Huxtable crowned Open State Champ

JAN Juc’s Xavier Huxtable and Phillip Island’s Sophie Fletcher have been crowned Victorian Open State Champions as part of the Phillip Island Pro.

Both surfers will gain a spot in the Rip Curl Pro Trials event, to be held at Bells Beach in April.

The final round of the three-event series was held on Saturday as part of the Phillip Island Pro in clean, solid waves at Cape Woolamai 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.

Phillip Island surfer 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 Victorians 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.”

In a big day of surfing, which also included competing in the WSL QS1000 event, Fletcher was knocked out of the Open event in the semi-finals. Regardless, her previous results left her in top position at the end of the day and with the State Title in hand.

“It’s nice to take home a state title especially here at home on Phillip Island,” she said.

“The waves turned on for us today so it couldn’t have been better.

“The Rip Curl Pro Trials is the biggest event of the year for us Victorians. It’s such a great opportunity to have the chance to surf in a Championship Tour event. I’m looking forward to getting over there and surfing at Bells.”

Jan Juc’s Angela Ball took out the event round win today in her biggest career result finishing with a heat total of 8.33 in what was a slow heat.

Ruby Armstrong (Flinders) finished in second with Lucy Naylor (Point Lonsdale) in third.

The Victorian Indigenous Invitational was also run, bringing together the top eight Indigenous surfers from around Victoria.

Twelve-time Victorian Indigenous Champion Jordie Campbell from Torquay took out the event final over Steffan Krosna (Phillip Island), Anthony Hume (Torquay) and Tyler Duell (Phillip Island).

For the latest on the QS1000, head to the WSL website.