{"id":19360,"date":"2010-11-05T07:55:23","date_gmt":"2010-11-05T14:55:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/?p=19360"},"modified":"2010-11-05T21:25:39","modified_gmt":"2010-11-06T04:25:39","slug":"is-today-number-10-day-for-slater-nope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/?p=19360","title":{"rendered":"Is Today Number 10 Day For Slater? Nope."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Burrow<\/a><\/p>\n

[Editors’ Note: This story has been updated with all today’s action]<\/strong> <\/p>\n

What should have been the most joyous week in professional surfing history, turned to the opposite with news of the tragic death of Andy Irons<\/strong>. While the weight of that loss is hanging heavy on everyone in the surf world it hasn’t stopped the ASP’s top 24 from soldiering on in the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Taj Burrow<\/strong> (pictured above) and Dusty Payne<\/strong> kicked off Round 3, but what most everyone is waiting for is Heat 6 when Kelly Slater<\/strong> faces event wild card Dylan Graves<\/strong> and Heat 7 when Jordy Smith<\/strong> faces Gabe Kling<\/strong>. Kelly’s number 10 clinching hangs in the balance. As a reminder, here’s how it looks:<\/p>\n

\u2022 If Slater finishes Equal 3rd or better, he clinches the 2010 ASP World Title.
\n\u2022 If Slater finishes Equal 5th or Equal 9th, Smith must win the event to send the ASP World Title Race to Hawaii.
\n\u2022 If Slater finishes Equal 13th or Equal 25th, Smith must finish Equal 3rd or better to send the ASP World Title Race to Hawaii.
\n\u2022 Essentially, if Smith fails to finish higher than Equal 5th, Slater claims the 2010 ASP World Title.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[Update 11:06 AM PST: Both Kelly and Jordy won their round three heats and the battle moves on to the quarterfinals.] <\/p>\n

For the rest of today’s heats, follow the jump.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

SOMEWHERE, Porta Del Sol\/Puerto Rico (Friday, November 5, 2010) \u2013Following a two-day suspension of competition out of respect for former ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW), 32, who tragically passed away on Tuesday, the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico recommenced today with Rounds 3 and 4.<\/p>\n

Event No. 9 of 10 on the 2010 ASP World Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico has endured a somber two days with surfers and staff grieving the loss of Irons, but with clean three-to-four foot (1.5 metre) waves on offer at the primary site in Porta Del Sol this morning, the world\u2019s best surfers unleashed a furious assault on the boundaries of high-performance surfing.<\/p>\n

Dane Reynolds (USA), 25, current ASP World No. 6, cracked the ice this morning with a tit-for-tat progressive surfing battle with rookie Matt Wilkinson (AUS), 22, in Round 3. Despite Wilkinson executing an incredible backhand rodeo flip, it was Reynolds whose unabashed forehand assault on the rippable righthanders gave him the nod into Round 4.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just wanted to go out there and rip and have fun,\u201d Reynolds said. \u201cI wasn\u2019t thinking so much about the heat or winning or anything. I just wanted to surf as hard as I could. I have this really fun board right now and it\u2019s so fast and responsive. I\u2019m having a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reynolds was far from finished as the young Californian would go onto exhibit the most vicious assault of the event thus far, with a barrage of fine-free maneuvers and unparalleled power surfing to net a near-perfect 18.57 out of a possible 20, including a 9.97 for one unbelievable forehand fin-free gaff.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think this is the perfect venue for a surf contest because you have the combination of both barrels and turn sections,\u201d Reynolds said. \u201cYou can get scored for barrels, you can get scored for turns or for both on the same wave. There\u2019re a lot of waves coming through and it\u2019s just so much fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reynolds advances directly to the Quarterfinals of the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n

Owen Wright (AUS), 20, 2010 ASP World Tour rookie and current ASP World No. 7, put in a stellar performance this morning in Round 3 of competition, dusting fellow rookie Brett Simpson (USA0, 25, with an impressive 17.50 out of a possible 20.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just focusing on my surfing,\u201d Wright said. \u201cI\u2019ve been sick since Portugal and I\u2019m just now getting on the mend. I haven\u2019t been able to surf and it\u2019s been frustrating. I\u2019ve been taking it easy, but with everything that\u2019s happened, all I want to do is get in the water. It felt great to get in the water today and I\u2019m looking for a strong result here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite his incredible Round 3 performance, Wright suffered a broken board in Round 4 and will have to surf against Michel Bourez (PYF), 24, in Round 5.<\/p>\n

The 2010 ASP World Title Race remains red-hot with both Kelly Slater (USA), 38, and Jordy Smith (ZAF), 22, posting emphatic Round 3 victories today.<\/p>\n

Slater, former nine-time ASP World Champion and current ASP World No. 1, survived a hard-fought battle against local wildcard Dylan Graves (PRI), 24, to advance through to Round 4.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the heaviest heat I\u2019ve ever had in terms of local support,\u201d Slater said. \u201cI mean, I have a lot of support down here, but Dylan (Graves) has the entire island backing him. It was really tough, and he was surfing really well. It wasn\u2019t an easy heat at all, but he went out and made Puerto Rico proud.\u201d
\nFor Slater to clinch his historic 10th ASP Crown at the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico, the following scenarios must occur:
\n– If Slater finishes Equal 3rd or better, he clinches the 2010 ASP World Title.
\n– If Slater finishes Equal 5th or Equal 9th, Smith must win the event to send the ASP World Title Race to Hawaii.
\n– Essentially, if Smith fails to finish higher than Equal 5th, Slater claims the 2010 ASP World Title.
\n\u201cI\u2019ve always had it in my head that Jordy (Smith) is going to win this contest so I need at least a 3rd,\u201d Slater said. \u201cHe\u2019s been the most consistent guy all year and he\u2019s in really good form. I\u2019m not thinking about Jordy losing at all. I\u2019m just focused on what I have to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Slater would go on to best Adriano de Souza (BRA), 23, and Jeremy Flores (FRA), 22, in Round 4 and advance directly to the Quarterfinals.<\/p>\n

Smith, current ASP World No. 2, halted any ASP World Title celebrations today with a comprehensive assault on the offshore righthanders. The powerful South African blended impressive tube rides, massive rail turns and fin-free maneuvers to dispatch Gabe Kling (USA), 30, in Round 3.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe wind actually switched right at the start of our heat and it really opened up the waves,\u201d Smith said. \u201cI knew there was the potential for barrels out there and I was fortunate to sneak into a few. No pressure. I\u2019m just going out and doing what I love.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the monumental task ahead, Smith remains positive about his approach to the remainder of the event, citing his enjoyment for the sport as a major motivation in his continued performance.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just trying to prove that I can surf pretty well,\u201d Smith said. \u201cI think we all learned a lesson from Andy (Irons): never have a down moment, always smile and enjoy what you do. I\u2019m having fun and surfing the way I want to. I\u2019m not really thinking about what Kelly (Slater) is thinking, but I\u2019m here to make him work for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smith scored a sensational late charge against Owen Wright (AUS), 20, and Chris Davidson (AUS), 34, in Round 4 to advance directly to the Quarterfinals.<\/p>\n

Taj Burrow (AUS), 32, current ASP World No. 4, opened up the day\u2019s proceedings with a hard-fought win over ASP Dream Tour rookie Dusty Payne (HAW), 21.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a really strange vibe out there,\u201d Burrow said. \u201cThere weren\u2019t a lot of waves coming through and we weren\u2019t talking too much. It\u2019s a weird vibe around here today. I don\u2019t feel like I have that competitive fire.\u201d<\/p>\n

A close companion of fallen icon Andy Irons, Burrow expressed what several surfers were currently feeling at the loss of their friend and hero.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know how I feel,\u201d Burrow said. \u201cI think I\u2019m still in shock. The whole thing is so unbelievable. I didn\u2019t know what was going to happen. I didn\u2019t know if we were going to continue. I guess the show must go on and I think that\u2019s what Andy (Irons) would have wanted, but I don\u2019t know. It\u2019s just such an awful thing. It\u2019s terrible and everyone is feeling this way.\u201d<\/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 Taj Burrow (AUS), 32, up against Taylor Knox (USA), 39, in the opening heat of Round 5.<\/p>\n

Surfline, official forecasters of the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico, are calling for ENE trade windswell and N\/NNE background swell mix to ease slightly over the weekend.<\/p>\n

Highlights from the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico will be webcast LIVE via http:\/\/live.ripcurl.com<\/p>\n

The Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico will be televised LIVE in Australia on FUEL TV. For more information, check out www.foxsports.com.au\/fueltv<\/p>\n

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

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH PUERTO RICO ROUND 3 RESULTS:
\nHeat 1:Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.16 def. Dusty Payne (USA) 9.00
\nHeat 2:Taylor Knox (USA) 14.10 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 11.73
\nHeat 3:Dane Reynolds (USA) 16.04 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 15.70
\nHeat 4:Adriano de Souza (BRA) 10.70 def. Tiago Pires (PRT) 9.90
\nHeat 5:Jeremy Flores (FRA) 15.06 def. Bobby Martinez (USA) 12.84
\nHeat 6:Kelly Slater (USA) 14.50 def. Dylan Graves (PRI) 13.07
\nHeat 7:Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.83 def. Gabe Kling (USA) 11.43
\nHeat 8:Chris Davidson (AUS) Advances Over Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) N\/S
\nHeat 9:Owen Wright (AUS) 17.50 def. Brett Simpson (USA) 10.27
\nHeat 10:Bede Durbidge (AUS) 13.37 def. Dan Ross (AUS) 11.80
\nHeat 11:Michel Bourez (PYF) 15.33 def. Kieren Perrow (AUS) 14.54
\nHeat 12:Mick Fanning (AUS) 14.60 def. Roy Powers (HAW) 12.10<\/p>\n

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH PUERTO RICO ROUND 4 RESULTS:
\nHeat 1:Dane Reynolds (USA) 18.57, Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.23, Taylor Knox (USA) 13.70
\nHeat 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 13.20, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 11.42, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 9.60
\nHeat 3:Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.80, Owen Wright (AUS) 14.26, Chris Davidson (AUS) 8.16
\nHeat 4:Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.70, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 13.53, Michel Bourez (PYF) 12.30<\/p>\n

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH PUERTO RICO ROUND 5 MATCH-UPS:
\nHeat 1:Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
\nHeat 2:Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)
\nHeat 3:Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
\nHeat 4:Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Chris Davidson (AUS)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[Editors’ Note: This story has been updated with all today’s action] What should have been the most joyous week in professional surfing history, turned to the opposite with news of the tragic death of Andy Irons. While the weight of that loss is hanging heavy on everyone in the surf world it hasn’t stopped the […]<\/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\/19360"}],"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=19360"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19360\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19376,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19360\/revisions\/19376"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19360"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19360"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19360"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}