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Julian Wilson relaxed for battle with Gabriel Medina, Felipe Toledo for world surf crown

The women’s race is done and won with Julian Wilson now tasked with the job of making it an Australian surfing double for the first time since Joel Parkinson and Stephanie Gilmore in 2012.

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The women’s world title race is done and won with Julian Wilson now tasked with the job of making it an Australian surfing double for the first time since Joel Parkinson and Stephanie Gilmore in 2012.

The final event of the year, the Pipeline Masters, could start as early as this weekend with Wilson just one of three men who can win the 2018 world crown with the women’s equivalent won by Gilmore for a seventh time last week.

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“I’m feeling good, a little excited actually,’’ Wilson said of the battle ahead.

“I’ve had a little break and a breather and I feel relaxed.’’

Australian surfer Julian Wilson surfing to victory at the Quiksilver Pro France in Hossegor.
Australian surfer Julian Wilson surfing to victory at the Quiksilver Pro France in Hossegor.
Julian Wilson after winning the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.
Julian Wilson after winning the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.

Brazilian Gabriel Medina is in pole position for the Hawaiian event, only needing to make the final at Pipe to win a second world crown.

Only if Medina finishes third or worse will fellow Brazilian Felipe Toledo or Wilson have a shot by winning the Pipe Masters crown.

If Medina finishes fifth or worse, his rivals need to make the final to claim the world title.

However Wilson has good history at Pipeline, beating Medina for the 2014 Masters crown when Medina won his maiden world title.

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Unlike Wilson and Medina, Toledo has never made the final at Pip with his best result a fifth back in 2014.

All three surfers have won two events each this season with Wilson and Toledo on the same points going into the world tour finale.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/more-sports/julian-wilson-relaxed-for-battle-with-gabriel-medina-felipe-toledo-for-world-surf-crown/news-story/e49e16e6424443eae1e62838fc6e100a