Garcia gets stop scores at Billabong Pro...

Kelly Slater defending event champion : photo ASPWorldtour/Tostee

Billabong Pro

ASP Foster´s Men’s World Championship Tour (WCT)
Teahupoo, Tahiti
6 - 18 May 2004

Garcia Overcomes Pain For Top Scores

Surfersvillage Global Surf News; Thursday, May 13, 2004 (Teahupoo, Tahiti) Hawaiian Sunny Garcia overcame pain and injury to post the highest scores in the Billabong Pro at Teahupoo today. Competition resumed with remaining round one heats this morning, before half of the second ‘losers’ round was also decided in the US$260,000 World Championship Tournament (WCT).

Perfect 5-6 ft (1.5-2m) waves were on offer at Teahupoo. Winds increased throughout the day, but did little to affect the epic barrels rides entertaining the flotilla of boats and spectators watching live, or the tens of thousands online at www.billabongpro.com.

Garcia, the 2000 ASP world champion, proved the day’s standout with the highest combined tally of 18.2 points from a possible 20. Despite missing most of last season due to major reconstructive knee surgery, and then being forced to withdraw during his comeback event at Bells Beach, Australia in April - on account of severe migraine headaches, the 18-year veteran showed no signs of weakness at Teahupoo today. After earning two nine plus scores, the 34-year-old delegated long time sparring partner Luke Egan (AUS), as well as Damien Hobgood (USA) to the second round with a commanding performance.

Andy Irons : photo ASPWorldtour/Chang

“I’m just stoked to be back, surfing in events I think I belong in,” began Garcia. “I’m happy I didn’t have a headache like at Bells, as I was worried before my heat. Luke’s definitely a hard guy to beat, as is Damien Hobgood - especially here at Teahupoo.

“Last year was really hard sitting at home, as I was so bummed not being able to compete,” he added. “Now I weigh 100 kilos instead of 80 something, so hopefully through the year I can lose some weight and get back to giving the boys a good run for their money. My knee and head are still problems, but I’ve been competing my whole life in pain with injuries, so it’s not really anything different.”

Reigning two-time world champion and 2002 Billabong Pro winner Andy Irons (Kauai, HAW) again showed his uncanny confidence and ability at Teahupoo. The Kauaian opened against local Tahitian Heimata Carroll and Australia’s Nathan Hedge with a near-perfect 9.93 score, and combined with another 6-point ride convincingly advanced. His flawless backhand barrel was deemed best of round one, and therefore earned US$2,000 bonus for the Foster’s Expression Session award.

Heimata Carroll : photo ASPWorldtour/Chang

“That heat went good for me and my first wave lined up all the way across the reef, probably the best barrel of my trip so far,” said Irons. “I think it was a really smart decision to wait for today, as it looks like we’ll have great waves to finish over the weekend.

“I’m stoked for him, as he had two 33rd’s this year,” added the world champ, of younger brother Bruce’s win yesterday. “At home he’s been telling everyone he’s got four thirds, but I’ve been like, ‘no’. Last night he acted like he’d won the whole contest after making one heat, so hopefully he doesn’t go overboard too much, as there’s a long way to go. He’s got the monkey off his back now, so hopefully he’ll get some momentum going.”

Carroll, winner of the Trials 10-days ago, was actually late for their opening main event heat, but made amends this afternoon by eliminating world #8 Michael Lowe (Windang, AUS). The Tahitian suffered car problems en-route to Teahupoo this morning, but against Lowe, drove through a number of barrels superbly and created the first major upset of the tournament. He’ll now face Andy in a highlight anticipated third round rematch.

Kieren Perrow : photo ASPWorldtour/Chang

“I’m super happy,” said Carroll. “After winning the Trials it’s a good thing to win another heat. I don’t really have any sponsors at the moment, so I need this result. It’s great to surf against Andy, as that’s what we want. Try and beat the best surfers, even though he’s a good friend.”

Six-time world champion and defending two-time Teahupoo winner Kelly Slater (FL, USA) opened his 2004 event campaign on track. Against local Tahitian wildcard Hira Teriinatoofa and Australian Mick Campbell, the lead swung throughout, but the Floridian eventually locked in an 8.0 barrel ride to seal his spot in round three.

“We were having a tough time heat at the beginning, pushing each other deep,” said Slater. “It was all about tactics, and Hira got a couple of small ones for an early lead. There weren’t a lot of waves, but I eventually got a good one. I love coming to Tahiti and surfing Teahupoo.”

Richie Lovett : photo ASPWorldtour/Chang

Hira later created the second major upset, accounting for good friend and houseguest Jake Paterson (West AUS) in round two. The Tahitian actually turned 25 today, so with the big win came added reason to celebrate. He’ll next challenge another West Australian in world #3 Taj Burrow.

“I think that was harder than my first heat, as I have a good relationship with Jake and he’s one of my best friends,” said Teriinatoofa. “It was a good present, as I turned 25 today. After the heat I had a big hug with Jake, and that made me happy. I just signed with Billabong too, so I hope they’re happy with me (laughs).”

WCT replacement Troy Brooks (AUS) surfed two awesome rides, posting a 9.53, and collected an 18.03 total. Against Brazilians Marcelo Nunes and Paulo Moura, the Australian negotiated his way out of some deep tubes to win the exciting clash. All three competitors picked off good waves, but Brooks – during what was his first ever heat at Teahupoo - distinguished himself with the larger, more intense set waves and even collected a bonus US$1,000 for a Foster’s overall ride award.

Dean Morrison : photo ASPWorldtour/Chang

“I was lucky enough to get the wave I wanted,” reasoned Brooks. “This is the first time I’ve ever been here, and the waves prior to today haven’t been very good. I couldn’t wait to get some out there. I’m not sure how long I’m going to be on the WCT (as a replacement), so I’ve got to make the most out of each one. Thankfully I won my first heat, and I’d love to get some more.”

Tahitian wildcard Alain Riou kicked off the day with a huge win over world #6 Kieren Perrow and Taylor Knox (CA, USA). After placing equal third in the Trials and narrowly missing out on a spot in the Billabong Pro main event, Riou replaced good friend and world #2 Joel Parkinson (Gold Coast, AUS) following the Australian’s decision to return home and be with his fiancée prior to the impending birth of their first child. Wasting no time, the goofy footer locked in a 9-point ride at the outset of this morning’s heat.

“My first wave didn’t look too good, but I ended up making a long barrel and a nine,” said Riou. “I was so stoked to get into the event. ‘Parko’ was actually staying at my home with me, and I could hear him talking to his girlfriend all night and knew he didn’t want to be here. He really missed her and was stoked to go back, and so was I (laughs). I really wasn’t expecting to get in the event, so it’s great.”

Michael Lowe : photo ASPWorldtour/Chang

Californian Taylor Knox was another standout today, posting an 8.5 and then a near-perfect 9.7 in round two – equaling Garcia’s earlier tally of 18.2-points. The world #7 was in awesome form, eliminating WCT replacement Shane Powell (Avoca, AUS) from competition.

One of the day’s best clashes came near the end, when world #4 Mick Fanning (Gold Coast) eliminated Trials runner-up and fellow Australian Shaun Cansdell (Mullaway, NSW). Both posted huge scores, but it was Fanning’s 9.5 which made the difference.

The Billabong Pro Teahupoo is staged with the support of The Tahitian Surfing Federation, Air New Zealand, Von Zipper, Bose and The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP).

Shaun Cansdell : photo ASPWorldtour/Chang

Live during competition hours on www.billabongpro.com.

Remaining Billabong Pro Teahupoo Round One
Heats (1st>Rnd3; 2nd, 3rd>Rnd2)
H6: Alain Riou (PYF) 15.33; Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.5; Taylor Knox (USA) 11.74
H7: Richard Lovett (AUS) 14.14; Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 13.53; Michael Lowe (AUS) 13.16
H8: Andy Irons (HAW) 15.93; Nathan Hedge (AUS) 3.17; Heimata Carroll (PYF) 13.34
H9: Taj Burrow (AUS) 10.17; Shane Powell (AUS) 9.37; Neco Padaratz (BRA) 8.67
H10: Kelly Slater (USA) 14.17; Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF) 11.5; Michael Campbell (AUS) 10.17
H11: Trent Munro (AUS) 14.5; Dean Morrison (AUS) 13.77; Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 9.0
H12: Troy Brooks (AUS) 18.03; Marcelo Nunes (BRA) 16.5; Paulo Moura (BRA) 12.56
H13: Phillip MacDonald (AUS) 16.33; Daniel Wills (AUS) 14.4; Eric Rebiere (FRA) 11.0
H14: Sunny Garcia (HAW) 18.27; Luke Egan (AUS) 14.23; Damien Hobgood (USA) 13.0
H15: Kalani Robb (HAW) 14.67; Cory Lopez (USA) 7.8; Tom Whitaker (AUS) 7.16
H16: Pat O´Connell (USA) 11.0; Beau Emerton (AUS) 10.34; Nathan Webster (AUS) 2.97

Round Two
(1st>Rnd3; 2nd=33rd receives US$3,400)
H1: Heimata Carroll (PYF) 14.4 def. Michael Lowe (AUS) 9.84
H2: Taylor Knox (USA) 18.2 def. Shane Powell (AUS) 15.0
H3: Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF) 14.74 def. Jake Paterson (AUS) 14.1
H4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 17.67 def. Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 16.4
H5: Greg Emslie (ZAF) 15.4 def. Victor Ribas (BRA) 13.0
H6: Dean Morrison (AUS) 17.23 def. Luke Hitchings (AUS) 16.17
H7: Paulo Moura (BRA) 11.33 def. Armando Daltro (BRA) 1.0
H8: Danny Wills (AUS) 10.67 def. Eric Rebiere (FRA) 10.0