The heavy set regular-foot was extreme in his edge to edge surfing and was throwing large chunks of spray every time he launched into a turn. He showed no signs of being jittery but indicated that the usual rookie nerves were overcome as soon as he landed on his board on the first wave.
“There was a little nervous tension there, but once I took off on the wave I felt right at home,” said Sullivan. “I’ve aspired to be on this tour for two years as the wave quality is just incredible. It really is the 'Dream Tour' and these type of venues really allow professional surfing to show how much of an extreme sport it really is. It’s an honour to be a part of it and be able to elevate my own performance level.”
Pint-sized Adriano de Souza was another rookie to gain attention with his domination over his more seasoned rivals Fred Patacchia (HAW) and Chris Ward (USA).
De Souza, who has been dubbed by many as perhaps being Brazil’s first Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour champion, mixed old school carves with exciting new school slides and airs and was very happy with his first-ever top tour heat.
“The feeling was so good,” said de Souza. “The heat was important and at the beginning I got a great wave and I was like, ‘Oh my god, that is so crazy.’ After that I relaxed and I scored a 9.0. I can’t believe that I’m here on the tour.”
Slater is also in the running for the $AUS5000 in the Evian Longest Tuberide award. On the highest scoring wave of the day, aforementioned above, Slater’s disappearing act had the crowd in raptures.
A 6.30am call (Queensland, Australia time) will be made tomorrow morning (Wednesday 1 March) as to the day’s program. The swell is due to increase slightly and, with the morning high tide, there is a strong possibility that the Quiksilver Core Store Surf Challenge may commence proceedings, and then either a start to the first round of the Roxy Pro presented by Samsung or round two of the Quiksilver Pro.
Round One Results:
HEAT 1: 1st CJ Hobgood (USA) 17.84; 2nd Pedro Henrique (BRA) 14.27; 3rd Marcelo Nunes (BRA) 6.24
HEAT 2: 1st Roy Powers (HAW) 12.77; 2nd Bruce Irons (HAW) 12.24; 3rd Darren O'Rafferty (AUS) 11.83
HEAT 3: 1st Pancho Sullivan 16.67 (HAW 2nd Peterson Rosa 12.83 (BRA); 3rd Nathan Hedge AUS) 9.40 [p]HEAT 4: 1st Troy Brooks (AUS) 16.76; 2nd Yuri Sodre (BRA) 12.93; 3rd Taj Burrow (AUS) 12.59 [p]HEAT 5: 1st Trent Munro (AUS) 15.64; 2nd David Weare (ZAF)15.10; 3rd Taylor Knox (USA) 10.67 [p]HEAT 6: 1st Daniel Wills (AUS) 16.50; 2nd Mikael Picon (FRA) 10.76; 3rd Phillip MacDonald (AUS) 9.00 [p]HEAT 7: 1st Damien Hobgood (USA) 14.93; 2nd Travis Logie (ZAF) 13.50; 3rd Jarrad Howse (AUS) 10.20 [p]HEAT 8: 1st Kelly Slater (USA) 18.40; 2nd Jeremy Flores (REU) 14.84; 3rd Tom Whitaker (AUS) 6.43 [p]HEAT 9: 1st Andy Irons (HAW) 15.43; 2nd Ben Dunn (AUS) 15.17; 3rd Paulo Moura (BRA) 13.27 [p]HEAT 10: 1st Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.83; 2nd Luke Munro (AUS) 12.93; Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 9.66 [p]HEAT 11: 1st Cory Lopez (USA) 13.67; Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 13.00; Bede Durbidge (AUS) 10.50 [p]HEAT 12: 1st Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.67; 2nd Jay Thompson (AUS) 12.50; 3rd Tim Reyes (USA) 10.33 [p]HEAT 13: 1st Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 13.50; 2nd Jake Paterson (AUS) 12.67; 3rd Bobby Martinez (USA) 11.27 [p]HEAT 14: 1st Adriano de Souza (BRA) 16.33; 2nd Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 14.10; 3rd Chris Ward (USA) 9.90 [p]HEAT 15: 1st Toby Martin (AUS) 14.83; 2nd Victor Ribas (BRA) 12.40; 3rd Michael Lowe (AUS) 10.07 [p]HEAT 16: 1st Greg Emslie (ZAF) 15.50; 2nd Luke Stedman (AUS) 14.83; 3rd Dean Morrison (AUS) 14.60 [p]For tomorrow’s draw head to www.quiksilverpro.com or www.aspworldtour.com _z_surfing_z_);
