A determined Isei Tokovou overcame a daunting point-deficit in the trials Final event to claim the coveted wildcard slot in the ASP Fiji Pro beginning June 1.
Waves ranged up to two metres in sunny, slightly windy offshore conditions at Fiji’s famed Cloudbreak. The early lead in the Final between three of Fiji’s top surfers went to the rampaging Aka Lalabalavu who fought his way to two high scoring waves by the half way mark in the 30-minute heat.
Tokovou found himself stuck in third place behind Lalabalavu and Inia Nakalevu, unable to put together a complete ride for a decent score. Rather than scurrying for quick scores, however, Tokovou took a more patient tact by sitting at the top of the peak waiting for the larger set waves to come through.
Around the 17-minute mark the strategy paid off when a gift wave loomed. Tokovou went to work and notched the second highest scoring wave of the Final. In the building swell a succession of larger waves continued to roll through and from this point on he traded high scores with Lalabalavu, ultimately coming out on top by a mere 0.20-point differential.
This marks Tokovou’s third Fiji trials victory. Tokovou made it to the elite Tour event in 2004 and again when Fiji reentered the circuit as a venue for the 2012 World Championship Tour. In that event, Tokovou was eliminated in the Round of 24 by event champion Kelly Slater (USA).
