What doesn't kill me will only make me stronger. That's the message coming from an embattled Julian Wilson, who says two controversial interference calls that ruined his Trestles campaign have him fired up even further for France.
In his rookie year on tour, Jules has found form in recent months resulting in two quarter-final finishes and a semi-finals berth at last week's Hurley Pro at California's Lower Trestles. He's 11th on tour following the result and ranked eighth in the world standings. But the thoughts of what could have been are still resonating in the Sunny Coast lad's head after his questionable results against Joel Parkinson and Owen Wright.
The judges failed to award an interference call against Parkinson in a heated fourth round, almost costing Jules his finals spot. But with no hard feelings, the 22-year-old pushed through to the semis only to be picked up on an interference call himself while battling for a wave with Owen Wright. Many criticized the decision and the circuit is still talking about an ASP conspiracy to keep the championship battle between Owen and Kelly Slater alive.
But Jules has already put the controversy behind him and is determined to captitalise on his recent form by dominating one of his favourite events, the France Pro, where he was knocked by Slater as a wildcard last season.
"Once the comp got going I had some really good boards under my feet and once I got through the third round I felt good. I felt like I could go all the way," said Jules, who will remain in California for the next week before departing for France. "I just had a shocker in the semi with the interference call on the first wave and it just throw the whole heat out. We both stood up and I wanted to go right and he wanted to go left and I tried to get out of his way. I kind of did, but in the end I got the interference and he got to ride the whole wave and got an eight-point ride.
"But it's still my best result to date and everything felt really good. I've had some pretty good momentum going lately. It's just the way it goes. Being a rookie, you make those mistakes and I guess it's a real learning thing - as frustrating as it is.
"I feel like I could have gone all the way but I'm pumped that I'm starting to find my place on tour and I can't wait for France."
And as he prepares for the mammoth finishing leg to the tour with stops in France, Portugal, Santa Cruz, San Francisco and Hawaii, Jules has already exceeded his expectations for the season and will enter the final months without any pressure or weight on his shoulders.
"I'm actually really happy with where I'm at now, sitting No.11 on the world title race and 8th on the world rankings," he said. "By the end of the year I was trying to be top 15 just to have a good seed for next year. So everything on track and a little bit better than I expected."
And the plan in France?
"I love France - especially if it's pumping," said Jules, who revealed he won't be contesting the Triple Crown this year in favour of returning home to Australia for a break before Sunset and Pipeline. "I lost a close heat to Kelly last year and it was pumping. So hopefully this year it's big again. I feel good.
"Then Portugal, Santa Cruz, San Fran and Hawaii. I did all the prime events at the start of the year too so I haven't stopped competing this year yet, so I'm going to need a break before Pipe.
"It's been pretty full-on so I'll have a little two-week break back home with not much surfing. Just training and some golf - unless Noosa is pumping."
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