Barbadian Che Allan claimed a massive win at home in the World Surf League Thomo Qualifying Series (QS) 1000 by capturing victory over American Chauncey Robinson in the final on Saturday at the Soup Bowl.
An amazing event culminated between two of the standouts and did not disappoint as Allan and Robinson went head-to-head. But, it was Allan who came out on top with 1 000 points towards the QS rankings.
Allan found himself in a steep combination situation, needing two new waves, after Robinson opened up with an excellent 8.90 (out of a possible ten) on powerful forehand attacks.
The Melbourne, Florida, native quickly backed up his score with a 6.50 and put Allan under pressure early on. But Allan scratched his way back when he found a 7.83 to get back in the heat and it came down to one last critical exchange in the dying seconds where the Barbadian earned a 7.70, to claim his first ever QS victory.
“Going back-to-back from last weekend’s local event to now, this is just incredible,” Allan said.
“I was a little rattled at the start, but I got that six to just clear my mind and then that seven to keep picking away at it because that 6.50 he had didn’t keep him safe. We both made some mistakes out there with giving away priority, but it felt great to get that last score in the end and steal the win.”
The Barbadian was a clear event favourite after brilliant performances throughout the contest and eliminating fellow Barbadian Josh Burke in the quarter-finals.
Allan had one of the event’s strongest performers, American Gabriel Morvil in a combination to start the semi-finals and never looked back before an impressive finish.
“That heat with Josh [Burke] was the hardest heat, looking back at the event,” Allan said. “I knew if I could beat him I had a really good chance to win or that’s where it would end. I wasn’t really focused on the QS at all, which I think helped me get this final, but my focus is making rounds tomorrow (yesterday) and staying in the top four for worlds.”
It was Robinson’s best QS result of his career after an incredible performance nearly had him chaired up the beach until the final seconds. His road to the final included stacked bouts against fellow Americam Luke Gordon in the quarter-finals and goofyfoot threat in the semi-finals from another American, John Mel. (PR/HG)
