'Best wave of the day': Australian Jack Robinson awarded 'near-perfect' score for barrel ride
Australian surfer Jack Robinson has taken advantage of a "perfect wave", landing a massive 9.87 ride to win heat seven of the second round of the men's surfing at Paris 2024.
The Olympic surfing competitions are being held at Teahupo'o — a village on the coast of Tahiti in French Polynesia which is 12 hours behind Paris.
Lining up against Peruvian Lucca Mesinas, Robinson's total score of 16.87 sees him progress but it was his first wave of their opening exchange that had spectators on their feet.
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Jack Robinson of Team Australia rides a wave during round two of surfing on day two of the Olympic surfing competition at Paris 2024. Sean M. Haffey via Getty Images
With the clock ticking over 15 minutes and Robinson seizing wave priority, he made an outstanding first selection, pulling into a big set wave.
Making the drop, Robinson steadied in the tube before dragging his hand along the wave to control his speed out of the barrel after the spit.
"What a fantastic ride," the caller said for Nine.
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"It was a big set wave and it looked like one of the best waves of the day, I dare say.
"This will be excellent — 100 per cent nine points where this score goes. It's going to be a massive score. That was a beauty, that could be a near-perfect score.
"Definitely the best wave of the day."
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And the judges agreed, rewarding Robinson with an excellent score of 9.87.
The highest possible score that a surfer can be awarded for a wave is 10.0.
Last week, Robinson was injured in training when he cut his foot after colliding with the sharp reef.
Robinson will next face American John John Florence in the third round.
Fellow Australian Ethan Ewing has also progressed to the third round where he will face Japanese athlete Cobbor O'Leary.
