Hawaiian surfer Andy Irons has broken a three-year title drought on the World Championship Tour by taking out the Billabong Pro Tahaiti.
The 32-year-old, who was given a wildcard to compete on the world tour this year, beat American CJ Hobgood in an entertaining final at the treacherous Teahupoo break.
And it was a deserved victory for the three-time world champion, having to overcome reigning champion Mick Fanning, impressive rookie Patrick Gudauskas and Kelly Slater just to make the decider.
Irons' win was the 20th event victory of his career on the WCT and catapults him from 18th to seventh in the world ranking.
"I feel like I’m back," a delighted Irons said.
"I have to thank ASP for giving me the wildcard back here. My whole dream was to come back and just win one contest, and I’ve done that now."
"I want more. And to win at Teahupoo, it’s my favourite wave in the world. It’s a very special win."
"I dedicate this win 100% to my wife, Lindy, she is everything to me and without her, I’d be nothing."
"I really, really like competing because I love to win and I feel on top of the world today. I love this feeling."
Hobgood is regarded as one of the best tube-riders in the world but was no match for a resurgent Irons.
"I've got no one to blame but myself," Hobgood said.
"I’m stoked all the same though. After the heat, I told Andy 'there’s a lot of people pulling for you, including myself.'"
"It’s emotional and you take what you can from it."
Despite the Semi-final loss to Irons, Slater moves up to second in the world title rankings, just 250 points behind leader Jordy Smith.