Rusty Pro
presented by Mini

2A rated ASP Pro Junior
New Pier, Durban Beachfront
23 - 25 June 2006

Mixed Results at Rusty Pro Day Two

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 24 June, 2006 : - - It was a day of mixed results for the top surfers competing in the Rusty Pro presented by MINI at New Pier. The finals take place on Sunday at 3.00pm on the Durban beachfront with the nation’s finest pro surfers vying for top slots, valuable rating points and a total prize pool of R20, 000.

Saturday saw some of the top seeds taking a tumble when the Pro Men’s number one seed Frankie Oberholzer (Warner Beach) fell by the wayside. Other surfers that were unexpectedly eliminated included Ricky Basnett (Bluff), Brandon Jackson (Dbn North), Simon Nicholson (Berea), Brad Mommsen (Dbn) and Lyle Bottcher (Dbn North).  

Some of the surprise upsets could be attributed to the inconsistent, small surf which trickled through over the course of the day resulting in some wave starved heats. Current 2006 ASP Africa Pro Surf Tour rating’s leader Warwick Wright (Durban) continued to shine scoring an 8-point ride in the round of 48 surfers on one of the biggest waves of the day. 

Jordy Smith (Umbilo) snatched the day’s highest score when he earned 9.67 out of a possible ten points. “I was in the right place when that good wave came through; it came straight at the pier and then hit the bank perfectly allowing me to pack in a few good turns which I ended with an air,” said Smith who has made the quarterfinals of the Pro Junior and Pro Men’s divisions.  

Smith later starred in one of the most nail biting heats of the day where he and junior star Damien Fahrenfort (Durban) were responsible for knocking out Nicholson and Basnett in the round of 32 surfers.  

Another name to keep an eye on in the finals is Shane Warren (Bluff) who surfed consistently well throughout the event. Rusty team riders Mike Varikas (Durban) and Dane Monks (Umhlanga) made the most of their head start into the seeded rounds; both performed well to advance to the Pro Men’s quarterfinals.   

In the Pro Women’s quarterfinals an exciting battle is guaranteed when number one seed Rosanne Hodge (East London) and current point’s leader Stacey Guy (Melkbosstrand) come up against seasoned professionals like multiple ASP Africa champion Tamarys de Maroussem (Westbrook). Lynne Mackey (Westville) has risen from relative obscurity to being a force to be reckoned with, the Rusty surfer will be out to ruffle some feathers. 

From a total field of over 134 surfers, only 16 remain per division; the first quarterfinals will take to the water at 08h00. The event started on Friday, June 23 and over the past two days spectators have been treated to world class performances from surfers in the Pro Juniors, Pro Men and Pro Women’s heats in the 2A rated ASP Africa Pro Surf Tour (PST) event.  

The contest tower is based at Dairy Beach on the pump house to enable surfers to ride New Pier or Dairy depending on the surf conditions. The Expression Session takes place at 2.10pm with ten invited aerial specialists showcasing the biggest and most radical airs possible in the 30-minute final.  

The Rusty Surf Pro presented by MINI provides the perfect opportunity for the nation’s top professional surfers to hone their skills in home waters ahead of the arrival of the Mr Price Pro international contingent the following week.  

Rusty Pro presented by MINI Schedule: Sunday 25th June        

08h00 Pro Junior Men's 1/4's (heat 1 - 4)      
09h20 Women's 1/4's (heat 1 - 4)     
10h40 Men's 1/4's (heat 1 - 4)
12h00 Pro Junior Men's Semi's (heat 1-2)    
12h50 Women's Semi's (heat 1-2)   
13h40 Men's Semi's (heat 1-2)          
14h30 Rusty expression session      
15h00 Pro Junior Men's Final
15h25 Women's Final
15h50 Men's Final      
16h30 Prize Giving

www.rusty.com

Previous reports:
# 1 : 2006 Rusty Pro Shines With Support From Mini
# 2 : Rusty Pro's mens heats dominated by the young guns
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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Mike Varikas
sales@rusty.co.za

Olivia Jones Communications
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Junior contests - Surfersvillage