Congratulations Matt Wilkinson | 2017 Outerknown Fiji Pro Champion

In one of the most entertaining and unforeseen, finals of the year, Matt Wilkinson has taken the win at the 2017 Outerknown Fiji Pro over rookie Connor O’Leary.

It was a stunning day in tropical paradise, with 6 – 8 foot sets rolling through the reef at Cloudbreak – the sun was shining, the action was non-stop – and the result was almost fairy-tale-esque.

It was turn-for-turn, barrel-for-barrel, wave-for-wave, first-to-second and then back again for the entire 35-minute final – and it wasn’t until the last four minutes that Wilko was able to snag the lead and, as the ocean went silent, keep it for good.

“Now, well… now I guess it’s time to go drink some beer!” Wilko says, almost laughing as he bends over from exhaustion, a huge grin on his face. “What else do you do when you win the OK Fiji Pro!?”

Video: World Surf League