Local hopes were also kept alive when Greg Emslie (ZAF) showed 7th seeded Taj Burrow (AUS) the exit door.
Emslie, who tied together some spectacular carves on some sizable waves was ecstatic with his win as was the supporting crowd.
“It was a pretty crazy heat, I’m really happy,” said Emslie. “Walking down there I was so focused but with the crowd support I was really nervous at the same time. I fell on my first wave, I had a bit of nerves so I took a few deep breaths and told myself to pretend it was just any day of the week. I got my positioning, got my good wave and just had an absolute ball out there.
With the swell predicted to peak tomorrow there is every chance that the 2005 Billabong Pro, Jeffreys Bay champ will be crowned tomorrow afternoon.
Organisers will convene at 7am tomorrow morning, Thursday July 21, to determine the proceedings for the day.
Results:
Heat 1. Luke Stedman (AUS) 13.33 def Mick Fanning (AUS) 10.60 Heat 2. Luke Egan (AUS) 14.67 def Marcelo Nunes (BRA) 11.50 Heat 3. Fred Patacchia (HAW) 14.83 def Michael Lowe (AUS) 14.16 Heat 4. Tim Reyes (USA) 15.17 def Trent Munro (AUS) 7.33 Heat 5. Lee Winkler (AUS) def Cory Lopez (USA) 12.34 Heat 6. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 16.34 def Damien Hobgood (USA) 14.34 Heat 7. Jake Paterson (AUS) 17.57 def Tom Whitaker 11.34 Heat 8. Kelly Slater (USA) 18.50 def Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF) 11.50 Heat 9. Andy Irons (HAW) 16.00 def Bernado Pigmeu (BRA) 8.83 Heat 10. Bruce Irons (HAW) 18.43 def Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 17.83 Heat 11. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 14.83 def Nathan Hedge (AUS) 12.74 Heat 13. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.83 def Toby Martin (AUS) 14.00 Heat 14. Dean Morrison (AUS) 15.34 def Richard Lovett (AUS) 15.00 Heat 15. Greg Emslie (ZAF) 18.10 def Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.76 Heat 16. Taylor Knox (USA) 16.00 def Danny Wills (AUS) 15.50
Top 10 ratings prior to the 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
(For full rankings, results plus event and surfer profiles go to www.aspworldtour.com)
