- 2017-09-12
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SPORTS
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Donate to support families affected by the crisis in Ukraine ➔ World Surf League: Men's Championship Hurley Pro Kicks Off at Lower Trestles
The 8th Stop on WSL Men's Championship, Hurley Pro kicked off at Lower Trestles in San Clemente, California. On opening day, Round 1 and Heat 1-4 of Round 2 ran in three-to-four foot waves.
This time, two Qualifying Series surfers, Evan Geiselman (QS No. 29) and Hiroto Ohhara (QS No. 13) participated in the event as wildcards. Also 11-time World Champ Kelly Slater (USA) missed the event due to leg injuries.
In Round 2, top five-ranked surfers Owen Wright (AUS) and Matt Wilkinson (AUS) were defeated by wild cards Evan Geiselman (USA) and Hiroto Ohhara (JPN) with big frontside air 360. Owen Wright and Matt Wilkinson, both Australians were leaving the event early.
Also 2012's World Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS), who currently ranked 8th, was eliminated by Ethan Ewing (AUS) in Heat 3 of Round 2.
Championship leader Jordy Smith (ZAF), 2nd-ranked John John Florence (HAW) and 9th-ranked Filipe Toledo (BRA) advanced directly to Round 3 with including over 9 points riding.
Evan Geiselman said;
“I know I have to surf my best if I’m going to even compete against these guys. I think Wilko [Matt Wilkinson] surfed as good as you could’ve and got that 7-point ride. I’m just happy to have a good heat. I want to be here on the CT one day so I’m going to have to surf against these guys anyway and there are not really nerves there. I put higher expectations on myself than who I’m surfing against, but it’s fun. This is a huge opportunity. We have the business end of the QS coming up with three QS 10,000s left. This is a confidence boost and hopefully I can carry this forward.”
Jordy Smith said;
“I was stoked to get that first wave because there were a lot of things going on in that heat with the paddle battle to get things started. You can’t over surf the wave out there. I was happy to get that 9-pointer to start. I just had to control that heat, and if a good wave came at the end, I was going to go and try to better my score. It’s important to me to just maintain calm out here I think. It’s just another day at Lowers. I know exactly what I’m riding and how it’s going to be, and you can just give your best in that thirty minutes.”
John John Florencesaid;
“Italo [Ferreira] has one of those wildcard factors about him -- you don’t know what he’s going to do. You see him pumping down the line on a left going real fast and you get a little nervous. I’m just stoked I got two waves in that heat since it was a good battle. This year is really exciting with everyone at the top needing to perform and makes every heat that much more exciting because there’s a lot to lose, as well as a lot to win. I just want to surf through it and have fun.”
Filipe Toledo said;
“That was a tough one with smaller waves in the heat, but I knew it had potential after surfing here so much and knowing it. I knew I had to go big with the airs if I wanted to get the score and also variety on the turns. It feels good to be here. It feels like home and I always love surfing this wave in events. I’m in my own bed with my family and get home cooking over there, and just having my wife and little one with all my friends as well. It’s pretty special. It’s motivation to do better and get a big result here.”
Hurley Pro Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.50, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 9.67, Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 6.90
Heat 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 13.27, Caio Ibelli (BRA) 10.90, Jadson Andre (BRA) 10.84
Heat 3: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.40, Owen Wright (AUS) 12.63, Josh Kerr (AUS) 11.17
Heat 4: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 13.43, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 10.20, Ethan Ewing (AUS) 6.33
Heat 5: John John Florence (HAW) 16.07, Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.90, Hiroto Ohhara (JPN) 12.40
Heat 6: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 13.23, Ian Gouveia (BRA) 10.70, Evan Geiselman (USA) 9.76
Heat 7: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.67, Nat Young (USA) 13.03, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 9.30
Heat 8: Conner Coffin (USA) 14.67, Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 6.67, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 4.66
Heat 9: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 17.60, Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 15.86, Joan Duru (FRA) 14.07
Heat 10: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 16.83, Connor O’Leary (AUS) 9.26, Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 7.90
Heat 11: Frederico Morais (PRT) 14.90, Jack Freestone (AUS) 12.34, Kolohe Andino (USA) 8.13
Heat 12: Mick Fanning (AUS) 14.10, Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 13.43, Michel Bourez (PYF) 13.00
Hurley Pro Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Evan Geiselman (USA) 15.50 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 12.96
Heat 2: Hiroto Ohhara (JPN) 15.73 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 15.43
Heat 3: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 11.03 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 9.07
Heat 4: Josh Kerr (AUS) 16.50 def. Connor O’Leary (AUS) 13.00
Heat 5: Jadson Andre (BRA) 12.93 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.50
Heat 6: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 14.60 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 13.67
Heat 7: Joan Duru (FRA) 14.83 def. Nat Young (USA) 10.50
Heat 8: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 14.60 def. Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 13.70
Heat 9: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 14.84 def. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 7.60
Heat 10: Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 13.80 def. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 11.30
Heat 11: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.93 def. Jack Freestone (AUS) 14.74
Heat 12: Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 16.83 def. Ian Gouveia (BRA) 10.50
All photos copyright by World Surf League.- source : World Surf League
