- 2017-04-16
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SPORTS
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Donate to support families affected by the crisis in Ukraine ➔ World Surf League: Rip Curl Men's Pro Bells Beach Kicks Off
Rip Curl Men's Pro Bells Beach kicked off at Bells Beach in 3-to-4 foot (1-1.5 metre) conditions on April 14th. After Men's Round 1, Women's Round 4 ran.
3-time World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) came back to this event, but he defeted by defending event winner Mick Fanning (AUS), moved on to elimination Round 2.
Reigning WSL Champion John John Florence (HAW) and 2017 World Title contender Filipe Toledo (BRA) drew high score aerial. Especially, Filipe Toledo earned perfect 10, advanced to Round 3.
Other, Owen Wright (AUS), Gabriel Medina (BRA), Nat Young (USA), Kolohe Andino (USA), Adriano de Souza (BRA), Kelly Slater (USA), Michel Bourez (PYF), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Filipe Toledo (BRA) and Julian Wilson (AUS) advanced to directly Round 3.
John John Florence said;
“It is really fun over here so we were excited to get out there. I think I got a little over excited when I needed a 5.13 and I did that air. It probably wasn’t the smartest thing, but it sure was fun. It worked out and I would not change anything. Sometimes you just feel it and go for it. I am stoked to make it through to the next round.”
Filipe Toledo said;
“I actually did not know that my last wave was a 10 because I was so far down the point,” said Toledo. “I was just walking by and I heard it was a 10, so I am stoked. I am happy to make it through and happy to be surfing the most perfect waves. I was not thinking the score would be so high because it was a small wave, but I did everything I could on it.”
While, in Women's Round 4, Courtney Conlogue (USA), Coco Ho (HAW), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) and Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) advanced to Quarterfinals.
Sally Fitzgibbons was injured left foot in Round 3 a couple days ago, but she came back to Round 4.
Sally Fitzgibbons said;
“It was really nice to give myself a shot. It is credit to all the doctors and the crew here from WSL. They all helped out. I just tried to eliminate it from my mind and it felt nice to get on some groomed walls. I went into it thinking that if I could play the game really well, then whatever I lose in that sharp, high-performance, I could make up in strategy. It was a good battle and it was just about locking it down. I think that was the longest wave I’ve ever caught at Winki. It is a great feeling to win. Hopefully my foot gets a little better and I can put on a good show in the next round.”
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 12.73, Mick Fanning (AUS) 12.40, Jadson Andre (BRA) 11.70
Heat 2: Owen Wright (AUS) 14.67, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 13.33, Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 9.77
Heat 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.04, Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 12.03, Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 6.17
Heat 4: Nat Young (USA) 16.66, Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 14.43, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 13.86
Heat 5: Kolohe Andino (USA) 17.17, Jack Freestone (AUS) 11.50, Samuel Pupo (BRA) 6.20
Heat 6: John John Florence (HAW) 17.20, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.87, Glyndyn Ringrose (AUS) 11.24
Heat 7: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 16.20, Joan Duru (FRA) 14.17, Caio Ibelli (BRA) 10.60
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) 14.60, Josh Kerr (AUS) 12.30, Ian Gouveia (BRA) 10.00
Heat 9: Michel Bourez (PYF) 15.20, Ethan Ewing (AUS) 14.86, Connor O’Leary (AUS) 9.64
Heat 10: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 14.74, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.70, Frederico Morais (PRT) 11.53
Heat 11: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 19.70, Conner Coffin (USA) 14.40, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 13.84
Heat 12: Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.56, Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 14.10, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 11.94
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Round 4 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 16.70 def. Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 13.50
Heat 2: Coco Ho (HAW) 15.77 def. Sage Erickson (USA) 15.46
Heat 3: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 14.93 def. Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 13.37
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 13.17 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 12.57
All photos copyright by World Surf League.- source : World Surf League
