Adam Melling Wins Vans World Cup of Surfing, Requalifies for ASP WCT
Adam Melling Wins Vans World Cup of Surfing, Requalifies for ASP WCT
December 5, 2012 | ASP International
SUNSET BEACH, Oahu/Hawaii – (Tuesday, December 4, 2012) - Australian Adam Melling, from Lennox Head NSW, has won the US$250,000 VANS World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach, Hawaii – exactly what he needed to retain a position on the ASP World Tour for 2013. Melling, 27, won US$40,000 and moved to equal second on the VANS Triple Crown series ratings.
Melling found himself in the final against Sebastien Zietz (Kauai) – the recent winner of the REEF Hawaiian Pro (the first stop of the $1million Vans Triple Crown of Surfing); Brazilian wunderkind Gabriel Medina; and fellow Australian Adrian “Ace” Buchan (Central Coast, NSW). He was up against the wall, knowing he needed a win or a second to get the points he needed to requalify.
Zietz ran away with an early lead after a 7.67 tube ride. Melling was afraid he had peaked too soon, surfing “the perfect heat” in the quarter finals that earned him the highest score of the entire competition: 18.4 points out of 20 (9.4 & 9.0 wave scores).
But glassy smooth 6-8 foot surf prevailed and so did Melling’s powerful level of performance. Digging deep, he turned the tables on Zietz just minutes before the close with a near-perfect ride (9.33) that featured four gouging turns. He shot from third to first. But with seconds remaining, Medina paddled into a game changer, got barreled and cleanly exited. Melling was left floating, waiting for Medina’s score to drop… not enough to steal the win, but enough to take second, relegating Zietz to third and Buchan to fourth.
“Waking up this morning I was like, this comp is going to be over today and I really want to be on that podium,” said Melling, who surfed a total of four heats today. “Pretty glad that I loaded myself with a lot of breakfast and just hit the vitaminwater after each heat to keep a bit of energy in me.
“I don’t know why it comes to this but on tour it’s definitely hard. It’s only 32 guys and they want it so bad and they all surf so good. Some of the smaller seeds come into play in heats especially man on man. I haven’t had too much luck this year but felt like my surfing’s been the best it’s ever been, so hopefully I don’t put myself in this position ever again.
“I like power surfing and I think that’s definitely one of my strengths. Coming out here you can push as hard as you want because those boards are pretty big so you get out there and push hard. A lot of Aussie surfers can do that stuff so it’s good.
“Pipe’s next. Pressure’s definitely off my shoulders it was a bit of a relief because that wave’s pretty big and scary sometimes.”
For Kauai boy Zietz, 24, the moment was still a sweet one despite missing the win. One of only a handful of surfers to ever make back-to-back finals in 30 years of the Vans Triple Crown, Zietz leads the Triple Crown ratings and that gives him a wildcard into the ultimate event: The Billabong Pipe Masters (Dec. 8-20). He is also incredibly close to clinching the $100,000 Triple Crown cash bonus. Melling or Alejo Muniz (BRA), tied for second on the Triple Crown ratings, would need to place third or better at Pipe, with Zietz losing first round, for Zietz to lose the title. In addition to the cash, Zietz could walk away with a $30,000 Harley Davidson motorcycle, and a $10,000 custom Nixon watch.
“I saw Melling get that wave and I already knew it was the score,” recounted Zietz. “He blew it up super hard and I knew he only needed a six. But I’m still super happy, Melling is a friend of mine and I’m stoked that he won it. I’m still over the moon. I have two finals in a row and I can’t ask for much more.
“(A wildcard to Pipe) definitely never seemed like a possibility but yeah, it’s happened and I was stoked to hear. I just found out that Andy Irons was the only surfer to ever get three finals in a row (at the VANS Triple Crown), so hopefully I can do that and put my name next to Andy’s and that would be a dream come true.”
Referring to the Harley Davidson by JN Automotive that he has sat on twice now: “I just want to rev it right off the stage brrrr, Terminator style!”
Also awarded today, the JN Automotive Rookie of the VANS Triple Crown, to the top newcomer to this prestigious series. It was awarded to Koa Smith (Kauai).
Equal fifth after semi-final losses today were Perth Standlick (AUS) and Jesse Mendes (BRA). Equal seventh after the semi’s were Alejo Muniz (BRA) and Lincoln Taylor (AUS).
The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, hydrated by vitaminwater, now moves to the Banzai Pipeline for the third and final stage of the series. The first potential day of competition is Saturday, December 8.
The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is made possible with the support of: vitaminwater; Nixon; Skullcandy; GoPro; Turtle Bay Resort; Clif Bar; Mauli Ola Foundation; wavejet; the Association of Surfing Professionals; JN Automotive Group; Hawaii Tourism Authority; Oahu Visitors Bureau; Surfline.com; Surfing Magazine; Hawaiian Airlines; truth; Oceanic Time Warner Cable.
Final
1st - Adam Melling (AUS) 16.16pts, $40,000
2nd - Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.67pts, $20,000
3rd – Sebastien Zietz (HAW) 13.70pts, $12,000
4th - Adrian Buchan (AUS) 13.26pts, $10,000
Semi-Finals
H1 : Sebastien Zietz (HAW) 13.00pts ; Adrian Buchan (AUS) 12.03pts ; Jesse Mendes (BRA) 10.67pts ; Lincoln Taylor (AUS) 7.30pts
H2 : Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.00pts ; Adam Melling (AUS) 10.34pts ; Perth Standlick (AUS) 8.26pts ; Alejo Muniz (BRA) 7.33pts
Quarterfinals
H1 : Jesse Mendes (BRA) 13.44pts ; Lincoln Taylor (AUS) 12.86pts ; Kieren Perrow (AUS) 11.70 ; Jeremy Flores (FRA) 5.57pts
H2 : Sebastien Zietz (HAW) 15.80pts ; Adrien Buchan (AUS) 14.26pts ; Jamie O’Brien (HAW) 13.86pts ; Michel Bourez (PYF) 12.87pts
H3 : Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.54pts ; Perth Standlick (AUS) 10.83pts ; Jordy Smith (ZAF) 10.33pts ; Nathan Yeomans (USA) 5.47pts
H4 : Adam Melling (AUS) 18.40pts ; Alejo Muniz (BRA) 15.94pts ; Brett Simpson (USA) 15.70pts ; Ricardo Dos Santos (BRA) 10.13pts
Round of 32
H1 : Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.57pts ; Sebastien Zietz (HAW) 11.13pts ; Glenn Hall (IRL) 6.40pts ; Chris Ward (USA) 5.70pts
H2 : Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.03pts ; Jamie O’Brien (HAW) 10.54pts ; Julian Wilson (AUS) 3.93pts ; Travis Logie (ZAF) 2.33pts
H3 : Michel Bourez (PYF) 13.63pts ; Lincoln Taylor (AUS) 13.16pts ; Taylor Knox (USA) 11.66pts ; Jay Thompson (AUS) 11.37pts
H4 : Adrian Buchan (AUS) 12.60pts ; Jesse Mendes (BRA) 10.10pts ; Kelly Slater (USA) 9.60pts ; Damien Hobgood (USA) 5.94pts
H5 : Perth Standlick (AUS) 17.23pts ; Ricardo Dos Santos (BRA) 13.43pts ; John John Florence (HAW) 11.44pts ; Nat Young (USA) 9.67pts
H6 : Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.03pts ; Brett Simpson (USA) 11.17pts ; Billy Kemper (HAW) 8.94pts ; CJ Hobgood (USA) 6.50pts
H7 : Alejo Muniz (BRA) 13.97pts ; Nathan Yeomans (USA) 12.76pts ; Marc Lacomare (FRA) 9.43pts ; Sunny Garcia (HAW) 8.20pts
H8 : Adam Melling (AUS) 14.10pts ; Gabriel Medina (BRA) 11.17pts ; Kai Otton (AUS) 10.63pts ; Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 10.33pts
VANS TRIPLE CROWN RATINGS AFTER 2 OF 3 EVENTS:
1. Sebastien Zietz (HAW) 10,950
=2. Adam Melling (AUS) 7,200
=2 Alejo Muniz (BRZ) 7,200
=4. John John Florence (HAW) 6,500
=4. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 6,500.
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Tags: Adam Melling, ASP Hawaii, featured, Sebastian Zietz, Vans Triple Crown, Vans World Cup of Surfing
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Comments (7)
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Dimelo says:
December 6, 2012 at 12:09 pm
ASP:
I am concern at the way judging has transpired this year. In comparison to last year, this year has had a lot of questionable calls making the organization looked extremely biased and with a hidden agenda. This is the second time that Gabriel Medina has been involved in an undesirable situation. What if the scores would have been allocated differently, do you think the decision would have been as controversial as it is now? I mean if the score given to Melling was given to Gabriel Medina, and Medina’s score given to Melling, do you think that the public would had reacted the same way about the situation.
In Portugal, the argument for Julian Wilsons’ score was the barrel ride. It was mentioned by several Surfing outlets that barrels were/are scored higher than most surfing maneuvers; however, now Gabriel gets into a barrel and does couple of turns; and yet, he still gets a lower score than Melling. Do you see the predicament here? In my opinion, the problem that you have is inconsistency, and this is causing many problems; it is making you look impartial and prejudicial.
Furthermore, this situation adds more fuel into the conspiracy theories floating around because Melling needed to win the VANs comp to stay in the tour; therefore, this was the perfect opportunity, and perhaps the only one, for him to stay in the tour. Looking at the other competitions where he has been paired against the tour surfers, one can only speculate that he was on his way out.
Surfing is an interesting sport; I enjoy watching it because it requires physical ability and mental strength. Additionally, surfing has been able to reach a wider spectrum of people because it has been made available online. Nevertheless, this medium has opened the door for more scrutiny. I am writing as a fan and mere observer in hopes that your system improves with time. I know it is difficult to make changes quickly but no harm in trying. I wish you all the success in the world for the upcoming 2013 season.
D.J.
Jam says:
December 6, 2012 at 3:44 am
medina scored a deserved second. unfortunately for Gabby his turns are not quite on par with the bigger stronger guys yet. This isn’t criticism, the kids only 18 give him 2 to 3 years and it’s a scary thought. Gabby got a clean tube (not deep) and came out with some clean, placement turns. Not powerful turns. To be fair though, this is what Julian did in Portugal and got the score so in that case Gabby got a bit ripped. Anyway, sunset is Adam Melling’s wave. He surfs it as good as anyone.
Vitao says:
December 5, 2012 at 1:14 pm
I am brazilian. I think AM deserved to win, he was the best surfer of all contest and the 9,33 was ok for his wave. Medina could win with his final wave but assuming the scores for AM and Ziets barrels waves before, 8,17 was ok. Could be a little bit more cause he did two manouvers after that and was a clean barrel but second it is nice.
I dont understand why people saying Medina was unhappy again, he seemed to be really happy, he was smilling and happy on twitter for exemplo. He seems to be vey shy and dont talk too much. Ive never seen AI happy with a second in the podium for exemplo why brazilians has to be? While we fight for nothing it was good for all now we are a thread…
Congrats AM, Medina, Seabas and Ace. Awesome final!!!
mike says:
December 5, 2012 at 11:12 am
why not let the online viewers be the 5th judge on the panel?
Opinion says:
December 5, 2012 at 11:02 am
Well, lots of BS both sides.
Gabe was unhappy because he surfed to win; not to be stoked will 2nd place.
Medina did not say anything, fans are saying their own words and a country has been judged and this is wrong.
At Portugal, was ‘another thing’… but it was kind of world’s opinion.
It’s all over.
Congrats AM; well deserved to be within WCT.
For the ones are pushing against judging, let’s go technical a little. Medina’s barrel was the best scored barrel at the final.
AM wave was his Xmas gift and he surfed so well; deserved his 9.33
Pipe, next stop.
Aloha,
from Brazil
maningreysuit says:
December 5, 2012 at 9:32 am
maybe the brazillans should boycott the 2013 tour!! how good would that be!! no more bulls**t cry baby whinges
db says:
December 5, 2012 at 6:34 am
apparently Medina was unhappy again… and the punters comments above… what is it with the Brazil crew.. ??
