Quarterfinalists Decided for Quiksilver Pro New York in Pumping Long Beach
Josh Kerr has been launching some of the biggest airs of the Quiksilver Pro New York.
LONG BEACH, LONG ISLAND / New York (Thursday, September 8, 2011) – The world’s best surfers tore through a marathon day of competition with some incredible performances at the Quiksilver Pro New York to decide the event’s Quarterfinalists in pumping three-to-five foot (1.5 metre) surf compliments of Hurricane Katia.
Stop No. 6 of 11 on the ASP World Title Series, today’s Quiksilver Pro New York competition saw non-stop action, as the ASP Top 34 put it all on the line in Long Beach while chasing the ASP World Title, the historic US$1,000,000 prize purse and crucial points to secure their position amongst the elite prior to the midyear rotation following the event.
Josh Kerr (AUS), 27, clawed his way back in to his Round 4 heat after Kelly Slater (USA), 39, took a commanding lead with a 9.37 for a big frontside alley-oop. The progressive Australian answered with two airs of his own, first launching a massive backside varial to the tune of 9.57 and immediately caught another wave, this time lofting a gigantic alley-oop for a 9.70 to overtake the reigning 10-time ASP World Champion and advance directly through to the Quarterfinals.
“I can’t believe it just happened like that,” Kerr said. “I didn’t expect to make that varial and when I did I thought, ‘it’s time to go now.’ Then I got one straight after it. I couldn’t have planned it any better. The fans are really cool and it’s great to be in New York with everyone screaming, it’s great. I definitely gained confidence from that heat. I’ve never beaten Kelly (Slater) and I’m just so stoked right now.”
Owen Wright (AUS), 21, went on a rampage against former ASP World Champion C.J. Hobgood (USA), 32, in his Round 3 heat, tearing through the high-performance lefts and rights at Long Beach. The lanky goofy-footer posted the highest single-wave score of the event, 9.80 out of 10, when he unveiled a ferocious, inverted backside air-reverse to solidify the victory and went on to take out his Round 4 heat in commanding fashion to advance into the Quarterfinals.
“I just went out there and knew it would be a hard heat with C.J. (Hobgood) needing a result and me wanting a result,” Wright said. “I was excited to get out there to have a good heat. I put together a good one and C.J. just didn’t find his rhythm. I really enjoyed it and had a really good time.”
Hobgood, a fixture on the elite ASP Dream Tour for more than a decade, needed to defeat Wright in their Round 3 bout to remain on the ASP World Title Series for 2011, but was gracious in defeat regarding the tough loss.
“At the end of it, I don’t want to be known as the 2001 World Champion,” Hobgood said. “I want to be known as a guy that loved Jesus and loved everyone and had fun and that’s it. It’s not a sad day for me. The waves are pumping and Owen went mad in that heat. Everything happens for a reason and I’m enjoying the beautiful day here today. It’s just awesome to be a part of.”
Heitor Alves (BRA), 29, was also responsible for two big upsets today, taking down two-time ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS), 30, in Round 3 before eliminating current ASP World Title contender Joel Parkinson (AUS), 30, in Round 5.
“I can’t believe it,” Alves said. “I’m so tired right now after surfing three heats and happy too. I beat Joel Parkinson and Mick Fanning. Thanks to God for everything he has given me. I’m looking for my best result, maybe I’ll find it here.”
Kelly Slater (USA), 39, current leader on the ASP World Title Rankings, rebounded after his Round 4 loss and took a convincing victory over Jeremy Flores (FRA), 23, in Round 5 despite the tough onshore afternoon conditions and the veteran surfer admitted the importance of advancing into the Quarterfinals while hunting an ASP World Title.
“The conditions are tough,” Slater said. “It has changed a lot from my last heat and with the rips from east wind, it’s a lot trickier, especially on the lefts. I was trying to find peaky mid-sized rights and wasn’t sure where to sit. Obviously you want to make at least Quarterfinals when you’re in position for a World Title. Maybe Owen (Wright) and Joel (Parkinson) are facing the pressure for that as well.”
Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow at 6:30am to assess conditions for a possible 7:30am start.
Highlights from the Quiksilver Pro New York will be available via http://www.quiksilverpro.com
Surfline, official forecasters for the Quiksilver Pro New York, are calling for Solid SE swell from Hurricane Katia expected during the second half of the week before fading headed into the weekend.
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
UPCOMING QUIKSILVER PRO NEW YORK QUARTERFINALS MATCH-UPS:
QF 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)
QF2: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)
QF 3: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Heitor Alves (BRA)
QF 4: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Julian Wilson (AUS)
QUIKSILVER PRO NEW YORK ROUND 5 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Jadson Andre (BRA) 13.60 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.93
Heat 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 14.60 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 6.67
Heat 3: Heitor Alves (BRA) 13.57 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.00
Heat 4: Julian Wilson AUS) 13.97 def. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 13.27
QUIKSILVER PRO NEW YORK ROUND 4 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.93, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.77, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 11.37
Heat 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) 19.27, Kelly Slater (USA) 16.20, Jadson Andre (BRA) 12.50
Heat 3: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 12.10, Heitor Alves (BRA) 8.64, Fred Patacchia (HAW) 7.13
Heat 4: Owen Wright (AUS) 16.37, Julian Wilson (AUS) 12.00, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 10.30
QUIKSILVER PRO NEW YORK ROUND 3 RESULTS:
Heat 5: Josh Kerr (AUS) 13.33 def. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 10.83
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Bobby Martinez (USA) *Was not surfed. Martinez disqualified from competition.
Heat 7: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 14.14 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 14.07
Heat 8: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.37 def. Kieren Perrow (AUS) 8.33
Heat 9: Heitor Alves (BRA) 16.43 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 9.67
Heat 10: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.80 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 9.14
Heat 11: Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.03 def. Brett Simpson (USA) 12.57
Heat 12: Owen Wright (AUS) 18.67 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 11.77
Comments
Category: All ASP News, ASP World Tour News
Watching the surfing live from the internet sometimes doesn’t do the wave justice, the air that Kelly pulled against Taj as an example, when watched from the side view it was clear just how high he was, however from the front view it seems its a feat that may not rate so high.. Again though, from the side you can see just how far he is off the top of the wave and from ground (sea) level, extraordinary just to get that high, to complete a 360 rotation and grab on top of that was quite good. No arguments on the scoring. To get different camera angles for the viewers and judges would be a bonus, however it does add complications for the camera team as can get difficult to be in the right place and to film in surf that intense.
It´s great the world tour has shifted some events to less than perfect spots, yet at the same time accessible locations, like New York. These wave conditions are what most of us are used to. They are a real challenge for the competing surfers to show what to make out of average surf. Surfing at perfect Lowers is great to watch, but to master an inconsistent beach break is another thing.
Steve, I enjoy watching guys do airs (especially different types of airs) & I also enjoy watching the power surfers. But in sloppy beach break conditions I think that guys need to know how to boost & stick big airs. So, your comment about “air maneuvers shouldn’t score higher than power surfing” is a comment that has nothing to do with any of these heats that took place in New York. I didn’t see any “power maneuvers” that should have scored higher (or that wee underscored)then any of the high scored airs. Especially in sloppy beach breaks who really wants to watch guys do three powerful cutbacks in a row rather than see a guy boost a huge air (and maybe throw in a big power snap if possible). And the reason that guys fall off a lot are because the degree of difficulty is much higher for most of the airs. Power surfing takes a life time plus many years to master but one would never be a complete surfer without the airs. So, its an argument that has been going on for ever. Air versus power surfing. The answer is you need BOTH to be a title threat these days. That’s why Kelly is so good, because he mixes the two perfectly. As does Parko, Taj, Andy (RIP), Owen, Dane, Jordy, etc.
air maneuver surfing scores should not be higher than power surfing scores. for example a two maneuver wave with one air should not out score a long multi turn power surfed wave score. scoring is out of wack and air moves dominated heats get boring when the guys fall off a lot
go slater