| Tsunami warning delays the 2010 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast |
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| Sunday, 28 February 2010 11:05 |
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A magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Chile early Saturday morning, resulting in a tsunami warning for the East Coast of Australia effective today. Event organizers, coordinating with the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, were forced to call both the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover and the Roxy Pro Gold Coast events for the day, with the potential tsunami projected to hit at 8:15am. “We’ve been monitoring the situation with chief meteorologists throughout the night and all projections are indicating the effects to hit the Gold Coast at approximately 8:15am,” Rod Brooks, Quiksilver Pro Contest Director, said. “What those effects will be, we cannot be sure. We’ve been advised that the biggest surge could hit anywhere from six to 12 hours after the initial surge, so we’ve called competition off for the day. The event site is closed for the day, and we’ll check back tomorrow at 6:30am.” Event No. 1 of 10 on the 2010 ASP World Tour, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast enjoyed incredible surfing for Round 1 yesterday, with reigning two-time ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS), 28, and former nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 38, dominating the opening day of competition. The event site is closed today. Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 6:30am to assess conditions for a possible 7:30am start. When Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast competition resumes, up first will be current ASP World No. 4 Taj Burrow (AUS), 31, up against wildcard Garrett Parkes (AUS), 18, in the opening heat of the man-on-man elimination Round 2. For the first time in the event’s storied nine-year history, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast is being broadcast LIVE on FUEL TV in Australia, beaming the world’s best surfing right into your living room. A 90-minute highlight show will be televised each night as well. The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by Land Rover will feature the world’s best surfers from February 27 through March 10, 2010 and will be webcast LIVE via www.quiksilverpro.com.au The Roxy Pro Gold Coast, featuring the ASP Top 17, will run in conjunction with the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Garrett Parkes (AUS)
Heat 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Paige Hareb (NZL), Carissa Moore (HAW)
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