Morgan Cibilic and Anon Matsuoka win the WSL Krui Pro, Qualifying Series 5000.
The 2023 Krui Pro QS 5,000 finished in epic 4-6 foot waves running down the Ujung Bocur point, providing excellent albeit challenging conditions, with an onshore wind arriving right on time for the Finals.
The onshore changed the game, with the usual take-off spots no longer in play. It took some time for the competitors to figure out the lineup, and it was Morgan Cibilic who managed to get an excellent 8.00 and 6.83 for a total of 14.83 and take the win over fellow Australian Kyuss King in the 35-minute final.
"It was really tricky," admitted Cibilic. "The first wave of the set was so bumpy and flat so it wasn't worth going, but I didn't figure that out until after that first set. On my best wave, Kyuss let me go and it was bumpy at the start, but then it pocketed really nice, was steep and fluffy and perfect to hit. I didn't know what the score would be, I thought maybe a high 6 or 7, so I was really stoked when I heard it was an 8."
"This trip has been epic, as I was coming here with no expectations, so I think that's one of the reasons I did well. I just wanted to have fun, hang out with my mates, and get some real good waves, so I'm over the moon to get the win."
In the Women's Final, Anon Matsuoka had just a few minutes to reset and refocus after coming off a runner-up finish in the Pro Juniors. It was an agonisingly narrow defeat, so to come back and win the QS 5,000 was vindication of her mental and physical strength as a competitor.
"This is such a big win for me, because it's a QS5000 event, and so important for me to go to the next Challenger Series. I'm so happy and so excited to get this win," said Matsuoka.
"My mental situation was like, oh no, I can't catch any waves, I was so nervous. I really felt a lot of pressure and tired, but I just had to change my mind and keep looking for a good wave. During the first 20 minutes I couldn't catch any, so I thought maybe I'm going to lose this final also. I was lucky that a set came, so I could get three really good turns and get the score I needed."
The event closed with a special traditional ceremony where the winners were awarded their trophies and this concludes the first QS and Pro Junior event of the season for the APAC Region.
