Despite strong winds lashing the coast during the night, the Billabong Pro has awoken to a miniscule swell dribbling over the reef at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa which has prompted organisers to once again place the event on hold for today.
Even though the ocean is almost dead flat at present, long-range forecasts predict that a swell will arrive after the upcoming weekend.
With the first two rounds having been completed in excellent conditions, the event, the sixth on the Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour, has approximately two full days of surfing left with round three (16 heats), round four (eight heats), quarter finals (four heats), semi-finals (two heats) and final (one heat) to complete. .
To check results for rounds one and two go to aspworldtour.com or billabongpro.com
With the 2005 Foster’s ASP Men’s Tour ratings so tight at present, spectators on the beach plus those watching it live on the webcast can expect a top notch showdown as the event tapers down to the “business end”.
Only 320 points separate 1st and 3rd after Mick Fanning (AUS) recently claimed victory in Reunion Island.
Fanning has two wins under his belt and sits in 3rd on the rankings with 3820 points, while Trent Munro (AUS) has one win, and is sitting on 3876 points in 2nd, and Kelly Slater (USA) who also has two wins is sitting in the top spot on 4142 points.
Meanwhile reigning Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour champ and 2004 Billabong Pro winner, Andy Irons (HAW) who lurks just behind in 4th place on 3564, could easily throw himself back into contention with a win here.
Outside of the top four, in one of the tightest margins seen in years, a mere 321 points separates the surfers sitting between 5th and 10th. (See rankings below.)
Organisers will convene at Jeffreys Bay again tomorrow morning at 7am (local time) to assess conditions.
Current top 10 rankings (prior to Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay):
1. Kelly Slater (USA) 4142 2. Trent Munro (AUS) 3876 3. Mick Fanning (AUS) 3820 4. Andy Irons (HAW) 3564 5. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 3321 6. Cory Lopez (USA) 3165 7. Nathan Hedge (AUS) 3033 8. Taj Burrow (AUS) 3028 8. Fredrick Patacchia Jr (HAW) 3028 10. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 3000
