Adam Melling (AUS) has won the first event of the 2011 O’Neill Cold Water Classic at Gisborne, New Zealand today claiming the ASP six-star event in the last 30 seconds over Brazilian surfer Willian Cardoso!!<br /><br />The final took place at The Pines on Wainui Beach in clean 1.5m waves with offshore winds. Melling posted 15.20 out of a possible 20 points for the win. Celebrating his 26th birthday on the same day made his victory even more special.<br /><br />In the tradition of the O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series, where the winners receive meaningful awards from the host country, Melling was awarded with a traditional Maori weapon called a tewhatewha. Brazilian Willian Cardoso finishes 2nd and Tom Whitaker (AUS) and Stuart Kennedy (AUS) both share the 3rd place.
