Paterson looked to have the final won with the highest scoring ride of the final, an 8.83 which he scored midway through the final and backed it up shortly after with a strong 7.5. Occhilupo made his charge late in the final when he scored an excellent 8.4 ride to move from fourth to second and issue a challenge to Paterson.
When the interference occurred with only two minutes remaining, everyone wondered who would be penalized along with thoughts that both would likely be penalized following multiple interference calls due to similar collisions over the final two days of the event.
Delighted with win today Occhilupo said, "I really felt that final wave was mine and I think it was the right call -- I've never been involved in that sort of finish, it was an amazing situation to be caught in. In surfing, you're friends up until the final three minutes of any heat then it's anything goes and that really was."
Before the event Occhilupo, who turns 40 years in June announced that this would be his last time here, but having won he has again changed his mind!
"I do love this event and I'll be back even if I am retired next year. I'll bring my wife Mai here as she'd love it! Twenty one years ago was my last win here -- you wouldn't really call this a back-to-back win, eh!"
Paterson was disappointed with the final decision but also philosophical. "Great that Occy won. I guess as he's been a fantastic supporter of this event, but that was probably the most bizarre finish I've been involved in - that was crazy!" Margaret's is a left and right and it always presents those situations. I actually thought it would be scored a double interface and I'd probably have still won. In hindsight I should have let him have the wave and made him surf for the win because he required a big score -- still that's surfing!"
Second in today's final was South African Ricky Bassnet. If a double interference had been called Bassnet would have won the final, but it's still a great result for the 20 year old South African.
Fourth place went to local Margaret River surfer Tom Innes in what was his highest-ever placed performance in professional surfing! Innes is the son of arguably Australia's greatest-ever female swimmer Shane Gould and his result today may well spur him to chase the World Qualifying Series throughout this coming season.
Final scores were Mark Occhilupo (Australia) 14.83, Ricky Basnett (South Africa) 13.67, Paterson 12.58 and Tom Innes (Aus/WA) 12.50
The Toohey's Extra Dry expression session was also a feature of the days action and young Newcastle surfer Travis Lynch took the win with some big powerful moves over the shallow Margaret River reef.
The Australasian Pro leg of the ASP World Qualifying Tour now moves to Margaret River for the Vodafone Open presented by Billabong which begins tomorrow with finals next weekend, April 3-April 9. CONTEST WEBSITE
