Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 30 April, 2006 : - - Sixteen surfers remain in contention for prestigious Billabong Pro Tahiti wildcards after an intense day of competition in the Air Tahiti Nui/Von Zipper Trials at Teahupoo.
Postponed for four days due to small swell and strong winds competition resumed on the second last day of the official event-waiting period, with the first glimmer of a solid south swell appearing at the famed left-hander. Conditions for tomorrow’s final day of competition are expected to show Teahupoo at its bone crunching best with 3-4m waves putting the final 16 competitors on notice.
It was a day of highs and lows as renowned big wave chargers bowed out and tube specialists shone, all competitors gunning for a win or a second position to score the two wildcards on offer for the Billabong Pro Tahiti World Championship Tour (WCT) event which begins on May 4th. Tahitian and Hawaiian surfers stamped their authority on the world’s heaviest wave while top rated Australian surfers struggled to find the high scoring rides rewarded for a Teahupoo barrel.
Brash Hawaiian charger Kalani Chapman scored the day’s best tube, locking in the second perfect 10-point ride of the event to move through to round six. Tahitian surfer Marama Darrouzes scored the events first perfect 10 for a similarly deep pit at the start of the fifth round.
Pulling deep behind the folding lip, Chapman showed little regard to the heaving tube, flipping the bird to the throngs of spectators in the nearby channel from inside the wave. The bold gesture one of pure delight for such an amazing barrel. “I’m always happy to have a ten under my belt, I guess I showed it there,” said Chapman. “It’s all kind of worked out, the swell is picking up and the conditions are beautiful.”
“I think the waves are going to be big for the last day of the trials so I am psyching.” “I have got some big boards, I feel healthy and I’m ready.” The goofy footed Pipeline specialist only managed a 6.00 to back up his perfect ride, but it was enough to see him progress behind Australian surfer Anthony Walsh (Lennox Head), who won the heat with an 8.33 and an 8.17.
“I couldn’t ask for a better start, Anthony got the good ones there, so he is the man in that one but I’m sure we will see each other later on in this contest,” said Chapman. Chapman is joined by fellow Hawaiians Danny Fuller and Mark Healy in tomorrows deciding round of 16, while 2005 trials runner up Liam McNamara and fellow Pipeline charger Tamayo Perry were eliminated.
As predicted Chapman will face Walsh in a man on man heat in the next round.
Only four Australians remain in contention for Billabong Pro Tahiti wildcards after five were bundled out of today’s top seeded round. Laurie Towner (Angourie), Wade Goodall (Caloundra), Damon Harvey (Coolangatta), Brett Whitton and Josh Kerr (Coolangatta) all went down to Tahitian and Hawaiian chargers.
Anthony Walsh : photo Robertson/ASP
Still in contention along with Walsh is Sunshine Coast surfer Mark Visser and Gold Coast pair Dylan Longbottom and Josh Fuller. Longbottom will stand as the most experienced Teahupoo surfer out of the remaining Australians having towed into 5m monsters at the break after the Trials event in 2005.
A natural footer who is known for being simply fearless when it comes to tackling monster tubes, Longbottom will face up against local Tahitian Patrice Chancy in his man on man round six heat. “I was stoked to get through that heat though because all I want to do is have a crack at the big stuff, I’m really looking forward to that and I hope it is massive,” said Longbottom.
While today wasn’t the scariest ‘Chopes Longbottom had ridden, his second position behind Chancy today, forcing the elimination of Tahitian hotshots Taumata Puhetini and Heinere Paez was enough to see him though. It’s definitely not the biggest Teahupoo I have surfed,” said Longbottom. “A couple of the big guys went out today which makes it better for me to have a crack at the wildcards.”
“I’m just so ready to win this thing, everything is looking good, I just need to go for it and hope for the best.” Seven of the remaining surfers in the Air Tahiti Nui/Von Zipper Trials are Tahitian, proving that experience counts for everything when dealing with such a challenging wave as Teahupoo. Bruno Santos is the lone remaining Brazilian surfer in contention.
The final day of the trials will be webcast live on www.billabongpro.com from 7am Tahitian time.
Final Day Round Six Match-Up’s
Heat 1: Marama Darrouzes (PYF) v Mark Visser (AUS) Heat 2: Heimata Carroll (PYF) v Steven Pierson (PYF) Heat 3: Patrice Chanzy (PYF) v Dylan Longbottom (AUS) Heat 4: Josh Fuller (AUS) v Hira Terinatoofa (PYF) Heat 5: Mark Healey (HAW) v Danny Fuller Heat 6: Anthony Walsh (AUS) v Kalani Chapman (HAW) Heat 7: Heiarri Williams (PYF) v Alain Riou (PYF) Heat 8: Kevin Johnson (PYF) v Bruno Santos (Brz)
The Air Tahiti Nui/ Von Zipper Trials are supported by Coke, Hyundai and Bose.
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