‘It’s special’: Aussie surfer Jack Robinson wins Pipeline, becomes World No. 1

Rising Aussie surfing star Jack Robinson has won the Pipeline Masters, claiming the biggest title of his career and the No. 1 ranking.

Robinson, starting just his third season on the World Surf League Championship Tour, took down Italian Leonardo Fioravanti in the final in tricky conditions at the famed Banzai Pipeline to become the new World No. 1.

The 25-year-old West Australian’s win came after fellow Aussie Tyler Wright missed a last-gasp wave as the clock ticked down in the her final showdown with five-time world champion Carissa Moore to fall short of a season-opening victory.

Robinson seized the lead inside the last 10 minutes of his clash with Fioravanti, who was in his first WSL final, as both surfers struggled to find decent waves. The pair were in constant paddle battles in a bit to get priority, adding an extra element of intensity to the showdown between two rising stars.

An incomplete wave with three minutes to go from Robinson opened the door for his opponent who needed a 5.18 to take the lead. But as the clocked ticked down to zero in the 40-minute final, the Italian couldn’t find a suitable wave and Robinson celebrated his win.

Robinson said it was the perfect way to start his push for a world title, knowing it’s a long season ahead of him.

“It’s going to be a long road but I am just getting the legs ready to run that road,” he said.

“It’s special, I dreamed of this for a long time.”