Culminating a week-long slog in small and slow dismal surf at Huntington Beach, Australia’s leading aerialist Julian Wilson has emerged victorious at the ASP Prime Nike US Open of Surfing, besting Brazil’s Miguel Pupo in the final.

Wilson was lethal throughout the comp, continuously posting several of the event’s highest scores, and pulled through a tough draw on the final day, edging out Hawaii’s John John Florence and other World Tour rookie phenom Gabriel Medina.

“I’m over the moon,” Wilson said. “I got a really good start and my hat goes off to Miguel (Pupo) he’s deadly. I knew he was going to be hunting those lefts the whole heat and I just tried to apply a bit of pressure on him. He got that 8.93 and was right back in the heat with plenty of time left. There weren’t that many opportunities out there but it came down to the last minute and I had to just pray there wasn’t one behind it.”

Despite some true standout performances on the World Tour, the win only comes as Julian Wilson’s third ASP win of his career and should prove an immense confidence booster for events to come.

Last year’s U.S. Open winner, Kelly, had quietly navigated his way to the final day of competition but eventually fell to Miguel Pupo in the semis.

“I never really felt like I got it going all week,” Slater said. “Miguel (Pupo) and Medina (Gabriel Medina) have been so consistent, getting 9s every heat and they are tough to beat out there. If you’re going to beat them out there you really need to be on you’re a-game. These are the waves they grew up surfing and this is their bread and butter.”

NIKE US OPEN OF SURFING FINAL
1 – Julian Wilson (AUS) 17.53
2 – Miguel Pupo (BRA) 14.76

NIKE US OPEN OF SURFING SEMIFINALS RESULTS:
SF 1: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 16.33 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 13.33
SF 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 14.70 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.37

NIKE US OPEN OF SURFING QUARTERFINALS RESULTS:
QF 1: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 14.57 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 8.83
QF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.00 def. Dane Reynolds (USA) 9.84
QF 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 19.20 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 16.13
QF 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) 8.84 def. John John Florence (HAW) 8.17