Michel Bourez wins the Billabong Rio Pro after defeating Kolohe Andino in the Final. Image: ASP/Smorigo

More hollow beachbreak conditions greeted the final day of competition at the Billabong Rio Pro yesterday, with Tahitian Michel Bourez taking out the men’s event (his second win of the season after Margaret River) and Sally Fitzgibbons the women’s.

On his way to victory, Bourez defeated defending champ Jordy Smith in the quarters followed by Taj in the semis and San Clemente’s own Kolohe Andino in the final who secured his best result on tour to date.

“This win is amazing and I feel great,” said Michel. “I didn’t expect to win two events in the same year so it feels brilliant. It’s great to be here in Rio and have another win – I’m so happy. I’m really glad I came and to have a final against a good friend of mine is wonderful. He (Kolohe Andino) is someone I think will be huge in a few years.

The wave of the day however came from a certain Mr. Kelly Slater, who somehow found a perfect 10-point ride on the first wave of the day in his heat against home favourite Adriano de Souza.

“I owe that guy,” said Kelly Slater. “He’s been killing me – I think he won six in a row against me before today. I felt good this morning and spent a lot of time last night thinking about the situation. It’s important to get into the quarter finals. I’ve had enough of losing to that guy for now. I wanted to try and do well here because I haven’t done well here in a while.”

Although Kelly ended up bowing out to Kolohe Andino in the semis, the equal third place finish sends the 11-time world champ to the top of the world rankings, with Bourez jumping up to 4th place.

Billabong Rio Pro Final Result:

Michel Bourez (PYF) 13.84 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 6.43

Billabong Rio Pro Semifinal Results:

Semifinal 1: Kolohe Andino (USA) 14.73 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 14.17
Semifinal 2: Michel Bourez (PYF) 15.30 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 12.33

Billabong Rio Pro Quarterfinal Results:

Quarterfinal 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 14.50 def. Nat Young (USA) 12.37
Quarterfinal 2: Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.44 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 7.40
Quarterfinal 3: Michel Bourez (PYF) 16.83 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.67
Quarterfinal 4: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.66 def. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 7.20

Billabong Rio Pro Round 5 Results:

Heat 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.50 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 3.37
Heat 2: Kolohe Andino (USA) 6.83 def. Travis Logie (ZAF) 8.17
Heat 3: Michel Bourez (PYF) 8.60 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 8.10
Heat 4: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 11.76 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 8.17

Rio Women’s Pro Final Result:

Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.27 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.27

Rio Women’s Pro Semifinal Results:

Semifinal 1: Carissa Moore (HAW) 17.97 def. Lakey Peterson (USA) 6.00
Semifinal 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 15.17 def. Tyler Wright (AUS) 9.80

Rio Women’s Pro Quarterfinal Results:

Quarterfinal 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) 13.47 def. Pauline Ado (FRA) 13.26
Quarterfinal 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.50 def. Alessa Quizon (HAW) 7.00
Quarterfinal 3: Tyler Wright (AUS) 15.37 def. Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 14.43
Quarterfinal 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 14.77 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 12.90