Never underestimate the underdog

We all love backing the underdog.
Nothing like seeing a new face battle it out with the seasoned pros.
Inexperience versus veteran.
David versus Goliath.
Battling up and comer versus multi-sponsored athlete.
And don’t think that those at the top of the heap underestimate the wildcards for an instant.
At the media conference for the 2009 Rip Curl Pro, when a journalist asked Stephanie Gilmore if she had any advice for women’s event wildcard, 14 year old surfing sensation Nikki Van Dijk, she smiled and shook her head. To Van Dijk’s obvious astonishment and delight, Gilmore said she felt the younger woman could be a serious threat and did not to give her any advantages.
Smart woman.
Wildcards have a history of toppling champions - you don’t want to give them any opportunity.
Look at Mick Fanning.
He burst through as a skinny kid who blitzed through the seemingly invincible field to take out the 2001 Rip Curl Pro.
And this year’s event saw the usual finals suspects topple faster than the economy. Kelly Slater eliminated by Owen Wright, now dubbed the ‘Slater Slayer’; Taj Burrow who won in 2007 , seven times world champ and recently retired Layne Beachley, current world champ Stephanie Gilmore and Chelsea Hodges all departed earlier than expected.
So when Jan Juc’s Adam Robertson who’s listed at 76th on the WQS took his wildcard opportunity through nine grueling heats to emerge as the highest ever ranked Victorian surfer at the world’s longest running surfing competition, it’s a cause to celebrate.
Coached by one of Australia's most respected surfers, Grayeme 'Gally' Galbraith (current Australian over 50s title holder and co-director of Torquay Surf Acaedmy http://www.torquaysurf.com.au/) saw Robertson fit, focussed and on fire.
After out surfing some of the best performers on the WCT, including Hawaiian Kekoa Bacalso, Australians Tom Whitaker and Bede Durbidge, Robertson came up against the polished technique of the highly experienced Gold Coaster Joel Parkinson in the final. Despite a home ground advantage, not to mention 99 per cent of the crowd cheering him on, Robertson emerged runner-up.
But he can hold his head up high.
He entered the event without a key sponsor, but no doubt the marketing execs have sat up and paid attention.
Hopefully, he’ll get some backing to match his passion and dedication.
On the podium, he was a good sport, acknowledging his rival and joining in the clapping and cheering when Parkinson rang the bell for the second time in his career. The man who’s taken out the first two WCT events this year spoke generously of Robertson and there’s no doubt that from the beginning, he took the wildcard seriously.
Paddling out earlier today, Parkinson was possibly recalling the day nearly a decade ago when as a 17 year old wildcard he became the youngest every surfer to win the Billabong Pro at Jeffrey’s Bay.
The bell on Robertson’s own trophy for second place no doubt sounded sweet enough to someone whom the bookies would have given heavy odds to make the semis, let alone the final.
But the look in his eyes says it all.
Underdog no longer.
He’ll be back.