A day of giant slaying at Main Break saw the elimination of world champions and the current World No.2 as the 5-8ft waves presented the perfect chance to start the day early.
Back on home turf on Thursday morning, the action started with a massive upset at Main Break, as Margaret River wildcard Jacob Willcox eliminated 2014 World Champion Gabriel Medina.
Willcox’s two wave score of 10.53 was too good for Medina, managing a total of 9.00 after kicking out of his last opportunity just before 8am.
“Local knowledge plays a big part here, but you can never discount anyone on the CT,” Willcox said.
The goofy footer said he was on a high after winning the trials and continuing his form through the heats.
“Winning the trials was massive for me, but taking down a former WSL Champion is definitely an awesome feeling.
“There are plenty of waves around still so it would be awesome if we could drift across to The Box and get some barrels at some stage.”
The upsets continued with Nat Young (USA) seeing off current World No.2 Matt Wilkinson (AUS) with a tidy 14.60.
Young is surfing as an injury replacement and surprised the judges and the crowd with his performance and said the conditions suited him well.
“I have been coming to Margaret River since I was 16-years-old and have a good affiliation with this spot,” he said.
“It reminds me a lot of my home town of Santa Cruz, so I love coming here to compete.
“There is still pressure to perform at this event, but it’s a different kind of pressure.”
The inspirational comeback of Australian Owen Wright seemed set to remain gilded, the Jeep Leader’s yellow jersey fixed firmly on his shoulders with a 14.40 score against Hawaiian Ezekiel Lau.
Joel Parkinson maintained form in the face of a decent challenge from the Italian firecracker, Leonardo Fioravanti, notching an 8.33 ride for a total 15.86.
Three time WSL champion Mick Fanning was a surprise early exit from the competition, unable to best USA’s Kanoa Igarashi in Heat 11 after being relegated to a sudden death face-off following a loss in his Round 1 heat.
Surf was called on in the early hours of Thursday morning, and a decision made to return competition to Main Break after the historic North Point start.
Officials have confirmed they would not shift to The Box on Thursday, which was promising building eight foot waves in the early morning.
WSL commissioner Kieren Perrow, himself a Margaret River Pro champion, said the swell continued to impress despite a slight drop.
“Although the swell has dropped a little, it is still really solid with some eight-to-ten foot waves coming through at Main Break,” he said.
“There are some bombs coming through at The Box, but it isn’t quite right at the moment, so we will keep an eye on it and are ready to head that way if conditions permit.”
