felt like I got it going all week,” said Slater. “Miguel (Pupo) and Medina (Gabriel Medina) have been so consistent, getting 9s every heat and they are tough to beat out there. If you’re going to beat them out there you really need to be on you’re A game. These are the waves they grew up surfing and this is their bread and butter.”

 

All photos credited to USOpenOfSurfing.com.  Visit their website for more information.