AMERICA'S LARGEST PROFESSIONAL SURFING COMPETITION LAUNCHES THE $240,000
PHILIPS FUSION  EVENT AT THE HUNTINGTON BEACH PIER

Day 3

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.  Wednesday, August 1  Hawaiian Roy Powers turned on the juice at the $120,000 Philips U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, while Palos Verdes Holly Beck, recently crowned national amateur champion, made a successful professional debut.   The eighth annual Philips U.S. Open, Mainland Americas largest professional surfing competition, is running through August 5 at the citys famed pier.

Powers, who also competed in the Billabong Junior, benefited from an increasing south swell (three plus feet) and no wind to score the days highest wave and second highest overall point total.  Taking off midway through the 20-minute heat on a left-hand wave (going towards the pier), he performed three straight-up backside turns, the best so far this week.

The judges awarded Powers with an 8.83 (out of 10), and an overall heat score of 22.86 (out of 30).  I felt good about my performance today.  I surfed better in the mens than the juniors, said Powers.  With the small waves, the key is waiting for the right peak instead of grabbing little waves.

Also advancing in the six-star World Qualifying Series competition was Danny Nichols (Huntington Beach).  Surfing with more consistency than in prior rounds, Nichols finished with 16.83 points to win his heat over Josh Curran (surf.27).  Patience was the key today.  I was able to turn
my fours (from yesterday) into fives and sixes today, said Nichols.

Other surfers advancing to Thursdays round of 128 included Kyle Knox (Imperial Beachwake.51), Jason Bogle (Hawaiisurf.56), Love Hodel (Hawaii16.60), Che Stang (Carlsbad19.27), Mike Losness (San Clemente16.71), Gabe Kling (Florida12.44) and Tom Curren (Santa Barbara21.27).  It was tough out there todayall about luck, said an
elated Knox.  The waves are a lot like my hometown, Imperial Beach. There was a lot of paddle battling.  I got lucky and caught my three (scoring) waves.

In the $5,000 Deesse U.S. Open of Women, former world champion Pauline Menczer (Australia) advanced to Fridays quarter-finals with 20.50 points to runner-up Anastasia Ashley (Hawaii12.05) to advance. Debuting professional Holly Beck also advanced to the womens quarters with 10.00 points, finishing second in her heat World Tour competitor Kylie Webb (Australiasnow.90).  I was nervous about proving myself now that Im a professional, said Beck.  I was overconfident early in the heat after catching a few waves.  Fortunately I was able to get a good wave at the end and pull it off.

Also advancing were Kyla Langen (17.75), Jodie Nelson (Surfsidesnow.80), Sophia Mulanovich (Peruwake.00), Claire Bevilacqua (Australia16.65), Pru Jeffries (Australia20.00), Susan Ashley (Australia10.25), Julia Christian (Carlsbad11.75), Dara Penfold (Australia7.95), Melanie
Bartels (Hawaii22.65), Sena Seramur (Hawaiisnow.35), Nicole Grodesky (San Diego12.90) and Holly Monkman (Australia11.25).

The Philips Electronics U.S. Open of Surfing, presented by Norelco anchors the inaugural $240,000 Philips Fusion.  Practice sessions for the Philips Fusion wheeled events begin on Thursday.  Innovative venues and competitions include the $45,000 Philips Soul Bowl.  The one-of-a-kind Soul Bowl features the worlds best skateboarders,
inline skaters and bicycle stunt riders vying for a combined purse of $45,000.

The $20,000 Norelco Contour Park puts a new twist on traditional street courses and features the Top 16 bicycle stunt riders and inline skaters.  More than 50 of the worlds top skateboarders will compete in World War III.  Presented by Champs Sports, this $50,000 best trick competition is staged on a 120 by surf0 platform with unique obstacles
erected on daily basis.

The Philips Fusion event will be broadcast to millions of viewers on Fox Sports Net, as part of Bluetorch TV, Sept. 24-28 and Oct. surf-19.  ESPN will provide four hours of coverage focusing on aggressive inline skating in the Philips Soul Bowl and Norelco Contour Park.   Extensive
coverage of Philips Fusion competition is available on Bluetorch.tv, an interactive, action sports web portal, and on www.fusion.philips.com.

Schedule: Thursday, August 2, other

7:00am - 11:00am   Philips Mens Open Rd of 128 
    Heats 5-16
9:00am - 6:30pm  Champs Sports WWIII - Skate  Practice
10:00am - 12:00pm  Philips Soul Bowl - Inline   Practice
10:00am - 12:00pm  Norelco Contour Park - Open  Practice
11:00am - 3:00pm   Philips Mens Open Rd of 96  
     Heats 1-12
12:00pm - 2:00pm  Philips Soul Bowl - Skate   Practice
12:00pm - 2:00pm  Norelco Contour Park - Inline  Practice
2:00pm - 4:00pm  Philips Soul Bowl - Skate   Practice
2:00pm - 4:00pm  Norelco Contour Park - Bike   Practice
3:00pm - 5:40pm   USO Womens Bodyboard Rd 1 
    Heats 1-8
4:00pm - 6:30pm  Philips Soul Bowl - Bike   Practice
4:00pm - 6:30pm  Norelco Contour Park - Open  Practice

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