Florence and Peterson reign at Pro

No.1-ranked John John Florence and No.6 Lakey Peterson won the WSL Margaret River Pro on Tuesday.

Florence defeated No.2-ranked Kolohe Andino in the final with a near-perfect score of 18.50 compared to Andino’s 15.10.

The Hawaiian’s two scoring waves were both incredible, scoring a 9.00 and 9.50 on the way to his second title at Prevelly’s Surfers Point Main Break.

Florence’s road to the final included wins against Caio Ibelli (semifinal), Italo Ferreira (quarterfinal), Sebastian Zietz, and Australian Jack Freestone.

Florence displayed some of the contest’s best surfing on Saturday during a memorable day at the Box.

Andino climbed from No.3 in world rankings to No.2 due to earning a place in the final.

The American scored a 7.17 and 7.93 in a strong display of surfing in the final, but it was not quite enough to eclipse Florence’s brilliant efforts. In the women’s final, Peterson scored a 6.40 and 6.93 for a combined 13.33 in a close final, defeating ninth-ranked Tatiana Weston-Webb.

Weston-Webb also scored 6.40 on her first scoring wave but could only manage a 4.00 on her second wave for a combined score of 10.40.

Peterson had a tough draw on her way to the finals, defeating world No.1 Stephanie Gilmore in their quarterfinal as well as third-ranked Carissa Moore (semifinal), and Nikki Van Dijk (round of 16).

The highlight of the event was Saturday at the Box, where local Jack Robinson effortlessly negotiated the heavy swell with no fear.

Kelly Slater said Saturday’s surfing was a “highlight of the tour and in life”.

Florence and Peterson lifted their wooden trophies in unison, which were locally made by JahRoc furniture director Gary Bennett and designed to combine the landscape, surf and culture of Margaret River.