Just two weeks ago Julian Wilson told Red Bull he expected big things in France, and the 22-year-old Sunshine Coast lad delivered, narrowly missing out on his maiden ASP World Tour win to Gabriel Medina in Thursday's final of the Quicksilver Pro France.
In four-foot swell at La Graviere, Jules looked to own the final after posting a 7.83 with a full-rotation forehand aerial, only for the teenager Brazilian to pull off a sneaky 9.17 in the final minutes of the decider, with a long left and a load of risky maneuvers.
It wasn't the finish Jules was after, but having taken care of heavy-hitters Jordy Smith (quarter) and Taj Burrow (semi) to qualify for the final, he heads to Portugal for stop nine of the 11-stop tour having scored his best result of his debut season.
Jules manage to shake off a string of bad decisions against him at last month's Hurley Pro at Lower Trestles, California - as he claimed he would - to capitilise on his stinging return to form. His second-place finish has him ranked just outside the top ten, coming in at 11th place, and follows on from his third-place in Trestles and fifth in New York. With those stats, a quarter, a semi and now a losing final, the next step is obvious... And, he's already won an event in Portugal this year after taking out the Quicky Prime in June.
“Everything feels good and I’m very happy to be here on the podium,” Jules said after an epic final.
“It’s been a great event for me and congrats to Gabriel (Medina) for his incredible run here in France. I have so many amazing memories of watching this event as a kid, seeing Andy (Irons) and Kelly (Slater) go for it and to be in it now is a very special feeling. I’m hoping to improve in the coming events and looking forward to Portugal.
"It felt incredible to be on the podium for the first time in a WT," he tweeted. "Let's hope it's not the last!"
Jules remains a front-runner for ASP Rookie of the Year.
Visit Jules' official website HERE
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