Burke cops second place

Barbados’ top male surfer Josh Burke finished a commendable second when the World Surf League Barbados Surf Pro’s QS5000 event climaxed at the Soup Bowl, Bathsheba on Sunday.
In an all-star battle against the USA’s Crosby Colapinto, both competitors locked in excellent scores early on, with the nod going to Colapinto’s 8.17 over Burke’s 8.00.
Burke maintained his rhythm trying to find a backup before Colapinto unloaded his forehand attack once more for an impressive 7.67 heading into the back half of their bout. Unfortunately for Burke, Soup Bowl didn’t come to life to provide him another golden opportunity to showcase his abilities in front of the home crowd
It meant the 26-year-old Burke finished with a total score of 13.84, well short of Colapinto’s winning total of 16.07.
The victory was Colapinto’s biggest of his career and catapulted him all the way to No. 1 on the North American rankings to claim his first North America QS Regional title after already securing himself as a full-time, 2023 Challenger Series competitor.
“5,000 points behind my name is pretty cool and to get a win is pretty special. I’ve seen my friends win the last few contests and honestly, I just wanted to come here and have fun, and be the best version of myself and I ended up winning.
“Josh started with an 8, then I got an 8 and that’s what you wanted to see in the final. Making the Challenger Series was like baking the cake and this win is the frosting on top,” Colapint said.
In the women’s division, American Zoe Benedetto edged out compatriot Sawyer Lindblad in a closely contested final.
Benedetto ended with a total score of 12.53, while Lindblad totaled 12.37.
In the Live Like Zander Junior Pro event, Levi Slawson of the USA dominated the final to lift the men’s title.
Slawson ended with a total score of 15.34, comfortably ahead of second-placed Owen Moss, also of the USA (11.90), while fellow American Lucas Owston finished third (11.87) and Canadian Wheeler Hasburgh was fourth with a score of 7.94.
In the female division, Germany’s Noah Klapp was the winner, with her score of 12.90 enough to relegate Lindblad to second place again (11.94). Third place went to Sanoa Dempfle-Olin of Canada who posted 9.94 and USA’s Talia Swindal was fourth (6.87).
(RB)