06.19.01
by: Press Release
ASP International

Australia (Monday, June 18th) The Rio Surf International is set to commence in less than two weeks with the world's best surfers converging on Brazil for the third event of the 2001 World Championship Tour (WCT). Adding to the anticipation of this tournament is the addition of three-time world champion Tom Curren (USA), who has been granted a wildcard position after his reemergence on the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and continued crowd appeal.

Already the top rating positions in 2001 have seen a massive shift with only three of last year's leaders retaining a commanding pace. World champion Sunny Garcia (Haw) has slipped to eighth, world #10 Flavio Padaratz (Brz) is now equal third, with #6 CJ Hobgood (USA) in second. Cory Lopez (USA) is currently first, having jumped from 14th after a brilliant victory in Tahiti over Hobgood last month.

Lopez, 24, took poll position for the first time during his five years on the WCT. Former world champion Mark Occhilupo (Aus), # 16 Andy Irons (Haw), and Padaratz are all closely snapping at his heels in third, while the rest of the pack are anxious to make their move upward during the Rio Surf International.

"Taking the ratings lead is a first for me," explained Lopez in Tahiti. "It's only the second event of the year and we have six more to go. I hope I can keep on a roll and hold it out. There's a ways to go, so we'll see how it goes through Brazil... For sure I'm psyched and ready to go."

Hobgood, 21, became a title contender last year after his maiden WCT victory in France, but eventually had to settle for sixth. His campaign is well on track for a stronger finish in 2001, although he reasons his time is further down the line.

"I still think I'm the underdog even if I'm high on the ratings," said Hobgood after securing the number two position. "There's no pressure on me. I just want to be in the hunt toward he end of the year, so if I can do that I'll be stoked. I still think the older guys are the ones who should win it (the world title), so I'm just going to taking it contest by contest."

Padaratz, 30, has to be viewed a strong event favorite heading into Rio third. With an always-passionate Brazilian crowd on hand to boost his morale, the extremely focused competitor will be looking to add another solid result to his impressive start.

"Back home there's a lot of expectations on me and to deal with that is very hard," Padaratz admitted. "I've been doing a lot of mental training with my trainer, and that's been helping a lot."

Occhilupo, 35, is another with momentum. Having claimed his much celebrated 1999 world title in Brazil, this tournament could very well kick start another successful crusade for the world #20.

"It's a real good build for the tour," said Occhilupo of his current position. "I've had a 9th and a 3rd (this year). I'm gradually getting better and am really psyched now. I'm really looking forward to the next event."

Garcia, 31, also eagerly awaits the Rio Surf International. Having clinched his maiden crown there last year, the Hawaiian is sure to stage a tough battle for the ground his opponents have already secured. Sporting a new tattoo on his left arm, he's looking fiercer and remains completely optimistic after enjoying a month off.

"I feel good," said Garcia from his home in Hawaii. "Obviously the first two events this year haven't exactly gone the way that I would have liked, but considering I'm 8th and only four hundred points out of the lead, I'm very optimistic. It's the first time I've been in Hawaii in June for this long, so I've been hanging out with my family, riding dirt bikes, doing a little training. I'm looking forward to going to Brazil and doing well. I've always had pretty good luck there and I'd like to turn this very short season around and get back in the title chase.

"I'm very optimistic that I'll have a good run at the title," he continued. "A lot of the guys in front of me have never been front runners, and some of them that have fumbled the ball before, so I'm not very threatened by the guys in front, or at least it's too early in the season to feel threatened. They're young, so we'll see how they handle the pressure."

World #2 Luke Egan (Aus) is determined to put his opening results behind him. The 31-year-old finished equal 17th in both events to be currently rated 19th.

"There is a little bit of pressure on me to get a result," offered Egan. "My heats in the first two contests have been so close that I am just trying to ignore them. I lost to Mick Fanning (Aus) at Bells Beach and he went on to win the event, then I had a tight one with Bruce Irons (Haw) in Tahiti.

"This year we're going a little earlier than we have in previous years, into the winter months," he explained. "And with the contest being mobile around the city of Rio, we'll see more potential to get good waves and that suits me. I think you will see a different contest come out of Brazil this year."

Curren, 36, finds himself amongst the 48-man field care of one of the three-wildcard positions offered. The three-time (1985, '86 & '90) world champion hasn't competed full-time for a decade, but already this year has posted two WQS wins and has sparked further rumors of a possible comeback.

Brazilians Leonardo Neves, 21, and Tadeu Pereira, 32, have been granted the remaining wildcard spots. Meanwhile, 1999 world #8 Beau Emerton received a start since fellow Australian Mark Bannister had to withdraw due to family matters.

Barra da Tijuca will serve as the main competition setup during the Rio Surf International, while the mobile event will also have smaller sites ready further south at Praihna, with Aproador the northern parameter. Contest director Pedro Muller, a professional surfer in his own right, will make the decision each morning as to the contest schedule and choice of locations.

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