{"id":25766,"date":"2011-10-05T13:18:01","date_gmt":"2011-10-05T20:18:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/?p=25766"},"modified":"2011-10-05T14:19:19","modified_gmt":"2011-10-05T21:19:19","slug":"quik-pro-france-while-we-were-sleeping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/?p=25766","title":{"rendered":"Quik Pro France: While We Were Sleeping"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

We’ll admit it. Along with the rest of the Americas we slept through the first 10 heats of the Quiksilver Pro France<\/a><\/strong> last night. We tried to stay awake, but that damn Ken Burns<\/strong>\/ Peter Coyote<\/strong> joint Prohibition<\/a><\/em><\/strong> knocked us out like a bottle of bad ‘shine. While we were snoozing, however, things got done. All the majors (except Joel Parkinson<\/strong>) made it out of their first round heats. Dane Reynolds<\/strong> lost to Owen Wright<\/strong> in Round 1, surprising no one.<\/p>\n

When Round two kicked off, Parko lost to Morocco’s super grom Ramzi Boukhiam<\/strong>, Jeremy Flores<\/strong> slipped by Marc Lacomare<\/strong> in the French Revolution heat, and surprise of all surprises ol’ Neckbeard<\/a><\/strong> smoked Adriano de Souz<\/strong>a in Round 2 Heat 3 to stay in the game. <\/p>\n

We feared Reynolds would be out of the contest on day one, but he started blasting airs and immediately reminded everyone that he still is a force to be reckoned when he actually shows up. Hopefully nothing happens between now and Round three, because, regardless of the heckling, we do enjoy watching Dane rip the big water folds.<\/p>\n

Follow the jump for the official word from the ASP.LA GRAVIERE, Hossegor\/France (Wednesday, October 5, 2011) \u2013 La Graviere delivered heaving three-to-fight foot (1 \u2013 1.5 metre) lefts and rights today for opening day of competition at the Quiksilver Pro France.<\/p>\n

Event No. 8 of 11 on the 2011 ASP World Title season, the Quiksilver Pro France saw the world\u2019s best surfers do battle in the shifting beachbreaks of Southwest France, completing Round 1 and the opening three heats of Round 2 before day\u2019s end.<\/p>\n

Mick Fanning (AUS), 30, two-time ASP World Champion (2007 and 2009) and defending Quiksilver Pro France winner, scored a sensational 9.37 out of a possible 10 for an incredible forehand barrel to take the victory in the dying moments of his Round 1 heat.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a wild end to that heat,\u201d Fanning said. \u201cBrett (Simpson) surfed great. He started with an 8 and got a 7 to take the lead and he was really looking in form. He pushed me deep really deep at the end, but I saw the wave had double up and had to put the rocket boots on when I stood up. It had a great line and I was stoked to make it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fanning\u2019s combined wave total of an 18.20 out of a possible 20 marked the highest of the day, clearly announcing the defending champ\u2019s intentions for the European leg of the ASP World Title Series.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to be able to adapt in France,\u201d Fanning said. \u201cThe wave changes so much and shows you so many different faces. I have a great board now that Simon (Anderson) shaped for me and it felt really good out there. Looks like there will be waves throughout the waiting period and I\u2019m looking forward to the next heat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jordy Smith (ZAF), 23, returned to elite ASP World Title competition today, after missing two events due to a rib injury sustained during the Billabong Pro Tahiti. Although still suffering from soreness, the powerful South African muscled his way to a Round 1 victory.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so good to be back,\u201d Smith said. \u201cI\u2019m not 100% at the moment \u2013 about 75%. It still hurts to lie down on my board and paddle, but it\u2019s time for me to be back in the water. I want to be here and I\u2019m happy to have come away with a win in my first heat back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smith was ranked No. 2 in the world prior to injury, and although the injury may have sidelined a 2011 ASP World Title run, South Africa\u2019s favourite son is thankful to be back in the game.
\n\u201cI\u2019d love to give a big thanks to everyone around the world who was supporting me through that tough time,\u201d Smith said. It\u2019s been the toughest thing in my life to go from being second in the world to having to watch those two events happen. I\u2019m psyched to be back though and am working on staying positive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Michel Bourez (PYF), 25, current No. 10 on the ASP World Title rankings, posted a convincing Round 1 win today, threading glassy barrels and blasting serious turns to advance past South Americans Alejo Muniz (BRA), 21, and Miguel Pupo (BRA), 19.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe waves were very fun in my heat today,\u201d Bourez said. \u201cFrance is like that. The waves can be bad one minute and good the next. I got in a good rhythm and I have a really good board. It feels great to get Round 1 win as I\u2019ve had a couple of slow events. I\u2019m hoping for a big result in France.\u201d<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s shifting conditions provided plenty of action for the world\u2019s best surfers today, but were, at times, challenging with the ever-shifting lineup.<\/p>\n

Kelly Slater (USA), 39, reigning 10-time ASP World Champion, survived a difficult heat this morning in a wave-starved Round 1 affair.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a nightmare out there,\u201d Slater said. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t be surprised if they called it out there. The tide is really high. It was a bummer and not very competitive. That\u2019s the way France is sometimes though. Sometimes it\u2019s on, sometimes it\u2019s off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Also surviving a challenging Round 1 heat was current No. 2 on the ASP World Title rankings, Owen Wright (AUS), 21. Both Slater and Wright will re-launch their Quiksilver Pro France campaigns in Round 3 of competition.<\/p>\n

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 30, current No. 3 on the ASP World Title rankings, suffered a shock elimination this afternoon at the hands of wildcard and trials winner Ramzi Boukhiam (MOR) in a wave-starved Round 2 heat.<\/p>\n

Dane Reynolds (USA), 26, competing in his first ASP World Title event of the year, punctuated the afternoon\u2019s action with a come-from-behind victory over Adriano de Souza (BRA), 24. In need of a solid score at the business end of the bout, Reynolds tore the roof off a ledging lefthander with two powerful backhand turns, attaining a high 8-point ride and the heat win.<\/p>\n

When competition resumes, up first will Josh Kerr (AUS), 27, against Tiago Pires (PRT), 31, in Heat 4 of Round 2.<\/p>\n

Highlights from the Quiksilver Pro France will be available via http:\/\/www.quiksilverlive.com<\/p>\n

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

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE ROUND 1 RESULTS:
\nHeat 1: Taylor Knox (USA) 11.06, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 10.77, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 10.57
\nHeat 2: Jadson Andre (BRA) 11.17, John John Florence (HAW) 9.13, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 8.00
\nHeat 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.20, Brett Simpson (USA) 15.33, Tiago Pires (PRT) 12.33
\nHeat 4: Owen Wright (AUS) 12.60, Dane Reynolds (USA) 12.26, Chris Davidson (AUS) 2.50
\nHeat 5: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 10.10, Marc Lacomare (FRA) 9.83, Kieren Perrow (AUS) 2.93
\nHeat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) 10.00, Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 9.00, Ramzi Boukhiam (MOR) 2.00
\nHeat 7: Taj Burrow (AUS) 11.53, Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 10.83, Kai Otton (AUS) 6.83
\nHeat 8: Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.43, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 6.80, Dusty Payne (HAW) 3.16
\nHeat 9: Travis Logie (ZAF) 13.03, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 10.26, Gabriel Medina (BRA) 7.60
\nHeat 10: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 11.26, Daniel Ross (AUS) 9.39, Heitor Alves (BRA) N\/S
\nHeat 11: Michel Bourez (PYF) 16.00, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 11.53, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 7.83
\nHeat 12: Damien Hobgood (USA) 11.90, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 5.93, Josh Kerr (AUS) 4.33<\/p>\n

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE ROUND 2 RESULTS:
\nHeat 1: Ramzi Boukhiam (MOR) 9.20 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 8.84
\nHeat 2: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 12.67 def. Marc Lacomare (FRA) 7.50
\nHeat 3: Dane Reynolds (USA) 14.06 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 10.60<\/p>\n

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE REMAINING ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
\nHeat 4: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
\nHeat 5: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. John John Florence (HAW)
\nHeat 6: Heitor Alves (BRA) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)
\nHeat 7: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Dusty Payne (HAW)
\nHeat 8: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Daniel Ross (AUS)
\nHeat 9: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA)
\nHeat 10: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
\nHeat 11: Brett Simpson (USA) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
\nHeat 12: Chris Davidson (AUS) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We’ll admit it. Along with the rest of the Americas we slept through the first 10 heats of the Quiksilver Pro France last night. We tried to stay awake, but that damn Ken Burns\/ Peter Coyote joint Prohibition knocked us out like a bottle of bad ‘shine. While we were snoozing, however, things got done. […]<\/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\/25766"}],"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=25766"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25766\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25772,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25766\/revisions\/25772"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=25766"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=25766"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=25766"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}