04.12.01
ASPworldtour.com

Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia - Rip Curl Pro event wildcard Mick Fanning (Aus) today caused a major upset by defeating current world number-three rated surfer Rob Machado (USA) and Renan Rocha (Brz) in their opening match-up. Close friend and World Championship Tour (WCT), rookie Joel Parkinson, also created an upset when he beat experienced tour veteran Taylor Knox (USA) and Guilherme Herdy (Brz).

Stormy conditions greeted competitors early this morning and forced organizers to place the event on hold for two hours, but as the wind settled and solid 6-foot (2m) waves made their way through the lineup, the remaining seven heats of round one hit the water.

Wild card Mick Fanning surfs a tight heat

Fanning, 19, narrowly missed out on a spot in the World Championship Tour (WCT) this year, but has already made his intentions clear in 2001. He currently leads the World Qualifying Series (WQS), thanks mainly to winning the last 6-Star WQS event in Western Australia less than a week ago, as well as placing second the month prior in another qualifying event. Showing his confidence can cross tour boundaries, the young Australian surfed a commanding heat to advance straight into the third round.

"I got a good wave at the start - a 7.50, so I just tried to build up on that and it paid off," explained Fanning afterward. "I've actually been coming to Bells for so long and I just love the waves, they're nice and powerful and have long walls. You can just do so many different things on them. It's good to come here and be able to surf with only two other guys.

"I'd love to, but I doubt it will happen," he laughed, when asked about his chances of winning the Rip Curl Pro. "I'm just going to try and surf the best I can and I'll be happy if I do. Whatever else comes I'll be stoked with. It's really good to be here and see what these guys are doing in heats - good experience."

Rookie Parkinson sidelines competitors and advances to round three

Parkinson, 20, led his entire heat against Knox and Herdy, and lived up to the hype preceding his WCT debut. With a WCT title already to his credit as a wildcard two years ago in South Africa - the same year he won the ASP World Junior title - the rookie stormed out of the gates this morning and was able to walk away with the win. This despite allowing Knox a last minute chance by leaving him alone in the lineup. The American only needed a low score of 4.76 points and with 20 seconds remaining, picked off a decent wave. Unfortunately for him, it fell on the inside section.

"I actually thought Taylor would have gotten his score on that last wave, but luckily enough he didn't," said Parkinson. "It was a bit of a heart-stopper for me, but I guess you can't give them an inch out there.

"I want to win (the Rip Curl Pro), definitely, but I'm looking for somewhere to start from, really," he reasoned. "I've never done this (WCT tour) before, so whether I win, lose or draw, it's somewhere to start from. That's all I need or want. I'm just happy to have gotten through the heat.

"It's great being here at Bells, it's in Australia and I love it. It's a little cold though, from the Gold Coast. (his hometown area in Queensland).

"They're 45 of the best surfers in the world," added the 20-year-old when asked who his main threats on tour were. "It doesn't matter if you get the 45th or the 1st (rated surfer). You can win or you can get whipped, it doesn't really matter. I think you just have to forget who you're surfing against and just keep on improving how you're surfing and your strategies."

World number 27 Neco Padaratz (Brz) won a count-back decision with Shea Lopez (USA) today, after the pair had originally tied for points. Lopez needed a 5.01 on his final ride, but was ultimately awarded a 5.0 by the judges after he surfed his last wave.

"I'm lucky I got through that heat," said Padaratz after the decision was official. "I need it really bad."

"It was our childhood dream to be on tour together, and we've been working such a long time to achieve it," he explained, of having his older brother Flavio on tour with him. "We've come a real long way, but there's still a lot of work. We're just trying to do our job and make people happy, especially in Brazil. Fly our flag around the world."

Neco Padaratz follows brother Flavio to the next round

World number 29 Danny Wills (Aus) posted the highest total of the day with 20.6 from a possible 30 points, ahead of Marcelo Nunes (Brz) and Michael Lowe (Aus). Despite having slipped down the ratings in recent years, Wills clearly announced his desire to regain some lost ground with a polished performance.

South African Greg Emslie was another round one winner, overcoming close friend and fellow countryman Paul Canning, as well as current world number 15 Nathan Webster (Aus). Emslie surfed the long right-handers with plenty of flair, and now moves directly into the third round.

Official results of the Rip Curl Pro Day 3; Round One

H10: Mick Fanning (Aus) 20.50
Renan Rocha (Brz) 16.30
Rob Machado (USA) 16.05

H11: Neco Padaratz (Brz) 18.25
Shea Lopez (USA) 18.25
Chris Davidson (Aus) 14.10

H12: Joel Parkinson (Aus) 16.40
Taylor Knox (USA) 14.90
Guilherme Herdy (Brz) 6.90

H13: Danny Wills (Aus) 20.60
Marcelo Nunes (Brz) 15.60
Michael Lowe (Aus) 13.50

H14: Ben Bourgeois (USA) 17.40
Cory Lopez (USA) 16.50
Russell Winter (UK) 11.20

H15: Greg Emslie (SAfr) 18.25
Nathan Webster (Aus) 14.55
Paul Canning (SAfr) 10.85

H16: Andy Irons (Haw) 14.25
Shawn Sutton (Haw) 12.15
Pat O'Connell (USA) 10.30

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