Timmy Reyes clinched the ASP Prime-rated Mr Price Pro Ballito with a powerful performance yesterday. Photo: Alan van Gysen

Timmy Reyes took out the biggest victory of his career yesterday, defeating Australian Matt Wilkinson in six-to-eight foot surf at the Mr Price Pro.

A former WCT campaigner turned big-wave free-surfer, Reyes set off with an early lead on a reeling right-hander. While Wilkinson answered back with an impressive 9.2 score, Reyes maintained his composure and sat wide to find a wave under Wilkinson’s priority, scoring an 8.27 to secure his victory over the Australian.

“This is definitely the biggest win I have ever had in my life,“ said an emotional Reyes. “I knew Matt would get a 9 and he did but I had a dream a few days ago that I should just sit wide, be patient, and the wave would come to me. Almost every heat I had, the same thing happened and that’s what happened on my 8.25 in the Final.”

Timmy and Wilko celebrating on the podium. Photo: Alan van Gysen

Just two weeks back in the water after a ten-week shoulder injury, Reyes’s razor sharp performance saw him pocket $40 000 and 6500 rankings points. His victory rocketing him from 131 on the QS rankings to a remarkable no. 5 in the world, opening the door for a chance to re-qualify in 2015.

“I’m just going to take it one contest at a time, and one heat at a time and see what happens,” Reyes said. “It’s been a special day for me. Ballito came alive and I’ve had amazing support from the locals and my friend Sid who gave me a home away from home this week.”

All photos: Alan van Gysen.

Wilkinson, current no. 33 on the WCT, was a standout performer netting some of the highest scoring waves of the competition including, a 9.90 in the semi final and a 9.2 in the final. Failing to find a second high scoring ride in the final, Wilkinson was forced to settle for a second place finish.

“It’s been an unreal event, I’ve had so much fun here and the waves have been amazing,” Wilkinson said. “I got that 9.2 under Timmy’s priority, and I thought I had it until I let him take a wave under my priority and he got that 8.2 score. I’m really stoked to come second but obviously I’m pretty disappointed at not winning.”

Tiago Pires, 33, current no. 25 on the WCT and Adam Melling, 29, current no. 21 on the WCT, finished in equal third place respectively.

Pires stuck to his game plan in his semi final decider against Reyes but with high tide conditions providing few opportunities, Pires found himself with his back against the wall and was narrowly eliminated.

“It was a very weird heat for waves, and I had a strategy that didn’t really pay off,” Pires said. “It’s always good to come here and make a few heats and build up a bit of momentum. I’m not really looking for a qualification on the QS but it’s a pity I didn’t make the final. It’s always big for our careers to win such a prestigious event here in South Africa and one of the longest running ones in the world.”

With an equal third finish, Portugal’s Tiago Pires gained good momentum going into J-Bay. Photo: Alan van Gysen

Finishing in equal fifth place were Filipe Toledo, Dillon Perillo, Jadson Andre and Jack Freestone who were eliminated in the quarters.

Mr Price Pro Ballito Final Result:

Tim Reyes (USA) 15.44 def Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.70
Mr Price Pro Ballito Semifinal Results:
Heat 1: Timmy Reyes (USA) 11.50 def Tiago Pires (PRT) 11.26
Heat 2: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 15.57 def Adam Melling (AUS) 10.50
Mr Price Pro Ballito Quarterfinal Results
Heat 1: Tiago Pires (PRT) 13.00 def Filipe Toledo (BRA) 11.60
Heat 2: Tim Reyes (USA) 11.43 def Dillon Perillo (USA) 9.16
Heat 3: Adam Melling (AUS) 16.17 def Jadson Andre (BRA) 14.74
Heat 4: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 13.20 def Jack Freestone (AUS) 10.90