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Aussie goofy Kai Otton archives biggest win of his career in big stormy waves. |
Kai Otton (Manly, Aus) tackling the storm surf of Itauna & being chaired up the beach a winner. Pic: ASP/Pedro Monterio
Coolangatta, QLD/Australia (Tuesday, May 31, 2011) – Kai Otton (Northern Beaches, NSW/AUS) won the ASP PRIME rated Coca-Cola – Oakley, World Tour event in solid 6 foot (2.5 meter) surf in Itaúna Saquarema, Brazil overnight.
In the final, Otton frustrated the passionate Brazilian crowd by beating local Raoni Monterio 15.43 to 14.93 (out of a possible 20). The pair went wave for wave and battled hard, but it was Otton who made the most of what was on offer.
Yadin Nicol continues to claw his way towards world tour qualification. Pic: ASP/Pedro Monterio
Otton pockets USD$40,000 for the victory and more importantly 6500 points, which Otton was in desperate need of after slipping to 56th on the ASP World Rankings after a slower than usual start to the year. The win now moves Otton up to 38th on the ratings and goes along way to helping him keep his coveted spot on the ASP World Title Series.
Brazilian hotshot Gabriel Medina went down to Yadin in their quarter final. Pic: ASP/Pedro Monterio
Yadin Nicol (WA/AUS) has also received a significant boost on the ASP World Ratings after an equal 3rd place finish in Brazil last night. Nicol defeated Brazilian prodigy Gabriel Medina in the Quarterfinals, but couldn’t get past Raoni Monterio in the Semis. Nicol jumps from 39th to 33rd on the ratings and is now only one spot away from a position on the ASP World Title series, a spot that he’s has been chasing for years.
Terrific result for hard working Lincoln Taylor of Stradbroke Island, goofy footer finished 5th. Pic: ASP/Pedro Monterio
Australians Lincoln Taylor (QLD/AUS) and Adam Robertson (VIC/AUS) also took home solid results, securing 5th place Quarterfinal finishes that will also see the pair jump up the ratings.
With another ASP PRIME rated event set to start in Brazil tonight, the ASP Super Surf International, expect to see more movers and shakers on the ASP World Ratings.
Adam Robertson flying high with a solid result. Be great to see Robbo qualify for 2012. Pic: ASP/Pedro Monterio
NOTE: Read all about the injury, and the struggle, Kai has gone through to get to this win HERE in his interview with Tracksmag.com
