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Competition Continues in Good Waves
Author: ASP World Tour
Clean 4ft (1.5m) surf was initially on offer at Raglan, though onshore winds increased throughout the day and waves became less frequent on a dropping swell.
1998 world champion Joel Tudor (CA, USA) continued his run through the Oxbow Pro Longboard with a great win over Josh Constable (Aus). The Californian was actually sick following his best 8.75 ride - having eaten lunch just prior to paddling out – but still put on a fantastic display to move into round four with the highest combined tally of the day for 16.25-points.
“Just the anxiety of the heat, and the fact I ate lunch beforehand,” explained Tudor, of what caused him to be sick. “Those waves are really long and take a lot out of you, but whatever it takes… I’m stoked to be through.”
Duane DeSoto (Haw) eliminated ratings #3 Jye Byrnes (Newcastle, Aus) in the closest of round three heats, and thus ended the Australians world title hopes. The pair actually tied on 14-points, but the Hawaiian’s best 8.0 ride was the heat’s top score and pushed him through on a single wave count back. Returning to competition after being out for the year due to a knee injury, DeSoto is especially eager to secure the Oxbow trophy after being out of contention for the world crown.
“I injured my knee again just before the European season this year, so it blew my chances at the crown” explained DeSoto. “I just came to Raglan hoping to win the contest. It’d be such a pleasure to take the Oxbow trophy. I just had the meanest heat with Jye and beat him, so it gives me added confidence. I’m stoked I drew him and made it.”
South African Mathew Moir secured his fourth round berth with a great 8.5 ride in the dying moments against Hawaiian Keegan Edwards. The goofy footer – who finished 5th in last year’s Oxbow event - was trailing in the close match, but then milked his last wave for all its worth to advance.
“I was pretty lucky with that last wave being my best,” said Moir. “I needed a 7.5, so at least I got that to make it. I just want to finish fifth or better this year (laughs).”
Brazilians Danilo Rodrigo, Jeremias da Silva and Paulo Kid all progressed into round four. Silva, a quarterfinalist in Mexico last year, was over the moon following his two wins today. First he accounted for France’s Timothee Creignout with a couple of great rides, before scrapping past Ian Bell (Aus) in a low scoring match this afternoon. Having borrowed the airfare money off his brother to compete at Raglan, each round symbolizes a further repayment for the always-smiling Saquarema resident.
“My brother gave me the money to come to New Zealand, so it’s very good I make the heats,” said Silva. “I have no sponsors and it’s difficult, so I have to use the prizemoney to pay him back. It’s very important I make the quarterfinals, but congratulations to Oxbow for having the event here.”
Britain’s Sam Bleakley created an upset by eliminating seasoned Oxbow competitor Zack Howard (CA, USA) this morning. The stylish natural footer sealed victory with his final 7.10 ride, and will now face reigning three-time (1999, 2001 & ‘02) winner Colin McPhillips (CA, USA) in round three.
“It was a little bumpy and not as nice as yesterday, but I really enjoyed that heat,” said Bleakley. “I wasn’t really worried about the result, and was just enjoying the chance to surf one of the best lefts in the world with only one other guy. I’ve been doing this tour for the past two years and haven’t progressed past this, so pretty nice to make round three. Zack Howard is one of the best longboarders in the world and he always does really well on tour, so to beat him is a great result for me.”
Lucas Proudfoot (Cabarita, Aus) took advantage of the long lefthanders to progress past Antoine Cardonnet (Fra) in round two. The goofy footer snapped his surfboard prior to competing this morning and was forced to borrow one, but quickly adopted.
“The whole event started with an awesome ceremony, and we’ve been getting good waves,” said Proudfoot. “The local indigenous people are really nice and there’s a good feeling here. I’m just happy to be surfing a lefthand point, coming from the land of rights where I live. I just tried to get two good waves down past the judging tower and do as much as possible. I snapped my board clean in half this morning, so I’m borrowing a board now. It goes well, so I’m stoked.”
Another decision will be made tomorrow morning at 7am (local time).
Round Two Heats (1st>Rnd3; 2nd=33rd receives US$600)
H5: Kekoa Uemura (Haw) 15.25 def. Anri Nabeshima (Jpn) 7.75
H6: Jonathan Larcher (Fra) 12.75 def. Luis Bento (Port) 9.4
H7: Sebastein Wilson (Aus) 13.75 def. Diego Rosa (Brz) 12.25
H8: Paulo Kid (Brz) 15.25 def. Dwayne Paenga (NZ) 12.4
H9: Lucas Proudfoot (Aus) 13.8 def. Antoine Cardonnet (Fra) 12.4
H10: Jamie Viudes (Brz) 13.45 def. Antoine Delpero (Fra) 13.2
H11: Elliot Dudley (GB) 11.35 def. Ben Skinner (GB) 11.25
H12: Sam Bleakly (GB) 13.35 def. Zack Howard (USA) 12.0
H13: Jeremias da Silva (Brz) 14.35 def. Timothee Creignout (Fra) 9.8
H14: Augusto Suldanha (Brz) 14.75 def. Bart Wilson (Aus) 11.65
H15: Olimpio Batista (Brz) 12.75 def. Darren Ledingham (USA) 12.25
H16: Lee Ryan (GB) 12.0 def. Thibaut Dussarat (Fra) 11.65
Round Three (1st>Rnd4; 2nd=17th receives US$800)
H2: Joel Tudor (USA) 16.25 def. Josh Constable (Aus) 14.55
H1: Taylor Jensen (USA) 13.9 def. Eduardo Bage (Brz) 12.15
H3: Danilo Rodrigo (Brz) 13.5 def. Jonathan Larcher (Fra) 12.85
H4: Duane DeSoto (Haw) 14.0 def. Jye Byrnes (Aus) 14.0
H5: Mathew Moir (SAfr) 15.5 def. Keegan Edwards (Haw) 14.15
H6: Jeremias da Silva (Brz) 9.25 def. Ian Bell (Aus) 6.65
H7: Paulo Kid (Brz) 14.5 def. Marcelo Freitas (Brz) 11.1
Remaining Round Three Heats (1st>Rnd4; 2nd=17th receives US$800)
H8: Bonga Perkins (Haw) Justin Redman (Aus)
H9: Colin McPhillips (USA) vs. Sam Bleakley (GB)
H10: Sebastein Wilson (Aus) vs. Lucas Proudfoot (Aus)
H11: Amaro Matos (Brz) vs. Olimpio Batista (Brz)
H12: Alex Salazar (Brz) vs. Elliot Dudley (GB)
H13: Beau Young (Aus) vs. Augusto Suldanha (Brz)
H14: Phil Rajzman (Brz) vs. Grant Thomas (Aus)
H15: Jason Ribbink (SAfr) vs. Lee Ryan (GB)
H16: Kekoa Uemura (Haw) vs. Jamie Viudes (Brz)
Further information: +64-(0)-7-825-0576, or 0978.
Jesse Faen
International Media Manager
Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP)
mailto:jesse@aspworldtour.com
http://www.aspworldtour.com/
Mobile (onsite): +61-(0)-407-189-289
ASP Office (Aus): +61-(0)-755-991-550
Digital images will be available free of charge from Steve Robertson/ASP: stever@surfingaustralia.com