Burleigh Heads/Australia: Sunday February 10 2013: Owen Wright (Aus) put on a masterly display of back-hand surfing to defeat fellow Australian Adam Melling (Lennox Head/NSW) in the final of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 4-star Breaka Burleigh Pro today on the Gold Coast.

Midway through the final, Wright, who finished 11th on the World Championship Tour (WCT) in 2012, locked in an excellent 9.17 (out of a possible 10), he then backed it up with a 6.10 to secure the win. The final score-line saw Wright on 15.27 to Melling’s 13.97.

The win is timely for Wright who will be competing in the ASP World Championship Tour first event at Snapper Rocks in less than three weeks time.

“It feels great, I’ve put so much effort into training lately for the year ahead and I’m feeling fit and injury free and I’ve got the right boards – this is just part of what I want to do this year,” said Wright.

“It’s my first win since New York in 2011 and it’s important to get that winning feeling – I’m fully aware that this is a 4-Star event and the World Championship Tour is another serious step-up but I feel right to really have a crack at it this year” added Wright.

This is the event’s fourth year and Wright is the fourth Australian event Champion. Pic: ASP/Will H-S

Wright’s win also completed a unique double for South Coast NSW surfers following Sally Fitzgibbons victory yesterday in the Breaka Burleigh Women’s division.

Despite the loss, Melling, who finished 29th on the WCT in 2012, was still pleased with his result in the Breaka Burleigh Pro and is confident in the year ahead.

“I’m pretty bummed on second place, the goofy footer got me, but it’s been a fun day, there were some great heats early today and I’m still pretty happy with that result – I’m looking forward to Snapper,” said Melling.

Finishing the event in equal third place were New Zealand’s Ricardo Christie and Brazil’s Alejo Muniz. Despite his blistering form throughout the early rounds of the event, Christie was unable to replicate the same high scores he’d found earlier in the event, while surfing against Adam Melling in the first Semifinal.

Breaka Burleigh Pro Men’s Final

Final: Owen Wright (Aus) 15.27, Adam Melling (Aus) 13.97

Breaka Burleigh Pro Men’s Semifinals

Semi 1: Adam Melling (Aus) 18.43, Ricardo Christie (NZ) 12.40

Semi 2: Owen Wright (Aus) 15.33, Alejo Muniz (Bra) 14.50

Breaka Burleigh Pro Men’s Quarterfinals

Quarter 1: Ricardo Christie (NZ) 16.17, Mitch Crews (Aus) 11.93

Quarter 2: Adam Melling (Aus) 18.87, Marco Fernandez (Bra) 12.16

Quarter 3: Owen Wright (Aus) 17.93, Thomas Woods (Aus) 15.50

Quarter 4: Alejo Muniz (Bra) 14.33, Brent Dorrington (Aus) 11.83