Florence, Conlogue claim Bells surf titles

Hawaiian surfing star John John Florence has won his first Rip Curl Pro title, while American Courtney Conlogue has rung the famed bell for the third time.

John John Florence

Hawaii's John John Florence (pic) has won a nailbiting Bells Beach surfing final over Filipe Toledo. (AAP)

John John Florence and Courtney Conlogue have confirmed last year's dramas are distant memories with their Bells Beach surfing triumphs.

Florence won his first Rip Curl Pro title on Saturday, with the Hawaiian ace also back in the tour lead for the first time since his 2016-17 world titles.

Conlogue took the lead in her final by posting the first perfect 10 wave score of the year in the World Surf League and she claimed her third title at Bells Beach.

Their wins capped a momentous end to the event, with the booming conditions on Friday and Saturday billed as the '50-year storm'.

Saturday was also a triumph for Australian wildcard Ryan Callinan, who narrowly lost his first Bells Beach semi-final to Brazilian Filipe Toledo.

His mother Janice died in 2017, just over a year after he also lost father Garry.

He was the last Australian in the men's or women's draws at Bells Beach. Such a strong performance will boost Callinan's chances of rejoining the world tour for the first time since 2016.

Florence and Conlogue also have rallied from injuries that had ruined last season's campaigns, with the Hawaiian missing the second half with a knee injury.

This time last year, Conlogue was at Bells Beach with her foot in a moon boot.

The 2016-17 Bells Beach champion won two events late in the season, but she lost her main sponsor.

"Last year was one of the biggest learning experiences of my life," Florence said.

"It was huge for me; it gave me a whole new outlook - why I'm here and why I want to be here."

Florence was the standout on Saturday, after almost being washed onto the rocks during Friday's competition.

He beat reigning world champion Gabriel Medina in their headline quarter-final and downed 2017 Rip Curl Pro champion Jordy Smith in the semis.

The Hawaiian faltered early in his final against Toledo, but had the lead with 12 seconds left.

Then, similar to his last-gasp semi win over Callinan, Toledo caught a wave with 12 seconds remaining.

Toledo needed a 6.98 wave score, but only managed a 5.90.

Conlogue beat Hawaiian giant killer Malia Manuel in their final.

Manuel had upset world No.1 Caroline Marks in their semi, a day after dispatching defending event champion Stephanie Gilmore.

It was a day of high drama, starting with Callinan's upset quarter-final win over Kelly Slater.

The 11-time world champion remains unsure whether this is his last competition at Bells Beach.

Defending men's champion Italo Ferreira was furious after an interference call meant he lost his quarter-final heat to Smith.

After several minutes and some thumping noises in the athlete ready room, Ferreira walked briskly up the hill and out of the contest venue, still wearing his wetsuit and with a towel over his head.


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Source: AAP



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