Adriano de Souza (BRA), 25, has claimed the 2013 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford over ASP Dream Tour rookie Nat Young (USA), 21, in clean three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) waves at Bells Beach today.

Event No. 2 of 10 on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach culminated in dramatic fashion Tuesday with the young Brazilian claiming the first South American men’s title in the event’s storied 52-year history.

“This is the most important event on tour to me,” De Souza said. “Guys like Andy Irons, Kelly Slater, my hero Mick Fanning, they have all rung the Bell. I have been coming here a lot of years. I love the place. It has been a tough time for me recently. I started 2013 without a sponsor for the first time in many years. I had to believe in myself that a company would believe in me and one did. I have to say thanks to Pena for believing in me. I have a lot of people to thank, but all I want to do right now is ring the bell.”

De Souza’s win today vaults the young South American to ASP WCT No. 4 heading into the third event on tour in Brazil.

“Next stop is at home in Brazil,” De Souza said. “I feel comfortable at home, but there is also pressure to perform. I am going to enjoy this win, recharge for the next one and hopefully I can keep it going.”

Young, the rookie goofy-footer from California’s Santa Cruz, posted a career-best result today, wowing spectators and competitors alike with his run to the Finals.

“It was a huge event for me,” Young said. “Just to be in the field is a dream for me. I’ve looked up to the surfers in this event my whole life. The event has such a history behind it and I was honestly just excited to be here. Making the Final, I don’t even have words for it. Of course I wanted to win it. I want to ring the bell as much as anyone else on tour. Don’t get to it this year, but a Runner-Up finish is a big result for me and I’ll take that into the next one.”

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Watch It Live: http://www.nikelowerspro.com/live/

It’s PRIME time! The highly anticipated ASP PRIME Nike Lowers Pro begins tomorrow, May 1, 2012 at Lower Trestles and with back-to-back south swells forecasted to deliver consistent waves throughout the entirety of the waiting period, this year’s Nike Lowers Pro has all of the ingredients for a historic event. With several ASP Top 34 surfers and the finest up-and-comers the world has to offer descending upon one of the world’s most high-performance waves, the Nike Lowers Pro is one event that usually witnesses surfing rise to the next level year after year. Tune in for all of the LIVE action this week!

Mick Fanning (AUS), 30, has claimed the 2012 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford Ranger over reigning 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 40, in offshore three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) waves at Bells Beach.

Event No. 2 of 10 on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach culminated in dramatic fashion today with pundits calling it the “best Final in event history.”

The Australian and American went blow for blow throughout the 35-minute bout, exchanging massive scores and the lead several times before the dust settled.

“I’m so pumped,” Fanning said. “Kelly (Slater) did that Hail Mary for the 10 and I thought, ‘oh, here we go.’ I just caught waves and I’m stoked it all paid off. I’m really at a loss for words and I’m just pumped. It doesn’t get any sweeter. The crowd’s been amazing with the whole amphitheater and the history that comes with it. I always picture this event and have had some seconds over the years, so to get this one, I’m so pumped.”

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