Yadin Nicol : photo Barry Tuck/Quiksilver

WQS 6 Star Mens Event
Cave Rock/New Pier Durban South Africa
16 - 22 April 2007

Live Coverage  |  Results/Photos/Videos etc

SHEA STARTS OFF STRONG AT THE QUIKSILVER PRO AFRICA

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 16 April, 2007 : - - In good, crisp conditions in the early morning light, American surfer Shea Lopez stamped his authority in the opening heat of the round of 192 of the Quiksilver Pro Africa, displaying the surfing needed to get back onto the World Championship Tour. He defeated Granville West (PE) in the three-foot right-handers that were peeling cleanly over the bank.

This victory was followed soon after by former WCT surfer Victor Ribas, who trounced his opponents in heat four. Jason Shibata from Hawaii advanced along with Ribas.

Another surfer who has openly stated that he is focussed on re-qualifying for the WCT is Chris Davidson from Australia, who easily won his opening heat, defeating Yadin Nichol, also from Australia. South Africans Wesley Grey and Craig Parsons filled up the minor spots in the heats and were eliminated from the event.

As the wind started going slightly cross-shore, towering Durban surfer Shane Thorne proved that size was no handicap in the small surf, throwing his board around on the small right-handers and scoring a massive 8.67 for his final wave. Shane was happy with his performance in front of a home crowd. “I was struggling a bit on the smaller waves,“ said Shane after his heat.

Shane Thorne : photo Barry Tuck/Quiksilver

“Then I got that bigger one and just did those two big hits. The first turn was alright, but I felt good with that second turn. I surfed that wave hard and the judges rewarded me highly, so I’m pleased with that.”

Then it was the turn of American Dean Randazzo, who went from fourth place to first place in the last minutes of the heat. “I wasn’t doing well at the beginning, and everyone seemed to be getting good ones,” said Randazzo after his heat. “Then I got a really good one at the end and managed to get a few good turns in. It’s quite hard out there, as some waves that look bad at first go good on the inside, so I guess I was quite lucky with that one wave.”

Frankie Oberholzer also cleaned up in his heat, beating Australian big wave surfer Mark Matthews into second, with South Africans Devyn Mattheys and Ryan Balfour both being eliminated. “It was quite difficult out there, but I managed to get one good one,” said a cheerful Oberholzer after his heat. “I just hope it gets a little bit bigger for tomorrow so we can get some good ones.”   

Those people who weren’t able to get down to New Pier today had the pleasure of logging onto the event website and enjoying the live webcast, hosted by John Shimooka and Martin Potter. For all the inside info on the event check out www.quikproafrica.com . Live results and videos are available on cell phones at www.quikproafrica.mobi  
 
The contest kicks off tomorrow at 8 o’clock sharp with the final heats in the round of 192. The swell and weather predictions look good, with fine weather and another day of good waves. The event runs through until Sunday 22 April and the winner of the event will pocket US$15000 (ZAR 106,000) as well as the valuable 3000 WQS points.

Check the Live Coverage 

- Action from today - 

 - More photos from today -

Previous reports:
# 1 : Quiksilver Pro Africa by Virgin Mobile coming to Durban
# 2 : Quiksilver Pro Africa by Virgin announce event wildcards
# 3 : Quiksilver Pro Africa to host revolutionary live technology
# 4 : SA locals Wok, Fahrenfort get Quik Pro Africa wildcards 

# 5 : South Africa surf city Durban backs Quiksilver Pro Africa
# 6 : Quiksilver Pro Africa by Virgin Mobile readies for action
# 7 : Quik Pro Africa expecting good waves: website goes live
# 8 : Coming soon  

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