Australian wildcard George Pittar continued his impressive run and Brazilian Samuel Pupo was left in tears on a shortened but drama-filled day at the Margaret River Pro.
Only four heats were surfed in the men’s round of 16 on Friday due to worsening conditions at the World Surf League (WSL) event in Western Australia.
Pittar, competing in just his second WSL event, provided a heartwarming story as the 21-year-old defeated compatriot Liam O’Brien in the final heat of the day to book a place in the quarter-finals.
“I can’t even believe what’s happening,” Pittar said on the WSL broadcast.
“It’s easier to get to this event with less pressure. Everyone has to worry about the cut and the stakes are high.
“For me, I’m padded and it’s all experience for me.
“It’s pretty crazy to be in the quarterfinals. I’m tripping.”
The most emotional moment of the day was for Pupo, 23, who was left in tears after beating his older brother Miguel Pupo in a result that ensured his 32-year-old brother would miss the mid-season cut.
“Taking him off the tour, I really feel like a loss,” Samuel said as he wiped away tears.
“Without him, I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am now. Maybe I wouldn’t be surfing.
“For me to be in this position is all thanks to him.
“But he is very strong, I am sure he will come back.
“He just came out of the water smiling and it looked like he was the one who won the heat.
“It shows how strong he is, but it still hurts a lot.”
Earlier, two-time Margaret River Pro winner John John Florence was in serious danger of elimination when he fell behind three-time world champion Gabriel Medina in their last-16 battle.
With only 100 seconds remaining and with Medina boasting priority, Florencia needed a race of 6.67 points to advance.
Medina used his priority to take off on a wave that went ahead, but it was the second wave of the set that had the most strength.
Florence made the most of her moment of luck, performing a strong two-wave maneuver that resulted in a score of 6.90 and the series win.
“That was a pretty stressful heat,” Florence said.
“I was really happy to get that wave at the end.
“Every set that has come has been two waves, so if there was a set, I knew I would have a chance.
“I was trying to control my nerves. Surfing against Gabe is always fun.
“He’s one of the best competitive surfers of our time.”
Griffin Colapinto also earned a spot in the quarterfinals with a win over Ramzi Boukhiam.
Bigger and better conditions are forecast for the weekend, when the men’s and women’s competitions will conclude.
AAP
Sports content to make you think… or allow you not to. A newsletter delivered every Saturday.
