An epic Finals day at the Billabong Rio Pro and Rio Women’s Pro presented by Billabong, Stop No. 4 on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), saw Michel Bourez (PYF) and Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) claim victory after a day of barreling waves at Barra Da Tijuca.
Michel Bourez (PYF) won his second WCT event of the season, besting defending event winner Jordy Smith (ZAF) and veteran Taj Burrow (AUS) before his win over California prodigy Kolohe Andino in a hard-fought final. The Tahitian struck first in the 30 minute affair, posting his two keeper scores of 7.17 and 6.67 in the opening half of the heat. The win vaults Bourez to No. 4 on the ASP WCT rankings.
“This win is amazing and I feel great,” said Michel Bourez. “I didn’t expect to win two events in the same year so it feels brilliant. It’s great to be here in Rio and have another win – I’m so happy. I’m really glad I came and to have a final against a good friend of mine is wonderful. He (Kolohe Andino) is someone I think will be huge in a few years. Rio is beautiful, I love this place. There’s so many things going on and so many people that are passionate about sports and surfing.”
Kolohe Andino (USA) was in stellar form throughout the entirety of the Billabong Rio Pro blending his prowess for the barrel with his above-the-lip game. The progressive talent topped Travis Logie (ZAF), Bede Durbidge (AUS), and 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) while advancing to his first career WCT final, but failed to find the scores needed to surpass Bourez for the win.
“I have so many good memories of Brazil,” said Kolohe Andino. “To make my first WCT Final here in front of the wonderful crowd is a pleasure. I’m very happy with the result.”
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) claimed her first major victory this year, winning the Rio Women’s Pro presented by Billabong with a sensational performance against reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW). While Moore jumped out to an early lead, Fitzgibbons fought back, posting scores of 9.27 and 7.00, securing her second career Rio Women’s Pro victory. Fitzgibbons defeated Coco Ho (HAW) and defending event winner Tyler Wright (AUS) before defeating the Hawaiian for the win. Her effort moves her to No. 2 on the ASP Women’s WCT rankings behind Moore, who remains at No. 1.
“A lot of hard work went into this victory and I’m so happy,” said Sally Fitzgibbons. “There’s a great rivalry between myself and Carissa (Moore). We always have such great battles and I knew I had to step things up after the Semifinal to take the win. The crowd was sending me great vibes out in the water and that really helped. It’s a long year but I think I have a lot of strong surfing left in me. I’m really excited to get over to Fiji and try and get another result like this.”
Carissa Moore (HAW) entered her third consecutive final of the season on fire, smashing an excellent 8.50 on her opening ride against Sally Fitzgibbons. While the Hawaiian was unable to put a stop the Australian’s retaliation, the second place finish extends her lead on the ASP Women’s WCT Rankings.
“I wish I had won here in Rio like I did three years ago,” said Carissa Moore. “You come so close and then you don’t get it so of course you’re upset. It’s okay – this is what happens in competition.”
11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) earned the only perfect 10-point ride of Billabong Rio Pro competition on the very first wave of finals day against Brazilian favorite Adriano de Souza. Slater was unable to maintain his momentum, however, falling to Andino in the Semifinals. Slater’s third place effort vaults the Floridian atop the ASP WCT rankings entering the upcoming event in Fiji.
“I owe that guy (Adriano de Souza),” said Kelly Slater. “He’s been killing me – I think he won six in a row against me before today. I felt good this morning and spent a lot of time last night thinking about the situation. It’s important to get into the Quarterfinals. I’ve had enough of losing to that guy for now. I wanted to try and do well here because I haven’t done well here in a while.”
Billabong Rio Pro Final Result:
Michel Bourez (PYF) 13.84 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 6.43
Rio Women’s Pro Final Result:
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.27 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.27
Billabong Rio Pro Semifinal Results:
Semifinal 1: Kolohe Andino (USA) 14.73 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 14.17
Semifinal 2: Michel Bourez (PYF) 15.30 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 12.33
Rio Women’s Pro Semifinal Results:
Semifinal 1: Carissa Moore (HAW) 17.97 def. Lakey Peterson (USA) 6.00
Semifinal 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 15.17 def. Tyler Wright (AUS) 9.80
Billabong Rio Pro Quarterfinal Results:
Quarterfinal 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 14.50 def. Nat Young (USA) 12.37
Quarterfinal 2: Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.44 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 7.40
Quarterfinal 3: Michel Bourez (PYF) 16.83 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.67
Quarterfinal 4: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.66 def. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 7.20
Rio Women’s Pro Quarterfinal Results:
Quarterfinal 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) 13.47 def. Pauline Ado (FRA) 13.26
Quarterfinal 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.50 def. Alessa Quizon (HAW) 7.00
Quarterfinal 3: Tyler Wright (AUS) 15.37 def. Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 14.43
Quarterfinal 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 14.77 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 12.90
Billabong Rio Pro Round 5 Results:
Heat 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.50 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 3.37
Heat 2: Kolohe Andino (USA) 6.83 def. Travis Logie (ZAF) 8.17
Heat 3: Michel Bourez (PYF) 8.60 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 8.10
Heat 4: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 11.76 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 8.17
The Billabong Rio Pro, Stop No. 4 on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour, saw a thrilling day of surfing on super Sunday and ran through Men’s Rounds 3 and 4 in barreling four foot (1.2 metre) surf. The first of the Quarterfinalists were decided in a flurry of Brazilian defeats, with only Adriano de Souza left in the running to represent the host country. Bede Durbidge was the standout surfer of the day, claiming the highest two-wave heat total with 16.33.
The first heat of the day featured a barrel shootout between current ASP World No. 1 Gabriel Medina (BRA) and veteran Travis Logie (ZAF). Medina wasted little time in establishing a lead, earning an 8.50 for a deep forehand barrel in the opening minute of the heat. Medina looked poised for victory when he found another forehand tube for a 6.50, but Logie’s patience paid off. With 1:30 remaining on the clock, the South African drove through an incredible forehand barrel, posting a near-perfect 9.50 for a win over the Brazilian favorite. Medina leaves the competition in equal 13th place. Logie went on to be defeated by Adriano de Souza (BRA) and Nat Young (USA) in Round 4 but will get another chance to fight for a place in the Quarterfinals against Kolohe Andino (USA) in Round 5 .
“I’m baffled,” said Travis Logie. “That was a nice little birthday present. I got two good waves and I pulled the rabbit out of the hat at the end of the heat. I don’t know how I did that, I’m speechless. I’ve been doing this for a while now so I just kept relaxed even though I’d resigned myself to losing the heat. I just thought to myself it’s me against the ocean. I’m stoked.”
“It was tricky out there,” said Gabriel Medina. “My first wave was good but I couldn’t find a second one. Travis (Logie) is always a dangerous guy and I knew it would be a tough heat. I just tried to pay attention to him and he got me at the end. He was at the right spot at the right time. It’s so good to have all the support here, there’s no better support than here in Brazil. I’m looking forward to Fiji, that was just a throwaway result. Now I’ll train more and get ready for the next event.”
Thumping barrels at Barra Da Tijuca saw Australian powerhouse Bede Durbidge deliver today’s top performance. First he faced prodigious Brazilian Filipe Toledo in Round 3 Heat 5. Durbidge took control of the heat and banked the highest two-wave heat total of the day, leaving the sophomore standout in need of an excellent 9.10. Toledo was unable to find the near-perfect ride and the veteran advanced to Round 4 where his success continued against Americans Kolohe Andino and Kelly Slater. Durbidge revelled in the powerful beachbreak conditions, kicking off his Round 4 campaign with a deep backhand barrel for a near-perfect 9.10. Andino and Slater could not find the scores needed to better the Australian who backed up his stunning opener with a 6.10, securing a Quarterfinals berth.
“It was tough to draw a Brazilian here and I knew Filipe (Toledo) would be doing his airs, but I’m glad we had swell and I’m glad I got the win,” said Bede Durbidge. “I really wanted to keep my momentum going because I had such a good heat earlier today. Preparation is key for me. I love getting fired up before the heats and surfing with lots of aggression so I just need to keep that going. I feel right at home here because I grew up surfing conditions like this.”
2013 event winner Jordy Smith (ZAF) is one step closer to defending his title after eliminating Brazilian Jadson Andre in Round 3. The pair battled in barreling conditions and Smith struck first, driving through a thick barrel for a 7.60. Andre fought to get on the board, but posted only low scores for the first half of the heat. A crucial exchanged unfolded with 12 minutes remaining but the South African’s 8.50 score carried him to a convincing win. Smith was able to build on his success in Round 4 against Joel Parkinson (AUS) and Sebastian Zietz (HAW). The pair posted solid scores but were unable to back them up, leaving Smith to secure a Quarterfinals berth, while Parkinson and Zietz will have to surf again in Round 5 when competition resumes.
“I was really inspired by Travis Logie’s performance earlier today,” said Jordy Smith. “It would really be something special if we could both make the Final. These days you have to pull everything out from the get go. Jadson (Andre) is an incredible surfer and really had the crowd behind him. It played on my mind a bit but got me fired up to do better. I’m feeling more confident than ever.”
2013 Rookie of the Year Nat Young (USA) fast tracked his way to the Quarterfinals after victory in Round 3 against Mitch Crews (AUS) and another win in Round 4 against Travis Logie (ZAF) and Adriano de Souza (BRA). Nat Young took off early in Round 3, earning midrange scores in the opening five minutes with back-to-back tube rides. Another quick barrel with a clean cutback finish improved his bottom score to a 5.93 and forcing rookie Crews to hunt for an excellent score he was unable to secure. The three-man non-elimination Round 4 began came down to a crucial exchange with six minutes remaining. De Souza picked off the first wave of a set, posting a 6.07 for a modest barrel, but Young backdoored the following wave, driving deep through the barrel, punctuated with a clean exit for a heat-high 8.17 to take the lead and eventual heat win.
“I feel like I didn’t start very well,” said Nat Young. “I didn’t get too many waves but I managed to find those two decent barrels out there at the end and I’m slowly getting better scores. I’m happy to skip that fifth round. I don’t have the best luck in that round and I’m happy to be in the Quarterfinals.”
Taj Burrow (AUS), fresh from runner-up finish at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, advanced through two heats today, securing a spot in the Quarterfinals. While most of the day saw clean, barreling conditions grace the lineup, the Western Australian was forced to battle the elements in order to earn his victories in Rounds 3 and 4. He faced fellow Australian Dion Atkinson in Round 3 who, despite holding the lead for the first two-thirds of the heat, went down after Burrow posted a 7.43 for a deep barrel. Burrow matched up against Josh Kerr (AUS) and Michel Bourez (PFY) in challenging conditions in Round 4 and secured the win with a two-wave total of 9.00 at the end of the low-scoring affair.
“It was so difficult, it might have been the hardest heat I’ve ever surfed,” saidTaj Burrow after his Round 4 win. “I was stuck in a rip at the end and it was like river rapids. With the waves I got, I didn’t think I won.”
Billabong Rio Pro Round 5 Match-ups:
Heat 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Kelly Slater (USA)
Heat 2: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 3: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 4: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Sebastian Zeitz (HAW)
Billabong Rio Pro Round 4 Results:
Heat 1: Nat Young (USA) 15.34, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.34, Travis Logie (ZAF) 9.03
Heat 2: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 15.27, Kolohe Andino (USA) 10.43, Kelly Slater (USA) 5.30
Heat 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.53, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 11.24, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 11.10
Heat 4: Taj Burrow (AUS) 9.00, Josh Kerr (AUS) 7.83, Michel Bourez (3.20)
Billabong Rio Pro Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Travis Logie (ZAF) 15.50 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.00
Heat 2: Nat Young (USA) 12.03 def. Mitch Crews (AUS) 7.33
Heat 3: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 9.97 def. Aritz Aranburu (ESP) 7.63
Heat 4: Kolohe Andino (USA) 13.70 def. Julian Wilson (AUS) 13.50
Heat 5: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 16.33 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 12.90
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) 13.53 def. David Do Carmo (BRA) 10.93
Heat 7: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.10 def. Tiago Pires (PRT) 7.36
Heat 8: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 15.10 def. John John Florence (HAW) 13.04
Heat 9: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 16.10 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 9.83
Heat 10: Josh Kerr (AUS) 10.00 def. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 9.17
Heat 11: Michel Bourez (PYF) 13.73 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 11.90
Heat 12: Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.13 def. Dion Atkinson (AUS) 12.43
BELLS BEACH, VIC/Australia (Monday, April 21, 2014): Stop No. 3 on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach ran through Rounds 3 and 4 today and the field that started with 36 of the world’s best male surfers was reduced to just 12. Round 4 winners advanced directly into the Quarterfinals, while 2nd and 3rd will need to fight it out in Round 5. The Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach was called off for the day, and could potentially crown a winner tomorrow.
Tour veteran Taj Burrow (AUS) used his 16 years of ASP WCT experience to take out the first Heat of Round 4, finishing with a comfortable lead ahead of last year’s event winner Adriano De Souza (BRA) and fellow Australian Adam Melling. Burrow timed his wave selection perfectly, netting the two top scores of the Heat, 8.07 and 7.50 for a series of fins-free turns and cutbacks. De Souza and Melling made the most of what was being offered to them, but both failed to amass the scores needed to take first place. Burrow’s impressive Heat sees him fast track through to the Quarterfinals with De Souza and Melling being relegated to elimination Round 5.
“I love Bells, it feels great to be through to the Quarterfinals,” said Taj Burrow. “There are some really good waves at home in WA right now, but I wouldn’t be anywhere else right now. The waves here have been really good and I’ve managed to get on a bit of a roll that hopefully I can keep it going”.
In the most highly anticipated matchup of the day, John John Florence (HAW) was explosive in his win over 11-time ASP World Champion and 4-time event winner Kelly Slater (USA) and ASP World No.1 Gabriel Medina (BRA). Slater was first to enter the race with a powerhouse move that netted 8.93 on his first ride, but it was a short-lived lead for the American as John John secured his victory when he dished up a monster front-side 360 aerial, scoring a Perfect 10, the the first of the 2014 season. Slater and Medina will surf again in Round 5 with Florence heading straight to the Quarterfinals.
“It feels so good to win and I’m really happy. I was pretty nervous going into the Heat, it was scary to come up against those Kelly (Slater) and Gabriel (Medina),” said John John Florence. “I got that first wave and forgot about the nerves. I took off, I saw the section coming and just flew to the air, the wind caught and spun me around perfectly. I’m so happy to be making some Heats now and to be in the Quarterfinals.”
Joel Parkinson (AUS) faced a fierce battle in Round 4 Heat 3 against an on-fire Jordy Smith (ZAF) and fellow Australian Owen Wright. Parkinson was quiet for the first half of the Heat, letting Smith clock an 8.17 to take an early lead. It didn’t take long for Parkinson to answer back, maintaining his composure to show off his signature rail-work and net a pair of strong scores in the tricky conditions. With both Smith and Wright unable to produce any further magic for the judges, Parkinson emerged with the victory and a spot in the Quarterfinals.
“In most of the events I’ve surfed so far I’ve taken a while to get into the rhythm, but I love the Bell and I’m three Heats away from it,” said Joel Parkinson. “Three more wins, six more waves, I’m just going to keep it simple.”
Mick Fanning (AUS), three-time ASP World Champion, also advanced into the Quarterfinals with an outstanding Round 4 performance. Fanning won this event as an 18-year-old wildcard 14-years-ago and has been one of the most consistent and explosive surfers at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach ever since. In the last Heat of the day Fanning used his electric and lightning-fast brand of surfing to easily out score Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) and Julian Wilson (AUS), who will have to battle for a Quarterfinal berth in Round 5.
“John John’s air was truly amazing and he deserves to get the first Perfect 10 of the year,” said Mick Fanning. “It’s good to bounce back from a slow start and post some big scores. It feels great to be in the Quarterfinals, especially against the calibre of guys that are already there and in Round 5. There are some crazy match-ups and I’ll definitely be watching.”
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Round 5 Match-ups:
Heat 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Gabriel Medina (BRA)
Heat 2: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 4: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Owen Wright (AUS)
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Round 4 Results:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.57, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.10, Adam Melling (AUS) 10.90
Heat 2: John John Florence (HAW) 18.00, Kelly Slater (USA) 16.53, Gabriel Medina (BRA) 11.17
Heat 3: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.66, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.00, Owen Wright (AUS) 12.20
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.34, Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 12.17, Julian Wilson (AUS) 10.54
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 12.90 def Mitch Crews (AUS) 10.84
Heat 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 11.20 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 10.74
Heat 3: Adam Melling (AUS) 15.56 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 12.60
Heat 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 17.00 vs. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 15.13
Heat 5: John John Florence (HAW) 15.83 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 15.67
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.53 def. Glenn Hall (IRL) 14.40
Heat 7: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.10 def. Aritz Aranburu (ESP) 10.90
Heat 8: Owen Wright (AUS) 13.43 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 10.83
Heat 9: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 17.44 def. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 15.50
Heat 10: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 12.66 def. Nat Young (USA) 12.43
Heat 11: Julian Wilson (AUS) 17.03 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 9.34
Heat 12: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.94 vs. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 10.50
The third stop on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, is webcast LIVE via www.aspworldtour.com.
BELLS BEACH, VIC/Australia (Sunday, April 20, 2014): Stop No. 3 on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, was treated to classic conditions at the world renowned right-hand reef break today. The event ran through Round 2 of the men’s and Round 2 and 3 of the women’s in clean and pristine Bells Beach conditions.
In an explosive Heat Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) exerted her dominance at Bells Beach. Leading in spectacular fashion, Fitzgibbons posted the highest two-wave total of the event so far with a near perfect 18.37 for a series of ferocious carves and dazzling fin-wafts. Courtney Conlogue (USA) and Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) also impressed with excellent scores of their own for spectacular forehand displays, but were unable to upturn Fitzgibbons who will advance through to the Quarterfinals. Conlogue and Van Dijk will surf again again in Round 4.
“It was a really exciting Heat both to watch and compete in. When I heard I was getting those big scores it was such a great confidence booster and I’m really happy to move into the Quarterfinals,” said Sally Fitzgibbons. “It was a tough Heat having two competitors like Nikki (Van Dijk) and Courtney (Conologue), they both have big power games and I knew I had to have a point of difference”.
In the second all-Hawaiian Heat of the day, it was Coco Ho who took the free pass through to the Quarterfinals, relegating opponents Carissa Moore and Malia Manuel to Round 4. Ho commanded attention early, netting a 8.50 within minutes of jumping in the water. Reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and defending event winner Carissa Moore struggled to produce the high-scoring waves she needed to take back the lead. Manuel also stepped up with consecutive mid-range scores but Ho added a 7.37 before emerging from the water with her hard-earned victory.
“Beating the World Champion just means that you have potential and that you know how to surf,” said Coco Ho. “Rincon really turned on today, we were so lucky. I think on my first wave I was a little tentative but I was able to get a few more, which helped me loosen up. It was a really fun Heat.”
In her second Heat of the afternoon 2013 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach runner-up Tyler Wright (AUS) faced off against fellow Australian Laura Enever and America’s Lakey Peterson. The in-form Wright led from start to finish despite Peterson’s impressive 7.07 ride. Enever fought hard to keep up, but was unable to break the 5-point score barrier. Wright, however, had no trouble in grooming the walls of Ricon with an impressive display of turns and cuts that saw her tally a two-wave Heat total of 16.93 and charge straight into the Quarterfinals.
“I’ve been coming down to Bells since I was eight years old, driving down here in a van with my whole family. I really enjoy it, it’s an interesting wave that I find very challenging,” said Tyler Wright. “The crowd’s great and it’s really cool to have that kind of support on the beach.”
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), five-time ASP Women’s World Champion and three-time Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach winner won through to the Quarterfinals in an explosive Round 3 match-up against Dimity Stoyle (AUS) and Bianca Buitendag (ZAF). Gilmore started slow, letting her rivals post some solid scores, but she finished with a bang as she dropped a near-perfect 9.17 for three critical turns, sending Stoyle and Buitendag into Round 4.
“I could tell that the judges have been holding back on the bigger scores this year,” said Stephanie Gilmore . “I always try to stay on the attack, the level of surfing in this Round has been really high so I knew I had to go hard to get a big score. I always try to imagine myself in the Finals and I’ve been thinking about ringing the Bell, but you can’t get too far ahead of yourself.”
Current ASP World No. 4 Michel Bourez (PYF) went head to head with injury replacement surfer Glen Hall (IRL) earlier in the day. Hall, who is competing in his first event since his back-breaking injury in Fiji last year, was first to put his hand up for a score linking a series of smooth backhands for a 6.67, but Bourez was quick to respond. With only five waves caught between them during the 30-minute melee Hall came out on top, securing another 6.53 set wave to take him through to Round 3 and putting an end to Bourez’s winning momentum.
“It’s been a long road to get here but surfing in the first heat of the day with great waves and ACDC’s Hell’s Bells playing in the background has made it all worth it,” said Glenn Hall. “A month ago it just didn’t feel right picturing myself surfing waves like the Box and Margaret River but I was hoping that I could compete here at Bells Beach. I still have a long way to go, but hopefully I’ll just keep improving.”
Adriana Souza (BRA) showed Brett Simpson (USA) why he is the defending event winner in Round 2 Heat 4. De Souza wasted little time in capitalizing on the conditions, surging into the Bells walls with a 7.67 and backing it up with a dazzling, running, right-hander and the highest score of the men’s competition so far, a 9.17. A missed opportunity by Simpson late in the Heat saw De Souza secure the win and move one step closer to defending his Bells Title.
“My surfing definitely fits this wave,” said Adriano de Souza. “My confidence is high and I really want to try and do well because last year I won this event. I know it is the past but I just want to try and bring some of last year’s form back here.”
Hawaii’s John John Florence snatched a win over powerful Portuguese surfer Tiago Pires in Round 2 Heat 6. Pires was absent from the Margaret River Drug Aware Pro due to a knee injury, but today showed no signs of discomfort, breezing through a 7.33 wave to take an early lead. Despite putting up a solid score of his own, Florence struggled to find a back-up score to help overturn Pires’ lead. It wasn’t until the final moments that the Hawaiian was able to unload a series of high-velocity maneuvers and notch a 7.53 that saw him steal the win and advance through to Round 3.
“I was feeling pretty good and really psyched to be out there on my first wave,” said John John Florence. “I think I got a little bit too excited and I fell. I got a couple of good waves though. The one that really threw me off was when I did that turn and tried to get barreled and I fell, I was so mad at that one. It’s firing out there, it’s like what you see in the photos of Bells Beach.”
Close friends and Central Coast, NSW surfers Matt Wilkinson (AUS) and Adrian Buchan (AUS) squared off in Round 2 Heat 9. The lead swung back and forth between the pair but it was Wilkinson who provided the fireworks, dishing up a crucial backhand attack that would earn him an 8.13. Buchan clocked some impressive scores of his own, but Wilkinson answered with another set wave, combining a big carve, tail-drift turn, and additional snap to take his first Heat win of 2014.
“The pressure’s not off at all, I’ve got to make a few more Heats until I start feeling comfortable,” said Matt Wilkinson. “I surfed fairly well but I could have put on an extra 15 or 20 percent more energy on those two big waves I caught for higher scores. Hopefully I make it to the end stages of the competition when I will have to put in that extra.”
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach Round 4 Match-ups:
Heat 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) vs. Malia Manuel (HAW)
Heat 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)
Heat 3: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF)
Heat 4: Dimity Stoyle (AUS) vs. Laura Enever (AUS)
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 18.37, Courtney Conlogue (USA) 17.00, Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 15.93
Heat 2: Coco Ho (HAW) 15.87, Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.56, Malia Manuel (HAW) 12.70
Heat 3: Tyler Wright (AUS) 16.93, Lakey Peterson (AUS) 14.27, Laura Enever (AUS) 8.83
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 17.44, Dimity Stoyle (AUS) 15.57, Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 11.30
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Coco Ho (HAW) 11.33 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 7.67
Heat 2: Malia Manuel (HAW) 15.00 def. Alessa Quizon (HAW) 8.44
Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.73 def. Zoe Clarke (AUS) 10.00
Heat 4: Tyler Wright (AUS) 17.53 def. Johanne Defay (FRA) 10.60
Heat 5: Lakey Peterson (USA) 17.17 def. Alana Blanchard (HAW) 11.90
Heat 6: Laura Enever (AUS) 12.23 def. Pauline Ado (FRA) 12.20
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Round 3 Match-ups:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Mitch Crews (AUS)
Heat 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Filipe Toledo (BRA)
Heat 3: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Bede Durbidge (AUS)
Heat 5: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. John John Florence (HAW)
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Glenn Hall (IRL)
Heat 7: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Aritz Aranburu (ESP)
Heat 8: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Owen Wright (AUS)
Heat 9: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Sebastian Zeitz (HAW)
Heat 10: Nat Young (USA) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 11: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Heat 12: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Josh Kerr (AUS) 7.97 def. Jacob Willcox (AUS) 7.93
Heat 2: Nat Young (USA) 10.34 def. Cahill Bell-Warren (AUS) 8.27
Heat 3: Glenn Hall (IRL) 13.20 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 9.34
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 16.84 def. Brett Simpson (USA) 13.76
Heat 5: Kai Otton (AUS) 14.84 def. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 11.54
Heat 6: John John Florence (HAW) 14.80 def. Tiago Pires (PRT) 13.16
Heat 7: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 14.23 def. Dion Atkinson (AUS) 10.53
Heat 8: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.10 def. Travis Logie (ZAF) 13.66
Heat 9: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 15.63 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 14.16
Heat 10: Mitch Crews (AUS) 14.70 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 11.10
Heat 11: Fred Patacchia (HAW) 14.83 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 11.84
Heat 12: Adam Melling (AUS) 14.17 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 9.70
Images from the event are available from Getty Images. In addition a small number of hand-out images, as well as daily news feeds, will be made available for editorial use via our email distribution lists. Please contact [email protected] (images) and [email protected] (news feeds) to be added to the lists.
The third stop on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, is webcast LIVE via www.aspworldtour.com.
MARGARET RIVER, Western Australia (Thursday, April 10, 2014):Quarterfinalists were decided today at the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro, stop No. 2 on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour. Following the completion of Round 4 at Main Break, history was made when Round 5 of the competition was held at the iconic Western Australian slab ‘The Box’ for the first time in history.
Jordy Smith (ZAF) and Miguel Pupo (BRA) became the first ever surfers to compete at The Box, with both taking heavy wipeouts while battling for a slot in the Quarterfinals. Smith logged the first score of significance, posting a 6.33 for a solid forehand tube. The South African followed up with a mid-range score shortly after and placed the heat out of reach for the Brazilian goofy-footer. Smith historic victory secures his place in the Quarterfinals where he will face Bede Durbidge.
“I’ve had zero experience out there and I didn’t really have a great heat but I got it done,” said Jordy Smith. “My energy is feeling really good and I can’t wait to keep going. It was amazing and I’m glad I got the first win (at The Box). I’ve got Bede (Durbidge) in the Quarterfinals, he’s a great surfer and you can guarantee he’s going to wait for the best waves. I’m going to go out there and do my thing and hopefully I’ll get a win over him.”
The Box turned on for the clash between Josh Kerr (AUS) and compatriot Yadin Nicol. After a flurry of mid-range scores, Kerr split the heat wide open with an excellent 8.17 for a particularly deep forehand barrel. Despite a comeback late in the heat, Nicol was unable to overtake Kerr’s lead and finishes equal 9th at the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro. Kerr will face current ASP World No. 1 Gabriel Medina in the Quarterfinals.
“The Box is actually a pretty easy wave,” said Josh Kerr. “It’s a short intense wave and you have to take off behind it and be fully committed. Once you draw the right line it blows you straight through. I surf a reefbreak similar to this back home that’s short and intense and it’s my favorite kind of wave so it’s exciting to be at The Box. Just to surf a heat out there is so fun.”
Conditions continued to fire at the Western Australian slab and 2012 ASP World Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS) celebrated his birthday and a place in the Quarterfinals. Parkinson faced ASP Dream Tour sophomore Filipe Toledo (BRA) and the pair spent 30 minutes exchanging barrels. Parkinson navigated the technical barrels with ease, earning an 8.17 on his opening ride. While some doubted the Brazilian’s abilities in the tube, Toledo quickly put questions to rest, responding with an 8.23 of his own, briefly overtaking the former champ for the lead. The Australian answered back, however, earning the highest single-wave score of the day, an 8.43, and a place Quarterfinals against Kelly Slater.
“The Box is a fun wave to ride,” said Joel Parkinson. “It’s such a cool wave to surf a Heat on. I love that wave, everybody loves it. After surfing Main Break earlier today and then The Box it’s totally different. Kelly (Slater) and I have had enough match-ups in the past. The Quarterfinals will just be another one.”
Earlier in the day, current ASP WCT No. 1 Gabriel Medina (BRA), compatriot Miguel Pupo and WA wildcard Yadin Nicol did battle for a place in the Quarterfinals in Round 4 Heat 2. Nicol’s comfort at Margaret River’s Main Break was apparent, but it was Medina’s world-class form that was on display and took the heat win and a place in the Quarterfinals where he will face Josh Kerr.
“That was a fun Heat,” said Gabriel Medina. “I started out kind of bad, Yadin (Nicol) got the first good wave and I think Miguel (Pupo) was a little lost out there. I think I got lucky to find a 7.5 on the inside wave, which was a good move. It was an important Round and I’m happy to make it through.”
11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), high-flying Brazilian Filipe Toledo and Tahitian Powerhouse Michel Bourez brought their distinct styles to the competition in Round 4. Toledo was first to score, locking in a 5.33 to take an early lead. Slater battled back however, securing a 5.60 score of his own. The seesaw battle continued with an answer from the Brazilian, but Slater’s final score of a 6.33 solidified his win and a slot in the Quarterfinals. Bourez went on to secure his own Quarterfinal berth after defeating Adriano de Souza in Round 5.
“I really felt totally relaxed out there and I didn’t care if I won or lost because we’re going to The Box,” said Kelly Slater.
Drug Aware Margaret River Pro Quarterfinal Match-Ups:
QF 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
QF 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)
QF 3: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
QF 4: Nat Young (USA) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
