Jack Robinson Wins Tahiti Pro, Eliminates Gabriel Medina for World Title Bid

The Shiseido Tahiti Pro is wrapped; the final (official) contest of the 2023 season on the World Surf League's Championship Tour done and dusted.

In the end, Jack Robinson and Caroline Marks won, in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively, prevailing over Gabriel Medina and Caitlin Simmers.

And for Robinson, his win solidified his slot in the WSL Final Five, effectively knocking out Medina for a bid at a fourth World Title.

Per a press release from the WSL:

“Ahead of the men’s Final, the equation for Jack Robinson (AUS) and Gabriel Medina (BRA) was simple: win the event and and clinch a spot in the Rip Curl WSL Finals. The pair were the last two still in contention after Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA), John John Florence (HAW), and Yago Dora (BRA) were all eliminated in the Semifinals and Quarterfinals, respectively. Both Robinson and Medina were the men to beat on Finals Day and seemed destined to meet in the Final.

“In true Medina fashion, the two-time Teahupo’o winner got off to a busy start, catching multiple waves to take a solid lead with a 15.00 point (out of a possible 20) heat total. Robinson opted for a more patient approach, waiting for particular waves that eventually came, giving him long hollow tube rides for a pair of 7.83s (out of a possible 10) which gave him a slim win with a two-wave combination of 15.66.”

And a quote from Robbo:

“I was so in ‘it’ coming into this event and so focused – but I was still enjoying myself, it’s so hard to describe the feeling. I don’t know what it is but I feel like It was meant to be. I just never stopped, when it was down through the year I pulled it back up and with the help of the people around me who know who they are – it’s a small crew but it has a lot of ‘mana’ (good energy) like this place (Tahiti).

“I felt like it was my time. You never know when it’s your time, but I felt like I envisaged it was my time now and I’m so happy. After starting this year the way I did then dropping off then coming back and all of that stuff I feel like this was my time. I always said that the Finals would be my last event for the year and I can’t wait for it. I’m excited.”

As for Caitlin Simmers, she also clinched the last spot in the WSL Final Five. Here’s a full look at the surfers who will be competing for the 2023 World Title come Finals Day:

WSL Final 5 Women
1 - Carissa Moore (HAW)
2 - Tyler Wright (AUS)
3 - Caroline Marks (USA)
4 - Molly Picklum (AUS)
5 - Caitlin Simmers (USA)

WSL Final 5 Men
1 - Filipe Toledo (BRA)
2 - Griffin Colapinto (USA)
3 - Ethan Ewing (AUS)
4 - Joao Chianca (BRA)
5 - Jack Robinson (AUS)

The Rip Curl WSL Finals will go down September 8th- 16th at Lower Trestles; stay tuned.

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