Peniche: 2012 Title Race tightens up

CJ Hobgood & Adrian Buchan © ASP/Cestari

Rip Curl Pro Portugal

Slater & Fanning out, 2012 Title race tightens

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 19 October, 2012 : - - Supertubos, Peniche, Portugal – Rip Curl Pro Portugal completed a mammoth day today, determining seven of eight Quarterfinalists in three-to-five surf at Supertubos. Thursday bore witness to high scores and drama in ever-improving conditions, including shakeups in the hunt for the 2012 ASP World Title.

Kelly Slater current ASP WCT No. 2, suffered a shock elimination in Round 3, significantly hindering his run for the 2012 ASP World Title. Joel Parkinson current ASP WCT No. 1, drew first blood this afternoon, posting a win over Adrian buchan and Josh Kerr advancing directly into the Quarterfinals.

Parkinson’s Quarterfinal berth today solidifies his current lead on the ASP WCT rankings. Parkinson has drawn John John Florence in tomorrow’s quarterfinals. Florence celebrated his 20th birthday today and the Mayor of Peniche was on-hand with a can of the area's famous Mackeral.

Owen Wright caused the second major upset of the day, eliminating current ASP WCT No 3 mick Fanning. Despite Fanning jumping out to an early lead, Wright fought back securing a Perfect 10 and then backing it up with an 8.00 in the dying moments to take the heat.

adriano De Souza continued his impressive run at Supertubos today claiming his Round 4 heat, advancing directly to the Quarterfinals. Gabriel Medina punctuated the afternoon with a sensational Round 4 bout against Kolohe Andino and Florence.

When competition resumes, up first will be Jeremy Flores against Monteiro, in the final heat of Round 5. Next call is for Friday morning at 7:45am.

Check the Full Coverage

RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL ROUND 3 RESULTS:
Heat 3: Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.50 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 5.33
Heat 4: Josh Kerr (AUS) 13.24 def. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 10.50
Heat 5: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 11.33 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 10.43
Heat 6: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.73 def. Dusty Payne (HAW) 6.17
Heat 7: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 9.20 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 5.27
Heat 8: Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.00 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 10.23
Heat 9: Owen Wright (AUS) 16.27 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 9.83
Heat 10: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.43 def. Kieren Perrow (AUS) 11.33
Heat 11: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.27 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 10.60
Heat 12: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.77 def. Yadin Nicol (AUS) 9.84

RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL ROUND 4 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 18.50, Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.80, John John Florence (HAW) 5.77
Heat 2: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.30, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 7.53, Josh Kerr (AUS) 6.26
Heat 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) 14.46, Owen Wright (AUS) 13.07, Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 12.40
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.10, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.06, Mick Fanning (AUS) 12.93

RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL ROUND 5 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Josh Kerr (AUS) 16.57 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 11.84
Heat 2: John John Florence (HAW) 17.03 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 5.80
Heat 3: Owen Wright (AUS) 18.00 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.54

RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL REMAINING ROUND 5 MATCH-UP:
Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Raoni Monteiro (BRA)