07.24.01

Jeffreys Bay, South Africa - Defending Billabong Pro champion Jake Paterson (Aus) today created history by becoming the first surfer to win back-to-back WCT tournaments at the world's best point break when he defeated Taylor Knox (USA). In what proved to be an epic showdown, Paterson collected US$30,000 and jumped to #7 on the current ratings.

Conditions remained 4-5 ft (1.5m) throughout the final day, with a slight onshore wind creeping in during the latter stages.

Paterson, 28, who defeated Peterson Rosa (Brz) in the 2000 final, began the 40-minute decider this year on track, picking up his best ride of 8.75 to set the pace. From there he backed this up with another good score of 6.75 and held a comfortable lead. Knox eventually swung things his way with a near perfect 9.0, followed by a 6.5, but as time ran out, the defending champion held priority and paddled into his last wave needing 5.51. He executed a series of forehand snaps under pressure, giving it everything he had left, and was ultimately rewarded a 6.3, plus the title. Again.

Jake Paterson

"Wooooo!" exclaimed Paterson, with his surfboard raised above head, as an entourage of fellow Aussie competitors and media surrounded him on the rocky shoreline. "Back-to-back, can you believe it? I thought I had (beat) him, and that was the biggest mistake of my life, thinking I had Taylor Knox. Then he got a 9.0, so I just told myself to put my head down and be selective. Of course I wasn't, but then why not win in the last five minutes and make it exciting for the crowd (laughs)! Not really, you want to smash him as much as you can, but win it anyway you can. Last two seconds... it doesn't matter.

"Yeah boys," he continued, as he was draped in an Australian flag. "It's incredible. It's an incredible wave and an incredible contest. I'm back. I've been having a shocker this year. After Brazil (last WCT) I was pretty fed up with the waves we had there, so coming here early I got some good ones and it paid off. 30 grand richer (more laughs)! I'm just so stoked to win. That's what it's all about."

Knox, 30, posted the best score of the final, but unfortunately lacked a good enough third counting wave to win. Still, the result pushes him up into #4 on the ratings, one spot ahead of current world champion Sunny Garcia (Haw).

"I had a good contest," said Knox afterward. "It's cool. I'm kind of bummed I lost, but I saw his last wave and I guess he got the score. I had a good go, but I kind of ran out of time. I got one at the end, a 6.5, and all he would have needed was something similar.

"I'm stoked on 2nd (place) here," he added. "It's a great day at J-Bay, and it's been really fun surfing all day."

Taylor Knox

Finishing equal third today were Damien Hobgood (USA) and Beau Emerton (Aus). Hobgood, 22, started strong against Paterson, but lost the match at the very end when his opponent picked off a 5.1 to advance through the first semi. Having finished 5th in the 2000 Billabong Pro, Hobgood still bettered this result by a round, after eliminating world #9 Kalani Robb (Haw) in a great quarterfinal this morning.

"I was trying to put the pressure on him from the start, but he only needed a small score at the end," said Hobgood. "Last year the same thing happened. Flavio (Padaratz) needed a score at the end and got it in the final seconds. Jake actually had a little more time in that one.

"I'm just bummed I didn't make the final 'cause it was a good opportunity right there," he continued. "A lost opportunity, but I'll get there."

Emerton, 26, who entered the event as a replacement for injured world #12 Guilherme Herdy (Brz), showed superb form throughout the tournament, but against Knox today, made uncharacteristic mistakes and fell a number of times. He did fight back with a 7.75 toward the end, the heat's highest score, but it wasn't enough. He needed a 6.01 during the final minute, but again fell attempting a critical floater.

"I had a bit of a shocker out there," said Emerton. "I just left my run too late and couldn't seem to find anything that would link up. I got one at the end, but I just needed a bit more time. It's a bit disappointing, but I'm still pretty happy with the result.

"Now I can go home and shave this stupid mustache off I've had on all week," he added, laughing at his own superstitions. "I didn't want to take it off 'cause I thought I'd lose."

Crowd favorite Greg Emslie (SAfr) had his nation's hopes riding on each wave he caught this morning, but unfortunately the current #23's selection proved to be inferior to Emerton, his opponent in the quarterfinals. Though securing his equal best result on the WCT with an equal 5th, he could only manage a total heat score of 9.4.

"I had a nightmare out there," said Emslie. "I would have liked a good result here, so it's pretty disappointing."

The Mitchell Surfing Foundation (MSF) put on an Expression Session between the final and second semi, offering cash for the surfers and entertainment for the onlookers. Three categories were awarded US$1,500, while the most entertaining performance was worth US$500.

World #2 Luke Egan (Aus) secured the best ride, with ratings' leader CJ Hobgood (USA) boosting the highest aerial. 1999 Billabong Pro champion Joel Parkinson (Aus) found the deepest tube ride, and Emerton, who was yet to return to the beach from his semifinal loss, executed his famous wide leg stance 'Poo-man' all the way down the line for the most crowd laughs.

Official Results of the Billabong Pro Final Day
1st Jake Paterson (Aus) 21.3 US$30,000
2nd Taylor Knox (USA) 20.5 US$16,000

Semifinals (losers finish =3rd and receive US$10,000)
SF1: Jake Paterson (Aus) 19.1 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 18.85
SF2: Taylor Knox (USA) 18.65 def. Beau Emerton (Aus) 14.95

Quarterfinals (losers finish =5th and receive US$8,000)
QF1: Jake Paterson (Aus) 18.0 def. Nathan Webster (Aus) 17.5
QF2: Damien Hobgood (USA) 22.1 def. Kalani Robb (Haw) 20.25
QF3: Beau Emerton (Aus) 19.0 def. Greg Emslie (SAfr) 9.4
QF4: Taylor Knox (USA) 20.25 def. Shea Lopez (USA) 13.25

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