International Upstarts Have Strong Showing at Quiksilver Surf Open Acapulco
Playa Revolcadero offered clean early morning barrels again on day two of competition.
PLAYA REVOLCADERO, Acapulco/Mexico (Wednesday, July 18, 2012) – The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 4-Star Quiksilver Surf Open Acapulco returned to the Mexican beachbreak of Playa Revolcadero to complete Round 2 of competition in clean two-to-four (1 metre) surf.
The fourth of six event’s on the men’s ASP North America schedule, the Quiksilver Surf Open Acapulco has seen the emergence of new talent from across the globe in the opening rounds of competition and the opening day’s standouts will tackle the top seeds in Round 3 tomorrow.
Evan Thompson (Jacksonville, FL) built momentum in his debut heat and capped off the 25-minute bout with the day’s highest single-wave score of 8.17 out of 10. The East Coaster drove through a racy barrel and finished off the ride with two power-turns to complete his dominant heat victory.
“I figured it was kind of slow and there are a lot of close outs, so my game plan was to just catch waves that weren’t closing out and do as many turns as I could,” Thompson said. “Finally I got lucky with that little barrel and I figured if I could make that it’d be a pretty good score.”
Thompson, who finished equal 5th at the Copa Quiksilver El Salvador, is carrying the confidence from his previous performance and hopes to post another strong result in Mexico.
“I’m stoked on El Salvador and stoked to be down here in Mexico,” Thompson said. “The waves are fun and I just want to make as many heats as I can and earn points and money.”
Enrique Ariitu (PYF) was one international upstart to turn heads today. The Tahitian took to the air, launching a massive frontside air reverse for an 8-point score to accompany his previous ride of a 6.67, securing the highest heat-total of the day, 14.67 out of 20.
“It’s all you could to on the waves out there, to do airs,” Ariitu said. “It worked for me in that heat. It’s my first time to Mexico and I’m trying to do some comps and get some results.”
Blas Bacardo (San Blas, MEX) led the Latino charge today and found two right barrels to take top honors in a tough Round of 96 heat. Bacardo, who began his Quiksilver Surf Open Acapulco campaign in Round 1, was relieved to make another heat and hopes the crucial points gained in Mexico will help launch his international campaign.
“I stayed relaxed and patient out there and found those two barrels,” Bacardo said. “I’m really happy to make it to the next round and hopefully I can keep going.”
Event organizers intend to run the opening heats of Round 3 tomorrow at the Quiksilver Surf Open Acapulco.
QUIKSILVER SURF OPEN ACAPULCO ROUND OF 96 RESULTS:
Heat 5: Brett Barley (USA) 10.10, Dylan Southworth (MEX) 8.13, Sasha Donnanno (MEX) 7.93, Jose Jimenez (MEX) 4.80
Heat 6: Michael Velasco (USA) 9.23, Adrian Rodriguez (MEX) 5.80, Giovani Benitez (VEN) 5.63, Schuyler Allen (HAW) 5.33
Heat 7: Evan Thompson (USA) 14.10, Nic Hdez (USA) 8.17, David Rutherford (MEX) 5.87, Kalani David (HAW) 5.30
Heat 8: Blas Bacardo (MEX) 14.84, Diego Cadena (MEX) 11.20, Kaimana Jaquias (HAW) 6.87, Julio Nurse (VEN) 2.57
Heat 9: Morgan Faulkner (HAW) 7.17, Landon McNamara (HAW) 6.37, Alvaro Malpartida (PER) 4.90, Colin Saunders (VEN) 3.33
Heat 10: Rafael Pereira (VEN) 9.00, Jean Schaffer (VEN) 8.80, Adam Goldstone (USA) 6.70, Quetzal Estrada (MEX) 6.04
Heat 11: Nathan Carvalho (HAW) 10.17, Colt Ward (USA) 9.50, Keto Burns (USA) 7.17, Adan Hernandez (MEX) 5.16
Heat 12: Fisher Heverly (USA) 13.00, Alan Saulo (BRA) 9.17, Aldahir Cruz (MEX) 5.17, Anthony Abarca Fillingim (CRI) 4.62
Heat 13: Enrique Aritu (PYF) 14.67, Hunter Lysaught (USA) 7.56, Danny Bishko (CRI) 6.20, Roberto Olguin (MEX) 4.40
Heat 14: Travis Southworth (MEX) 8.20, Cesar Petroni (MEX) 6.80, Julio Quinones Camacho (MEX) 6.40, Victor Coppolone (VEN )5.90
Heat 15: Ricky Whitlock (USA) 6.90, Sebastian Correa (PER) 5.57, Alex Kamkoff (USA) 5.16, Abel Estopin (MEX) 4.50
Heat 16: Chris Tucker (USA) 9.90, Marcelo Rodriguez (ARG) 8.03, MAkana Eleogram (HAW) 7.56, Tazaui Poo (MEX) 5.07
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