As one of the most anticipated rookies of 2016, surf fans and pro surfers alike couldn't wait to see the electrifying Jack Freestone perform on a world stage with the planet's top athelets.
Jack Freestone alley-ooped back into the game in Rio de Janeiro. - WSL / Daniel Smorigo
Freestone joined the Championship Tour at a point in his blossoming career where he was all over billboards, magazine spreads and major surf-flick parts. The Jack of all trades was finally in the Big Show.
After injuring himself on the Gold Coast and missing two events, the Australian rookie advanced to the Quarters at the Oi Rio Pro.
Unluckily for Jack, though, shortly after the Gold Coast event he tweaked his knee. The injury required minor surgery and weeks of rehab. The most detrimental part, however, was the time spent out of the water to heal in the midst of the CT season. Fans were beginning to wonder if they'd ever get to see him perform again during the 2016 season.
But in an amazingly quick and effective recovery, Jack bounced back big time. At the Oi Rio Pro, the shy kid from Tweed Heads looked lively and nimble, advancing through the field in Barra da Tijuca's tricky beachbreak, (past the entire Top 10, too) like he was having a carefree sesh at his D'bah home break.
Then came Jack's highly contentious Semifinal with crowd (and country) favorite, Gabriel Medina. Not surprisingly, the 2014 World Champion had been annihilating the competition all week, revving up the throngs of Brazilian spectators in the process. In Medina's Semifinal with Freestone, when Gabriel stood up, you could feel the crowd's energy almost propelling him.
But after stomping a huge backside full-rotation crowd-stunner, Medina just couldn't find a back up score while Freestone found two solid 8's on Barra's bowly righthanders. Stepping up to the plate in his hardest heat of the season yet (and coming off an injury), Freestone advanced, literally hushing the crowd on the beach at Rio de Janeiro.
Jack Freestone vs. Gabriel Medina at Postinho.
While Jack finished runner-up to John John Florence in the Final (pretty much John's title-campaign kickstarter), the result definitely proved that the young rookie featured all over Billabong's ads could perform with the world's best.
The runner-up finish quelled anyone's doubts about Jack not returning with the same form and flash after missing a couple events to injury. On the contrary, it seemed as if his form was in top shape.
"I am over the moon," Freestone said, with his confidence restored.
Story Makers of 2016: Jack Freestone's Rio Recovery
Beau Flemister
As one of the most anticipated rookies of 2016, surf fans and pro surfers alike couldn't wait to see the electrifying Jack Freestone perform on a world stage with the planet's top athelets.
Freestone joined the Championship Tour at a point in his blossoming career where he was all over billboards, magazine spreads and major surf-flick parts. The Jack of all trades was finally in the Big Show.
Unluckily for Jack, though, shortly after the Gold Coast event he tweaked his knee. The injury required minor surgery and weeks of rehab. The most detrimental part, however, was the time spent out of the water to heal in the midst of the CT season. Fans were beginning to wonder if they'd ever get to see him perform again during the 2016 season.
But in an amazingly quick and effective recovery, Jack bounced back big time. At the Oi Rio Pro, the shy kid from Tweed Heads looked lively and nimble, advancing through the field in Barra da Tijuca's tricky beachbreak, (past the entire Top 10, too) like he was having a carefree sesh at his D'bah home break.
Then came Jack's highly contentious Semifinal with crowd (and country) favorite, Gabriel Medina. Not surprisingly, the 2014 World Champion had been annihilating the competition all week, revving up the throngs of Brazilian spectators in the process. In Medina's Semifinal with Freestone, when Gabriel stood up, you could feel the crowd's energy almost propelling him.
But after stomping a huge backside full-rotation crowd-stunner, Medina just couldn't find a back up score while Freestone found two solid 8's on Barra's bowly righthanders. Stepping up to the plate in his hardest heat of the season yet (and coming off an injury), Freestone advanced, literally hushing the crowd on the beach at Rio de Janeiro.
While Jack finished runner-up to John John Florence in the Final (pretty much John's title-campaign kickstarter), the result definitely proved that the young rookie featured all over Billabong's ads could perform with the world's best.
The runner-up finish quelled anyone's doubts about Jack not returning with the same form and flash after missing a couple events to injury. On the contrary, it seemed as if his form was in top shape.
"I am over the moon," Freestone said, with his confidence restored.
Jack Freestone
Before CT hopefuls can book their tickets for 2022 they need to shine at a notoriously tricky North Shore venue.
Season 3, Episode 1
Go behind the scenes with Jack Freestone as he starts his road to the Rip Curl WSL Finals.
WSL Leaderboard frontrunners Gabriel Medina and Carissa Moore set the pace at Strickland Bay, but there are more high-powered heats on tap.
With more east in the swell, Narrabeen came alive as World Title contenders made their presence felt with some nail-biting heat wins.
Jack Freestone recently said he's a World Title threat this year, and then backed that up with one of the waves of the day at Backdoor.
Oi Rio Pro
Rotations and airs dominate the scorecards in Rio.
O havaiano deu um show na final com o australiano Jack Freestone e também na semifinal contra o campeão mundial Adriano de Souza.
John John Florence defeats rookie Jack Freestone at the Oi Rio Pro. Jumps to No. 3 on the Jeep Leaderboard.
John John Florence's dominance above and below the lip made him the undisputed champ of the 2016 Oi Rio Pro.
Rookie Jack Freestone came from behind to take down the former World Champ and advance to his first CT final.