Jubilant Joel wins at Bells

A jubilant Joel Parkinson is chaired from the water after winning the Rip Curl Pro 09

Photo: ASP CI Scholtz via Getty Images

Surfing News

Other Sport News

Friday, April 17, 2009 - 2:40 PM

Source: BigPond Sport

Catch all the highlights from the Rip Curl Pro 09 here

Joel Parkinson claimed the 2009 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach title, his second win of the year, defeating fellow Aussie Adam Robertson in pumping six-foot waves at Bells Beach.

Naturally the champion was stoked to be ringing the bell at arguably the most-prestigious event on the calendar.

"Winning at home (the recent Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast) is probably the most special win you can have, but this is the most special trophy you can have," enthused Parkinson.

"There is not another trophy in surfing that holds the prestige and honor list that this has.

"To be back on the trophy again and to hold it for a year is going to be amazing."

The win was Parkinson's second at Bells and hands him an early-season advantage in the chase for the world title, as he now has the maximum score from two events held.

"I took confidence from home and now from here I’ll take more," said Parkinson who remained cautious despite his impressive beginning.

"People can get caught up in the whole world title race, but I always said I wanted start the year with some results; I just never thought I would start this well.

"There are a lot of really hungry, angry surfers that are behind me and will come out so strong in the next events.

"I'm just showing up to the next event with my same game plan and taking things step by step.

"I've said since the Gold Coast that the World Title is a marathon, not a sprint. There are still eight events."

Parkinson built slowly across the day's final, before pulling out all stops to post an impressive 17.40 in the final. In the end his, forehand flair and precision were simply a step too far for trials winner and event wildcard Adam Robertson, who had earlier successfully gone toe-to-toe with the world's best.

The champion echoed the thoughts of the capacity crowd when he commented, "I have to really pay Robbo a huge compliment because of his effort out here. For a wildcard and coming through the trials, he surfed so many heats - I think nine - and what’s he accomplished is just so admirable."

Hawaiian Fredrick Patacchia secured equal third (his best finish on Tour) with his no-nonsense power surfing and now sits at No.3 on the ASP World Tour ratings.

"I am totally stoked with my start to the year," said Patacchia.

"Being a backsider out here is difficult, but I have been watching guys like Occ (Mark Occhilupo) and Tom Carroll all my life and it just takes time to figure it out.

Also recording a personal best (equal) was South African Jordy Smith.

The former ASP World Junior Champion and ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) No. 1, defeated Mick Fanning in the quarters before running into Parkinson in a semi final.

Rip Curl Pro 09: Final
1 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.40
2 – Adam Robertson (AUS) 13.37

Rip Curl Pro 09: Semi-Finals
SF 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.33 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.24
SF 2: Adam Robertson (AUS) 13.87 def. Fred Patacchia (HAW) 12.73

Rip Curl Pro 09: Quarter Finals
QF 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.17 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 8.66
QF 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.50 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.16
QF 3: Adam Robertson (AUS) 14.26 def. Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 12.33
QF 4: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 14.13 def. Kieren Perrow (AUS) 12.17

Catch all the highlights from the Rip Curl Pro 09 here