Troy Brooks : photo Vasallo/SurfingAustralia.com

    

2005 Salomon Masters & Bico Classic                                                              Version Espagnole

ASP Super Series Mens Event
ASP WQS 6 star Womens Event
Surfers Point, Margaret River
March 14 to 20, 2005

Heatdraw/Results
Live Scores & Video/Photos etc 
More at the Blue-Conspiracy.com 

Australian Troy Brooks Wins Prime Rated Event.

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, Sunday March 20, 2005 (Margaret River, Western Australia) Australian Troy Brooks (Gold Coast, QLD) today won the Prime rated 6-Star Salomon Masters. Following a week of average conditions, perfect 4-5ft (1.5m) surf greeted the final day of this year's most important World Qualifying Series (WQS) event, with pods of dolphins again gracing the lineup.

Brooks, the lone Aussie to reach today's quarterfinals, carried the hopes of a nation and huge beach crowd support with each of his rides. The World Championship Tour (WCT) 'rookie' trailed throughout the 35-minute against Hawaiian Roy Powers, and appeared destined for defeat until a wave surfaced within the dying minutes. Displaying complete confidence he launched a massive aerial, and after landing it, continued to execute critical forehand snaps for a near-perfect 9.67 score and dramatic victory.

Having turned 26 this week, today's win generated real reason to celebrate, along with US$15,000 prizemoney and 2,750 crucial ratings points. It's his third major qualifying series victory, and a dream start to the 2005 season.

"Oh my God, this is unbelievable," began Brooks, after being carried from the water's edge all the way up to the presentation area. "It was so nerve-racking out there, and I knew I only had one shot at it. I sat and waited, and finally the wave came at the end. I saw a punt section and just went for it, and nailed it. I was just hoping it would go flat and he wouldn't be able to catch anything else (laughs). Roy's been ripping all day, dropping eights and nines every heat.

Troy Brooks : photo Vasallo/SurfingAustralia.com

"How awesome is this?" he continued. "My first WQS of the year, and to win is a dream start."

Powers proved menacing throughout the prestigious tournament, overcoming some of the toughest opponents to reach his second ever final. Once there he immediately applied pressure to Brooks, creating a commanding lead from the outset with an 8.0 in his tally. The 24-year-old came close to qualifying for this year's elite tour in 27th position, but is now definitely on track for 2006, currently sitting in fourth on the ratings.

"I've had a great contest, but at the end of the final I was basically a spectator," acknowledged Powers. "There was nothing I could have done, and I'm so stoked to have gotten second. He definitely deserved to win with that aerial. He put it on the line, and that's what surfing should be about now. I was clapping from behind as he did it (laughs). It was a sick air. I'm just stoked to have such a strong start at the beginning of the year."

Equal third in the Salomon Masters were defending event champion Neco Padaratz (BRA) and Gabe Kling (FL, USA). Both received 2,008 valuable ratings points.

Travis Logie : photo Robertson/SurfingAustralia.com

Padaratz, the reigning two-time World Qualifying Series winner, stormed through this year's tournament determined to back up his title, but against Powers in the second semifinal was unable to secure an 8.6 score required toward the end. The passionate 28-year-old cites this event as his favourite of the year, and following a win, runner-up finish and now an equal third at Margaret's, his results support the sentiment.

"It's another semifinal, but really hard to swallow," said Padaratz. "Everything felt good. My board, physically, mental. I just chose the wrong waves at the end. Nothing to complain about, as Margaret River is a place that lives in my heart. I have so much passion about it, and feel like a man over here in this nature. There are so many sharks around, the waves are powerful, rocks everywhere. I feel like I did a good job and am so hungry to be back here again soon (laughs)."

Kling, who proved a dark horse throughout the tournament and took out many of the top seeds, was ultimately stopped by Brooks. The 24-year-old continued his strong form in the semifinals, but his opponent earned a couple of eight plus scores to seal victory. Nonetheless, the result is still his best to date and pushes him to the top of the current ratings.

"I'm so amped to do well in a contest of this calibre, as it's the best I've ever gone," said Kling. "The waves weren't so good at the beginning of the week, but luckily I made it this far and they were great today. I'm really happy and can't complain at all. The points help a lot, so I'll just have to keep truckin' and try to qualify."

Jesse Merle Jones : photo Robertson/SurfingAustralia.com

Finishing equal fifth after being eliminated in the man-on-man quarterfinals were Great Britain's Russell Winter, Brazilians 2000 World Junior Champion Pedro Henrique and Armando Daltro, together with South Africa's Travis Logie.

Despite posting the highest combined scores of this year's tournament yesterday, Logie was unable to match Powers in their clash today.

"It's been a really good event and I was stoked to get big scores in all the different conditions this week," said Logie. "I was upset to lose in the quarters, but this is a big result still and gives me a lot of confidence."

A Tooheys Extra Dry Expression Session took place between the semis and event finale, with 10 international surfers vying for the bonus cash on offer. Trent Munro (Scott's Head, AUS), who placed equal ninth this morning, ended up winning the spectacle after landing a big forehand aerial.

Trent Munro : photo Robertson/SurfingAustralia.com

"I was just trying to have fun and make amends for the mistakes I made in my heat today," said Munro. "It was fun, and stoked to win."

Local surfer Yadin Nicol received the 'Highest Placed Regional Men's Trophy' in equal 25th position, after losing yesterday afternoon.

For the first time this year's Salomon Masters introduced a man-on-man competitive format, as distinct to regular four-man heats, from quarterfinals onwards. Besides reducing the amount of hassling and luck involved with catching rides, the format mirrors the World Championship Tour (WCT) and therefore provides qualifying surfers the opportunity to gain experience before reaching the elite ranks.

The 2005 Salomon Masters and Bico Classic is proudly sponsored by Salomon, westernaustralia.com, Bico Australia, Department of Sport & Recreation, Tooheys Extra Dry, Coca-Cola, SunSmart, Odyssey 2020, Telstra Country Wide, Jim Beam, 92.9 ninety two.nine, Fin Control Systems (FCS), Evans & Tate, Margarets Beach Resort, Margaret River Law and Tracks.

A live webcast was available on www.salomonmasters.com  during competition hours throughout the event’s waiting period (March 14 – March 20).

Previous reports:
# 1 : Margaret River/Salomon Masters await worlds top surfers
# 2 : Yadin Nicol posts a perfect ten in Salomon Masters Trials
# 3 : Odyssey 2020 Trials provide 8 berths to Salomon Masters
# 4 : Craike & Nicol stand outs on Day One of Salomon Masters

# 5 : Performances rise to conditions at the Salomons Masters
# 6 : Bico Classic 1/4 finalists decided, Mens event advances
# 7 : Tiny conditions postpone Salomon Masters & Bico Classic
# 8 : Salomon Masters: difficult conditions prevail for top seeds
# 9 : Yvonne Byron defeats Layne Beachley to win Bico Classic

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Mario Vassallo
srosurf@westnet.com.au

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