QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST 2011-ROUND 2 WRAP
[07.03.2011]Other
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast 2011, event, surfing, ASP World Tour, surfers
BANTING'S UPSET NETS REMATCH WITH SLATER
QUIKSILVER PRO 2011 - ROUND 2 WRAP
VIEW UP-TO-DATE 2011 RESULTS
SNAPPER ROCKS, Queensland/Australia (Sunday, March 6, 2011) – 16 year-old Wildcard Matt Banting (AUS) caused the upset of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast yesterday, eliminating ASP World Title contender Bede Durbidge (AUS), 28, in the opening heat of Round 2.
“I knew when he (Durbidge) fell on that last barrel that I had it,” Banting said. “I started getting the shakes. It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of to surf in World Tour events.”
The young natural-footer will now face reigning 10-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 39, in Round 3 when competition recommences. It’s an opportunity for redemption for Banting, who was defeated by Slater in the event’s non-elimination Round 1 just a few days ago.
“Now I have Kelly (Slater) in Round 3. It’s the most excited I’ve ever been. I’m over the moon. It’ll be good to just be out in the water again with Kelly in the next round.”
While strong currents and unfavourable swell direction made for challenging conditions in Round 2, the world’s best surfers still managed to put on an electric show in the two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves at Snapper Rocks.
Brett Simpson (USA), 26, into his second year amongst the elite ASP Top 34, took the day’s top honours, collecting a 16.73 out of a possible 20, to eliminate compatriot Patrick Gudauskas (USA), 25, in their Round 2 battle.
“My game plan was to just go out there and push it,” Simpson said. “Pat (Gudauskas) and I have grown up surfing against each other our whole lives, so it’s always tough when you draw each other at this level, but that’s how it goes.”
Simpson will take on Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), 29, in Round 3.
Adrian Buchan (AUS), 28, opened up the day’s action with a convincing win over 2010 ASP Australasia Pro Junior Champion and wildcard Mitch Crews (AUS), 20. Buchan’s vicious backhand assault netted him a 14.17 out of a possible 20, which proved enough to withstand a late charge from his younger compatriot.
“I knew Crewsy (Mitch Crews) is capable of getting big scores and that last wave was the best wave that came through in that heat,” Buchan said. “I got that six for one turn and it looked like he had three or four on that wave, so who knows. The conditions are tough out there; it’s not the Snapper we’re used to.”
Buchan faces Gold Coast aerialist Josh Kerr (AUS), 26, in Round 3 of competition.
Alejo Muniz (BRA), 21, Round 2’s sole rookie victor, put on a captivating display of surfing skill with his defeat over veteran Australian Kieren Perrow. Despite the trying conditions, Muniz exhibited tactics and composure well beyond his young years, netting a 12.60 out of a possible 20.
“It was pretty hard, I don’t think I’ve ever paddled that much in a heat before,” Muniz said. “I was thinking about where I had to be in the lineup and looking for waves with a long wall. My strategy was to stay busy and catch a lot of waves and have fun. In my first heat I was so nervous I couldn’t even catch a wave. I wanted to have fun in this heat because it’s my dream to be on the World Tour and I want to enjoy it.”
Flanked by fellow Brazilian Round 2 victors Adriano de Souza (BRA), 24, Jadson Andre (BRA), 20, and Heitor Alves (BRA), 28, Muniz was in good company and will take on 2010 ASP World Tour Rookie of the Year Owen Wright (AUS), 21, in Round 3.
As competition resumes this morning, up first will be former two-time ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS), 29, up against progressive islander Dusty Payne (HAW), 22, in the opening heat of Round 3.
QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Matt Banting (AUS) 9.43 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 4.00
Heat 2: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 14.17 def. Mitch Crews (AUS) 13.10
Heat 3: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 10.83 def. Marc Lacomare (FRA) 8.66
Heat 4: Michel Bourez (PYF) 13.40 def. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 4.80
Heat 5: Cory Lopez (USA) 7.83 def. Chris Davidson (AUS) 4.77
Heat 6: Jadson Andre (BRA) 10.17 def. Gabe Kling (USA) 9.00
Heat 7: Dusty Payne (HAW) 12.33 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 10.83
Heat 8: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 12.60 def. Kieren Perrow (AUS) 11.27
Heat 9: Kai Otton (AUS) 13.73 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 7.06
Heat 10: Brett Simpson (USA) 16.73 def. Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 9.90
Heat 11: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 11.50 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 10.50
Heat 12: Heitor Alves (BRA) 14.50 def. Bobby Martinez (USA) 12.83
QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 2: Jadson Andre (BRA) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 3: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 4: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 5: Heitor Alves (BRA) vs. Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Matt Banting (AUS)
Heat 7: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Cory Lopez (USA)
Heat 8: Brett Simpson (AUS) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 9: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Daniel Ross (AUS)
Heat 10: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Alejo Muniz (BRA)
Heat 11: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)
Heat 12: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Julian Wilson (AUS)
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