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Simon McShane (Phillip
Island) pulled off an amazing fourth victory at the annual Toll/Ipec Victorian
Surfing Open. The event has a relative short history of just eight years and McShane
has today bagged half the winning history with a sterling performance in large
wind swept conditions at Jan Juc beach today. 
Within the opening minutes of the final McShane became the man to beat when
he posted an outstanding 9.4 ride. He chose the right wave and found multiple
sections which allowed him to pull a series of large fin free moves which were
well rewarded.
"I can't believe I've taken the win here again. I'm
thirty two but to win in a field like this is big confidence booster and shows
I'm still capable at this level - All the finalists today were surfing great and
it feels special to beat them!"
Jan Juc surfer Jirah Laws tried hard to peg back McShane, finishing second
overall and pulled some huge moves late in the final but never found a wave with
the potential of McShane's opening ride.
When asked to explain his amazing
record at this event McShane said "It's probably the prize money ($1000)
that works for me! I love winning money and I try maybe that bit harder, I'm not
sure but four victories will be hard for anyone to beat!"
Third today went to Jan Juc's Jack Perry with fourth going to Cahill Bell
Warren from Bells Beach.
The Toll/Ipec industry teams challenge was also
surfed today and Team Quiksilver took the narrowest of wins ahead of Rip Curl
and defending champions Billabong in third place. The Quiksilver team left it
until the final minute of the seventy minute final to take the win in a typically
exciting teams final.
Next event on the Victorian surfing calendar will
be the annual Conservation and Club Teams Titles at Bells Beach later this month.
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