“It’s been such a good week. We have made the best out of all the conditions we faced in France. I want to thank O’Neill for putting on such a good event.” Using the unique judging formula of The Mission, he was voted the winner by his fellow surfers, including the likes of Cory Lopez, Jarrad Howse and Michel Bourez, and has walked away with the US$25,000 prize money. “I’ve been looking up to these guys since I was young,” Julian said. “I was just so excited to be invited to spend the week surfing with them.” In a first-ever on The Mission, two surfers found themselves in equal second place. O’Neill Highland Open winner, Adam Robertson, as well as former WCT giant Cory Lopez shared the honors. “It’s been an awesome week,” said Cory. “I was so stoked to come here. And I am so happy for Julian. He has been surfing amazingly all week.” Adam Robertson, in addition to finishing in joint second place, also won the first ever ‘Spirit of the Mission’ award, for embracing the spirit of adventure of The Mission in its entirety and everything it stands for. “To get second here is amazing,” Adam said. “I didn’t even know I was going to come here until two weeks before so I hadn’t set myself any expectations. I am happy for Julian. He is a great guy and a great surfer.” Always the first to run into the water no matter what the conditions, Adam said: “It’s nice that O’Neill recognized that I was surfing hard and having a lot of fun.” The award ceremony took place in front of all who participated on The Mission on the campsite by the beaches of Les Landes. Behind Julian, Adam and Cory came Tim Boal in fourth, Justin Mujica in fifth and Hugo Savalli – who even attempted Julian’s signature Sushi Roll move – in sixth. Last year’s winner of The Mission, Michel Bourez finished in seventh and was followed by Jarrad Howse in eighth and Ian Walsh in ninth place. The O’Neill Mission 2008 ended on the beaches of Les Landes after moving down from Brittany following a swell forecast on Saturday revealing that the southwest coast of France was going to be picking up the best of the waves. As contest director, Matt Wilson, pointed out; “These guys got the best surf available in France all week." (Source: O’Neill)