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[Jens]

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile

Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile

Stop No. 1 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour

Stop No. 1 of 8 on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

February 28 – March 11, 2009

Trials February 27, 2009

ASP Top 45 Ready for 2009 Kickoff at Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast



Pictured: Taj Burrow (AUS), 30, current ASP World No. 3, will face Mikael Picon (FRA), 29, and one of the event wildcards in Round 1 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Thursday, February 26, 2009) – The world’s best surfers are gearing up for the opening event of the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by LG Mobile, at Snapper Rocks from February 28 through March 11, 2009.

 

Event No. 1 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast will see the return of reigning and nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 36, in his bid for an unprecedented tenth crown, but a swath of the world’s top talents will be standing in his way.

 

Taj Burrow (AUS), 30, current ASP World No. 3, is one of the few on a short list of favored athletes who could potentially usurp Slater, and Burrow’s reputation in righthand pointbreaks such as Snapper Rocks is unrivaled by most.

 

“The first couple of weeks I was having a hell time and enjoying the summer, but beginning in January, I’ve been training full on,” Burrow said. “I’ve been working with Johnny Gannon, and he’ll be traveling the season with me. We’ve been training harder than ever before and I’ve been working on my flexibility and fitness and I feel like I’m surfing better than ever before.”

 

With his progressive bag of tricks and his penchant for lightning-fast surfing, Burrow enters into Snapper Rocks as one of the favorites, and will look to kick off his 2009 ASP World Title campaign at the opening event.

 

“I think my surfing certainly suits warm water righthand pointbreaks and I’m always excited for the opening event of the season,” Burrow said. “To get to surf Snapper Rocks with only one or two guys out is really special and I hope we get waves. I don’t plan on changing too much in terms of my game plan this season. I felt like I was surfing really well last year and made few mistakes. Kelly (Slater) was just in really scary form last season so we’ll see what happens.”

 

Burrow will open up his 2009 season against Mikael Picon (FRA), 29, and one of the event wildcards in Round 1 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.

 

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 27, current ASP World No. 4 and former Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast winner (2002), is excited to start off the 2009 season at home on the Gold Coast.

 

“I can’t wait,” Parkinson said. “I’m excited for another good year and hopefully we get really good waves. It’s such a bonus to start the season here at home where I’m familiar with everything and know the banks really well. I’m really excited.”

 

Parkinson has long been heralded as one of the leading contenders for the ASP World Title, but a career-high Runner-Up finish in 2002 and 2004 is as close as he has gotten.

 

“I’ve just been surfing a lot and training a lot,” Parkinson said. “Just trying to get everything sorted before the season starts. In regards to Kelly (Slater), I haven’t really figured that one out yet. You just have to be bigger, stronger, faster and more determined. I’m hungry this season though.”

 

Parkinson will battle Dane Reynolds (AUS), 23, and Aritz Aranburu (EUK), 23, in Round 1 of competition when the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast commences.

 

Jeremy Flores (FRA), 20, current ASP World No. 10, will enter into his third season on the ASP Dream Tour in 2009, and after two Top 10 finishes, the prodigious natural-footer is emerging as one of the dominant surfers of the new class.

 

“I don’t have any specific goals for this season,” Flores said. “I am very happy with the way my past two years have gone, finishing in the Top 10, and I’m only 20, so I’m just taking it in, gaining experience and training hard. Maybe in a couple of years I will go for the ASP World Title, but until then, I am just living the Dream.”

 

Flores will face Roy Powers (HAW), 28, and Tim Boal (FRA), 25, in the opening heat of competition when Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast competition commences.

 

The 2009 ASP Top 45 will kick off this season’s Dream Tour at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, which boasts a waiting period from February 28 – March 11, 2009.

 

The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast is a mobile event, with Snapper Rocks serving as the primary venue, but utilizing nearby Duranbah Beach, Greenmount, Kirra, Burleigh Heads and as far north as Stradbroke Island should conditions call for it.

 

The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile will be webcast LIVE via www.quiksilverpro.com.au

 

The event will incorporate the Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile, the opening event of the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour.

 

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

 

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Roy Powers (HAW), Tim Boal (FRA)

Heat 2: Bobby Martinez (USA), Ben Dunn (AUS), Dustin Barca (HAW)

Heat 3: Mick Fanning (AUS), Jordy Smith (ZAF), Tiago Pires (PRT)

Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Heitor Alves (BRA), Phillip MacDonald (AUS)

Heat 5: Adrian Buchan (AUS), Damien Hobgood (AUS), Drew Courtney (AUS)

Heat 6: C.J. Hobgood (USA), Taylor Knox (USA), Marlon Lipke (DEU)

Heat 7: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Dane Reynolds (USA), Aritz Aranburu (EUK)

Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA), Kieren Perrow (AUS), TBA

Heat 9: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Dayyan Neve (AUS), TBA

Heat 10: Taj Burrow (AUS), Mikael Picon (FRA), TBA

Heat 11: Luke Stedman (AUS), Dean Morrison (AUS), Greg Emslie (ZAF)

Heat 12: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Mick Campbell (AUS), Kekoa Bacalso (HAW)

Heat 13: Chris Ward (USA), Nathaniel Curran (USA), Nic Muscroft (AUS)

Heat 14: Kai Otton (AUS), Chris Davidson (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS)

Heat 15: Tim Reyes (USA), Michel Bourez (PYF), David Weare (ZAF)

Heat 16: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Gabe Kling (USA), Jihad Khodr (BRA)

 

[Jens]

Wie schon in den News (http://nordsurf-syndikat.de/news/contest/asp-world-tour-2009-preview) angekündigt, sieht die Swellvorhersage für die ersten Tage nicht gerade toll aus für Snappers.

http://magicseaweed.com/Kirra-Surf-Report/528/detailedLongRange/uk/

[Jens]

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile

Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile

Stop No. 1 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour

Stop No. 1 of 8 on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

February 28 – March 11, 2009

Trials February 27, 2009

 

 

Quiksilver Pro Takes ASP Top 45 to Duranbah for Sizzling Season Opener



Pictured: Kelly Slater (USA), 37, reigning and nine-time ASP World Champion, dispatched of Dayyan Neve (AUS), 30, and Daniel Wills (AUS), 33, during their Round 1 bout today at Duranbah Beach.   

 

DURANBAH BEACH, Australia (Saturday, February 28, 2009) – The opening day of the 2009 ASP World Tour season got underway this morning, with the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by LG completing Round 1 in clean two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves at the backup venue of Duranbah Beach.

 

Event No. 1 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast opted to mobilize from the primary site of Snapper Rocks to nearby Duranbah Beach this morning to take advantage of the increased wave heights on offer, and despite conditions being challenging at times, the world’s best surfers delivered an explosive opening day of competition.

 

Kelly Slater (USA), 37, reigning and nine-time ASP World Champion, took to experimenting with his equipment during Round 1, opting to ride an unconventional self-shaped, 5’4” round-tail quad en route to victory over Dayyan Neve (AUS), 30, and Daniel Wills (AUS), 33.

 

"I am surfing a little 5'4" - a board I made actually – a pretty drastic change to what I normally ride but the tail is very similar,” Slater said. “This is the step I wanted to take when I went [to shorter boards] last year from 6'1" to 5'10" and I thought I was kind of stopping there but we'll see. 5'4" is too short and I might end up with a 5'6" or a 5'7"."

 

Historically candid about his intentions to compete full-time on the ASP World Tour, Slater has since committed to his interest in acquiring a 10th world crown, albeit with guarded apprehension.

 

"It looks good on paper but honestly I am not that consumed about it,” Slater said. “The only time I talk about is when people ask me. It's just a nice round number, double digits, and it's rare for people to get that in sports so it will be nice to make it."

 

Julian Wilson (AUS), 20, gained entry into the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast as a wildcard, and went on to cause one of the biggest upsets of the day, defeating current ASP World No. 2 Bede Durbidge (AUS), 25, and Mikael Picon (FRA), 29, in Round 1 of competition.

 

"I had a little bit of pressure before that heat,” Wilson said. “I was anxious to get out there and get it done. But when I walked down before my heat, I saw my friends and family so I kind of relaxed and then went out there and got a couple of waves and made it. I haven't made it passed the third round so I am really fired up to getting pass that round. I'll probably get Kelly (Slater) in the third round so I'll see what happens."

 

Riding a fluorescent pink surfboard to raise awareness about breast cancer, Wilson’s progressive approach saw him execute a number of technical aerials and fin-free maneuvers before breaking his equipment in half during the latter stages of the heat.

 

“I just didn’t want Bede to get another wave so I took and tried a big air, snapped my board on the landing,” Wilson said. “It’s okay because I have a backup, but that was a really good board.”

 

Damien Hobgood (USA), 29, current ASP World No. 5, punctuated an otherwise mediocre-scoring day of competition with some scintillating backhand exhibitions, netting the highest heat total of the day, a 17.50 out of a possible 20, to defeat ASP Dream Tour sophomore Aritz Aranburu (EUK), 23, and twin brother, former ASP World Champion and current ASP World No. 5, C.J. Hobgood (USA), 29, in Round 1 of competition.

 

“Obviously it was fun for me,” Hobgood said. “A lot of the waves came towards me, but C.J. and I were stoked because no one loses and it gives us a chance to loosen up a bit and not care as much. D’Bah is like Huntington where you paddle out there and it seems like all the waves are running away from you. I was lucky. I was in position for a lot of the sets.”

 

Once a perennial Top 10 finisher, Hobgood has seen recent seasons marred by injury. Now healthy and back to 100%, the Floridian goofy-footer will look to rebound in 2009.

 

“I haven’t been injured in a while so it feels really good,” Hobgood said. “I’ve been spending a lot of time in the water and on my boards. It’s good, I feel really comfortable.”

 

Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), 23, took top honors for the 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookies today, netting the event’s highest single-wave score of a 9.33 out of a possible 10 to defeat Chris Davidson (AUS) and Kai Otton (AUS), 29.

 

“He [Chris Davidson] came out guns blazing,” Bacalso said. “I kept getting the first waves and he would get the second a smoke me on the exchange. I had my back against the fence and knew I had to bring out something special. I thought about Round 2 and did not want to be surfing in it, that’s everyone’s worst nightmare.”

 

Bacalso led fellow 2009 ASP World Tour rookies Tim Boal (FRA), 25, and Nic Muscroft (AUS), 26, in Round 1 victories. All surfers will advance directly to Round 3.

 

Jay Thompson (AUS), 25, caused another massive upset today, defeating heavily-touted local Joel Parkinson (AUS), 27, and veteran power surfer Taylor Knox (USA), 37, in Round 1 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.

 

"Surfing at home in front of the local crowd is just amazing," Thompson said. "When you are a bit tired, you automatically get back out there with the support of the fans. It definitely makes a big difference."

 

An ASP Dream Tour rookie in 2008, Thompson failed to requalify for the ASP World Tour this season, but entered into the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast as an alternate for the injured Luke Stedman (AUS), 32, who is out with broken toes.

 

"The position of being the replacement surfer does take a lot of pressure off me,” Stedman said. “I had such a terrible year last year and had a few criticisms and a few injuries but you see a lot of rookies in that position and they fall off first year and they come back hungrier so that's the path for me hopefully. If I don't get in all the events, it still is experience for 2010 so that's why I will take it. But if there is a chance to surf a lot of events, I am going to surf hard and requalify through the ASP World Tour."

 

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow at 6am to assess conditions for a possible 7am start.

 

The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile will be webcast LIVE via www.quiksilverpro.com.au

 

The event will incorporate the Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile, the opening event of the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour.

 

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

 

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 1 RESULTS:

Heat 1: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.67, Dustin Barca 11.87, Dean Morrison (AUS) 9.70

Heat 2: Tiago Pires (PRT) 12.00, Bobby Martinez (USA) 12.00, Roy Powers (HAW) 7.27

Heat 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) 11.83, Ben Dunn (AUS) 11.37, Phillip MacDonald (AUS) 8.76

Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.80, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.00, Drew Courtney (AUS) 8.57

Heat 5: Heitor Alves (BRA) 13.67, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 12.30, Marlon Lipke (DEU) 10.27

Heat 6: Damien Hobgood (USA) 17.50, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 12.83, Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 4.93

Heat 7: Jay Thompson (AUS) 13.67, Taylor Knox (USA) 12.67, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.00

Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) 12.17, Dayyan Neve (AUS) 11.00, Daniel Wills (AUS) 10.67

Heat 9: Julian Wilson (AUS) 14.10, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 12.73, Mikael Picon (FRA) 9.06

Heat 10: Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.50, Dane Reynolds (USA) 14.23, Corey Ziems (AUS) 8.80

Heat 11: Tim Boal (FRA) 15.84, Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 13.94, Mick Campbell (AUS) 13.06

Heat 12: Greg Emslie (ZAF) 13.66, Nathaniel Curran (USA) 8.67, Chris Ward (USA) 8.50

Heat 13: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 17.33, Chris Davidson (AUS) 15.84, Kai Otton (AUS) 9.83

Heat 14: Nic Muscroft (AUS) 15.33, Michel Bourez (PYF) 12.90, Tim Reyes (USA) 9.57

Heat 15: Josh Kerr (AUS) 15.50, Gabe Kling (USA) 11.07, Tom Whitaker (AUS) 10.60

Heat 16: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.60, Jihad Khodr (BRA) 9.61, David Weare (ZAF) 9.34

 

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Daniel Wills (AUS)

Heat 2: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Corey Ziems (AUS)

Heat 3: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Aritz Aranburu (EUK)

Heat 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Marlon Lipke (DEU)

Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Drew Courtney (AUS)

Heat 6: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Phillip MacDonald (AUS)

Heat 7: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Dustin Barca (HAW)

Heat 8: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. David Weare (ZAF)

Heat 9: Tim Reyes (USA) vs. Jihad Khodr (BRA)

Heat 10: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Gabe Kling (USA)

Heat 11: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)

Heat 12: Michael Picon (FRA) vs. Chris Davidson (AUS)

Heat 13: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Nathaniel Curran (USA)

Heat 14: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Mick Campbell (AUS)

Heat 15: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Dean Morrison (AUS)

Heat 16: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)

 

[Jens]

Wieder ein Lay-Day, wird vorraussichtlich noch bis Ende dieser Woche so bleiben, mit Glück kommt am Wochenende noch ein bischen Swell.

---------------------------------------------

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile

Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile

Stop No. 1 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour

Stop No. 1 of 8 on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

February 28 – March 11, 2009

 

 

Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast Off for Today

 

 

Pictured: Chris Ward (USA), 30, fell short in his Round 1 heat on Saturday despite punts like this. This high-flying Californian will look to rebound in Round 2 against 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie Dustin Barca (HAW), 27.   

 

SNAPPER ROCKS, Australia (Tuesday, March 3, 2009) – Small surf in the one-to-two foot (0.5 metre range) and inconsistent conditions greeted event organizers at the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by LG Mobile this morning, prompting the call for a lay day of competition.

 

The opening events of the 2009 ASP World Tour and ASP Women’s World Tour respectively, the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast have attracted the world’s best male and female surfers as they do battle on the ASP Dream Tour.

 

“Conditions are clean this morning, but ultimately too small on the points and at D’Bah so we’ve called competition off for the day,” Rod Brooks, Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Contest Director, said. “We’re tracking activity for later in the week so we’ll be back for another look in tomorrow morning.”

 

Saturday’s Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast action saw highlights by reigning nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 37, and former two-time event winner Mick Fanning (AUS), 27. When Round 2 begins, explosive ASP Dream Tour sophomores like Dane Reynolds (USA), 23, and Jordy Smith (ZAF), 21, will look to avoid early elimination.

 

Yesterday’s Roxy Pro Gold Coast Round 1 action was dominated by the 2009 ASP Top 17 rookie class. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 18, secured the highest heat total of the event with an 18.77 out of a possible 20 for a series of blistering forehand maneuvers in the Duranbah beach breaks while Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, current ASP World No. 2, scored the event’s first perfect 10-point ride with her lightning-quick forehand approach that included a mid-ride aerial.

 

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow at 6am to assess conditions for a possible 7am start.

 

The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile will be webcast LIVE via www.quiksilverpro.com.au

 

The event also incorporates the Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile, the opening event of the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour. The Roxy Pro Gold Coast will be webcast LIVE via www.roxypro.com.au

 

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

 

 

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Daniel Wills (AUS)

Heat 2: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Corey Ziems (AUS)

Heat 3: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Aritz Aranburu (EUK)

Heat 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Marlon Lipke (DEU)

Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Drew Courtney (AUS)

Heat 6: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Phillip MacDonald (AUS)

Heat 7: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Dustin Barca (HAW)

Heat 8: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. David Weare (ZAF)

Heat 9: Tim Reyes (USA) vs. Jihad Khodr (BRA)

Heat 10: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Gabe Kling (USA)

Heat 11: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)

Heat 12: Michael Picon (FRA) vs. Chris Davidson (AUS)

Heat 13: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Nathaniel Curran (USA)

Heat 14: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Mick Campbell (AUS)

Heat 15: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Dean Morrison (AUS)

Heat 16: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)

 

ROXY PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Jacqueline Silva (BRA), Ashleigh Smith (AUS)
Heat 2: Rebecca Woods (AUS), Jessi Miley Dyer (AUS), Megan Abubo (HAW)

[Jens]

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile

Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile

Stop No. 1 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour

Stop No. 1 of 8 on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

February 28 – March 11, 2009

 

 

Lay Day for Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast, Possible Start Tomorrow

 

 

Pictured: Tim Boal (FRA), 25, was one of three rookies last Saturday to claim wins in their Round 1 heats. Boal defeated Frederick Patacchia (HAW), 27, and Michael Campbell (AUS), 36, to open up his Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast campaign.   

 

SNAPPER ROCKS, Australia (Wednesday, March 4, 2009) – Small surf continued in the one-to-two foot (0.5 metre) range at Snapper Rocks and Duranbah Beach today, forcing event organizers at the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by LG Mobile to call another lay day of competition.

 

The opening events of the 2009 ASP World Tour and ASP Women’s World Tour respectively, the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast have both completed their opening rounds of competition, but have since been on hold waiting for improved conditions to manifest. Forecasters are calling for a slight increase in surf tomorrow, continuing throughout the weekend.

 

“Surf is still small today and we have a bit of bad northerly wind on it so the men’s and women’s are both off today,” Rod Brooks, Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Contest Director, said. “We’re tracking a bit of activity that is supposed to arrive tomorrow so we’ll be back at 6am to assess the conditions.”

 

Saturday’s Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast action saw highlights by reigning nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 37, and former two-time event winner Mick Fanning (AUS), 27. When Round 2 begins, explosive ASP Dream Tour sophomores like Dane Reynolds (USA), 23, and Jordy Smith (ZAF), 21, will look to avoid early elimination.

 

Monday’s Roxy Pro Gold Coast Round 1 action was dominated by the 2009 ASP Top 17 rookie class. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 18, secured the highest heat total of the event with an 18.77 out of a possible 20 for a series of blistering forehand maneuvers in the Duranbah beach breaks while Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, current ASP World No. 2, scored the event’s first perfect 10-point ride with her lightning-quick forehand approach that included a mid-ride aerial.

 

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow at 6am to assess conditions for a possible 7am start.

 

The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile will be webcast LIVE via www.quiksilverpro.com.au

 

The event also incorporates the Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile, the opening event of the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour. The Roxy Pro Gold Coast will be webcast LIVE via www.roxypro.com.au

 

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

 

 

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Daniel Wills (AUS)

Heat 2: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Corey Ziems (AUS)

Heat 3: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Aritz Aranburu (EUK)

Heat 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Marlon Lipke (DEU)

Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Drew Courtney (AUS)

Heat 6: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Phillip MacDonald (AUS)

Heat 7: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Dustin Barca (HAW)

Heat 8: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. David Weare (ZAF)

Heat 9: Tim Reyes (USA) vs. Jihad Khodr (BRA)

Heat 10: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Gabe Kling (USA)

Heat 11: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)

Heat 12: Michael Picon (FRA) vs. Chris Davidson (AUS)

Heat 13: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Nathaniel Curran (USA)

Heat 14: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Mick Campbell (AUS)

Heat 15: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Dean Morrison (AUS)

Heat 16: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)

 

ROXY PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Jacqueline Silva (BRA), Ashleigh Smith (AUS)
Heat 2: Rebecca Woods (AUS), Jessi Miley Dyer (AUS), Megan Abubo (HAW)

 

 

[Jens]

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile
Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile
Stop No. 1 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour
Stop No. 1 of 8 on the 2009 ASP World Tour
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
February 28 - March 11, 2009

Euro Rookies' Free Surf While Waiting for Quiksilver Pro Restart
 


Photo: [Copyright: JAMES KENWORTHY/NIKE 6.0] 2009 Dream Tour rookie Michel Bourez (Tahiti, PYF), 23, taking off on a warm-up surf during Day 4 of the waiting period of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile

SNAPPER ROCKS, Australia (Wednesday, March 4, 2009) - With the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile being called off for the fourth consecutive day due to inconsistent surf, the 2009 ASP World Tour European surfers have been driving around to other locations. Dream Tour rookies Tim Boal (Anglet, FRA) and Michel Bourez (Tahiti, PYF) drove an hour South from Coolangatta's Superbank and enjoyed some good three foot (one meter) waves at Ballina for a training session filmed by their trainer.

"It was fun there, it's good to be able to find some better waves than Snappers or D-Bah when the swell is that small," Boal said. "Snappers was barely breaking yesterday and D-Bah is just packed."
 
Boal, who was one of three rookies to win his heat in Round 1 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast last Saturday, will have to wait another day at least before Round 3 resumes. The Frenchman from Anglet, 25, came up with solid surfing for his opening battle on the 2009 Dream Tour against former ASP Rookie of the Year Fred Patacchia (Oahu, HAW) and veteran Mick Campbell (New South Wales, AUS).

Jeremy Flores (Capbreton/New Caledonia, FRA) and Tiago Pires (Ericeira, PRT) who were the two other Europeans to advance straight to Round 3 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, have been chilling the last few days, Flores enjoying the time off to leave his injured ankle at rest. Pires, who requalifed for this year's ASP World Tour throught the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS), is expected by many to shine in 2009. Talented tube rider, powerful surfer respected by his peers, Pires will try and use his righthand point break experience to start off the season with a keeper at Snapper Rocks.

"It's my second year on tour and I feel a bit more confident, relaxed and mature," Pires said.  "[We had] a good first day but we have five more days to go so it's still a long way but so far so good."

Four of the 7-man contingent will soon paddle out for their Round 2 match-ups as the forecast shows a possible start for tomorrow Thursday, March 5. Miky Picon (Capbreton, FRA), last year's ASP World Tour No. 21, was relegated to Round 2 on Day 1 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast after finishing third in his heat and will meet Chris Davidson (AUS) when competition resumes.

Aritz Aranburu (Zarautz, EUK), who was awarded a wildcard for this year's ASP World Tour by the World Professional Surfers (WPS), the surfers' union, failed to avoid the second round as well and will have a tough battle against former ASP World Champion CJ Hobgood (Florida, USA) when Heat 3 of Round 2 starts. Aranburu, who finished the year with a promissing equal 9th in the Billabong Pipeline Masters last December after almost six months of injuries, is looking forward to showing he is back with hunger. The first Basque surfer ever to join the ranks of the ASP Top 45 last year will have nothing to lose against Hobgood.
 
UPCOMING EUROPEANS' ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS
Heat 3: CJ Hobgood (USA) Vs Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) Vs Marlon Lipke (DEU)
Heat 11: Dayyan Neve (AUS) Vs Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 12: Michael Picon (FRA) Vs Chris Davidson (AUS)

[Jens]

Laaaaangweilig...nicht so dolle der erste Event des Jahres, am Wochende soll mehr Swell an die Goldcoast kommen, allerdings gibts dann auch ein bischen Wind dazu.

-------------------------------
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile

Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile

Stop No. 1 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour

Stop No. 1 of 8 on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

February 28 – March 11, 2009

 

 

Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast Remain in a Holding Pattern

 



 

Pictured: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21, reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion, is waiting alongside the rest of the world’s best surfers for the surf to deliver the continuation of the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by LG Mobile.   

 

SNAPPER ROCKS, Australia (Thursday, March 5, 2009) – Conditions have cleaned up, but with virtually no surf on offer this morning, event organizers at the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by LG Mobile were once again forced to call competition off for the day.

 

The opening events of the 2009 ASP World Tour and ASP Women’s World Tour respectively, the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast have both completed their opening rounds of competition, but have since been on hold waiting for improved conditions to manifest. Forecasters are calling for a slight increase in surf later in the day, pulsing throughout the weekend.

 

“It’s Groundhog Day here at the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast again,” Rod Brooks, Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Contest Director, said. “Very little surf on offer this morning so competition will be called off, but swell is projected to fill in late tonight and we could be looking at a possible start tomorrow morning.”

 

Saturday’s Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast action saw highlights by reigning nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 37, and former two-time event winner Mick Fanning (AUS), 27. When Round 2 begins, explosive ASP Dream Tour sophomores like Dane Reynolds (USA), 23, and Jordy Smith (ZAF), 21, will look to avoid early elimination.

 

Monday’s Roxy Pro Gold Coast Round 1 action was dominated by the 2009 ASP Top 17 rookie class. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 18, secured the highest heat total of the event with an 18.77 out of a possible 20 for a series of blistering forehand maneuvers in the Duranbah beach breaks while Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, current ASP World No. 2, scored the event’s first perfect 10-point ride with her lightning-quick forehand approach that included a mid-ride aerial.

 

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow at 6am to assess conditions for a possible 7am start.

 

The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile will be webcast LIVE via www.quiksilverpro.com.au

 

The event also incorporates the Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile, the opening event of the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour. The Roxy Pro Gold Coast will be webcast LIVE via www.roxypro.com.au

 

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

 

 

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Daniel Wills (AUS)

Heat 2: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Corey Ziems (AUS)

Heat 3: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Aritz Aranburu (EUK)

Heat 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Marlon Lipke (DEU)

Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Drew Courtney (AUS)

Heat 6: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Phillip MacDonald (AUS)

Heat 7: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Dustin Barca (HAW)

Heat 8: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. David Weare (ZAF)

Heat 9: Tim Reyes (USA) vs. Jihad Khodr (BRA)

Heat 10: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Gabe Kling (USA)

Heat 11: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)

Heat 12: Michael Picon (FRA) vs. Chris Davidson (AUS)

Heat 13: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Nathaniel Curran (USA)

Heat 14: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Mick Campbell (AUS)

Heat 15: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Dean Morrison (AUS)

Heat 16: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)

 

ROXY PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Jacqueline Silva (BRA), Ashleigh Smith (AUS)
Heat 2: Rebecca Woods (AUS), Jessi Miley Dyer (AUS), Megan Abubo (HAW)

[Jens]

Wieder Lay-Day bei den Männern aber die Mädels durften ran. Hab gestern mal ein bischen reingeschaut und muss sagen das war ganz schön ansprechend was die Mädels da abgeliefert haben!
Die Mädels rippen inzwischen so hart wie die Kerle.

Heute Nacht sollte es dann endlich weiter gehen mit der 2. Runde der Männer

[Wuschel]

endlich... Hatte schon den ersten Tag verpasst und befürchtet, dass die das Event absagen müssen...

[katzer]

marlon raus in round 2.
schade, allerdings muss man sagen, dass er ja auch nicht gegen irgendwen surfen musste. ace buchan ist ja nicht umsonst letzte saison 6ter geworden und das niveau hat er leider noch nicht.
buchan hat die eine gute welle bekommen...das war dann eigentlich schon die vorentscheidung!

[Wuschel]

Wollen wir hoffen, dass es im nächsten Event besser wird, weil sonst wird es ganz ganz schwer werden dieses Jahr....

[Jens]

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile

Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile

Stop No. 1 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour

Stop No. 1 of 8 on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

February 28 – March 11, 2009

 

 

Snapper Rocks and Duranbah Beach Host Explosive Quik Pro Round 2

 

 

Pictured: Dane Reynolds (USA), 23, 2009 ASP Dream Tour sophomore, scored the first perfect 10 of the 2009 ASP World Tour season, eliminating friend and neighbor Nathaniel Curran (USA), 23, 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie, in Round 2 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by LG Mobile.

 

SNAPPER ROCKS, Australia (Saturday, March 7, 2009) – After nearly a week of lay days, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by LG Mobile roared back to life today, with the world’s best surfers exploding at Duranbah Beach and Snapper Rocks.

 

Event No. 1 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast opened up the day’s proceedings with the first eight heats of the elimination Round 2 at nearby Duranbah Beach before relocating back to the primary site of Snapper Rocks to finish the day out.

 

Dane Reynolds (USA), 23, 2009 ASP Dream Tour sophomore, scored the first perfect 10 of the 2009 ASP World Tour season for an incredible righthander in which he linked a barrage of high-performance maneuvers including a massive double-grab aerial seamlessly flowing into another exciting air reverse.

 

“It was a nice wave, it was begging for it,” Reynolds said. “I’m pretty excited as I’ve never gotten a 10 before. I think the more I just think about the wave and the less I think about a heat, the better I end up surfing. I have less pressure on myself that way.”

 

Reynolds’ elimination of friend and neighbor Nathaniel Curran (USA), 24, 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie, in Round 2 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, was a combination of his historic talent combined with an uncharacteristic tactical approach during the heat, utilizing priority to take a scoring wave off of Curran.

 

"There is less of a build up this year because the rivalry between Jordy [Smith] and myself has been forgotten,” Reynolds said. “Last year, I tried my hardest not to think about it, but it was difficult to surf under that pressure and always having Jordy [Smith] on the back of my mind. It really messed with me mentally."

 

Reynolds will face Roy Powers (HAW), 28, in Round 3 when Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast competition resumes.

 

Jordy Smith (ZAF), 21, fellow ASP Dream Tour sophomore, exacted his revenge upon veteran Dean Morrison (AUS), 28, in a nail-biting Round 2 heat today. Morrison was the surfer who ousted Smith from Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast competition last year, and while both surfers scored the exact same heat total of a 14.50 out of a possible 20 today, it was Smith getting the nod with his 8.67 high single-wave score.

 

"Dean [Morrison] knows these waves so well,” Smith said. “I lost to him at this event last year. About halfway through the heat, I knew I had to get a good wave and managed to net an 8.50. I was lucky it held up for me the whole way."

 

Into his second year on the prestigious ASP World Tour, Smith is enjoying the experience gained during his rookie season and the lifted weight of expectation.

 

"Last year was so black and white, right and wrong between Dane (Reynolds) and I,” Smith said. “This year, it’s cool that we are both the underdogs. All eyes are on everybody else so hopefully we can sneak through the doggy door."

 

Smith will battle veteran Taylor Knox (USA), 32, in Round 3 when competition resumes.

 

Drew Courtney (AUS), 30, 2009 ASP World Tour rookie, caused the upset of the day when he ousted current ASP World No. 9 Bobby Martinez (USA), 26, from Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast competition in Round 2.

 

"There weren’t many waves at the start of the heat but I managed to get off to a nice start with a 6.50-point ride,” Courtney said. “Bobby (Martinez) followed that with a pretty similar score and then I managed to get a 7-point ride. From there, I just sat on him for the rest of the heat. Bobby is capable of anything so I just held priority and sat next to him."

 

Courtney will face current ASP World No. 3 Taj Burrow (AUS), 30, in Round 3 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast when competition resumes.

 

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 6am for a possible 7am start.

 

Highlights from today’s Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast will be available via www.quiksilverpro.com.au

 

The Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile will be on standby today for a possible 11 am call, conditions permitting.

 

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

 

 

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 15.00 def. Daniel Wills (AUS) 8.67
Heat 2: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.56 def. Corey Ziems (AUS) 10.27
Heat 3: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 15.33 def. Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 10.06
Heat 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 16.33 def. Marlon Lipke (DEU) 10.50
Heat 5: Drew Courtney (AUS) 13.60 def. Bobby Martinez (USA) 12.53
Heat 6: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 15.53 def. Phillip MacDonald (AUS) 12.73
Heat 7: Dustin Barca (HAW) 11.34 def. Chris Ward (USA) 9.50
Heat 8: David Weare (ZAF) 15.73 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 15.50
Heat 9: Jihad Khodr (BRA) 14.26  def. Tim Reyes (USA) 13.67
Heat 10: Tom Whitaker (AUS) 15.33 def. Gabe Kling (USA) 8.83
Heat 11: Dayyan Neve (AUS) 11.34 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 8.74
Heat 12: Chris Davidson (AUS) 16.67 def. Michael Picon (FRA) 12.34
Heat 13: Dane Reynolds (USA) 18.83 def. Nathaniel Curran (USA) 13.24
Heat 14: Taylor Knox (USA) 15.00 def. Mick Campbell (AUS) 12.50
Heat 15: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.50 def. Dean Morrison (AUS) 14.50
Heat 16: Roy Powers (HAW) 14.67 def. Ben Dunn (AUS) 12.23

 

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 3 RESULTS:
Heat 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Dustin Barca (HAW)

Heat 2: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. Jihad Khodr (BRA)

Heat 3: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Chris Davidson (AUS)

Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)

Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Kekoa Bacalso (HAW)

Heat 6: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Nic Muscroft (AUS)

Heat 7: Damien Hobgood (AUS) vs. Heitor Alves (BRA)

Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Julian Wilson (AUS)

Heat 9: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Jay Thompson (AUS)

Heat 10: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)

Heat 11: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Greg Emslie (ZAF)

Heat 12: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)

Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Drew Courtney (AUS)

Heat 14: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Roy Powers (HAW0

Heat 15: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Tim Boal (FRA)

Heat 16: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. David Weare (ZAF)

 

ROXY PRO GOLD COAST SEMIFINALS MATCH-UPS:
SF 1: Paige Hareb (NZL) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
SF 2: Coco Ho (HAW) vs. Melanie Bartels (HAW)

[Jens]

Four Europeans Down, Three to go in Round 3 of Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast

 



Photo: Aritz Aranburu (Zarautz, EUK), 23, was defeated by former ASP World Champion CJ Hobgood (Florida, USA) in Round 2 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG today

SNAPPER ROCKS, Australia (Saturday, March 7, 2009) - After six days off, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile recommenced today with Round 2 being held in three-foot (one meter) waves. From the four Europeans who were to compete in the sudden-death round, none managed to come out on top and three representatives only remain in the competition.

German surfer and 2009 ASP World Tour rookie Marlon Lipke (DEU) was the first man to be defeated this morning at Duranbah Beach, going down to an inform Adrian Buchan (AUS) in Heat 3. Lipke, who seemed under pressure, fell to many times in the end of his rides and was not able to catch-up with Buchan's strong attack of the fast hollow morning waves.

"I felt like I wasn't relaxed and got the jelly legs again," Lipke said. "I had some good first turns but then my legs would just not respond anymore and I wasn't able to finish off well. Still an experience to work on."

 

Lipke, who was awarded a wildcard by the World Professionals Surfers (WPS), the surfers' union, will be at all events on tour this year and might create some good surprises when the rookie pressure goes off.

Most expected and seen as this year's best rookie, Michel Bourez (PYF) suffered a early elimination losing to veteran Dayyan Neve (AUS) later in the day after the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast had moved back to its main venue of Snapper Rocks. Bourez, who had to face a lack of waves during his match-up, did not find the better waves coming through at Snapper and left Neve take the best of the heat to advance through to Round 3. A former ASP European champion and last year's ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) No. 3, Bourez still remains a threat to any surfer on tour and will be looking forward to securing a big result when the tour hits its second stop at Bells Beach, a wave that should suit his powerful surfing.

 

Aritz Aranburu (EUK) and Mikael Picon (FRA) were the two other Europeans to fail today, both exoerienced surfers being defeated respectively by former ASP World Champion CJ Hobgood (USA) and Dream Tour returner Chris "Davo"Davidson).

 

Aranburu, who ended up with an usual low 10.06 pts heat score at Duranbah Beach, did not look comfortable in Duranbah's hollow wedges and was ousted by an experienced Hobgood finding a clean backside no-hand barrel to secure his win.

 

Mikael Picon, 29, a leader of the European contingent running for his thrid year as a member of the ASP Top 45, suffered last year's ASP WQS No. 2 Chris Davidson's assaults. Picon, who was surfing on his backhand at Snapper Rocks, managed to net a 12.34 pts total but not enough to best Davo's solid 16.67 point result. Picon, who finished last year rated No. 21 in the world, missed his season start in the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast but should quickly step up when the tour moves to its next stops.

Jeremy Flores (FRA), Tiago Pires (PRT) and ASP Top 45 rookie Tim Boal (FRA) will paddle out for their Round 3 battles when competition resumes, with a good chance of seeing some action at Snapper Rocks tomorrow Sunday, March 8, after officials reassess conditions at 6 AM.   

 

EUROPEANS' ROUND 3 UPCOMING MATCH-UPS
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) Vs Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 6: Jeremy Flores (FRA) Vs Nic Muscroft (AUS)
Heat 15: Adrian Buchan (AUS) Vs Tim Boal (FRA)

 

EUROPEANS' ROUND 2 RESULTS
Heat 3: CJ Hobgood (USA) 15.33 pts Def. Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 10.06 pts

Heat 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 16.33 pts Def. Marlon Lipke (DEU) 10.50 pts
Heat 11: Dayyan Neve (AUS) 11.34 pts Def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 8.76 pts
Heat 12: Chris Davidson (AUS) 16.67 pts Def. Michael Picon (FRA) 12.34 pts

 

[Wuschel]

Kelly ist draußen!! Fängt ja gut an das Jahr...

[Jens]

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile

Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Mobile

Stop No. 1 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour

Stop No. 1 of 8 on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

February 28 – March 11, 2009

 

 

Julian Wilson Eliminates Slater in Round 3 of Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast

 



 

Pictured: Julian Wilson (AUS), 20, caused the upset of the season, ousting reigning nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 37, from Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast competition in Round 3.

 
SNAPPER ROCKS, Australia (Sunday, March 8, 2009) – The first eight heats of Round 3 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by LG Mobile were completed today in three-foot (1 metre) waves at Snapper Rocks, and wildcard Julian Wilson (AUS), 20, caused the upset of the season in eliminating reigning nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 37, from competition.

 

The opening event of the 2009 ASP World Tour season, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast commenced Round 3 action this afternoon following the completion of the Roxy Pro Gold Coast this morning, won by reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21.

 

Wilson, who is surfing in his third Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast as a wildcard, wasted no time in taking it to Slater in the last heat of the day, racking up a 6.83 out of a possible 10 to open up before sealing the deal with an 8.50 out of a possible 10.

 

“I’m over the moon right now,” Wilson said. “I was so nervous before that heat just thinking about what I could do to beat Kelly [Slater]. For so long, he has been unstoppable. I started the heat on the inside and got the first wave, which is what I wanted to do. It feels so good to beat him.”

 

Slater, who was riding an unconventional board that was shorter and wider than his usual equipment, never found a rhythm in the tricky afternoon conditions, and despite some mind-blowing, singular maneuvers, was never able to link together a complete wave.

 

"The waves I got were bad,” Slater said. “I surfed alright on one wave and I am frustrated obviously, but I would have had the same result with the best board of my life so it definitely wasn't the equipment thing. A lot people want to put it down on that, but I am excited about my boards and I have a lot more fun riding these boards."

 

While Wilson certainly held the most dramatic heat of the day, fellow Australians and Coolangatta kids Joel Parkinson (AUS), 27, and Mick Fanning (AUS), 27, shined at their home break, posting some of the highest scores of the season.

 

Parkinson, current ASP World No. 4 and former winner of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast (2002), posted the highest heat total of the day, and 18.50 out of a possible 20, for his unparalleled command of the Snapper Rocks lineup.

 

"I had that really positive vibe,” Parkinson said. “It’s so good to be surfing back at Snapper. I like this wave so much more and I think it shows in my performance.”

 

The stylish natural-footer was in particularly lethal form in his Round 3 heat, given that he was up against dangerous ASP Dream Tour sophomore Tiago Pires (PRT), 28.

 

“I always think a new year resets itself and everything starts fresh again,” Parkinson said. “Tiago (Pires) was honestly one of the most under-rated surfers last year. Hopefully he can get some strides and get some momentum for the rest of the year."

 

Fanning, former ASP World Champion and two-time past winner of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast (2005, 2007), was another to decimate Snapper Rocks this afternoon, posting an excellent 18.10 out of a possible 20 to eliminate 2009 ASP World Tour rookie Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), 23.

 

When Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 3 action recommences, up first will be current ASP World No. 2 Bede Durbidge (AUS), 25, against replacement surfer Jay Thompson (AUS), 25.

 

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow at 6am for a possible 7am start.

 

Highlights from today’s Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast action are available via www.quiksilverpro.com.au

 

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

 

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 3 RESULTS:
Heat 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 16.50 def. Dustin Barca (HAW) 6.50

Heat 2: Jihad Khodr (BRA) 18.26 def. Kieren Perrow (AUS) 16.30

Heat 3: Chris Davidson (AUS) 13.67 def. Dayyan Neve (AUS) 8.27

Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 18.50 def. Tiago Pires (PRT) 14.50

Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.10 def. Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 14.50

Heat 6: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 12.83 def. Nic Muscroft (AUS) 11.07

Heat 7: Damien Hobgood (AUS) 14.34 def. Heitor Alves (BRA) 9.00

Heat 8: Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.33 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 13.84

 

REMAINING QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 9: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Jay Thompson (AUS)

Heat 10: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)

Heat 11: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Greg Emslie (ZAF)

Heat 12: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)

Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Drew Courtney (AUS)

Heat 14: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Roy Powers (HAW0

Heat 15: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Tim Boal (FRA)

Heat 16: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. David Weare (ZAF)