Billabong Pro Teahupoo (May 8-19)
Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP)
other World Championship Tour (WCT)

Irons Wins VZ Hinano Trials - World Number Three Machado Forced to Withdraw

Teahupoo, Tahiti (Monday, May 7th, other). Proven performer Bruce Irons (Haw) today secured one of four wildcards spots in the Billabong Pro Teahupoo by winning the VZ Hinano Trials in clean 4-5 foot (1.5m) conditions.

Irons, 21, who placed second to world number five Jake Paterson (Aus) in the final World Championship Tour (WCT) of 1998 in Hawaii as a wildcard, once again sounded a warning to the world's best with a stunning showing in the four-man final at Teahupoo. The younger brother of current world number two Andy Irons, who coincidentally won the Trials last year, dominated the solid waves to leave his three opponents playing catch-up for the entire 30 minute final.

Tahitian surfers Hira Terinatoofa and Nicolas Leetham will also feature in the main event, with Terinatoofa finishing second to Irons, and Leetham fourth. As the next highest placed local, however, he was also granted a start. Tamayo Perry (Haw), who placed third in the final, narrowly missed out on the main event.

World Qualifying Series (WQS) surfer Kieren Perrow (Aus) had a roller coaster ride of a day. One moment the 24 year old was eliminated from the quarterfinals of the VZ Hinano Trials, then he was handed a wildcard straight into the main event.

A broken hand this week forced the late withdrawal of world number three Rob Machado (USA). This paved the way for Perrow as the highest rated WQS competitor available.

"I couldn't believe it," said Perrow after hearing the news. "I had just given my rash vest back (after being eliminated from the trials) and then 'Robbo' (contest director Steve Robertson) came over on the jet-ski and told me. My heart went out to Rob (Machado) who would have been one of the favorites here."

Perrow has now drawn one of the tougher opening heats, going up against 1999-world and event champion Mark Occhilupo, as well as fellow Australian Paterson.

"I will just forget about who they are and surf a heat as well as I can," he said. "But I will be going out to win as everyone does."

A disappointed Machado, who suffered the break while free surfing at his home beach in California, was forced to withdraw on medical advice.

"I am really disappointed," said Machado. "I love surfing hollow lefts and would have loved to have been there. I was thinking about coming over to watch, but it would have driven me crazy."

The Billabong Pro Teahupoo looks set to commence in the morning at the infamous reef-break, with excellent waves predicted.

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