| Aerial surfers dominate the 6.0 Lowers Pro |
| Saturday, 08 May 2010 13:54 |
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The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) PRIME 6.0 Lowers Pro continued to play host to the future of progressive surfing today with several ASP Dream Tour competitors launching their way into the Round of 16 by punting a mind-blowing variety of aerial maneuvers while several up-and-comers continued to showcase committed above-the-lip surfing to decide the Round of 16. With the influx of the ASP One World Rating, the 6.0 Lowers Pro's ASP PRIME status attracted over 30 ASP Dream Tour competitors and the world's finest up-and-comers looking to capitalize on the increasingly valuable ratings points on offer towards their global standing. Jadson Andre (BRA), 20, continued to flare by continually punting massive air-reverses while logging in the highest heat total of the day in his Round of 24 heat, a 17.70 out of 20, en route to surpassing his personal best result at Lower Trestles by advancing through to the Round of 16. "I don't event really know what to say about this wave, it's one of the best in the world," Andre said. "Competing here always pushes the level of surfing and everyone's out there trying to do their best. I'm just stoked to make one more heat. This is the best result of my career at Lowers. Last year I lost first round, so I'm stoked to make it to the Round of 16." Andre's success throughout the rounds has been no easy task, as the goofy-footer has faced a stacked draw of global talent in each of his heats. "There were more than 30 World Title surfers in this event, so it's almost like a World Title event," Andre said. "Then there are guys like Seabass (Sebastian Zietz) too, so the draw is really hard, but I think it helps me improve my surfing." Andre, who is currently rated fourth overall on the ASP World Title ratings, is fresh off of his inaugural ASP Dream Tour victory in front of his Brazilian home crowd and although Andre is still elated with the win, he remains focused on the task at hand at the 6.0 Lowers Pro. "I've already won my first event on tour and it's my first year and I don't know what to say, I'm still really happy about that contest," Andre said. "Now I'm trying to surf better and know that I can't think about the win in Brazil. I'm just trying to take one heat at a time here at Trestles." Chris Davidson (AUS), 33, who has been a standout in each round of 6.0 Lowers Pro competition, continued to flare throughout the firing swell with two convincing heat wins today while advancing to the Round of 16. Davidson detonated one of the highest single wave scores of the day, a massive 9.57 out of 10 with rail-to-rail carves and fins-free blasts on a long Lowers righthander. "We started with those sets so it was good," Davidson said. "The boys all sort of got a wave and my first one was good. Then the next one was just on the line, I'm stoked I got it. I'm just happy to keep it going and glad I made it to the last day of the contest." Davidson, who is currently rated No. 13 on the ASP World Title ratings, has been focused on his fitness while dialing in his equipment throughout the year and is finding a rhythm as the year progresses. "I'm starting to feel fitter and I've got great boards under my feet at the moment," Davidson said. "I've been getting good boards from my shaper back home and I got a couple of good ones over here for this contest." John John Florence (North Shore, HI), 17, unleashed a fury of massive airs and rail gouges to scalp the highest single-wave score of the day, a near-perfect 9.87 out of 10, while taking an impressive heat victory over fellow Hawaiian and three-time ASP World Champion Andy Irons (Hanalei, HI, 31, who advanced behind Florence in second, and current ASP Dream Tour competitor Tiago Pires (PRT), 30. "I'm super stoked to make it to the Round of 16," Florence said. "The waves are just perfect and it's great to surf against guys like Andy (Irons), who are guys that I've looked up to since I was little." The young Hawaiian charger was elated to take the heat win over his idol, Irons, and continues to build his confidence while moving into the Round of 16. "This heat win builds up my confidence so much," Florence said. "Andy is a three-time World Champ, so I'm so stoked right now. I made the Semifinals at the 5-Star at Pipeline, but this is my best result in a PRIME." Also putting in memorable performances today were three-time ASP World Champion, Irons, who advanced through to the Round of 16 behind Florence after a brilliant Round of 48 performance, current ASP Dream Tour rookie Owen Wright (AUS), 20, who posted some of the event's highest scores, and Alejo Muniz (BRA), 20, who ousted ASP Dream Tour veteran Taylor Knox (Carlsbad, CA), 38, with a last minute score, and ASP Dream Tour No. 2 Jordy Smith (ZAF), 22. Tomorrow will see both ASP PRIME 6.0 Lowers Pro and ASP Grade-2 Oakley Pro Junior Champions crowned by day's end. For all of the LIVE action log on to www.nike6lowerspro.com For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com or www.aspnorthamerica.org 6.0 Lowers Pro Round of 24 Results: 6.0 Lowers Pro Round of 48 Results: This is ridiculous
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