03.20.01
Press Release

Former world surfing champion Mark Occhilupo (Gold Coast, Aus) has bounced back from an injury-plagued 2000 season with the recent news that his major sponsor, Billabong, has secured the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Event Licence from Bluetorch to run a World Championship Tour (WCT) event at Teahupo'o, Tahiti. 'Occy' is amped for the 2001 season.

The 34-year-old proved he is back to his best by placing third in a world-class field of 288 in the 5-star World Qualifying Series event on the Gold Coast last weekend with a fast and radical performance.

Australian Mark Occhilupo rides his way to capturing his first ASP World Championship title in the 1999 Gotcha Tahiti Pro tournament in Teahupo'o, Tahiti.

The goofy-footer known for his love of powerful waves won the 1999 Teahupo'o WCT event in his world-title-winning year and had a semi-final showing last year,at the infamous left-hand, reef-break which is regarded as one of the world's heaviest waves.

"I am feeling confident and fit right now," said Occhilupo. "I can't tell you how glad I am that Billabong has got the event at Teahupo'o. We are really lucky. It's the best wave in the world and the most exciting."

"I am glad that the Tahitians get a chance at a wildcard through the trials; they surf the place really well. The break has been good for me and I would love to win there again, especially being the second event of the year."

World No. 2 and fellow goofy-footer Luke Egan (Gold Coast) is also in fighting form after spending most of his off-season in serious training for this year's WCT tour.

"I heard a couple of months ago that the event was a little shaky, so I was glad when there was no hesitation by Billabong," said Egan. "It's one of the most spectacular tournaments we have and Billabong recognized that and picked it up smartly."

Reigning world champion Layne Beachley (Dee Why) is also excited by Billabong's confirmation of an ASP Women's WCT event at Teahupo'o.

"I was intimidated by the wave last year and pulled myself out of the event. But I actually ended up facing my fears and had to compete through the trials. I got a quarter-final result and really enjoyed myself. The wave really gives the goofy-footers an advantage but I'm ready for it this year. It will showcase the women in great waves."

The world's top-ranked men and women surfers will gather at arguably the most spectacular wave location from May 8-19, for the Billabong Pro. The event will be the second of eight men's and five women's events on the 2001 ASP World Tour carrying a total purse of $250,000 for men and $60,000 for the women.

The Billabong Pro Teahupo'o will be the first of three Billabong events on the 2001 ASP World Championship Tour, which takes competitors to premier surf spots on three different continents. The other Billabong Pro events include Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa from July 17-27 and Mundaka, Spain from Sept. 27-Oct. 9.

"We have been working towards securing the premium wave locations around the world and we feel we have achieved this objective," stated Billabong founder Gordon Merchant. "It is also gives us a home for our second girls event on the tour."

ASP CEO Rabbit Bartholomew also backed the announcement.

"It is great to see Billabong step in and take command of this epic event. This is a very important stop on the World Championship Tour, particularly in this, the first year of our media partnership with Sportsworld Media Group. The surfers are pretty stoked with this development. It's a win-win for sure!"

Unfortunately, Billabong will now have to withdraw from the WCT event at Trestles, Calif., because one company cannot hold more than three ASP WCT event licenses. Although this is a disappointment for USA surfing, the restrictions at Trestles meant it was only classified as a good location, and with Billabong's philosophy of going to prime locations, the hard decision had to be made.

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