Lee Wilson wins the Rip Curl Cup at Padang-Padang
In an amazing display of strategic tube-riding prowess, Bali's Lee Wilson used his years of local knowledge to barrel his way to victory in the Rip Curl Cup today at Bali's Banzai Pipeline over a field of the world's best tube riding specialists, including runner up and previous Rip Curl Cup winner Made "Bol" Adi Putra, Australia's Anthony Walsh, and first time finalist Mustofa Jeksen in a gripping 45 minute final.
After receiving his winner's check for Rp 50 million (almost $6,000 USD) on the podium as the sun was setting over a still pumping Indian Ocean, Wilson said, "This is the best win I have ever had, hands down. I truthfully didn't give myself much of a chance to win today. It's a left, and there were some of the best tube riders in the world out there, guys I have seen take down WCT surfers, so I was just out there thinking that I would relax and just go for some big barrels and have fun."
In addition to having his name inscribed on the perpetual Rip Curl Cup Trophy and getting his Rp 50 million in cash, Lee Wilson also received a brand new Kawasaki 150 D-Tracker motorcycle from Kawasaki Indonesia for being the top local surfer in the Rip Curl Cup. After receiving the award Wilson said "I just bought a new Kawasaki a few months ago, so now I have two! So I 'm going to give my old one to Bol, because he really deserves something for surfing so good today. "
Rip Curl Cup 2011 Contest Results: • Lee Wilson (Bali) • Made Adi Putra (Bali) • Anthony Walsh (Australia) • Mustofa Jeksen (Bali)
(Photos: Curley, Lawrence / Rip Curl)