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Josh Kerr Takes Out Single Fin Division in the Maldives
Tom Bennett
The 2018 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy has kicked off in stunning conditions with Australian Josh Kerr taking out the opening round single-fin division. Sultans turned it on for the opening day of the world's most luxurious surfing event with clean 4-to-6 foot waves rifling down the reef.
In the single-fin Final Kerr took on C.J. Hobgood. The two former WSL Championship Tour (CT) competitors traded waves, gliding and jiving on their retro boards, with each posting solid heat totals. 2001 WSL Champion Hobgood led the heat with a minute left, until Kerr took off on a medium-sized set and ripped into it. Kerr landed a technical air-reverse to take the lead and the division's win.
"That wasn't the best air but it did the job so I'll take it," Kerr said. "I've always thought about getting the call up to this event, so to be here now is amazing and to win the single-fin is too good. I was most nervous about the single-fin because the waves were way bigger than what I thought my board could deal with but it turned on in the conditions perfectly. This has been such a blast from the past hanging out with all of these guys; we haven't seen much of each other over the last few years so this has been such a fun catch-up. And we're doing it here at literally the most luxurious surfing event in the world with our families - I feel so spoiled."
Hobgood is the veteran of the event having competed here last year, where he also finished runner-up in the single-fin division. The Floridian goofyfoot was destined for the Final with some epic performances throughout the day, particularly during a Semifinal match-up with Alejo Muniz (BRA). Hobgood continued this form into the Final but was overcome by a rampaging Kerr in the dying seconds of the day.
"The waves are pumping today - it's the best it's been all week," Hobgood said. "It's so good to be back here and I definitely felt like the guy who knew what I was in for but still couldn't hold in my excitement. I rode that same board last year and rode it a few times recently so was feeling really good on it. It was always going to be tough in that final coming up against Josh (Kerr), I feel like he will be the guy to beat here this week."
On his way to the single-fin Final, Kerr dismantled former CT competitor Freddy Patacchia Jr. in Semifinal 2. Patacchia was on borrowed equipment after missing the memo and forgetting to pack his own single-fin. The Hawaiian powerhouse was unfazed, making the most of an empty line-up in pumping surf at Sultans.
"I think I must have missed an email or something because I totally forgot to bring my single-fin," Patacchia said. "Luckily there was one here that I could borrow and it worked all right. I was just having a blast out there today. My career was spent surfing to a criteria on a particular board so today I surfed to what I think the criteria on a single-fin should be and although I didn't win I had so much fun. These are the best waves I've surfed in ages so I'm so stoked."
The opening heat of the event saw a great showing from local wildcard Abdulla "Fuku" Areef. Although he was unable to progress into the single-fin semi-finals, he put on an epic show at one of his local breaks, surfing a single-fin for one of the first times.
Currently sitting within reach of re-qualifying for the Elite CT, Alejo Muniz is definitely the most in-tune competitor at this year's event. Having just hopped on a single-fin for the first time two days ago, Muniz looked in excellent shape, narrowly getting edged out by eventual division runner-up C.J. Hobgood.
Due to a missed flight, Hawaiian surfing icon Bruce Irons unfortunately had to withdraw from the single-fin division but is hopeful to arrive before the twin-fin division gets underway in the coming days.
Stay tuned as we head towards the 80s and our competitors get loose in the twin-fin division, which will most likely kick off tomorrow.
Single Fin Division Results
Josh Kerr (AUS)
C.J. Hobgood (USA)
Alejo Muniz (BRA) equal with Freddy Patacchia Jr (HAW)
Abdulla Fuku Areef (MDV) equal with Bruce Irons (HAW)
2018 FS Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy Leaderboard
Josh Kerr (AUS)
C.J. Hobgood (USA)
Alejo Muniz (BRA)
Freddy Patacchia Jnr (HAW)
Abdulla Fuku Areef (MDV)
Bruce Irons (HAW)
C.J. Hobgood
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Josh Kerr defeats Alejo Muniz and wins the 2018 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy.
Josh Kerr wins the second round twin-fin division in classic conditions at the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy.
The Aussie aerial artist takes out the twin fin division on day 2 of the Four Seasons Maldive Surfing Champions Trophy.