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SURF - Slater Captivates Crowd on Day Three of ASP PRIME Telstra Drug Aware Pro Margaret River
Kelly Slater (USA), 39, with at last-minute heat win in the Round of 96 Telstra Drug Aware Pro.
MARGARET RIVER, Western Australia (Wednesday, April 6, 2011) - 10 – Time ASP World Champion and surfing legend Kelly Slater (USA) made a highly anticipated return to the south-west corner of Australia, pulling on a contest jersey at the Telstra Drug Aware Pro at Margaret River for the first time since 1993.
Slater had only one world title to his name the last time he competed at the West Australian river mouth, and surf fans grabbed every vantage point to get a glimpse of the sporting legend.
In the peaky two-to-three metre waves, Slater did just enough to finish in first place ahead of relative unknown qualifiers Billy Stairmand (NZ) of New Zealand, Gony Zubizarreta (ESP) of Spain, and Brazilian David do Carmo (BRA) to advance to the Round of 48.
Things did not go all Slater’s way in the 30 minute encounter – Slater trailed in third place for the majority of the heat and was at risk of being eliminated.
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Wit h the dying minutes ticking away, Slater locked in his highest scoring wave of the heat, showing that trademark style and freaky repertoire that marks him as one of the world’s undisputed sporting greats.
“There wasn’t a lot of waves and there was some hassling going down.” said Slater post heat. “It’s tricky with 4 guys fighting for 2 wave sets. I wasn’t too worried though, I just needed a wave. I only needed a six and if I can’t get a six on an open faced wave I shouldn’t be here.”
Slater’s two-wave combined total of 12.36, saw him progress comfortably to the next round.
SURF - My Hawaii: Mick Fanning on SURFER Mag
Mick Fanning (AUS), 29, at the 2010 Billabong Pipe Masters.
SAN CLEMENTE, California / USA (Tuesday, April 5, 2011) – Mick Fanning (AUS), 29, two-time ASP World Champion, clinched his last ASP No. 1 crown in Hawaii in 2009, when the title came down to a showdown between himself and close friend Joel Parkinson (AUS), 29, at the Billabong Pipe Masters. Fanning recently shared his thoughts on his 2010 North Shore season and SURFER Magazine has shared his thoughts. This… is their story…
To watch Fanning’s video log on to SURFER Magazine.
For additional information on Fanning log on to his full ASP WORLD TOUR PROFILE.
SURF - Top Seeds Impressive as Kiwis Drop Out at O’Neill Cold Water Classic
Adam Melling (AUS), 26, the top seed at the O'Neill Cold Water Classic, advanced into the Round of 12 today!
GISBORNE, New Zealand, (Saturday March 26, 2011) – The O’Neill Cold Water Classic Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 6-star event was ruled by the top seeds on day four. The event’s top seed, Adam Melling (AUS), was the first surfer to move through to Round of 12.
The event remained at ‘The Pipe’ on Midway Beach for the second consecutive day with a slight drop in swell but a cleaner line up with excellent peeling left and rights running in all directions along the beach.
Melling scorched several right-handers opting to keep away from his opponents who were predominantly surfing the lefts. He scored a 13.43 point heat total to win the heat and eliminate the last standing Kiwi, Maz Quinn.
“Mate, it is always hard coming up against the local guys, they always know where to sit and they usually get the bombs so I just sat beside Maz and picked a couple off” said Melling.
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“I love going right so I stayed away from the other guys towards the end. The lefts were good but they were sorta running down the beach away from the judges and the rights were fun so I stayed on them” added Melling.
With the southerly swell that everyone has enjoyed over the past few days dropping, a third location change could be on the cards as a new easterly swell develops – a change that Melling would be happy with.
“I wouldn’t mind going back to the other place, it is a little more flat here and we are staying out at Wainui Beach where I think it is more peaky and fun.”
Melling along with Jeronimo Vargas (BRA) eliminated local hope Maz Quinn who was philosophical about exiting the event.
SURF - Free Surfing Standout Ry Craike Added to ASP PRIME Telstra Drug Aware Pro Lineup
MARGARET RIVER, Western Australia (Thursday, March 24, 2011) - Surfing WA today announced that one of the most progressive modern day surfers, Ry Craike has been given the final wildcard entry into the Telstra Drug Aware Pro in Margaret River from April 3 to 10.
26 year old Craike, from Kalbarri in Western Australia, is widely known in the surfing world for his fast, electrifying, state-of-the-art surfing. His free surfing skills have become legendary through his part in surfing videos “Campaign 2”, “Stranger than Fiction” and the Quiksilver “Young Guns” series. His ability to get into the air is ranked right up there with the best surfers in the world, so much so that ten time World Champion Kelly Slater has labeled his forehand fin-throw as the best in the business.
“I don’t normally do too many contests, but I always try to get involved with the Margaret River Pro. It’s a great feeling being able to compete in my home state and having friends and family there for support makes it even better.
I have spent a bit of time down there so I guess I have a little local knowledge but it can definitely be a tricky wave sometimes. There is so much raw power in Margaret River and it makes for some pretty exciting surfs,” said Craike.
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Craike grew up surfing the isolated reefs off Kalbarri where his acrobatic approach to surfing developed. Having won the World Airshow Final in New Zealand when he was just 17 years of age, the Quiksilver sponsored Craike is expected to pull out some of his signature moves when he surfs at Surfer’s Point in April.
SURF - Wilko Rips Indo on Surfline.com
Matt Wilkinson (AUS), 22, ripping at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.
HUNTINGTON BEACH, California/USA (Monday, March 21, 2011) – Matt Wilkinson (AUS), 22, went absolutely ballistic at the 2011 ASP World Tour season opening Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, unloading massive backside airs and tail-out turns at Snapper to take a solid 5th place finish while putting on an amazing show for his fellow competitors and fans alike. Surfline.com has just posted a video of the crazy Australian tearing into some Indonesian perfection. This… is their story…
To watch the Matt Wilkinson video log on to Surfline.com
For more on Wilkinson view his full ASP WORLD TOUR PROFILE.