Luke Dorrington : photo Jake White/Surfing Queensland

Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational

Siargaro Islands, Philippines
24 - 30 September 2007

Australian Tube Riders Dominate Billabong Cloud Nine Invitational Opening Round

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 25 September, 2007 : - - Siargao Islands, Philippines - Forty eight of the world's best barrel riders have commenced competition at the Billabong Cloud Nine Invitational surfing event on the island of Siargao in the Philippines. In idyllic 1.5-2m waves (4-5ft), the event was called on from first light, before going on hold over the mid-day low tide and then finishing 11 heats of the first round late into the afternoon. 

Defending Billabong Cloud Nine Invitational Champion, Ryan Hipwood (Mermaid Beach, QLD) slipped straight back into the rhythm that saw him claim victory in 2006, locking in the second heat score of the round, courtesy of two near perfect 9.00 point and 8.00 point rides.  

"It was fun, I went out early for a free-surf this morning and it was a bit slow, but the tide dropped out in time for my heat and it really started to pulse," said Hipwood.   "There are some pretty stacked heats this year, the field of surfers have really improved but in the end it alls comes down to who gets the waves and who is riding the barrel the best."  

Hipwood was one of the best performers in the opening round, his casual style threading the often-tricky right hand tube of Cloud Nine with seemingly little effort. "I enjoy this event a lot more than the other places we have to go.  The small amount of people here and the ability to wait all week for the best waves is really special.   It allows for good surfing and takes aware the really aggressive competitive aspect of surfing events." 

Hipwood was only neglected of the days highest heat score by fellow Gold Coaster and travel partner Clint Kimmins (Palm Beach).   Kimmins went to town in the last heat of the day in fading light, scoring a 9.07 and a 8.77 to pip his mate off the top heat score ladder.

Australia's tube riding guns dominated the opening day of competition by winning nine of eleven heats to progress directly into round three,   Second and third from the opening round will progress to a round two losers round with four man heats,  

Hipwood and Kimmins, along with Luke Dorrington (Coolangatta), Nick Vasicek (Coolangatta), Evan Faulks (Maroubra), Anthony Walsh (Lennox Head), Scott Wildin (Mermaid Beach), Lee Wilson (Noosa), and Dave Reardon-Smith (Coolum) all notched up impressive victories. Indonesian surfing star Wyan "Betet" Merta (Bali) rode the day's standout tube ride.   Dropping in late to a seemingly unmakable wave, Betet negotiated three huge sections before emerging into the channel. 

Scoring a near perfect ride, the small in stature natural footer claimed an impressive heat win over Australian Andrew Mooney (Macmasters Beach) and local Philippines surfer Dionisi Espejon. Hawaii's Mikala Jones (North Shore) secured the only other none Australian heat win for the day in a tight heat against local surfer Alex Comandante (Ph) and Sunshine Coast surfer Mark Visser (Buderim).   

With a light onshore wind making barrel riding conditions slightly difficult in the afternoon, Jones's powerful forehand attack paid dividends and saw him win directly into round three. Contest organises on the island of Siargao are expecting epic waves for the next two days of competition with early morning tides looking to provide a perfect setting to score the right "Barrelling" conditions the event is in search of.   Only three day's are required to finalise the event.   

The tournament contest site is Siargao Islands 'Cloud 9', a powerful hollow right-hander that has been hailed as one of the ten best waves in the world and has been frequently compared to the renowned surf of Hawaii and Indonesia. The Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational is proudly supported by the Provincial Government of Surigao Del Norte with Support from Smart Communications, San Miguel, The Department of Tourism Philippines, Asian Spirit and Coca Cola.

www.billabong.com

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Jake White

Contests - Surfersvillage