Mick Fanning : 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 

Mick Fanning Wins Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 22 July, 2006 : - - After surfing a tremendous final in outstanding waves Mick Fanning (AUS) has defeated Taj Burrow (AUS) to win the 2006 edition of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay.

The event, the sixth on the Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour, earlier in the week was plagued by small and inconsistent swell but this morning organisers and competitors awoke to extra-clean one to 1.5 metre (three to four feet) J-Bay lines and from the first heat on the action was nothing short of spectacular.

The final itself was an incredibly exciting affair with the lead swapping and changing as the two friends went blow for blow on some amazing waves. But in the end it was Fanning’s day as he executed some searing carves and huge floaters to score an 8.73 with four minutes to go – which eventually scored him the win.

With Burrow sitting out in the lineup on his own with three minutes remaining many were having flashbacks to last year when Kelly Slater (USA) caught a wave on the bell to come back to defeat Andy Irons (HAW) by posting a near perfect score. The same scenario was prevalent today and when a set pushed through Burrow launched into a wave that potentially could have delivered the 8.41 he required to take back the lead.

Winners podium : photo ASP/Covered Images

But after a few turns Burrow fell thus handing the win to a jubilant Fanning who was buzzing at being back on the podium for the first time this year after a slow start to the season. “I had a really weird start to the year,” said Fanning. “I was surfing really well but nothing ever came together. Today and the last few days have just really seemed to go my way so I’m stoked.”

In the dying moments of the heat Fanning revealed the nerves and the memories of last year’s final had him rattled. “The wave Taj caught… I looked at the wave and I thought ‘aw no, this just things have just got bad’ and lucky for me he fell on the inside and I just ended up on top,” said Fanning.

Fanning was also hoping that the win would now kick-start a solid second half to the season. “I usually do all right from here on in,” said Fanning. “But we’ll just see what happens. I’m feeling really fit and my surfing has been good all year. It’s just been a lucky break here or there.” Burrow meanwhile was lamenting about the one that got away.

“It was there for the taking,” said Burrow “We both had an 8.0, then he got that 8.73 at the end. I only needed an 8.4 and it was pretty sick J-Bay, so I could have got the score. But I just took one and fell and I was all flustered then I took another one and I really wasn’t calmed down enough and I did a couple of turns and then I stacked it.

Mick Fanning : photo ASP/Covered Images

“I had a chance and I can’t blame anyone but myself. But it was good, it was good to be there and it’s good to make some ground on the other guys at the top of the ratings. And yeah, congrats to Mick – he earned it, he was ripping.” With the second place Burrow has leapt into second place on the ratings and is now in a prime position to strike at his first world crown.

“This has just made me hungry to win an event, that’s for sure,” said Burrow. “It’s kept my world title hunger alive. It’s been a great event for me. I can catch him [Slater] for sure. There’s a few events coming up that I feel comfortable in so I’m looking to win one and hopefully take out the big guy.”

Finishing equal third in the event was Slater who throughout the event showed glimpses of his best form. The seven-time Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour champion had to miss the Fiji event due to incurring a rib injury while claiming victory at event two at Bells Beach back in April. Since returning to the tour he has yet to really show the unbelievable form he is capable of.

Also coming in third was wildcard Jordy Smith (ZAF) who with the full crowd support demolished a host of seasoned pros then went within a whisker of claiming an upset over Burrow in semifinal two. Landing what was possibly the manoeuvre of the event – a huge aerial into a floater – the 18-year-old truly let the surfing world know that he is here to stay and his result equaled the highest ever placing of a South African in a top tour event.

 
Taj Burrow : photo ASP/Covered Images

“It feels great,” said a beaming Smith. “I would have loved to make the final but unfortunately my run had to stop there. Unfortunately it didn’t go my way this year, but I’m still really stoked with a third place in my first top tour event ever.” The result has given the youngster inspiration to try harder on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) so he can gain a permanent slot in the draw against the best of the best.

“I’d love to make the tour,” said Smith “Unfortunately the WQS is held in poorer quality waves but maybe in two years I hope be mixing with these guys on a regular basis.” Given that the crowd were behind him right throughout the event Smith hoped that in the not too distant future he could reward them for their support with a victory.

“I definitely heard the crowd out there and it just sent shivers up my spine,” said Smith. “It gets you super amped for the next turn, and if I was in the final I would have asked them to keep it up, so thanks to the crowd. To win in front of my home crowd… that would be amazing.”

The top 10 Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour ratings has changed somewhat after this event with Fanning and Tom Whitaker moving in at the expense of Bruce Irons (HAW) and CJ Hobgood (USA). Burrow has shifted to second with Andy Irons (HAW) dropping to third and Bobby Martinez (USA) to fourth.

 
Mick Fanning : photo ASP/Covered Images

The tour now has a six-week break before resuming in California on September 12 for the Boost Mobile Pro.

Check www.billabongpro.com or www.aspworldtour.com for full information.

Final:
Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.90 def Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.00

Semifinal results:
Semifinal 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.90 def Kelly Slater (USA) 14.50
Semifinal 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.67 def Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.17

Quarterfinal results:
Quarterfinal 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) 12.33 def Peterson Rosa (BRA) 9.30
Quarterfinal 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.34 def Peterson Rosa (BRA) 13.97
Quarterfinal 3: Taj Burrow (AUS) 17.50 def Tom Whitaker (AUS) 12.50
Quarterfinal 4: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 18.00 def Tim Reyes (USA) 13.66

Round four results:
Heat 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.83 def Greg Emslie (ZAF) 7.83
Heat 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.83 def Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.50
Heat 3: Peterson Rosa (BRA) 15.33 def Phil Macdonald (AUS) 13.50
Heat 4: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.16 def Nathan Hedge (AUS) 11.17
Heat 5: Taj Burrow (AUS) 18.34 def Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 10.83
Heat 6: Tom Whitaker (AUS) 16.83 def Danny Wills (AUS) 15.17
Heat 7: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.83 def Travis Logie (ZAF) 10.33
Heat 8: Tim Reyes (USA) 14. 67 def Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 14.67

Current Top 10 Ratings After Event 6 – The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay

1. Kelly Slater (USA) 5109
2. Taj Burrow (AUS) 4682
3. Andy Irons (HAW) 4365
4. Bobby Martinez (USA) 4233
5. Taylor Knox (USA) 4060
6. Damien Hobgood (USA) 3767
7. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 3652
8. Mick Fanning (AUS) 3577
9. Tim Reyes (USA) 3575
10. Tom Whitaker (AUS) 3299

 
Taj Burrow : photo ASP/Covered Images

Late PM News Flash:     Mick Fanning defeats Taj Burrow to win Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay
                                           Kelly Slater and Jordy Smith finish equal third 

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 22 July, 2006 : - - In what some have described as being one of the most exciting finals here at J-Bay Mick Fanning has claimed a well deserved win here at the Billabong Pro today. While Burrow put on a great display to take the lead through the mid section of the final Fanning returned with an amazing ride where he executed some scintilating turns. Full report and photos to follow shortly.

Semifinal 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.90 def Kelly Slater (USA) 14.50
Fanning really found his best form of the year pulling out all the stops to beat Slater in what was a great battle. Fanning wound up and sprung into life pulling off some scintillating turns out on the open face. Slater needed a near perfect wave with five minutes to go but the ocean went flat and he was unable to get the score. Fanning meanwhile snuck a wave under Slater’s priority and pulled of one of the most radical turns of the event to win.

Semifinal 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.67 def Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.17
In what was possibly the most exciting heat of the event Smith went within a whisker of claiming the upset and moving into the final against Fanning. He landed what was possibly the turn of the event, a huge air floater combo but over two waves just didn’t have the goods to claim the win. Burrow meanwhile was precise in his delivery of some lightening quick turns and will be hard to stop in the final.

Kelly Slater : photo ASP/Covered Images

Quarterfinal 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) 12.33 def Peterson Rosa (BRA) 9.30
Fanning had de Souza on the back foot early and held on to gain the berth in the semi finals. De Souza perhaps pushed himself a little too hard as he fell on numerous large turns that could have changed the story had he completed them. Fanning played it smart and did what he had to do executing his trademark rounded hacking turns.

Quarterfinal 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.34 def Peterson Rosa (BRA) 13.97
Slater was in complete control through whole heat with Rosa playing catchups from Slater’s first ride. Slater was toying with the waves climbing up the faces and hitting the lip hard or floating over the top. He now joins Mick Fanning in semi number one.

Quarterfinal 3: Taj Burrow (AUS) 17.50 def Tom Whitaker (AUS) 12.50
An highly exciting affair the good friends went hard bashing lips and throwing spray from the word go. Burrow had the upper hand however jamming in some monster turns tight in the pocket and mixed it with some heavy bashes as well. Whitaker perhaps had an opportunity to take Burrow but pushed it too hard and fell. Burrow followed on directly with an amazing wave where he smacked the lip no less than eight times to score a 9.0.

Quarterfinal 4: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 18.00 def Tim Reyes (USA) 13.66
A sterling performance from the South African wildcard who really showed what new school surfing is all about. From the outset he had Reyes eating his dust after one wave where he landed no less than three huge airs. It wasn’t long before Smith had Reyes comboed and Reyes fought till the end but was no match for the youngster.

Heat by Heat Updates Round Four

 
Jordy Smith : photo ASP/Covered Images

Jordy Smith into last 4 at Billabong Pro in Jeffreys Bay

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 22 July, 2006 : - - Wildcard Jordy Smith added yet another accolade to his already remarkable list of achievements when he surfed his way into the semi-finals of the Billabong Pro in Jeffreys Bay today. 

And the 18 year-old super-talented Durbanite is not done yet! Competing in the first Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour event of his career, Smith defeated fellow Durbanite Travis Logie in round four to set up a quarter-final encounter with Californian Tim Reyes, which he won, and Smith now comes up against Taj Burrow for a place in the final. 

With excellent one to 1.5 metre (4-6 foot) lines of surf pouring down the fabled Supertubes point, organisers got the final day of competition in the R2 million Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour event underway at 7.30 this morning. 

Former event champ Mick Fanning set the tone for the day with a comprehensive victory over East London’s Greg Emslie in the first heat of round four. That was followed by a major upset when Brazilian teenager Adriano de Souza ousted 1999 Billabong Pro champ Joel Parkinson. 

 
Joel Parkinson : photo ASP/Covered Images

Peterson Rosa, another Brazilian, then waited patiently for the best waves in his 35 minute match-up with Phil MacDonald to eliminate the Aussie and earn himself a last eight duel with defending champ Kelly Slater (USA) who left Nathan Hedge (Aus) needing to better both his scoring rides. 

The bottom half of the draw saw Taj Burrow inflict a similar defeat on Pancho Sullivan (Haw). The current world #4 next takes on fellow Aussie Tom Whitaker who snatched victory from compatriot Daniel Wills with an outstanding 9.0 ride in the dying seconds of their fourth round heat. 

Smith then came from behind to relegate Logie to equal ninth in the event with earnings of US $5 500 (approx R38 000) and valuable 600 ratings points. After Logie showed no ill affects from the dislocated toe he suffered last Friday in posting a solid 6.33 point opening ride, Smith showed early nerves by falling on his first two rides. 

Two average scores settled his nerves and the youngster being tipped as a potential future world champ then grabbed the lead with a 7.33 on a wave that Logie let him have and Smith got into and emerged from two deep tubes. With Logie continuing to be plagued by poor wave selection, Smith gained priority and chose a beauty that enabled him to end his older and more experienced opponent’s hopes with an excellent 8.50 score. Logie needed a near perfect 9.50, which he ultimately did not get. 

 
Adriano de Souza : photo ASP/Covered Images

Commenting on the heat Smith said “My grip felt a little bit slippery there and also there was a bit of nerves, and I fell on my first two waves. Then I just thought that I’ve got to relax and just go have some fun.” 

“Travis is a really good surfer, super fast, so I knew I just had to get the bigger waves to beat him,” he added about his friend and fellow Durbanite, and when asked about facing either Reyes or Occhilupo he was non-committal, stating “They’re both really good surfers so I just want to see how I go up against those guys.” 

Reyes went on to score the narrowest of victories over perennial J-Bay favourite, 1999 world champ and 1984 event winner Mark Occhilupo, when the two ended tied on their best two-ride tally, but Reyes best single score of 8.50 was higher that Occy’s 7.67. The quarter-finals ended at 2.30 and will be followed by two 30 minute semis, a short break and the start of the 35 minute final will be shortly before 4pm 

Members of the public can dial the event Hotline on 086 000 2006 for a recorded message on the conditions and the status of the event. This will be updated twice daily throughout the event from 12-22 July.  

All the action can be viewed on the LIVE webcast via www.billabongpro.com or www.aspworldtour.com 

Saturday morning (snow in the air) : photo ASP/Covered Images

BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY FINAL DAY UNDERWAY

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 22 July, 2006 : - - The final day for the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay is underway this morning in clean one metre (three foot) swell at Supertubes. It is the last day of the 10-day waiting period and with one full day of competition remaining competitors in heat one were in the water at 7.45am.

The first heat of the day between Mick Fanning (AUS) and Greg Emslie (ZAF) has been completed and was taken out by Fanning and the event will continue through round four, the quarterfinals, semis and finish up with the final around mid-afternoon.

Overnight the conditions have become bitterly cold but the frosty snap has brought swell and surfers are taking full advantage posting some very high scores. It’s so cold that snow is falling on the nearby mountains!

Stay tuned to www.billabongpro.com or www.aspworldtour.com for all the details of the day’s play.

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..

# 13 : Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay round three off for the day 
# 14 : Billabong Pro Jbay completes six Round 3 heats today
# 15 : Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Round 3 is now completed 
# 16 : Mick Fanning defeats Taj Burrow wins Billabong Pro.. 

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