Newcastle surfer Morgan Cibilic has an extra spring in his step after a top-two finish at the New Zealand Pro World Surf League (WSL) event.
His outstanding performance comes after a photographer was bitten by a shark or seal, which sent him to hospital and sparked a red alert on the final day of competition.
Australian Ed Sloane had puncture wounds to an ankle and a flipper ripped off in the attack and it remained unclear on Monday afternoon which sea creature was responsible.
The wounds are minor and Sloane was in good spirits.
A code red was called immediately after the attack and the men’s semi-final between Brazilians Yago Dora and Italo Ferreira was put on hold for a couple of hours.
When competition resumed, the latter prevailed and Hawaiian five-time world champion Carissa Moore beat American Sawyer Lindblad in the women’s decider.
Ferreira then ended the day, upstaging Cibilic in the men’s finale.
It was a breakthrough event for the Merewether local, who has returned to the championship tour after several years of inconsistent form.
“I guess this just proves to myself that I’m back,” he said.
“I’m going to try to stay here and hopefully put up a few more good performances this year.
“I am over the moon.”
Cibilic started the day by eliminating American Griffin Colapinto to reach the final.
Meanwhile, it was the first win for Moore since she returned to competition this year as a wildcard, following the birth of her daughter Olena.
Moore had the youngster in her arms as she was carried up the beach after winning the final.
“It’s better than I could have dreamed. It means so much to me,” she said.
“When I walked away two years ago, I didn’t know if I would get this feeling back.”
- With AAP
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