07.18.00

Jeffreys Bay, South Africa - The Billabong Pro was again postponed today due to small conditions at 'Supertubes'. Organizers initially placed the event on hold until midday (local time) in the hope of an expected swell increase, but the notorious north/west 'Devil' wind was all that became stronger throughout the morning. In other tournament news, World #3 Rob Machado (USA) withdrew from competition yesterday due to family matters back home in California, opening the door for World Qualifying Series (WQS) competitor Keiren Perrow (Aus).

Weather charts show plenty of swell activity moving toward the Jeffreys Bay region, but it's a matter of it arriving before things can commence. In the meantime, the world's best surfers are enjoying the various game parks and other attractions on offer in the near vicinity.

Machado, 27, has had an unfortunate start to the year after his great 2000 campaign. He placed equal 33rd in the opening tournament, then missed Tahiti due to breaking a bone in his hand, only to return from injury in time for the last event in Brazil, but was eliminated early to finish equal 17th. Now this latest setback will see him slide further down the ratings, adding further pressures in the remaining four events.

Perrow, 24, who flew to Jeffreys to attend the ASP mid-year meetings as a surfer representative, was told yesterday of his spot in the event. Similarly to what happened in Tahiti earlier this year, he benefited from Machado's misfortune.

"Shut up... you're kidding," began a disbelieving Perrow when informed. "That's radical.

"It's always been my goal to surf here in a WCT," he continued. "I came last time it was a WQS event four years ago (1997). It's a dream to surf in the WCT with only two guys out and priority. I'll have to get some boards together though. I've only got 6'2", but someone will hopefully have some I can use.

"I thought if I came down for the (ASP) meetings there would be a chance I'd get in, and it's happened again. I'm wrapped. I actually lived here when I was three, so my first memories of life are probably sitting on the beach at Jeffreys collecting shells as my dad surfed. It's fantastic to come back here. It's so beautiful. This is a big shock, though. There's only eight events on the tour, so for someone to be pulling out, it has to be serious, so my heart goes out to Rob. It's a great experience for me, and the more experience the better this year as I try and qualify for the WCT next year. I'm excited. I don't have the pressures to have to get a result, but it would be fantastic to win. That's my goal."

World #12 Guilherme Herdy (Brz) will also miss this year's Billabong Pro, since the knee injury he suffered in Brazil last event is still lingering. Former world #8 Beau Emerton (Aus) replaces him.

A decision will be made tomorrow morning at 7am (local time) as to the day's schedule.

Upcoming Round One Heats of the Billabong Pro

H1: Shane Powell (Aus); Kieren Perrow (Aus); Marcelo Nunes (Brz)
H2: Peterson Rosa (Brz); Neco Padaratz (Brz); Shane Beschen (USA)
H3: Shane Dorian (Haw); Jake Paterson (Aus); Shawn Sutton (Haw)
H4: Luke Egan (Aus); Luke Hitchings (Aus); Russell Winter (GB)
H5: Andy Irons (Haw); Joel Parkinson (Aus); Chris Davidson (Aus)
H6: Flavio Padaratz (Brz); Kalani Robb (Haw); Mark Bannister (Aus)
H7: Mark Occhilupo (Aus); Fabio Gouveia (Brz); Beau Emerton (Aus)
H8: CJ Hobgood (USA); Taylor Knox (USA); Brad Bricknell (SAfr)
H9: Sunny Garcia (Haw); Trent Munro (Aus); Tiago Pires (Port)
H10: Cory Lopez (USA); Nathan Hedge (Aus); Simon Nicholson (SAfr)
H11: Daniel Wills (Aus); Renan Rocha (Brz); Sasha Stocker (Aus)
H12: Richard Lovett (Aus); Taj Burrow (Aus); Ben Bourgeois (USA)
H13: Shea Lopez (USA); Armando Daltro (Brz); Greg Emslie (SAfr)
H14: Paul Canning (SAfr); Pat O'Connell (USA); Rodrigo Dornelles (Brz)
H15: Nathan Webster (Aus); Michael Lowe (Aus); Joca Junior (Brz)
H16: Michael Campbell (Aus); Damien Hobgood (USA); Paulo Moura (Brz)

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