{"id":23275,"date":"2011-05-19T15:26:43","date_gmt":"2011-05-19T22:26:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/?p=23275"},"modified":"2011-05-19T18:44:54","modified_gmt":"2011-05-20T01:44:54","slug":"scattered-waves-shake-up-rio-pro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/?p=23275","title":{"rendered":"Scattered Waves Shake Up Rio Pro"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Kerr-Billabongpro\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Aside from waves at were all over the place at the 2011 Billabong Pro Rio<\/a><\/strong> today, Round 3 was what message boards were built for. From the first heat when Taj Burrow<\/strong> turned past a barrel hogging Cory Lopez<\/strong>, to Bobby Martinez<\/strong> backside airing past Kelly Slater’s<\/strong> barrel, and Josh Kerr<\/strong> boosting past Jordy Smith<\/strong> it was the day of fallen favorites and derogatory discussions about the venue, the scoring, and the waves.<\/p>\n

Comments on the event website’s heats on demand were especially telling. Of the Burrow vs. Lopez<\/a><\/strong> heat one commenter said:<\/p>\n

“Bullshit! Lopez’s tube rides are worth more than Burrows turns…”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

One industry head we spoke to today didn’t like the results of the Matinez vs. Slater<\/a><\/strong> heat much, either:<\/p>\n

I can’t believe Bobby’s no turn, one air scored better than Kelly’s long barrel,” he said. “Bobby was clearly over-scored and Kelly underscored.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But the comment that most perfectly reflected what many have been thinking all week was posted by Andy Bragwin<\/a><\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Barrels vs turns aside, why are the world’s best surfers competing for half a million dollars in prizes and the WCT trophy in three-foot, onshore slop? Why are we debating scores on two turn waves? Brazil is not a world class surf destination. South America has many world class waves, just not in Brazil. Sure the big crowds enable the big money, but it’s making the sport look pretty boring.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And, it’s hard to argue with that. For the official word, and results, follow the jump.BARRA DA TIJUCA, Rio de Janeiro\/Brazil (Thursday, May 19, 2011) \u2013 The Billabong Rio Pro returned to the beachbreak of Barra Da Tijuca after two days at the lefthander of Arpoador and saw massive upsets unfold among the event\u2019s highest scores in punchy four foot waves while completing Rounds 3 and 4 of competition.<\/p>\n

Stop No. 3 of 11 on the ASP World Title Series, the Billabong Rio Pro not only plays a crucial role in surfers\u2019 campaigns for the ASP World Title, but also offers important points for competitors out to requalify at the halfway mark in the season.<\/p>\n

Bobby Martinez (USA), 28, was responsible for the upset of the event when he defeated reigning 10-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 39, in a close heat of 14.50 to 14.10. The talented Californian unveiled a lightning-quick forehand attack and impressive backhand aerial game in his hard-fought heat to take the Round 3 win.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were some lefts and Kelly (Slater) went down to the rights and you\u2019re always worried that he sees something that you don\u2019t,\u201d Martinez said. \u201cI just got lucky, things worked to my advantage. I got that one right under his priority and that\u2019s what he usually does. I thought I\u2019d try and reverse the role. \u201d<\/p>\n

Martinez, who is currently sitting at No. 55 on the men\u2019s ASP World Ranking, knows that he is in need of results to try and improve his seed to remain on the elite ranks and hopes the victory over Slater will turn momentum in his favor.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope this helps my seed, this is the best I\u2019ve done in over a year,\u201d Martinez said. \u201cLast year I struggled a lot and this year I have struggled. I\u2019ve had some tough heats, but everything\u2019s tough these days. Sometimes the waves are tough and if the waves are good your competitor is tough. Nothing is easy, but I\u2019m just trying my best.\u201d<\/p>\n

Michel Bourez (PYF), 25, went absolutely mental in his Round 3 match-up to eliminate defending event winner Jadson Andre (BRA), 21, by belting a combination of furious backhand maneuvers to earn the second-highest single-wave score of the entire competition, a 9.70, and quickly followed up with a 9.40 (both out of 10). Both rides saw Bourez take the highest heat total of Billabong Rio Pro competition in his near-perfect performance of 19.10 out of 20.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat heat started before the horn because me and Jadson (Andre) were paddling to get the inside ones,\u201d Bourez said. \u201cThe first one came and I knew I needed to get a good score and needed to get a good start. That\u2019s what happened, I got a 9.70. Just after that I tried and air and broke by board and thought \u2018oh no, it\u2019s not going to happen.\u2019 I got another right and got that 9.40 and after that my board was done, I couldn\u2019t surf, so I just took a couple of close outs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Josh Kerr (AUS), 26, was also responsible for an upset of his own when he lofted a big frontside air on a wedging righthander in the final minutes of his Round 3 heat to eliminate Jordy Smith (ZAF), 23, in Round 3.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m stoked, the whole game-plan was to go down there on those rights,\u201d Kerr said. \u201cI saw Kelly down there and it looked like there were a couple of good ones. I saw Jordy (Smith) get those lefts, but luckily I got that right and went for the punt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kerr later went on to advance directly through to the Quarterfinals by winning his Round 4 bout.<\/p>\n

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 30, continued his form after a standout performance in Round 2 and built momentum throughout the day to take his Round 3 heat and followed up with the highest single-wave score of the entire event, a 9.73 out of 10 to win his three-man Round 4 heat in the last seconds, advancing directly into the Quarterfinals.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s kind of one of those things where you\u2019re only as good as your last heat and once you have a shocker you don\u2019t want to have another one,\u201d Parkinson said. \u201cIt might have been a blessing in disguise (to lose in Round 1). I\u2019m glad I got that one out of the way and my strategy is good and I feel good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Parkinson\u2019s guaranteed 5th place result at the Billabong Rio Pro temporarily moves him to the No. 1 position on the ASP World Title Rankings after Slater\u2019s early elimination, but the stylish natural-footer was cautious in claiming his place as the new frontrunner for the ASP World Title.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s too early to think about this early in the year,\u201d Parkinson said. \u201cIt\u2019s only the third event of the year to start worrying about it (the ASP World Title). If it was later on in the season, then sure, but as of now, who knows what can happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taj Burrow (AUS), 32, was one top seed to prevail among the day\u2019s upsets. The veteran campaigner not only took out his Round 3 victory, but also took a commanding win in Round 4 to ignite the day\u2019s second-highest heat-total of 18.40 out of 20.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat felt good, I felt good out there for sure,\u201d Burrow said. \u201cAs long as I can get a wave with an open face I feel like I can get the job done, but that\u2019s the hard thing. Sometimes you just get on a roll and it has a lot to do with confidence. For me confidence is a big thing and it\u2019s a tough one for me. When it\u2019s high, I don\u2019t know what it is, it just does it. I feel like I\u2019ve been on tour long enough to win heats.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adriano de Souza (BRA), 24, was also impressive in Round 3 today and continued to use the support of his passionate Brazilian fans to lift his performance.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m happy to move to Round 4,\u201d De Souza said. \u201cI can\u2019t believe it, there is this massive crowd down on the beach and I wanted to go for it. I\u2019m proud of myself for making that heat. C.J. (Hobgood) is a world champ and he\u2019s surfing amazing and he does so well in these conditions. It was an amazing feeling to get through and I\u2019ll see how I can do in this event.\u201d<\/p>\n

De Souza will surf again in Round 5 of Billabong Rio Pro competition and can potentially overtake Parkinson for the No. 1 position on the ASP World Title race pending the final day\u2019s results.<\/p>\n

Event organizers will return to Barra Da Tijuca tomorrow morning at 7am to assess conditions for a possible start to Round 5. To watch the Billabong Rio Pro LIVE log on to http:\/\/www.billabongpro.com<\/p>\n

For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com<\/p>\n

Billabong Rio Pro Round 4 Results:
\nHeat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 18.40, Damien Hobgood (USA) 14.60, Daniel Ross (AUS) 8.76
\nHeat 2: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.23, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 16.53, Bobby Martinez (USA) 10.73
\nHeat 3: Josh Kerr (AUS) 16.30, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 12.07, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 4.67
\nHeat 4: Owen Wright (AUS) 16.67, Michel Bourez (PYF) 11.20, Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 9.26<\/p>\n

Billabong Rio Pro Round 3 Results:
\nHeat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.66 def. Cory Lopez (USA) 10.84
\nHeat 2: Damien Hobgood (USA) 11.33 def. Heitor Alves (BRA) 4.03
\nHeat 3: Dan Ross (AUS) 12.17 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 7.97
\nHeat 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 16.50 def. Adam Melling (AUS) 6.77
\nHeat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.07 def. Kieren Perrow (AUS) 7.83
\nHeat 6: Bobby Martinez (USA) 14.50 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 14.10
\nHeat 7: Josh Kerr (AUS) 13.87 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 13.17
\nHeat 8: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.93 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 11.87
\nHeat 9: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 12.17 def. Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 11.50
\nHeat 10: Owen Wright (AUS) 11.66 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 9.80
\nHeat 11: Michel Bourez (PYF) 19.10 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 6.83
\nHeat 12: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 14.84 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.73<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Aside from waves at were all over the place at the 2011 Billabong Pro Rio today, Round 3 was what message boards were built for. From the first heat when Taj Burrow turned past a barrel hogging Cory Lopez, to Bobby Martinez backside airing past Kelly Slater’s barrel, and Josh Kerr boosting past Jordy Smith […]<\/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\/23275"}],"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=23275"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23275\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23293,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23275\/revisions\/23293"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=23275"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=23275"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=23275"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}