Jordy Smith into the Semifinals of the ASP 5-Star Mr Price Pro
Will Jordy Smith take out the ASP 5-Star Mr Price Pro?
BALLITO, KwaDukuza/South Africa (Friday, July 9, 2010) - ASP World No. 2 Jordy Smith (Dbn) booked his ticket into the Semifinals of the ASP 5-Star Mr Price Pro Ballito today, defeating Warwick Wright (Dbn), before the competition was called off due to deteriorating conditions caused by the North Easterly wind.
Taking control of the heat from the outset, Smith threw down a pair of 6.00 and 7.17 scores (both out of ten), extending his lead with another 7.00 ride for some electric front side carves, obliterating the wind affected waves to the satisfaction of his home crowd.
“I’m super stoked to be one step closer to the final,” Smith said. “Everything is going according to plan and I was lucky to find some good waves out there today.”
Completing two faultless performances, including posting an excellent 8.13 (out of ten) to eliminate Daniel Redman (Umloti) during the round of 16, Smith’s foolproof strategy could see him lift the 2010 trophy at the weekend.
“I have a good heat structure where I spend the first ten minutes getting my wave count up and see how many waves I can catch and then straight after that I sit and wait for the good ones and it seems to be working,” Smith said.
Although disappointed to finish equal fifth, Wright was able to find solace in the fact that he’d eliminated the last standing international competitor in the event, World No. 13 Chris Davidson (AUS) (during the round of 16). Wright’s performance today ensuring a South Africa would be crowned the 2010 Mr Price Pro Ballito Champion.
“I’m obviously disappointed not to go all the way but I’m putting on an event in Cape Town tonight and needed to get back this evening,” Wright said. “I’m happy with a fifth and it makes it just that little bit sweeter that I was able to take down ‘Davo’ (Chris Davidson. He is dangerous in small right-handers and I knew it would take my getting the best waves to beat him.”
2009 ASP Africa Champion Royden Bryson (EL) took an emotional victory over fellow teammate and friend 2008 ASP Africa Champion David Weare (Dbn). The pint-sized surfer generating plenty of speed for some beautiful off the bottom, off the top combinations. Bryson snatched his victory over Weare in the dying minutes of their exchange with a massive crack under the lip and critical air floater which earned him near perfect 9.00 ride.
“It could of gone either way at that stage of the heat because there was just one wave separating Dave and myself,” Bryson said. “Dave and I have spent a good few years travelling together so it’s difficult to go up against one another but you have to put that aside. When you’re out there its business and that’s the way we played it.”
2008 ASP Africa Pro Junior Champion Klee Strachan (Scott) caused a big upset when he defeated 2006 Mr Price Pro Champion Ricky Basnett (Bluff) today. Although not a high scoring heat, Strachan was able to dislodge his opponent off a pair of 4-point rides.
Also advancing into the Quarterfinals today were Brendon Gibbens (CT) who narrowly edged out Rudy Palmboom (Bluff), while Travis Logie (Dbn) was able to dispose of Shane Thorne (Dbn).
Casey Grant (Scottburgh) found himself surfing a solo heat when his opponent Frankie Obherholzer (Scott) had to be hospitalised due to a severe case of food poisoning, Grant walking into a Semi final berth.
Conditions willing, the competition will continue tomorrow with the remainder of the quarter final heats. The first heat of the day will see Damien Fahrenfort (CT) up against Royden Bryson (EL) followed by Casey Grant (Scott) who meets Travis Logie (Dbn). Last but not least Klee Strachan (Scott) will take on Brendon Gibbens (CT).
The next call will be made at 07H00 on Saturday July 10. Organisers will assess conditions to decide whether to run all the way through to the finals or hold it off until Sunday.
Tune in to East Coast Radio for live updates on the Mr Price Pro each day and if you can’t make it down to the beach you can watch all the action live on the web at www.mrpricepro.com
Mr Price Pro Round of 16 Results:
Heat 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.83 def Daniel Redman (ZAF) 7.83
Heat 2: Warwick Wright (ZAF) 13.00 def Chris Davidson (AUS) 10.50
Heat 3: Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF) 9.00 def Simon Fish (ZAF) 7.00
Heat 4: Royden Bryson (ZAF) 14.33 def David Weare (ZAF) 10.67
Heat 5: Travis Logie (ZAF) 12.00 def Shane Thorne (ZAF) 9.50
Heat 6: Casey Grant (ZAF) 14.83 def Frankie Obherholzer (ZAF) 0.00
Heat 7: Brendon Gibbens (ZAF) 10.84 def Rudy Palmboom (ZAF) 9.80
Heat 8: Klee Strachan (ZAF) 9.30 def Ricky Basnett (ZAF) 8.27
Mr. Price Pro Quarterfinals Results
QF 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.27 def Warwick Wright (ZAF) 10.16
Mr Price Pro Remaining Quarterfinal Match-Ups:
QF 2: Royden Bryson (ZAF) def Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF)
QF 3: Travis Logie (ZAF) def Casey Grant (ZAF)
QF 4: Brendon Gibbens (ZAF) def Klee Strachan (ZAF)
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