Aussie surfer claims silver after opponent's 'unbelievable' ride

Australian surfer Jack Robinson has completed his Paris 2024 campaign with a silver medal — the nation’s best-ever surfing performance at an Olympic Games.

Coming head-to-head with Frenchman Kauli Vaast in the final at Tahiti, Robinson’s total score of 7.83 fell short of the local hope’s 17.67.

Vaast stunned Robinson with two incredible waves right at the start and then the swell died down and the Aussie could not recover.

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Scoring 9.50 after making it out of the barrel, Vaast’s first wave was enough to top the gold medal match.

“[Vaast] makes it out of an unbelievable section [and ride] right into the boats,” the caller said for Nine.

Robinson countered with a 7.83 and his trademark salute before Vaast quickly hit back with a 8.17.

On the back foot with only one ride, and needing a 9.84 effort to steal the gold, the waves dried up for the remaining 20 minutes on the clock.

As the horn blasted twice to signal the end of the heat, the competitors shared an embrace out on the water.

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Speaking afterwards, Robinson was disappointed that he was left wanting for a wave.

“It was so close, aye. I just needed one shot. That’s all it takes for me But you know, that’s the way it goes,” he told Nine.

I almost didn’t get to surf this event. Right before it, I almost cut my Achilles off but I’m healthy, I’m good. I got to go out there and go up against so many amazing guys and have an amazing final against Kauli.

“[I’m] soaking it all in.”

Robinson was guaranteed an Olympic medal earlier on Tuesday after cruising through his semi final against Brazilian Gabriel Medina.

Robinson clocked a 7.83 wave and then a 4.50, while Medina could only register one scoring wave.

Medina needed to score better than a 6.00 to overtake Robinson but the swell died down and the Brazilian ran out of time.

Robinson, the 26-year-old from Western Australia who now lives on the Gold Coast, took down fellow Aussie Ethan Ewing, John John Florence and Medina on his way to a medal.

Former Australian professional surfer Owen Wright said Robinson gave himself every chance with his first wave before waiting patiently for another wave that never came.

“Not once did he put a foot wrong,” he told Nine.

“Every heat he was put up against it, he had the toughest draw, he came from behind, picked the eyes out of every heat, got the best wave of most heats and just in that last one, the ocean went completely flat and it didn’t go his way.

“But he has to hold his head up high. He did incredibly well. He’s broken records — first silver medallist in Australia for surfing.”

Medina went on to secure the bronze medal.