Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 7 April, 2006 : - - Seven-time world champion Kelly Slater is a shock withdrawal from the Vodafone Open World Qualifying Series (WQS) surfing event at Newcastle Beach. The Florida phenomenon, who is the current Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) ratings leader and defending world champion, was scheduled to hit the water in today’s seeded round of 64 surfers.
But he withdrew via a phone call from Sydney this morning. Slater told event organisers he was feeling the effects of a virus. The 34-year-old said he would be not be able to compete at the level to which he is accustomed, sending his apologies to his surfing fans.
Slater was to face Port Stephens wildcard Nick Coghlan, Manly surfer Dayyan Neve, who took the Newcastle title in 2003, and American Nathan Yeomans in his opening heat of the $US75,000 competition presented by Billabong.
Tour stalwart Mark “Occy” Occhilupo is now the sentimental favourite to take out the Vodafone Open, which he won in 1986 and again in 1998 en route to the world title. The 39-year-old is fresh from his first ASP-rated event win in six years, at Margaret River in Western Australia, and is surfing with the power that earned him the “Raging Bull” nickname.
But it was still a close heat today for the Gold Coast-based goofy-footer, who progressed through in second position behind young Californian surfer Alex Gray. Looking forward to the huge swell predicted for this weekend, Occy remains confident he can repeat the performances that saw him win this event in 1986 and again in 1998.
Occhilupo spent most of the heat finding his feet today, scoring a 7.17 out of a possible 10 with only five minutes remaining to squeeze through, but is looking forward to the huge swell predicted for the weekend. Fellow Australian Luke Stedman (Avalon) could have knocked out Occhilupo in the dying seconds but failed to find the low 4.17 score he needed.
“I was lucky to get through,” Occhilupo said. “I fell off a couple of times on some back up waves, which made me fall short. “I heard there is some swell coming, which I am excited about, so it would have been a shame to get knocked out then. I tried some new wax and it didn’t really work that time, but I’ll just go back to basics and use some different wax next heat.”
Occhilupo said he had entered the Vodafone Open more for kicks than kudos. “I’ve got friends who are more like family here in Newcastle, and I love coming back for the whole weekend and seeing everyone,” he said. “It’s a tough field, the ‘QS guys are at home here with their four man heats. “I’m probably not here for the points, more for the event. I feel good, I feel comfortable so a bit more swell would just add to that.”
World number nine Tom Whitaker (Bronte) launched his campaign at the Vodafone Open by leaving his opponents requiring a combination of wave scores in his opening heat of in today’s top seeded round.
The 26-year-old led from the outset and was rewarded with a 9.33 for three beyond-vertical backhand turns on one of the morning’s best rides in the smooth 1-1.5m swell.
A 7.83 back-up on his final wave put the result beyond reach for fellow competitors Luke Hitchings (Bronte) and Heitor Alves (Brazil), while Gold Coaster Cory Ziems (Currumbin) progressed in second.
Whitaker admits the withdrawal of Slater has opened opportunities for others in the four star-rated contest, which is the main event of the 21st annual Vodafone Surfest presented by Billabong.
“I think he has had a few heavy flights and has been jet-setting around like they do,” Whitaker said. “It opens up the door and that’s one guy you don’t have to beat. Anytime you can get a win when Kelly isn’t in, is always good.”
“There are a couple of young guys who have been flaring up but obviously the guys who are on [the World Championship] tour will be the ones to beat. “I’m stoked that Newcastle puts on an event every year, I think Australia is struggling on the WQS scene.”
Port Macquarie comeback hero Michael Campbell won his seventh consecutive heat today, earning a spot in the round of 32 surfers. Starting from the first round on Monday, Campbell has claimed a number of high-profile scalps during his sizzling run - none bigger than today’s dominating win over former world number five Phillip MacDonald (Tomakin, NSW South Coast).
Nick Muscrofy : photo Robertson/Vodafone Open
Goofy-footed Campbell has looked unstoppable, seemingly on track to achieve his goal of a top 16 finish on this year’s WQS. “Phil is always a tough competitor and that was the first time I have seen him in about a year, and it was out in a heat,” said Campbell, who won here in 2001. “I’m in this to win, but I’ll just keep on rolling through heats and see how I go.
“That win was good for my confidence but the old saying goes, ‘if you’re too sharp you will cut yourself’, so I’m not going to say too much and just try to perform.”
The Vodafone Open is expecting a monster four-metre swells for the weekend’s final series. Organisers expect to use power-skis to help competitors enter the line-up. The event has put in place preparation to move if necessary.
Other Aussies dusting off their big guns after progressing through today’s rounds include Byron Bay pair Kieren Perrow and Adam Melling, Torquay’s Nick Muscroft, Drew Courtney (Umina’s NSW Central Coast), Corey Ziems (Currumbin, Queensland), Daniel Ross (Angourie, NSW North Coast), Kai Otton (Manly) and former world grommet champion Ben Dunn (Old Bar, NSW North Coast).
The foreign contingent is being led by American duo Gabe Kling and Nathaniel Curran (US), Hawaiian youngsters Kekoa Bacalso and Ola Eleogram and Brazilian pairing Neco Padaratz and Leonardo Neves. Hometown hopeful Travis Lynch was eliminated on the bell by the event’s new No.1 seed, Trent Munro from Scotts Head, and Padaratz.
The Vodafone Open is the main event of the Vodafone Surfest presented by Billabong is supported by the NSW Major Events Board, NSW Tourism, NBN Television, NEW FM and The Herald.
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