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Competition Scheduled To Start Again Thursday Morning (Wed, 1 Oct 2008 Posted at 09:30:00 AM)
MUNDAKA, Basque Country/Spain (Wednesday, September 1, 2008) – Surfing sensation KELLY SLATER (USA) is just one heat away from his ninth ASP world title after advancing directly into round three of the Billabong Pro Mundaka today.
The Floridian posted a 9.00 and a 7.33 to win his Round 1 heat at the back-up venue for the ASP men's world tour event of Sopelana today.
In messy, one metre waves the 36 year-old posted a heat total of 16.33 (out of a possible 20), the second highest of the day and easily trumped Taylor Knox (USA) and replacement surfer Reubyn Ash's (GBR) single digit scores.
There is only once scenario that stands in the way of Slater clinching in Spain – him failing to advance from Round 3 and World No. 2 Taj Burrow (AUS) subsequently winning the event. While Slater seems squarely focused on the next heat, Burrow has his eyes on the Billabong Pro Mundaka title.
The West Australian shredding his way into round three with the days highest heat score of 16.34 (out of a possible 20).
World no.5 JOEL PARKINSON (AUS) opened his 2008 Billabong Pro Mundaka campaign with two high scoring rides to never be in doubt of a round three berth. The stylish natural footer quickly locked in an 8.10 and 7.50 wave scores to defeat TIM REYES (USA) and local wildcard HODEI COLLARZO (EUK).
Two-time defending Billabong Pro Mundaka champion BOBBY MARTINEZ (USA) is also hoping to strengthen his position in the Top 10 and go for his third consecutive Mundaka crown. He beat BEN DUNN (AUS) and wildcard MARK OCCHILUPO (AUS) in Round 1 today.
Replacement surfers ENEKO ACERO (EUK) and NIC MUSCROFT (Torquay, AUS) advanced from their Round 1 heats today with big wins.
Local Basque surfer ACERO (Bilbao, EUK) ) defeated two of the sports biggest names with his victory over world no.4 ADRIANO de SOUZA (BRZ) and high profile rookie JORDY SMITH (ZAF) to advance directly into round three. The 31 year-old finished nearly two points ahead of runner-up of his nearest opponent with a heat total of 13.17 (out of a possible 20).
MUSCROFT who is the first ASP replacement surfer after narrowly missing full-time ASP World Tour qualification last year, has competed in six events this year. His solid heat win today is his first on the ASP World Tour.
Big wave charger and Billabong Pro Mundaka wildcard MANOA DROLLET (PYF) was at a disadvantage in the small wave conditions on offer early in the day. The Tahitian placed third behind ROY POWERS (HAW) and C.J. HOBGOOD (USA) to be relegated into the sudden death round two heats.
French surfer JEREMY FLORES will contest a sudden death round two heat after finishing second to MICK CAMPBELL (Port Macquarie, NSW, AUS) in the tricky conditions on offer for their round one heat
Brazil's HEITOR ALVES was impressive in the opening heat of the Billabong Pro Mundaka defeating Basque surfer ARITZ ARANBURU (EUK) and KAI OTTON (AUS) to secure a round three berth.
Organisers are confident of staging round two of the Billabong Pro Mundaka at the main contest site of Mundaka with a building swell off the Basque Coast of Spain
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