In a tribute to the late Michael Peterson, Australia’s first-ever Only One MP: The Classic Cutback Competition has crowned its winners after three months and over 500 submissions. The video-based contest, designed to celebrate the classic cutback maneuver, attracted entries from surfers of all ages and skill levels, ranging from legends like Rabbit Bartholomew to rising stars like Ethan Ewing.
The competition featured six categories: Best Cutback, Most Innovative, Best Female, Under 16 Boys, Under 16 Girls, and Micro Groms. The panel of judges was a who’s who of cutback expertise, including surfing icons Mick Fanning, Stephanie Gilmore, Tom Curren, Joel Parkinson, Mark Occhilupo, and Dean Morrison. With their combined decades of experience, they scrutinized every submission to crown the champions.
While subjective by nature, the results were widely accepted in the surfing world. Unsurprisingly, the top prize for Best Overall Cutback went to none other than 52-year-old Kelly Slater. His barrel-to-wrap-to-rebound maneuver at Kirra, filmed by Dan Scott, took social media by storm, garnering nearly 91,000 likes on Instagram. Slater’s performance, which would have been impressive for a surfer half his age, once again reminded the world why he is considered the Greatest of All Time (GOAT). With his recent departure from the Championship Tour (CT), some wonder if Slater is poised to claim the title of the best freesurfer in the world. Given his track record of delivering breathtaking moments when the waves are pumping, it seems a plausible next chapter in his legendary career.
Other notable winners included Taj Burrow, whose powerful rail work earned him top honors in the Most Innovative category. Lee-Ann Curren’s smooth, drawn-out turn took the Best Female title, while Darcy Dwyer’s crisp top turn secured him a win in the Under 16 Boys category. Lehihani Zoric, with a tiny yet mighty cutback, topped the Under 16 Girls, and 10-year-old Kobi Lana impressed with a commanding ride at Duranbah Beach (D-Bah), earning him the Micro Groms award.
The event was orchestrated by Simon Saffigna and Daniel Carmichael, who succeeded in creating an engaging and inclusive platform that paid homage to Peterson’s legacy. Their efforts culminated in a live awards ceremony in Queensland, complete with Balter beer, celebrating the winners and participants alike.
With its blend of nostalgia and fresh talent, the competition entertained audiences around the world, and it’s already fueling excitement for next year’s edition. Time for surfers to sharpen their cutbacks for another chance to shine.
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