CJ Hobgood Takes Ratings' Lead; Garcia Eliminated

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Tuesday, July 3rd) World #7 CJ Hobgood (USA) today jumped to the top of the current ratings by advancing into the semifinals of the Rio Surf International. World champion Sunny Garcia (Haw) wasn't so fortunate, being eliminated by WCT rookie Joel Parkinson (Aus) in their quarterfinal.

Round four and quarterfinals of the other event were completed at Arpoador today in peeling 3-foot (1m) lefthanders. The tournament is now set to climax tomorrow morning with semifinals and then the grand finale.

Hobgood, 21, overtook his close friend Cory Lopez's (USA) lead on the ratings by eliminating Taylor Knox (USA) this morning in round four, and then Neco Padaratz (Brz) in their quarterfinal match. Since Lopez had placed equal ninth earlier today, a semifinal berth generated enough points for the top spot. Riding the same surfboard he had last August in Hossegor, France, to win his maiden WCT title, Hobgood put on a fantastic performance today in similarly shaped waves. After eliminating Padaratz in a close exchange, the Floridian expressed his relief. "I knew he was going to go blow for blow, big time," said Hobgood. "I just
prayed God would send me a wave. If I had caught the same waves he was catching I wouldn't have got his scores. So I kind of waited out there and a good wave came and ended up going all the way. "I don't want to think about it too much," he said of leading the ratings. "I just want to keep making heats and surf well. Whatever the ratings say... I can't really think about that, so I've just got to do what I can do."

Padaratz, 24, disposed of event giant killer Paulo Moura (Brz) in round four, but was unable to match Hobgood's wave selection the following heat. Still, having injured his ribs during the first WCT in Australia and consequently being forced to miss the last event in Tahiti, an equal fifth
is a great return to form. "It's good, I feel happy," said Padaratz. "I think I had a chance at the end, but I lost priority and that was my mistake," he admitted. "I know what I did wrong, so I'll try not to make it next time."

Garcia, 31, struggled today in the small lefts. Despite eliminating world #24 Fabio Gouveia (Brz) in round four, the Hawaiian found it hard to find open-faced waves and admitted afterward he thought his opponent had won.
Upon losing to Parkinson, though, he stormed up the beach so frustrated that moving up into fourth position on the ratings offered no consolation. "I've got nothing to say," was all Garcia could say.

Parkinson, 20, reached his clash with the world champ after first eliminating world #33 Pat O'Connell (USA) this morning. Although feeling ill from a stomach bug he picked up yesterday, the Australian opened his account strongly against Garcia and showed no signs of letting his handicap slow him down for the win.

"There weren't many out there," said Parkinson. "So I knew once I had that first one it was a good advantage. Sunny got that one (further down the beach) and I thought it might be enough 'cause there weren't many out there.
It kind of was, but I'm glad he didn't get the score." "I'm feeling good, but a bit cold," he continued. "I definitely feel better winning that, I just don't have a lot of energy. I'll get a good night's sleep and I'll be right. I can't wait for tomorrow."

1999 world champion Mark Occhilupo (Aus) also progressed into the semifinals after overcoming Brazilians Armando Daltro and then Peterson Rosa in the quarters. The 35-year-old posted one of the highest totals of the day
against Rosa to now meet Hobgood tomorrow.

"I'm feeling really good," said Occhilupo. "That was a tough heat. I had a good start, but then let him back in it. I was freaking, really. I had a bad feeling 'cause I knew I'd let him back in it. But then I just had a couple of really nice waves sent to me, so I was pretty lucky. "I've got him in the semi now," he continued, referring to Hobgood. "So that will be the big heat. I've got a really good board at the moment, so I'll just have a good night's sleep and look forward to it."

Rosa, 26, might have lost to Occhilupo today, but he was still the clear crowd favorite. After each ride the beach erupted in applause, and once competition had finished, local media couldn't get enough of him. "I feel alright," said Rosa of the loss. "He had the opportunity by finding
the good waves. I'm stoked with this good result and good luck for him. "I'm in Brazil and the people love me," he continued, surrounded by supporters. "All the time I come to Arpoador, or Prainha, I have good time with the locals."

WCT rookies Trent Munro and fellow Australian Nathan Hedge were the other standouts today. The pair ultimately met in the quarterfinals, whereupon Munro ended his friend's run to advance into the first semifinal with Parkinson.

Munro, 22, posted the day's best score of 9.25 and highest tally of 23. 85 against world #6 Taj Burrow (Aus) in devastating form this morning. Facing Hedge, he again waited patiently and picked off the better rides for a
convincing victory. "I felt pretty comfortable," said Munro. "Toward the end there I didn't have a decent third wave, but I knew I had an 8.0 and 6.5, so I just told myself to be patient. "I'm stoked," he added. "One more heat hopefully and I'll be there. Hedge, 22, who eliminated Russell Winter (GB) in round four, has now moved into 13th position on the ratings.

"Trent had an 8.0 at the start, so he was stoked," explained Hedge. "He could pretty much sit and wait. I had to play catch up. I'm stoked, though. To come to Brazil in the third event and finish fifth, I'm happy." Lopez, 24, slipped to second after losing to Rosa in round four. Still, he was pleased it was his friend taking over the charge. "I felt fine, I just wasn't patient enough," reasoned Lopez afterward. "I'm pretty bummed, but whatever... I'm stoked for CJ as he gets to take my (rating) position. We'll see how long he holds it (laughs)."

Official Heats of the Rio Surf International
Quarterfinals
QF1: Trent Munro (Aus) 16.75 def. Nathan Hedge (Aus) 10.9
QF2: Joel Parkinson (Aus) 20.4 def. Sunny Garcia (Haw) wake.4
QF3: CJ Hobgood (USA) 20.9 def. Neco Padaratz (Brz) 19.9
QF4: Mark Occhilupo (Aus) 22.65 def. Peterson Rosa (Brz) wake.75

Round Four
H1: Trent Munro (Aus) 23.85 def. Taj Burrow (Aus) 22.00
H2: Nathan Hedge (Aus) 17.9 def. Russell Winter (GB) 12.9
H3: Joel Parkinson (Aus) 21.1 def. Pat O'Connell (USA) 20.75
H4: Sunny Garcia (Haw) 16.1 def. Fabio Gouveia (Brz) surf.35
H5: CJ Hobgood (USA) 21.8 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 20.65
H6: Neco Padaratz (Brz) 22.surf def. Paulo Moura (Brz) 16.35
H7: Peterson Rosa (Brz) 19.85 def. Cory Lopez (USA) 19.25
H8: Mark Occhilupo (Aus) 19.00 def. Armando Daltro (Brz) surf.75

Upcoming Semifinal Matches
SF1: Trent Munro (Aus) vs. Joel Parkinson (Aus)
SF2: CJ Hobgood (USA) vs. Mark Occhilupo (Aus)

Further Information:

Log onto www.aspworldtour.com

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