“I’m pleased with myself to make it this far and it was great experience for me. To lose to Kelly is… well he’s the best so it’s nothing to be ashamed of. There was only really the one good wave in the heat and Kelly got it,” said Martinez.
Brazilian teenager Adriano de Souza (BRA) was another rookie who sent a clear warning to the established ranks that the face of this year’s tour has changed with the inclusion of a record 10 new rookies in the world’s top 45.
The 19-year-old was eliminated in a much closer second semi of the Quiksilver Pro by Burrow to now be ranked at equal third in the world after his first event as a WCT surfer. The two small wave specialists went wave for wave but Burrow managed a heat high 8.33 score after the midway mark to secure a finals berth.
“Getting this result is an amazing accomplishment. I’m very stoked. Hats of to Taj Burrow as he surfed very strong in the semi but I think I made a mark. Surfing against Taj was so good because it made me push myself and I learned a lot from this experience. I’ll go to Bells Beach now with a good mind,” said de Souza.
Former three times world champion Andy Irons (Haw) also fell to Burrow, eliminated from the quarter finals to finish equal fifth in his first event of the year. The focus of the Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour world now shifts to the Rip Curl Pro scheduled for Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia, April 11 – 21st, 2006.
Foster's ASP Men's World Tour Ratings after Event # 1 Quiksilver Pro presented by Samsung, Gold Coast 2006
1. Kelly Slater USA 1200 pts 2. Taj Burrow AUS 1032 3. Bobby Martinez USA 876 3. Adriano de Souza BRA 876 5. Andy Irons Haw 732 5. Taylor Knox USA 732 5. Raoni Monteiro BRA 732 5. Damien Hobgood USA 732 9. Joel Parkinson AUS 600 9. Troy Brooks AUS 600 9. Greg Emslie ZAF 600 9. Travis Logie ZAF 600 9. Tom Whitaker AUS 600 9. Marcelo Nunes BRA 600 9. Pancho Sullivan HAW 600 9. Darren O'Rafferty AUS 600
Slater also picked up some extra pocket money when he grabbed the Evian Longest Tube Ride Award.
Slotting into a deep tube in his round three heat Slater pipped Bruce Irons for the AUD$5000 cash.
