Firepower: Huxtable beats Slater in first round at Rip Curl Pro

JAN Juc surfer Xavier Huxtable is through to the third round of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach after a last-minute score shot him into second place, sending 11-time world champion Kelly Slater into the elimination round.

Round 1 of the men’s competition began at Winkipop earlier today (Thursday, April 6), with Huxtable matching up against incumbent world number one Jack Robinson and the legendary Slater.

With Robinson in control for most of the heat, Huxtable and Slater were left to fight for the second place advancing spot.

Requiring a 4.00 with one minute remaining, Huxtable took off and connected sweetly for four arching manoeuvres and jumped ahead of Slater with his best score of the heat, a 5.90.

Huxtable will now meet Robinson again in the Round of 32 with the whole town’s support firmly behind him.

Full results: Jack Robinson, 6.33 + 6.23 = 12.56, Xavier Huxtable, 5.50 + 5.90 = 11.50 , Kelly Slater, 5.23 + 4.37 = 9.60.