05.11.01
ASP World Tour

Teahupoo, Tahiti - World champion Sunny Garcia (Haw) topped the list of upsets when he was defeated by local wildcard entrant Nicolas Leetham (Tah) in day one of the Billabong Pro Teahupoo men's division. In what proved to be an unexpected trend, many of the world's top rated surfers succumbed to the talent of lesser-known competitors and will now have to contest the 'losers' second round.

Conditions at Teahupoo were spectacular throughout the day, with epic 8-10 foot (3m) barrels presenting themselves amidst constant downpour of rain. Many surfboards paid the ultimate price, however, as competitors hurled themselves over dredging ledges of moving water in search of a perfect ride.

Wildcard Nicolas Leetham

Garcia, 31, was far from impressed after losing. The Hawaiian claimed his Tahitian opponent began hassling for waves early on during their 30-minute clash and in turn ignited his short fuse. The world champ failed to catch any good rides, while Leetham picked off one near perfect 9.65 score to win convincingly.

Current ratings number four Shane Powell (Aus) was also accounted for in the three-man heat, finishing slightly ahead of Garcia in second. Still, both were delegated to round two, as only first place advances straight into the third.

"There weren't any waves and I was being hassled," said a frustrated Garcia afterward. "I guess being against the world champ as a local guy you want to win at all costs. He got a good wave that he hassled me for, and that makes all the difference. When you catch waves you win heats.

"I have a little extra incentive to make my (second round) heat now, as I'll get him again in third," explained the world champ. "I want to kick his butt. I come to surf and when somebody less talented, who obviously doesn't just have the talent to surf, he's got to hassle me for waves ... I'm from the 'old school' and I know how to hassle. I'm actually that upset I'd hassle him to the point where I wouldn't care if we caught waves or not. That's how angry I am.

"It's been raining the whole time I've been here," he continued. "So at this point all I want is to get on the plane and go home. I won my world title already and I've got nothing to prove, but if the waves are good I'm more than happy to hang around and surf."

Leetham, 33, showed his knowledge of the infamous reef break with superior positioning and tube riding sense today. Although Garcia was vocally unimpressed with his opponent, the Tahitian was all smiles afterward.

"Yeah, I'm happy, this is the first time I surf against the top 44," said Leetham, as he searched for English words to express his feelings. "Everybody here is a good surfer, and me too, I'm good surfer. I see Sunny, the champion, but me not champion, just a surfer.

"Many of the best surfers are from Tahiti," he continued. "Now my friends are happy and think I am a good surfer. It is a good day for me."

World Qualifying Series (WQS) competitor Kieren Perrow (Aus), who replaced injured world number three Rob Machado (USA) for the Billabong Pro Teahupoo, was another to shake things up. Against world number five Jake Paterson and former world and event champion Mark Occhilupo (both Australian), Perrow posted the day's highest tally of 28.2 out of a possible 30 points with three incredible waves. As well as the only perfect 10-point ride of the entire round, he also scored two 9.1's to secure an outstanding victory.

ASP world number five Jake Paterson

"I'm just stoked," began Perrow. "I was watching it for hours and just dreaming of getting out there and only having two other guys, so I could hopefully catch some of those waves. I was rapped, I was on the inside for it (his 10). I was trying to position myself, as those guys were further down (the lineup) and looking at me wondering if I was going to go, but I wanted it. I was blown away when I came out (of the tube).

"I love this wave," he continued. "It's a dream come true to be able to surf in the main event of this contest. I just want to get out there and find some barrels, that's my main goal.

"I was really nervous," he added, when asked about his opponents. "You just have to try and forget about your competitors and get out there and do the best for yourself. Fortunately that worked for me. As I paddled out I became quite relaxed, and that's the best thing to be out in waves like that."

Former world number three Victor Ribas (Brz) was another WCT replacement to cause distress, outscoring world number six Taj Burrow (Aus) and Greg Emslie in a slow heat for waves. The 29-year-old only narrowly failed to re-qualify for this year's WCT and was granted a spot in the Billabong Pro Teahupoo when fellow countryman Neco Padaratz injured his rib during the first event of the season.

"When I received the message that Neco wasn't going to come, I was all excited," said Ribas. "I know it's a good opportunity to come and make money and show everyone you are ready to come back to the WCT. It's such a great wave and such a beautiful place. I got some good waves and luckily won the heat."

VZ Hinano Trials champion Bruce Irons (Haw) added to his good fortune today with a decisive win over world number four Shane Dorian (Haw) and number 18 Peterson Rosa (Brz). The 21-year-old again showed impressive tube riding ability and will now skip a round of main event competition.

"I knew Shane would just go on anything that came in, so it was tough," reasoned Irons. "Peterson is pretty crazy too, but I was pretty stoked just to surf against Shane for the first time.

"I'm definitely scared every time I surf out there," he admitted. "I think you have to overcome a lot of your fears surfing here. Once you make the drop and you're in the barrel, then you have time to relax."

VZ Hinano champion Bruce Irons

Current world number two Andy Irons (Haw) followed his brothers lead at Teahupoo with an exceptional win over Nathan Hedge (Aus) and Pat O'Connell (USA). The 24-year-old, who won last year's trial event before coming down with a severe case of blood poisoning, showed no signs of illness today as he dominated the high scoring match.

"I found a good one at the beginning with a double barrel, and they (the judges) gave me a nine, which I was really stoked with," explained Irons. "That was a good score to start with, and then I got 9.7. 'Hedgey' got two nine's too, so it was a real close heat. It came down to his last wave and he needed a good score, but the wave ended up clamping down on him.

"I'm stoked and proud of him," he offered, in regard to his younger brother's performance. "He's doing good out here. The waves are unreal and he's surfing well. I don't want to say anything yet (about a possible match up together) and curse myself, but that'd be cool surfing against him. Hopefully the waves would be good and I'd beat him."

Paul Canning (SAfr), also currently second on the ratings, continued his dream start to 2001 by defeating current ratings leader Danny Wills and tour rookie Joel Parkinson (both Australian) in the final heat of the day. The 25 year old snuck in and out of enough hollow lefthanders for a comfortable win.

"It's insane, I can't believe it," said a grinning Canning. "I started off that heat by taking a heavy drop and creased my board. I knew I just needed to wait for the good ones, so I did and they came. I knew it would be a really good one to win, so I'm just stoked."

Official Results of Billabong Pro Teahupoo Men's Division
Round One
H1: Shea Lopez (USA) 22.75; Damien Hobgood (USA) 19.5; Trent Munro (Aus) 9.25
H2: Fabio Gouveia (Brz) 16.5; Flavio Padaratz (Brz) 6.8; Mark Bannister (Aus) 4.75
H3: Richard Lovett (Aus) 16.35; Kalani Robb (Haw) 12.45; Paulo Moura (Brz) 11.15
H4: Michael Campbell (Aus) 10.75; Joca Junior (Brz) 9.35; Armando Daltro (Brz) 4.45
H5: CJ Hobgood (USA) 18.1; Beau Emerton (Aus) 17.9; Luke Hitchings (Aus) 16.75
H6: Victor Ribas (Brz) 17.6; Taj Burrow (Aus) 15.5; Greg Emslie (SAfr) 6.4
H7: Kieren Perrow (Aus) 28.2; Jake Paterson (Aus) 14.75; Mark Occhilupo (Aus) 11.75
H8: Nicolas Leetham (Tah) 19.65; Shane Powell (Aus) 9.85; Sunny Garcia (Haw) 4.1
H9: Luke Egan (Aus) 20.95; Taylor Knox (USA) 18.0; Hira Terinatoofa (Tah) 10.35
H10: Bruce Irons (Haw) 18.1; Shane Dorian (Haw) 14.85; Peterson Rosa (Brz) 5.65
H11: Sasha Stocker (Aus) 23.1; Ben Bourgeois (USA) 11.25; Guilherme Herdy (Brz) 7.7
H12: Michael Lowe (Aus) 22.75; Renan Rocha (Brz) 3.85; Chris Davidson (Aus) 1.75
H13: Cory Lopez (USA) 23.15; Marcelo Nunes (Brz) 18.55; Shane Beschen (USA) 17.25
H14: Rodrigo Dornelles (Brz) 12.6; Nathan Webster (Aus) 9.5; Shawn Sutton (Haw) 4.75
H15: Andy Irons (Haw) 27.5; Nathan Hedge (Aus) 23.5; Pat O'Connell (USA) 6.65
H16: Paul Canning (SAfr) 16.1; Daniel Wills (Aus) 13.75; Joel Parkinson (Aus) 10.65

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