Huxtable knocks out world no. 1 at Rip Curl Pro

JAN Juc’s Xavier Huxtable has upset world number 1 and fellow Australian surfer Jack Robinson in the Round of 32 at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.

A wildcard entry to the World Surf League tournament, Huxtable rode his home wave at Bells Beach earlier today (Sunday, April 9) with determination to make a huge statement, upsetting the yellow-shirted West Australian and securing a Round of 16 slot.

“I can’t really explain it, I’m just so stoked,” Huxtable said following the heat win.

“I just went out there with nothing to lose, I just found a big section and tried to hit it as far as I could.

“I was lucky enough to find one early, then found another two in the priority heat and was able to tee off another couple of sections.”

Huxtable got out in front early with a modest five-point wave, before turning up the heat with big 7.00 and 6.43 totals, accumulating a combined score of 13.43.

Robinson, who surfed to an easy opening round win against Huxtable and Kelly Slater, tallied 10.07.

Huxtable now sets his sights on the surf of his life in the Round of 16 in the Championship Tour event. He will surf against Australian Connor O’Leary for a spot in the quarter-finals.

Full results: Xavier Huxtable, 7.00 + 6.43 = 13.43 def Jack Robinson, 6.07 + 4.00 = 10.07