Huntington Beach, California (Thursday, July 20, 2000).
Current world champion Mark Occhilupo (Aus) was the first of many
top seeds to be eliminated from the event today when he lost to
Brazilian wildcard opponent Joca Junior in round two. Despite improved
2-3 foot (1m) conditions, the day saw plenty of upsets with world
number-two Taj Burrow (Aus) and current world number-four Jake Paterson
(Aus) also bowing out.
Occhilupo, 34, is currently sitting in eighth position on the ratings,
though he is likely to drop even further after today's narrow defeat.
"I
started off good, but then got behind and it all came down to the
last wave," explained Occhilupo afterward. "I didn't really think
I was doing enough (on his last wave), so I went for a big last
turn, but fell off. I shouldn't have done it, because they (the
judges) gave me nearly the score I needed anyway. I didn't think
it was going to be enough, but maybe if I surfed a little safer?
That's it though, nothing I can do now."
Junior, who is currently rated third on the US Panasonic Shockwave
Tour, was a member of the top 44 back in 1997, but has since failed
to re-qualify through the World Qualifying Series (WQS).
"I'm very happy to beat Occy in a man-on-man heat," he said. "I
have beaten him in WQS events before, but never in a WCT.I feel
very good and am looking forward to the next round."
World
number-two Taj Burrow added to his increasing list of poor results
this year in the next heat, losing to an in-form Irons. Burrows
has placed 17th in the last three events, and was served a 33rd
place finish by the Hawaiian today.
Irons, who won this event back in 1998, didn't actually qualify
for this year's WCT, but was granted a spot when two-time world
champion Damien Hardman (Aus) choose not to compete. This was the
case in South Africa two weeks ago, also, and if Hardman officially
retires as he's suggested he may, Irons will find himself on tour
for the remainder of the year.
"I just started off with a good wave, a five, and then backed it
up with a seven," said Irons after the win. "The waves kept coming
to me and Taj looked like he was in a bad rhythm with the sets,
so it turned out good.
"I've got confidence here for sure," he continued, referring to
his 1998 win. "I've got nothing to lose really. I'm just surfing
heat to heat, so it' s sweet. I hope I'll be on the WCT for the
rest of the year, we'll have to wait and see what Damien does."
Current world number-four and winner of the recent Billabong MSF
Pro Jake Paterson (Aus) was the next upset, losing to fellow Australian
Toby Martin. Paterson has lost in the same round for the past four
years now.
"I paddled around like a headless chook," admitted Paterson afterward.
"Toby just got one good wave and that did it. This makes four years
in a row I have lost in the second round at Huntington, I just can't
get through heats here."
Martin, currently rated equal 43rd in the world, is still recovering
from surgery he underwent three weeks ago for acute appendicitis,
but today secured his best result to-date on his maiden WCT season.
BEACHLEY & ABUBO BACK ON TRACK IN ELLEVEN PRO WOMEN'S EVENT
Current two-time world champion Layne Beachley (Aus) and current
rating's leader Megan Abubo (Haw) both advanced comfortably through
their round two heats this afternoon, after poor starts to their
Elleven Pro Women's campaign.
Beachley lost her first round one heat of the year yesterday, but
dominated her round two heat against fellow Australian Belinda Godfrey
to came back stronger than ever today.
"I finally redeemed myself after having such a shocker yesterday,"
said Beachley. I spent more time focusing on the ocean instead of
people and allowing them to take away my focus. I studied the conditions
correctly and found a good peak and just did what the judges wanted
and got rewarded for it. It was a good heat for me and I'm starting
to feel my confidence re-build."
Abubo, who initially lost her first round heat this morning to
Pauline Menczer (Aus), also clawed back to eliminate Neridah Falconer
(Aus) in their second round match this afternoon.
"The waves were tough, there werenât many sets in our heat," explained
Abubo after her win. "I went out there trying to forget about my
early morning heat, even though I was. Now that I won a heat I'm
feeling a little bit better though.
Official Results of Day Two
Men's Round Two
Heat 1: L Egan (Aus) 17.85 def. D Randazzo (USA) 14.95
Heat 2: J Junior (Brz) 18.00 def. M Occhilupo (Aus) 17.50
Heat 3: A Irons (Haw) 23.00 def. T Burrow (Aus) 16.65
Heat 4: T Martin (Aus) 15.00 def. J Paterson (Aus) 13.85
Heat 5: C Lopez (USA) 18.10 def. R Winter (UK) 16.85
Heat 6: N Webster (Aus) 18.85 def. K Malloy (USA) 16.70
Heat 7: P Rosa (Brz) 17.75 def. P OâConnell (USA) 17.50
Heat 8: G Herdy (Brz) 23.75 def. B Bourgeois (USA) 18.25
Heat 9: K Robb (Haw) 19.0
MENS RANKINGS
