Jan Juc surfer Xavier Huxtable continued his strong summer in the waves and was crowned the Victorian Open State Champion at the Phillip Island Pro on Saturday.
The final round of the three-event Victorian Open Series was held as part of the Phillip Island Pro in clean, solid waves at Cape Woolamai on Saturday providing the perfect end to the series.
In what was a final that went down to the wire, Jan Juc’s Cody Robinson took out the third event of the series finishing with a 12.06 heat total.
Huxtable finished in third with a 9.94 heat total, which was enough to give a 50-point lead in the race for the state title.
Phillip Island’s Harry de Roth had a chance at the siren to leapfrog into the lead and secure the state title over Huxtable.
Needing a 5.66 wave, he fell agonisingly short with a 5.37 out of a possible 10, leaving Huxtable as the ratings leader and state champion.
“It feels great to get the overall State Title win” Huxtable said.
“It’s been a great event and some fun waves on the Island.
“The goal for Victorian’s is always to get to the Rip Curl Pro Trials and make the main event. To get the chance for that spot is awesome. I can’t wait for it.”
With his win, Huxtable will gain a spot in the Rip Curl Pro Trials event to be held at Bells Beach in April.
For the women, Jan Juc’s Angela Ball took out the event round win in her biggest career result finishing with a heat total of 8.33 in what was a slow heat.
Phillip Island’s Sophie Fletcher was knocked out in the semi-finals but had done enough in the first two rounds to claim the state title.
The Victorian Indigenous Invitational was also run bringing together the top eight indigenous surfers from around Victoria.
Twelve-time Victorian Indigenous Champion Jordie Campbell (Torquay) took out the event final over Steffan Krosna (Phillip Island), Anthony Hume (Torquay) and Tyler Duell (Phillip Island).
The QS1000 tournament was also run as part of the Phillip Island Pro.
Barwon Heads’ Ellie Harrison and Jan Juc’s Bella Wilson were standouts in the women’s competition, both making it to the semi-finals, while for the men Jan Juc’s Tully Wylie was knocked out in the quarter finals.
