The metropolitan beaches premier surfing tournament, the Corsaire Aviation King of the Point presented by City of Stirling concluded yesterday, with six new champions claiming crowns and etching their names into the record books, with stunning performances in challenging conditions off Trigg Point.
First run back in 1979, the King of the Point is one of WA’s most iconic events, boasting an impressive honour roll of past champions including WA legends; Mike McAuliffe (Margaret River), Dave Macaulay (Gracetown), Jake Paterson (Yallingup) and Jacob Willcox (Margaret River) to name just a few.
44 years on, King of the Point continues to attract many of the finest surfers in all the land to the royal Kingdom of Trigg, where they battled not only one another, but the elements as well, in an attempt to claim one of WA surfing’s most prestigious and sought after titles.
After being postponed back in March due to a lack of swell, surfers from across Western Australia excelled in wet and windy wintery conditions, with windswept 3-4 feet waves on offer on finals day.
Competitors from the south-West claimed a royal bounty, capturing all six crowns on offer in a royal flush of victories for the region that is well known for producing world-class surfers.
Margaret River’s Jerome Forrest won his maiden King of the Point title, defeating local ripper Jake Molloy (Sorrento) in a classic goofy footers match up that saw the pair trade multiple waves in the tricky afternoon conditions.
Fresh off his appearance in the World Surf League (WSL) Margaret River Pro in April, Forrest mastered the conditions waves on offer, displaying a mastery of his fibreglass blade and dropping some the highest scores of the event on his way to his first King of the Point victory.
Forrest posted a two-wave combined total of 13.07 (from a possible 20) which included a 6.57 and 6.50. Despite holding onto the best wave of the final and some excellent surfing of his own on route to and during the final, Molloy was left chasing a 5.24 (from a possible 10), to steal the win.
“This is my first win here at the King of the Point,” said Forrest. “I reached the final a few years back against Luke Campbell who rules out there, despite the conditions it’s been a really fun event with so much amazing surfing going on.”
Ruby Berry (Margaret River) proved she’s a star on the rise, claiming her maiden Queen of the Point crown at just 15 years of age. Berry took down the reigning Queen of the Point and four time event champion Claire Bevilacqua (Yallingup) in a gutsy performance.
Berry found the best waves on offer, opening with a 6.53 (from a possible 10) and backed it up with a 5.17, to finish on a two-wave combined total of 11.70 (from a possible 20), leaving Bevilacqua chasing a 6.54 or better to flip the result.
“I actually really like surfing in conditions like this,” said Berry. “I love competing and the be the Queen of the Point is a special feeling and one I won’t forget anytime soon. Claire is an inspiration for all us young girls and she’s done so much and still rips.”
Tommy Trigwell (Yallingup) defended his Over-40 Lord of the Point title, going back-to-back with some inspired surfing in the challenging conditions. Despite being challenged throughout the final, Trigwell was too strong for Luke Hayter (Scarborough), Trigg local Mitch Loan and Russ Bird (Sorrento).
“This is my third Lord of the Point win it’s nice to get the job done in these kind of waves,” said Trigwell. “I’ve won when it’s been clean and pumping so it’s nice to know I can get the job done when conditions are less than perfect.”
Macklin Flynn (Cowaramup) took out the hotly contest Under-21 Prince of the Point division. Flynn was electric all weekend long and despite bombing out in the King of the Point division earlier than expected, Flynn was unstoppable in the Prince final smashing each and every section that came his way, finishing on a two-wave total of 13.84 (from a possible 20).
“I’m stoked to take the win today after finishing second at the Junior Titles here a few weeks ago,” said Flynn. “It’s been a fun event and to take out the Rusty Expression Session as well was the icing on the cake.”
Kaleisha Launders (Margaret River), claimed the biggest win of her young career with victory in the Under-21 Princess of the Point division. Launders unleashed her devastating backhand attack on the waves of Trigg, taking down some of the best young female surfers in WA including Ruby Berry (Margaret River), Olive Hardy (Margaret River) and Charles Bates-Bird, who finished second, third and fourth respectively
“It’s a great feeling getting chaired up the beach,” said Launders. “Thanks to my dad and brother for their support here this weekend and for all the girls who keep pushing my surfing to the next level.”
Remy North (Yallingup) was victorious in the exciting Under-17 Jester of the Point division. North strung together one of the best heats of the entire event, displaying a great variety of manoeuvres on his way to a two-wave combined total of 13.40 (from a possible 20), that included a 7.83 (from a possible 10).
North was too strong for Okie Fraser (Margaret River), Ben Scott (Swanbourne), and Finn Lange (Margaret River).
“It was a bit of a washing machine out there,” said North. “Even though it was tricky it was super fun, I love surfing Trigg actually and those junky conditions we had.”
City of Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin was on hand to soak up the surfing action and was joined by Councillors Felicity Farrelly, Tony Krsticevic and Karlo Perkov, who all enjoyed the festival style atmosphere on offer.
“Congratulations to all our event winners and well done to everyone for getting out there in such rough conditions,” said Irwin. “The City of Stirling has a proud surfing community and we’re thrilled to support the efforts of Surfing WA in providing a pathway for our future champions.”
Surfing WA Events Manager Justin Majeks was thrilled with the outcome of this longstanding and iconic event, congratulating everyone involved in the success of this years Corsaire Aviation King of the Point.
“We would have liked some better conditions for finals day,” said Majeks. “But you need swell and waves for a surfing event and we had no shortage of that today. Congratulations to all our champions and we look forward to continuing the legacy of the King of the Point long into the future.”
The King of the Point was first run back in 1979 and is the biggest and most iconic surfing event held along the metropolitan beaches, boasting a rich prize purse and impressive honour roll of local legends.
For more information on this or any other event held in WA, be sure to log onto www.surfingwa.com.auand be sure to use the hashtag #KingofthePoint to interact with Surfing WA across their social media platforms.
2023 CORSAIRE AVIATION KING OF THE POINT FINAL RESULTS:
KING OF THE POINT – OPEN MEN
1. Jerome Forrest (Margaret River) – 13.07
2. Jake Molloy (Sorrento) – 12.66
QUEEN OF THE POINT – OPEN WOMEN
1. Ruby Berry (Margaret River) – 11.70
2. Claire Bevilacqua (Yallingup) – 8.67
LORD OF THE POINT – OVER 40 MEN
1. Tommy Trigwell (Dunsborough) – 11.83
2. Luke Hayter (Scarborough) – 10.50
3. Mitch Loan (Trigg) – 8.50
4. Russ Bird (Sorrento) – 3.90
PRINCE OF THE POINT – UNDER 21 MEN
1. Macklin Flynn (Cowaramup) – 13.84
2. Okie Fraser (Margaret River) – 12.16
3. Maverick Wilson (Dunsborough) – 11.77
4. Seb Pellizzon (North Beach) – 8.14
PRINCESS OF THE POINT – UNDER 21 WOMEN
1. Kaleisha Launders (Margaret River) – 9.83
2. Ruby Berry (Margaret River) – 8.80
3. Olive Hardy (Margaret River) – 7.17
4. Charlie Bates-Bird (North Beach) – 4.30
JESTER OF THE POINT – UNDER 16 BOYS
1. Remy North (Yallingup) – 13.40
2. Okie Fraser (Margaret River) – 12.40
3. Ben Scott (Swanbourne) – 11.87
4. Finn Lange (Margaret River) – 9.53
RUSTY EXPRESSION SESSION WINNER
Macklin Flynn (Cowaramup)
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