Draw Finalized for Billabong Pro Tahiti, Reynolds Out, Lopez In – Swell Models Looking Solid
TEAHUPOO, Taiarapu/French Polynesia (Monday, August 15, 2011) – With the completion of the Air Tahiti VonZipper Trials yesterday, the final two wildcard positions for the Billabong Pro Tahiti presented by Air Tahiti Nui were decided with Brazilian Ricardo Dos Santos (Guarda Do Embau, BRA) and local Heiarri Williams (PYF) finishing first and second in clean conditions at Teahupoo.
Dane Reynolds (USA), 25, has withdrawn from competition and will be replaced by Cory Lopez (USA), 34, at the Billabong Pro Tahiti. No reason has been provided as of yet for Reynolds’ withdrawal.
Lopez will take on Adrian Buchan (AUS), 28, and Chris Davidson (AUS), 34, in the opening heat of competition.
Surfline, official forecasters for the Billabong Pro Tahiti, are calling for favorable storm track in the Southwest Pacific will likely set up fairly solid surf for most of the first week of the contest waiting period, with a good chance for overhead to well overhead waves on the larger days. Conditions also look favorable, at this point, for at least the first few days of the waiting period.
Any media looking to register to attend the Billabong Pro Tahiti or those who do not already receive event updates should apply here http://billabongpro.com/bbpro/tahiti_media_registration
The Billabong Pro Tahiti presented by Air Tahiti Nui will be webcast LIVE via http://www.billabongpro.com
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Adrian Buchan (AUS), Chris Davidson (AUS), Cory Lopez (USA)
Heat 2: Taj Burrow (AUS), Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 3: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Jadson Andre (BRA), Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS), Tiago Pires (PRT), Bobby Martinez (USA)
Heat 5: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Raoni Monteiro (BRA), Ricardo dos Santos (BRA)
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA), Daniel Ross (AUS), Heiarii Williams (PYF)
Heat 7: Owen Wright (AUS), Heitor Alves (BRA), Kai Otton (AUS)
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS), C.J. Hobgood (USA), Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 9: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Alejo Muniz (BRA), Taylor Knox (USA)
Heat 10: Damien Hobgood (USA), Patrick Gudauskas (USA), Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 11: Michel Bourez (PYF), Kieren Perrow (AUS), Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 12: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Julian Wilson (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS)
Comments
Category: All ASP News, ASP Editorial News, ASP World Tour News
lay off lopey soon to be legend get some
Reynolds not going?
Forecast looks solid?
I see…….
really strange to see heiarii williams king of teahupoo for the third times against kelly slater, to think that everything is planned… really weird, anyway go heiarii you the real man of teahupoo
Sorry to see Dane not competing it’d be nice to see him surf with the boys. I did see him surfing at the U.S. Open and he was kill’n it! Raw unflinching madness! Doing maneuvers 80-90% of us only dream about. The industry has chewed up it’s fair share of surf talent, so I don’t see a problem with the talent taking a break. They’rll always be more meat and money to put in the grinder, so what’s the rush? Stay healthy and stay stoked Dane! Hey and thanks for gett’n Corey in the mix, good to see another FL boy getting a chance to throw his hat in the ring! Good luck to you both!
Douche, You are pathetic. Too gutless to use your real name and your comments don’t even make sense. I’m surprised the ASP published your mini-rave.
I’d love to see Cory win, after Slater of course. All those guys passionately want to be at any WCT event….even the heaviest.
Let the young guys fight their way into the contest like everyone else.
Gotta love the heat 12 Draw!!! 3 young guns going hard at each other. My pick will be either Owen Wrights Maiden WCT or Julian Wilson as a dark horse, this guy loves serious meaty surf so beware or Mick fanning he’s been workin hard over the last few years at this place. You also cant count out Kelly! he is a deadly bald man in the south pacific and has more than proven that over the years.
Douche – quite appropriate – how many guys do you think are on the tour that “dont want to be” – Kelly? should he step aside so a little trickster can be there?? F**k them – let them skateboard….
I will back Michel Bourez. Didnt know much about him before J bay , but boy this guy rips and he is just power.
CMON GET YOUR ISLAND ON MICHEL.
BRING OCCY BACK IF LOPEZ IS THERE.
I reckon Dane saw the charts and what is coming (chicken!@#$). As for Corey what the @#!*&^ is he doing on the elite tour as a replacement. Bet he can still kick ass at Chopes.
Cory Lopez here to win it 10 years later. If you don’t want to be on tour, get the F off already. Make room for the next generation,