Jack Freestone finishes runner-up at World Surf League event in Rio

JACK Freestone has shown off the talent that led him to two world junior titles with his best World Surf League performances to date at the Rio Pro.

Jack Freestone of Australia winning his round three heat against Jordy Smith at the Oi Rio Pro. PHOTO: WSL/ Smorigo

GOLD Coast surfer Jack Freestone has shown off the talent that led him to two world junior titles with his best World Surf League performance to date at the Rio Pro.

Freestone took his first significant steps towards requalifying for the World Surf League tour, beaten in the final of the Rio Pro overnight by Hawaiian hotshot John John Florence.

The results were a relief for Freestone, who has had a rocky start to his maiden season on tour.

The 24-year-old failed to win a heat in the opening event of the season, the Quiksilver Pro at Snapper Rocks in March, being knocked out in the second round after losing both his heats.

Freestone suffered a knee injury just after the event, ruling him out of the rest of the WSL’s Australian swing at Bells Beach and Margaret River.

But he has bounced back in Rio, notching wins against South African world title contender Jordy Smith in Round 3, before knocking out world No. 3 Italo Ferreira in Round 5 to gain a place in the final eight.

He then delivered one of the upsets of the event beating 2014 world champ and local Brazilian hero Gabriel Medina in the semi-finals.

In the final however Freestone couldn’t quite keep his giant-killing run going, beaten by a red-hot Florence who posted a 9.70 and a 9.27 for a 18.97 heat total while the young Aussie could only lock in a combined score of 16.13.

Freestone’s runner-up finish has seen him jump from 37th to 19th on the ratings leaderboard.

“I am very happy,” Freestone said. “It was a long week and I just had to take it heat by heat. To come back from an injury and get second place is amazing, and I am over the moon. I would just like to thank everyone here in Brazil for all of their support. I would like to congratulate John on a crazy win. It was a great time here in Rio.”