Central Coast surfer Matt Wilkinson has taken a substantial 8500-point championship lead into the midway event of the World Surf League, after he reached the final of the Fiji Pro.
The 27-year-old from Copocabana is enjoying a breakout season, however he was denied his third victory of the year when outclassed by 2014 world champion Gabriel Medina at Cloudbreak on Friday.
The Brazilian set the tone with a long ride through a tube which ended with a spectacular aerial backside alley-oop for a score of 7.33, before he followed it up with a second ride of 8.27.
In comparison, Wilkinson could only muster a combined score of 6.34.
Despite this, his run to the final ensured he maintained his season-long grip on the tour lead, after winning the opening two legs on the Gold Coast and at Bells Beach.
“It’s halfway through the year and I couldn’t have dreamed of a better start,” said Wilkinson.
“Everyone is obviously going to be coming for me. It’s definitely not time to let up on the accelerator.”
