Spartan scores great result at Quik Pro

Michel Bourez © ASP/Kirstin

Team Updates

Michel Bourez rocked through to the quarters until running into the Parko train

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 13 March, 2013 : - - The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, opening event of the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour season was completed last night in pumping 4-5Ft Kirra on the iconic Gold Coast of Australia. Kelly Slater (USA) came out on top of the final four remaining in contention on the last day of competition at the term of an exciting final against local hero Joel Parkinson (AUS) that saw high scores exchanged up until the final countdown.

Michel Bourez (PYF) 27, the lone European survivor after defeating Jeremy Flores (FRA) in their Round 5 bout, took on current World Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS) 31 in the opening semi-final and unfortunately couldn't match Parkinson's wave knowledge that awarded him a perfect 10 point ride in the first minutes of their exchange. Reflecting on equalling his best performance ever on the WCT, Bourez looks forward to skipping town and moving on to the next event that will unfold at the legendary Bell's Beach at the end of the month.

"It was such a hard heat against Parko," Bourez said. "He got a 10 on his first wave and it was embarrasing, I was waiting for too long.. I could have got a 10 too I just needed the right wave but never got it ! This is my best result over here so far, I feel great and my boards are going well so I can't wait for Bells to start now for sure !"

In the women's division, France's Pauline Ado 22, nets an important 5th place result to score her best start in Australia since her inception on Tour back in 2011. Fresh off a long training period, Ado came back swinging at Rainbow Bay and dominated a couple heats before falling short in her quarter-final match-up with former World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW).

At a time where women's surfing is reaching new heights every year, Ado demonstrated her work during the quiet-season has paid-off and hopes to keep building momentum moving on to the second event of the year as soon as this coming Saturday in Margaret River, Western-Australia.

"The Roxy Pro this year was a great event and we saw excellent surfing from the girls, specially cause we had great conditions ! I'm a bit frustrated with my quarter against Carissa cause I feel I didn't show what I could do but overall I'm very satisfied with my event. It's important to start the year off good and a 5th is a good result. I felt great and had a lot of support at the event and online that really motivated me."
"This definitely helps to build confidence and I hope to continue like this.. The level on tour this year is through the roof so it will be very hard again but it's a great challenge ! I'm going to try and go into events like here, without putting too much pressure on myself but rather concentrating on surfing well, having fun and we'll see !"

The women's top17 field has already established its quarters in Margaret River where the second event of the 2013 WCT will start this Saturday, March 16, 2013. The men will wait a little longer and move on to the Classic Bell's Beach area to compete from March 17 to April 7, 2013 !

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Kelly Slater (USA) 18.56
2 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.47

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 18.17 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 15.80
SF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 19.37 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.60

CURRENT ASP WCT TOP 5 (Following Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast):
1. Kelly Slater (USA) 10000 pts
2. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 8000 pts
3. Mick Fanning (AUS) 6500 pts
3. Michel Bourez (PYF) 6500 pts
5. Taj Burrow (AUS) 5200 pts
5. Julian Wilson (AUS) 5200 pts
5. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 5200 pts
5. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 5200 pts