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Slater up against Fanning, Irons for Rip Curl Cup
Sunset Beach, Dec 01: First round completed at Rip Curl. The three leading contenders for this year`s world professional surfing championship were among the top performers at Hawaii`s Sunset Beach on Saturday (November 29) as the Rip Curl Cup first round was completed in excellent waves up to four metres.
Sunset Beach, Dec 01: First round completed at Rip Curl. The three leading contenders for this year's world professional surfing championship were among the top performers at Hawaii's Sunset Beach on Saturday (November 29) as the Rip Curl Cup first round was completed in excellent waves up to four metres.
Australia's Mick Fanning won heat 7, while Americans Kelly Slater and Andy Irons took heats 8 and 9 respectively.
Heavy rain fell throughout the day but did not affect the quality of the surf and action in this year's second-last World Championship Tournament.
Neco Padaratz of Brazil won heat 1 and three of his compatriots, including brother Flavio, also took heats.
Brazilian world number 25 Guilherme Herdy took heat 2 with the fourth highest total of the day -- 15.33 out of 20. Compatriot Peterson Rosa won heat 3.
Hawaiian veteran and 1998 Rip Curl Cup champion Shane Dorian was another impressive performer, catching the second-best single ride of the day at 9.33 out of 10. Kieren Perrow of Australia won heat 5 in which local favourite Jamie O'Brien could only manage third place.
Australia's Phil MacDonald came second in heat 6 which was won by compatriot Joel Parkinson.
The 2002 Rookie Of The Year and current world number three Fanning set the pace, with the the day's highest heat score -- 16.67 out of a possible 20 points for his best two rides. - in beating The 22-year-old Australian has only a remote chance of winning this year's world title, but made it clear to Slater and Irons that he will push them all the way.
Six-time world champion and current ratings leader Slater was in the heat immediately after Fanning and produced a typically strong effort, scoring 15.76 out of a possible 20 points for his best two rides (the third best heat total for the day). Slater can secure his 7th world title if he finishes two places ahead of Irons in the Rip Curl Cup -- providing they both progress from Round Three. Irons posted the fifth highest heat score of the day, 14.57.
The 16 winners of each three-man heat progress straight to Round Three, giving them a day off, while the 2nd and 3rd place getters advance to Round Two.
Bureau Report
Hawaiian veteran and 1998 Rip Curl Cup champion Shane Dorian was another impressive performer, catching the second-best single ride of the day at 9.33 out of 10. Kieren Perrow of Australia won heat 5 in which local favourite Jamie O'Brien could only manage third place.
Australia's Phil MacDonald came second in heat 6 which was won by compatriot Joel Parkinson.
The 2002 Rookie Of The Year and current world number three Fanning set the pace, with the the day's highest heat score -- 16.67 out of a possible 20 points for his best two rides. - in beating The 22-year-old Australian has only a remote chance of winning this year's world title, but made it clear to Slater and Irons that he will push them all the way.
Six-time world champion and current ratings leader Slater was in the heat immediately after Fanning and produced a typically strong effort, scoring 15.76 out of a possible 20 points for his best two rides (the third best heat total for the day). Slater can secure his 7th world title if he finishes two places ahead of Irons in the Rip Curl Cup -- providing they both progress from Round Three. Irons posted the fifth highest heat score of the day, 14.57.
The 16 winners of each three-man heat progress straight to Round Three, giving them a day off, while the 2nd and 3rd place getters advance to Round Two.
Bureau Report