| High scores at full surfing in the 2010 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast |
| Wednesday, 03 March 2010 10:21 |
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With pumping three-to-five foot (1 – 2 metre) waves running down the point at Snapper Rocks today, Round 3 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover went off in front of a capacity crowd on the beach and hundreds of thousands watching online and FUEL TV. The opening event of the 2010 ASP World Tour season, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast has consolidated the greatest assemblage of surfing talent in history, and with one of the most iconic pointbreaks in the world firing throughout the day, the world’s best put on an incendiary performance. Bede Durbidge (AUS), 27, current ASP World No. 3, proved the form surfer of the day, posting a near-perfect 19.30 out of a possible 20, to dispatch of Luke Munro (AUS), 27, in their Round 3 bout. Durbidge blended deep tube rides with progressive forehand gaffs en route to his emphatic victory, even posting the day’s highest single wave score of a 9.93 out of a possible 10. “I just made that barrel and I just didn’t even care what happened after that,” Durbidge said. “I just went for it. On the ride back on the ski, I was thinking I probably should have finished that wave for the 10, but it’s all good.” A former Runner-Up at the event, Durbidge is one of the most dangerous surfers at Snapper Rocks, and will look to post a strong result to open up his 2010 ASP World Tour campaign. “All my family and friends and here and there’s so much hype around this event, being the first of the year, I would love to win this event,” Durbidge said. “It makes all the difference. There’s a lot more energy for you, and waves come your way.” Durbidge will face current ASP World No. 14 Kieren Perrow (AUS), 33, in Round 4 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast. Kelly Slater (USA), 38, former nine-time ASP World Champion and current ASP World No. 6, negotiated the varying afternoon conditions today, putting in a solid performance against 2010 ASP Dream Tour rookie Patrick Gudauskas (USA), 24, in Round 3. “It’s a tough call sitting super deep because you can take off too deep or get one that doesn’t barrel and there are a lot of bumps,” Slater said. “My first one looked pretty nice, but I couldn’t come out and it went from a 10 to a 2, so it’s a challenge out there.” Slater has drawn South African wunderkind Jordy Smith (ZAF), 22, in Round 4 of competition. Mick Fanning (AUS), 28, reigning two-time ASP World Champion, continued his searing form through Round 3 today, besting 2010 ASP World Tour rookie Brett Simpson (USA), 25, with an intimate rapport with the Snapper Rocks sand bank. “It’s pretty tricky out there,” Fanning said. “It’s high tide and I don’t really it. I’ve seen a couple in the heat before with Dingo (Morrison) and Kai (Otton), and then Steds (Stedman) and Damo (Hobgood). I thought I could have sat a little bit deeper and I was lucky enough just to get two waves like a 6 and I got that good one (9.07). I just looked for waves that would allow two turns at the start.” Fanning will take on compatriot Kai Otton (AUS), 30, in Round 4 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast. Adriano de Souza (BRA), 23, current ASP World No. 5, put on a clinic in the opening heat of the day, amassing a 16.10 out of a possible 20 to eliminate compatriot and travelling partner Jadson Andre (BRA), 19. “I feel great to get through that heat and the waves are really fun,” De Souza said. “It’s hard surfing against Jadson (Andre). He’s my roommate and team member and he’s a really good surfer. He may be a rookie, but he’s really smart and he’s a dangerous surfer.” De Souza, who finished Runner-Up in the event last season, is enthusiastic about his prospects at the 2010 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, and is confident that a solid result at Snapper Rocks is possible. “I would love to go one better this year and win on the Gold Coast,” De Souza said. “I have been working really hard in the off season, training and with my boards, and I feel ready for 2010.” De Souza will face current ASP World No. 23 Adrian Buchan (AUS), 27, in the opening heat of Round 4 when competition resumes. Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 6:30am to assess conditions for a possible 7:30am start. Highlights from the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover will be available via www.quiksilverpro.com.au For the first time in the events’ storied nine-year history, the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast events are being televised LIVE on FUEL TV in Australia, beaming the world’s best surfing right into your living room.
Heat 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 16.00 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 14.46
Heat 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Heat 1: Coco Ho (HAW) vs. Amee Donohoe (AUS)
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