Parkinson sealed the season with victory at Billabong Pipe Masters, and winning the World Title

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 31, achieved his first ASP World Title at the final stop of the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour WCT by winning the Billabong Pipe Masters in memoriam of Andy Irons The Billabong Pipe Masters was also the final and last stop of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.

Only Parkinson and the 11 times World Champion, Kelly Slater (EUA) has a possibility to win the World title in the last event. Parkinson needed to finish I a higher position than Slater to claim the title that was refused for 12 years. When Slater lost to Josh Kerr (AUS), 28, at the semifinals, his dream became true. Parkinson defeated Kerr at the final.

“Consistency paid”, Joel Parkinson said. “Here is where I wanted to be standing at the end of the year. This is for I’ve been working all my life. I can’t describe the feeling. I’ve had sub-championships, ups and downs. I’ve been in hell and back and this way it’s sweeter. All my love to Hawaii, Australia and the world, I can’t be thankful enough for supporting me.

“At this moment, Pipe Masters world title, everything is surreal” Parkinson said. “I thought it was going to be a pressure pot as previous years. I knew I couldn’t do anything to change it. I did what I had to do. I though that Slater had given his best after competing against Shane (Dorian) and I knew Kerr was a danger for him.  When Kerr won, I felt I was going to fade. I couldn’t control my emotions at that moment”.

“One day you wake up feeling good and the next one you wake up feeling like a looser. This morning I felt like a champion when I woke up. As Andy (Irons) always said “I have this, eh?” I dedicate this to my family, to mi father that took me to the tournaments when I was 10. To my wife, my mother and kids, this is everything to us” Parkinson said.

Parkinson has been Honor World Title 4 times (2002, 2004, 2009, 2011). His victory at Billabong Pipe Masters is his eleventh elite triumph during his career and by achieving the ASP World Title is recognized as one of the greatest surfers of all times.