Judges Tower catches this mornings sunlight : photo ASP/Covered Images

Billabong Pro

ASP WCT Mens Event
Supertubes, Jeffreys Bay, South Africa
12 – 22 July 2006

Live Webcast  |  Scores/Results/Photos/Videos etc 

Midday Report:  BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY ROUND THREE OFF FOR THE DAY

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 19 July, 2006 : - - With wave conditions being only marginal, organizers of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay have opted to call another lay day for today as they expect the swell to build overnight. While there is the occasional set pushing through the lineup it was deemed to be too inconsistent to continue round three of the event.

The forecast for the next two days looks promising although the wind may be slightly unfavourable. “We can expect the swell to build over the next few days,” said Contest Director Mike Parsons. “The wind may not be coming from the right direction but we will see some decent sized waves.” While there are three days remaining in the contest waiting period there are only two days required to complete the event.

Many will remember last year where the event was held of right until the final day and then went off in excellent conditions. “We’re definitely going to have more swell tomorrow,” said Parsons. “We should see some great surfing action when we resume. It's looking really promising for Saturday.”

Check back into www.aspworldtour.com or www.billabongpro.com for all the updates.

Kelly Slater faces Seam Holmes in Round 3 : photo ASP/Covered Images

AM Report:  Billabong Pro on hold until 11h30.

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 19 July, 2006 : - - Perfect windless conditions and the occasional rideable wave at Supertubes prompted organisers of the Billabong Pro to go on standby until 11.30 today when a decision will be made on whether to start round three of the R2 million Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour event. 

“We want to make sure that we don’t miss out on the opportunity to run some heats today,” explained contest director Mike Parsons. “There is good swell forecast for tomorrow and into the weekend, but it may arrive earlier than expected, so we’ll wait until 11.30 before deciding on how to play it today.” 

The event still requires two full days of competition to determine the 2006 champion and the 11-day waiting period started on 12 July and ends on Saturday. When competition does get underway 2002 J-Bay champion Mick Fanning (AUS) takes on rookie Roy Powers (HAW) in the first of 16 heats in round three. Powers is oozing confidence after causing the shock elimination of second seed and compatriot Andy Irons in round two. 

All eyes will be on the local contingent who have set a new record for the number of SA surfers in an elite level Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour event. The three SA surfers ranked in the world’s top 45 – Greg Emslie (East London) and Durbanites Davy Weare and Travis Logie – were joined by wildcards Jordy Smith (Durban), Sean Holmes (Jeffreys Bay) and Damien Fahrenfort (Cape Town).  

And to demonstrate the new levels of confidence pulsing through South African surfing, all six have progressed to the third round of the event, defeating some of the world’s best surfers to get there.

Meanwhile the full round three heat draw is available below and given that a large chunk of the highest ranked surfers on the Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour were knocked out in round two, going down to rookies and underdogs alike, the remainder of the proceedings will prove to be very interesting indeed.

With currently ranked world number two Andy Irons (HAW) and world number three Bobby Martinez (USA) going out in Monday's round and with Damien Hobgood (USA) withdrawing due the birth of his first child, it opens up the door for Kelly Slater (USA) to extend his ratings lead. A good result for Taj Burrow (AUS), Taylor Knox (AUS) or Joel Parkinson could also see them leapfrog their foes back into the top three.

Five of the current top 10 ranked surfers are out including Irons, Martinez, and Hobgood plus CJ Hobgood (USA) and Bruce Irons (HAW). .

Check out the full heat draw below and stay tuned to www.billabongpro.com or www.aspworldtour.com for all the LIVE action and event updates.

Round three heat draw:

Heat 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 2: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs Victor Ribas (BRA)
Heat 3: Trent Munro (AUS) vs Adrian de Souza (BRA)
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs Yuri Sodre (BRA)
Heat 5: Phil Macdonald (AUS) vs David Weare (ZAF)
Heat 6: Shaun Cansdell (AUS) vs Peterson Rosa
Heat 7: Nathan Hedge (AUS) vs Mick Lowe (AUS)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) vs Sean Holmes (ZAF)
Heat 9: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF)
Heat 10: Paulo Moura (BRA) vs Pancho Sullivan (HAW)
Heat 11: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs Jarrad Howse (AUS)
Heat 12: Danny Wills (AUS) vs Mikael Picon (FRA)
Heat 13: Taylor Knox (USA) vs Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Heat 14: Darren O’Rafferty (AUS) vs Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 15: Tim Reyes (USA) vs Pedro Henrique (BRA
Heat 16: Mark Occhilupo (AUS) Raoni Monteiro (BRA)

FOSTER’S ASP MEN’S WORLD TOUR RATINGS LEADING INTO THE BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY

1. Kelly Slater (USA) 4233 points
2. Andy Irons (HAW) 4140 points
3. Bobby Martinez (USA) 40008 points
4. Taj Burrow (AUS) 3650 points
4. Taylor Knox (USA) 3650 points
6. Damien Hobgood (USA) 3542 points
7. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 3052 points
8. CJ Hobgood (USA) 2896 points
9. Bruce Irons (HAW) 2884 points
10. Tim Reyes (USA) 2843

Travis Logie & Cavey Weare : photo ASP/Covered Images

www.billabongpro.com

Previous reports:
# 1 : Surf & music extravaganza at Billabong Pro J-Bay in July
# 2 : Billabong Pro J-Bay next stop on ASP Men's World Tour
# 3 : Irons/Slater ratings battle resumes with Billabong Pro
# 4 : VZ wildcard trials give Africans chance in Billabong Pro  

# 5 : Excellent swell forecast for Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay
# 6 : Day 2 of Billabong Pro J-Bay plagued by nasty weather
# 7 : Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay: Day of upsets in Round One
# 8 : Billabong Pro is off: Irons & Whitaker win Fosters titles 

# 9 :   John John Florence wins Billabong Junior Showdown..
# 10 : Billabong Pro Jefreys Bay postponed for Sunday July 16
# 11 : Rookies continue to prevail at Billabong Pro Round Two 
# 12 : Billabong Pro called off for Tuesday after just one heat..

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WCT Contests - Surfersvillage