{"id":16902,"date":"2010-07-15T09:41:37","date_gmt":"2010-07-15T16:41:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/?p=16902"},"modified":"2010-07-16T08:10:45","modified_gmt":"2010-07-16T15:10:45","slug":"j-bay-flares-up-for-billabong-pro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/?p=16902","title":{"rendered":"J-Bay Flares Up For Billabong Pro"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Mfbbgjb10Big\"<\/a>
\nMick Fanning fins out at the Bay.<\/p>\n

For those who got in early and stayed up late the Billabong Pro J-Bay<\/a><\/strong> delivered some of the most amazing contest surf of the season. Perfect four-to-six footers reeled off the point letting the ASP World Tour’s finest get their contest legs back after a nearly three months break. Our favorite heat was seeing Andy Irons<\/strong> back in unshakable form.<\/p>\n

Andy Irons (HAW), 31, former three-time ASP World Champion and past winner of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay (2004), returned from his 2009 sabbatical with a vengeance today, seamlessly threading the barrel and mixing it up with his signature forehand blasts to advance to Round 3 past Jay Thompson (AUS), 27, and Jadson Andre (BRA), 20. . . \u201cJ-Bay is a special place for me,\u201d Irons said. \u201cI\u2019ve had some of the best results of my career here and I\u2019ve also had some of the hardest losses. To come back here after taking last year off and to get such amazing surf for Day 1 is a great feeling.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Internet users who tried to turn in later in the day (early morning PST time) were greeted by web trouble from the Billabong Pro site. The scores were rolling, but the video dropped completely. In a tweet<\/a><\/strong> Billabong said they were working on it: “Apologies for website disruptions. Fixing now.”<\/p>\n

We’re guessing the return of the tour and the epic waves had most of the surf world tuning in and that can cause problems with an Internet feed. Let’s hope they get it all sorted out before day two begins at 11 PM PST tonight.<\/p>\n

For the official word from the ASP (and Round 1 results) follow the jump.
\nJEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Thursday, July 15, 2010) \u2013 The 2010 ASP World Tour returned with a vengeance today, bearing witness to Day 1 of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay and the greatest assemblage of surfing talent in history tearing into excellent four-to-six foot (2 metre) waves at the iconic pointbreak.<\/p>\n

With clear skies, idyllic surf and the world\u2019s greatest surfers on hand, Round 1 of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay saw the 2010 ASP World Title Race reignited with the top seeds putting in sensational performances.<\/p>\n

Mick Fanning (AUS), 29, reigning ASP World Champion and two-time past winner of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay (2002, 2006), kick-started his 2010 campaign in fine form today, lacerating the pristine walls of Jeffreys Bay with the highest heat total of the event, a 16.70 out of a possible 20, to advance through to Round 3.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe conditions changed a bit in our heat and we were slightly out of sorts,\u201d Fanning said. \u201cWe were all hunting for the barrel because a lot of the previous heats had them, but they didn\u2019t pan out for us. After I readjusted to the conditions, I was really focusing on my turns and if a barrel presented itself, I would go from there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Currently ranked No. 4 in the hunt for the 2010 ASP World Title, Fanning is confident in his ability at Jeffreys Bay and looks to ignite a similar form that saw him steam to world No. 1 in 2009.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year, you have to take every heat seriously,\u201d Fanning said. \u201cThere are so many threats and even the rookies can do damage. I feel like I\u2019ve been surfing well all year and I\u2019m just focusing on every heat, and hopefully that takes me to a solid result.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jordy Smith (ZAF), 22, current ASP World No. 2, showed the world just why he is the most dangerous man in South Africa, comboing opponents Tom Whitaker (AUS), 30, and Joan Duru (FRA), 21, with a 16.37 out of a possible 20 for an effortless display of forehand power gouges and beautiful tube-riding.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the only kind of pressure that exists is that which I put on myself,\u201d Smith said. \u201cWinning last week in Durban was a great feeling, but this is where I love to be and getting to surf firing Jeffreys with only two other guys out is an incredible experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Representing South Africa alongside fellow ASP World Tour campaigner Travis Logie (ZAF), 31, Smith enjoyed the full support of the locals today, who broke out their Vuvuzelas to cheer on their countrymen.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing No. 2 in the world and in South Africa is an interesting feeling,\u201d Smith said. \u201cObviously I want to get a good result and make my country proud, but all that really isn\u2019t on my mind when I\u2019m out there and Jeffreys is firing. All you can think about it surfing your best. Hopefully I can continue the momentum throughout the next few days.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kelly Slater (USA), 38, former nine-time ASP World Champion and current ASP World No. 1, nearly missed his opening round heat today, suffering a bevy of travel delays only to arrive this morning. Despite the delay, the iconic natural-footer proceeded to put on a Jeffreys Bay clinic, hunting barrel after barrel, blasting off the top and executing carving 360s.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything that could have gone wrong on my trip over here did,\u201d Slater said. \u201cMy flight got delayed on the East Coast because of storms, and then there were mechanical failures and more delays. I had to overnight in Johannesburg and then my bags didn\u2019t show up. I think it took me 40 hours door-to-door and I only arrived this morning. That said, sometimes all that happens for a reason and I ended up having a fun surf there and getting through Round 1.\u201d<\/p>\n

Currently sitting in the No. 1 spot in the hunt for an unprecedented 10th ASP World Title, Slater is firmly in the driver\u2019s seat and looking for another solid result at the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re all important events to get results at but you definitely know when you need to strike,\u201d Slater said. \u201cIt\u2019s approaching the middle part of the year and you definitely don\u2019t want to be picking up any throwaways. You want keepers from here on out and Jeffreys has historically been a venue where I can perform.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the ASP World Title Race took center stage today, coming a close second was the dramatic battle to survive the mid-year cut-off from the ASP Top 45 to 32.<\/p>\n

Andy Irons (HAW), 31, former three-time ASP World Champion and past winner of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay (2004), returned from his 2009 sabbatical with a vengeance today, seamlessly threading the barrel and mixing it up with his signature forehand blasts to advance to Round 3 past Jay Thompson (AUS), 27, and Jadson Andre (BRA), 20.<\/p>\n

\u201cJ-Bay is a special place for me,\u201d Irons said. \u201cI\u2019ve had some of the best results of my career here and I\u2019ve also had some of the hardest losses. To come back here after taking last year off and to get such amazing surf for Day 1 is a great feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n

Currently rated No. 23 on the ASP World Title Race rankings, Irons will be looking for a good result in Jeffreys Bay and Tahiti to survive the mid-year field reduction from the ASP Top 45 to the Top 32.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo happy to get through Round 1 here,\u201d Irons said. \u201cAt the last event in Brazil, I came there rated 13th, got a 33rd and dropped down to 23rd so this is an important event for me. No one is immune from that mid-year cutoff and yeah, it can be stressful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nate Yeomans (USA), 28, 2010 ASP World Tour rookie and current ASP World No. 41, secured his first elite tour victory this morning, powerfully dispatching of Bede Durbidge (AUS), 27, and Luke Stedman (AUS), 34, with an impressive 15.83 out of a possible 20.<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t been looking at the ratings this year and just trying to focus on getting through heats,\u201d Yeomans said. \u201cI thought I was in the 20s or something, but 40s, wow, that\u2019s a ways to go. It\u2019s all good though. I\u2019ve got through that first heat and will just be looking to push harder from here on out.\u201d<\/p>\n

In his first trip ever to Jeffreys Bay, Yeomans\u2019 backhand assault was surgical on the Jeffreys righthanders as the young Californian drove through bottom turns and sliced off top turns.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe waves today are awesome,\u201d Yeomans said. \u201cI\u2019ve been here about a week and it\u2019s been good preparation to sort out boards and try to get myself adjusted to the wave. The surf came up this morning and I saw a friend of mine, Grant Baker, in the lineup who gave me some tips for today. They obviously paid off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yeomans led today\u2019s rookie class assault on the world\u2019s best that saw wins from fellow first-years Adam Melling (AUS), 25, Matt Wilkinson (AUS), 21, and Owen Wright (AUS), 20.<\/p>\n

Highlights from the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay will be available via http:\/\/www.billabongpro.com\/jbay10\/<\/p>\n

Surfline, official forecasters for the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, are calling for a slight decline in surf tomorrow before another pulse fills in on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7am to assess conditions for a possible 7:30am start.<\/p>\n

When competition resumes, up first will be Jadson Andre (BRA), 20, up against Sean Holmes (ZAF), 32, in the third heat of the elimination Round 2.<\/p>\n

The waiting period for the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay will begin on Friday, July 15 and run through July 25, 2010.<\/p>\n

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com<\/p>\n

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Round 1 Results:
\nHeat 1: Adam Melling<\/strong> (AUS) 12.17, Taylor Knox (USA) 10.80, Luke Munro (AUS) 10.17
\nHeat 2: Andy Irons<\/strong> (HAW) 14.77, Jay Thompson (AUS) 10.56, Jadson Andre (BRA) 9.24
\nHeat 3: Nate Yeomans<\/strong> (USA) 15.83, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 13.74, Luke Stedman (AUS) 11.43
\nHeat 4: Dane Reynolds<\/strong> (USA) 15.30, Marco Polo (BRA) 12.97, Daniel Ross (AUS) 12.10
\nHeat 5: Bobby Martinez<\/strong> (USA) 16.43, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.37, Blake Thornton (AUS) 7.60
\nHeat 6: Tiago Pires<\/strong> (PRT) 15.23, Tim Reyes (USA) 13.27, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 9.07
\nHeat 7: Jordy Smith<\/strong> (ZAF) 16.37, Joan Duru (FRA) 11.90, Tom Whitaker (USA) 10.57
\nHeat 8: Kelly Slater<\/strong> (USA) 15.93, Damien Hobgood (USA) 14.40, Shaun Joubert (ZAF) 12.37
\nHeat 9: Taj Burrow<\/strong> (AUS) 15.20, Dale Staples (ZAF) 13.34, Kieren Perrow (AUS) 9.83
\nHeat 10: Mick Fanning<\/strong> (AUS) 16.70, Sean Holmes (ZAF) 10.27, Roy Powers (HAW) 8.33
\nHeat 11: Kekoa Bacalso<\/strong> (HAW) 13.60, Neco Padaratz (BRA) 9.60, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 9.17
\nHeat 12: Fredrick Patacchia<\/strong> (HAW) 12.60, Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 12.34, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 11.27
\nHeat 13: Matt Wilkinson<\/strong> (AUS) 13.53, Dean Morrison (AUS) 11.76, Michel Bourez (PYF) 7.43
\nHeat 14: Chris Davidson<\/strong> (AUS) 15.17, Mick Campbell (AUS) 12.86, Brett Simpson (USA) 11.63
\nHeat 15: Adrian Buchan<\/strong> (AUS) 14.87, Ben Dunn (AUS) 11.50, Dusty Payne (HAW) 10.77
\nHeat 16: Owen Wright<\/strong> (AUS) 15.56, Travis Logie (ZAF) 13.93, Drew Courtney (AUS) 7.73<\/p>\n

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Round 2 Results:
\nHeat 1: Adriano de Souza<\/strong> (BRA) 15.70 def. Shaun Joubert (ZAF) 9.44
\nHeat 2: Bede Durbidge<\/strong> (AUS) 16.17 def. Dale Staples (ZAF) 14.67<\/p>\n

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Remaining Round 2 Match-Ups:
\nHeat 3: Jadson Andre (BRA) vs. Sean Holmes (ZAF)
\nHeat 4: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Joan Duru (FRA)
\nHeat 5: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Tim Reyes (USA)
\nHeat 6: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Blake Thornton (AUS)
\nHeat 7: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Marco Polo (BRA)
\nHeat 8: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. Jay Thompson (AUS)
\nHeat 9: Roy Powers (HAW) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)
\nHeat 10: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Tanner Gudauskas (USA)
\nHeat 11: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Brett Simpson (USA)
\nHeat 12: Daniel Ross (AUS) vs. Dusty Payne (HAW)
\nHeat 13: Luke Stedman (AUS) vs. Drew Courtney (AUS)
\nHeat 14: Luke Munro (AUS) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
\nHeat 15: Pat Gudauskas (USA) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)
\nHeat 16: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Mick Campbell (AUS)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mick Fanning fins out at the Bay. For those who got in early and stayed up late the Billabong Pro J-Bay delivered some of the most amazing contest surf of the season. Perfect four-to-six footers reeled off the point letting the ASP World Tour’s finest get their contest legs back after a nearly three months […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16902"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16902"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16902\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16940,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16902\/revisions\/16940"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16902"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16902"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16902"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}