| Grand Masters show classic surfing in Rio de Janeiro |
| Thursday, 28 July 2011 12:53 |
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The SuperSurf ASP World Masters Championships returned to Rio de Janeiro’s lefthand pointbreak of Arpoador and the day’s proceedings saw several of surfing’s most iconic names take to the water in clean one-to-two foot waves to complete Round 2 of the Masters as well as the opening Round of Grand Masters competition. Shaun Tomson, former 1977 ASP World Champion, was another one of surfing’s greatest names to take a Round 1 heat victory in the Grand Masters division after earning an 8-point ride (out of 10) for stylish backside surfing. The heat win marks a first for Tomson after a multi-year hiatus from competition. "The waves are okay, they’re small but it’s perfect conditions (laughs), and I’ve forgotten what it feels like to win a heat again," Thomson said. "It feels good! Especially with an 8 point ride! It’s such an honor to be out there with such wonderful surfers who have changed the sport. It just feels like a real great sense of comradely out there, even though it’s competitive." Terry Richardson, who is a former ASP World Masters Champion (1997), was one Aussie icon to take a Round 1 victory in his Grand Masters heat. Richardson was thrilled to be back in Rio de Janeiro and his return marks an emotional journey. "It’s nice to get the first round out of the way and get rid of all of the cobwebs," Richardson said. "My boys in Australia have been looking at the internet every night to see when I’m going to surf, and at least we got it out of the way and a nice victory first up, which is very good. It makes me feel happy to be in Rio again. Last time I was here was in ’82 against Roberto Valerio, my good friend who has now passed away, and this trip...(emotional pause) is dedicated to him." Renan Rocha, former ASP World Tour veteran, posted a solid 13.75 heat total (out of 20) while taking a Round 2 victory in the Masters division over fellow competitors Jake Paterson, Derek Ho and Richie Collins and admitted he is hungry to perform despite the friendly vibe on the beach. "I’m feeling really good, and the heat was pretty hard because there were not many waves," Rocha said. "The conditions make it different from yesterday and I found the right waves today. The thing to win is to find the right waves. There are three more rounds and I need to win to make it more competition than just the friendship." SuperSurf ASP World Masters Round 2 Results:
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