Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP)
other World Championship Tour (WCT)

Day 2

Occhilupo Eliminated On Day Of Mixed Results

Jeffreys Bay, South Africa (Saturday, July 21st) Current #2 and 1999 world champion Mark Occhilupo (Aus) was today eliminated in round three of the Billabong Pro by current #43 Russell Winter (GB). Only five heats of the third round were completed, following the conclusion of round two, but there were plenty of surprises. Conditions at Supertubes remained perfectly hollow throughout the day, with clean 4-6ft (2m) barrels providing the ideal canvas for the world's best surfers.

Occhilupo, 35, appeared somewhat out of rhythm for the duration of his match. He fell on his opening rides, as Winter took the lead, and then the ocean went flat throughout the middle. He clawed his way back into contention toward the end, but even with priority, he was unable to make amends for earlier mistakes. The loss represents his lowest result in other, finishing equal 17th. "Seemed like no waves came through," said Occhilupo. "I watched good sets all day and then I waited for them and they didn't come. Plus, I froze up out there and fell off a bit, and my toes got really numb. I just didn't feel comfortable. That's the way it is, so I'll move on to the next one." Winter, 25, actually defeated Occhilupo two years ago in the Billabong Pro, so after eliminating Paul Canning (SAfr) in round two this morning, the lone Englishman was quietly confident. His first wave set the pace with a 7.25, and from there he played it smart to advance into the fourth round. "I'm pretty stoked with that," said Winter afterward. "I felt pretty confident seeing as though I've beaten him here before, so I took that into consideration before I went out. I got lucky with my first wave, so that put me in good rhythm. There weren't a lot of waves for most of the heat and Occy got a little bit starved, so he panicked a little bit. I could see it in his face, so that made me even stronger."

Wildcard Simon Nicholson (SAfr) caused a major upset this morning by eliminating current #5 Flavio Padaratz (Brz) in round two. The 21-year-old, who was eliminated by his Brazilian opponent during the same round last year, avenged the loss with a near perfect 9.25 barrel ride toward the end. "It was good to draw him again and finally get even," said Nicholson. "It's so important just to get the experience. I'm gunning to make the top 44, so if I eventually get there, just to have this experience already will put me ahead of other rookies."

Andy Irons (Haw), who was also rated 5th heading into the Billabong Pro, was another third round casualty. Despite eliminating WCT replacement Kieren Perrow (Aus) this morning in great form, his run ended against fellow
Hawaiian and current #41 Shawn Sutton. The 22-year-old suffered similar fate to Occhilupo, with waves failing to materialize for most of the heat. He did make a comeback and posted a 7.1 on his final ride, but still needed another
6.26 for the win. "If there were just some more waves," said Irons afterward. "I sat there for most of the heat. I know I can beat Shawn, but I just didn't get them. It sucks, 'cause this is such a good wave, but it happens."

Sutton, 26, who finished equal 33rd the previous three events this year, never took his lead for granted, but was clearly pleased after it became official. "Gosh, another heat," said Sutton. "That was a hard one. It went flat for so long. I didn't know if it wasn't going to stay flat, or what. I knew Andy could easily score a 10. When I caught my last wave I couldn't even turn I was so nervous. I didn't want to blow it. I was bummed I had to surf against a friend, but jeez, I got lucky."

Current #8 Shane Powell (Aus) was another surprise elimination, going down to current #31 Damien Hobgood (USA) in the day's final round three heat. 'Powelly' started strong, but then his opponent picked up the pace with a
series of high scoring rides and left him needing 9.76.

World #4 Shane Dorian (Haw) suffered his second consecutive 33rd place finish today when eliminated by WCT replacement Beau Emerton (Aus) in round two. In a heat blessed with epic waves, the Hawaiian led until the final exchanges, when his opponent emerged from a long backhand tube for an 8.75, and the match. "I feel all right considering I just got a 33rd," said Dorian afterward. "I wasn't looking forward to doing bad in the contest, but I surfed well in the heat and that's what really matters to me."

Emerton, 26, was granted a start after world #12 Guilherme Herdy (Brz) withdrew due to a knee injury. He'll now face world champion Sunny Garcia (Haw) next. "I knew I'd have to pull out something good, like a deep barrel," explained Emerton, of his last ride. "Shane's always really hard to beat and I've had him a few times in really important heats, so it's good to get one back on him."

Defending Billabong Pro winner and world #5 Jake Paterson (Aus) continued his other campaign with two convincing victories today. First he eliminated Joca Junior (Brz) in round two, before confronting world #8 Michael Campbell
(Aus) this afternoon. The 28-year-old started slow, but after gaining the lead, he won a critical paddling race for priority with three minutes remaining that shut the door on Campbell, issuing him a fourth consecutive 17th place finish. "I was lucky to get away with that," began Paterson. "I made a few mistakes and it was a really slow heat. Mick's been on fire, too. I saw his heat earlier today and he was in incredible form. "I'm just stoked to get through a few rounds and not disappoint anyone who's come to see the defending champion," he half joked. "It'd be good to get through a couple more, though."

World #6 Taj Burrow (Aus) survived round two against Armando Daltro (Brz). The 23-year-old picked off an 8.5 at the onset to command the lead, and left his opponent needing a combination of rides at the end. "That's always a scary round," said Burrow, who's placed 33rd twice this year. "I just tried to make a point of having priority henever the good waves came. I've lost a lot of heats recently 'cause I haven't been sitting with priority."

World #11 Shea Lopez (USA) earned his, and the other Billabong Pro's first perfect 10-point ride today, with a sensational backhand tube. Opponent Chris Davidson (Aus) also put on a fantastic display, but was short an 8.46 when the bout ended. "It's the first 10 I've ever had," said a grinning Lopez. "I hit this speed bump from where 'Davo' was paddling out, but I went right over him and somehow came out. "It's nice to see him up on top," he added, of brother Cory's recent success. "But I want to be right next to him fighting for it."

Official Results of the Billabong Pro Day 5
Round Three
H1: Nathan Webster (Aus) 21.25 def. Neco Padaratz (Brz) 19.2
H2: Shawn Sutton (Haw) 19.6 def. Andy Irons (Haw) 17.35
H3: Jake Paterson (Aus) 21.3 def. Michael Campbell (Aus) 16.5
H4: Russell Winter (GB) 19.0 def. Mark Occhilupo (Aus) surf.5
H5: Damien Hobgood (USA) 21.1 def Shane Powell (Aus) surf.0

Round Two
H3: Simon Nicholson (SAfr) 20.0 def. Flavio Padaratz (Brz) 13.75
H4: Andy Irons (Haw) 22.25 def. Kieren Perrow (Aus) surf.85
H5: Beau Emerton (Aus) 23.05 def. Shane Dorian (Haw) 22.0
H6: Shea Lopez (USA) 21.7 def. Chris Davidson (Aus) 19.35
H7: Russell Winter (GB) 21.75 def. Paul Canning (SAfr) 20.1
H8: Michael Campbell (Aus) 24.75 def. Shane Beschen (USA) 16.0
H9: Trent Munro (Aus) 19.85 def. Marcelo Nunes (Brz) surf.25
H10: Sasha Stocker (Aus) def. Fabio Gouveia (Brz) 12.85
H11: Kalani Robb (Haw) 21.0 def. Ben Bourgeois (USA) snow.5
H12: Luke Hitchings (Aus) 19.85 def. Rodrigo Dornelles (Brz) 17.4
H13: Jake Paterson (Aus) 21.25 def. Joca Junior (Brz) 16.1
Hsnow: Neco Padaratz (Brz) 24.75 def. Paulo Moura (Brz) 16.surf
Hsurf: Michael Lowe (Aus) 21.25 def. Renan Rocha (Brz) 17.75
H16: Taj Burrow (Aus) 23.25 def. Armando Daltro (Brz) 16.6

Further Information:

Log onto www.billabongpro.com or www.aspworldtour.com

Day 1 | Day 3 | Finals >>

<< Back
  SURF @ www.boarding.nethttp://www.boarding.net