Burrow Sets Pace On Second Day

Conditions at Cabadelo beach were less than favorable throughout the day, with onshore winds messing up the 3ft (1m) surf.

Burrow, who finished runner-up in the 2000 Figueira Pro, today dominated his clash with Marcelo Nunes (Brz). The Australian opened with an 8.5, before launching a huge aerial reverse spin and landed with ease to score a near-perfect 9.8.

« That was fun, » said a smiling Burrow afterward. « I was actually really nervous, but once I got my first wave under my belt I cruised more than normal and got a big score. There were a couple good ramps out there, so I wanted to get loose at the end. »I was glad they rewarded it,« he continued, of his aerial maneuver. »I got in two good turns and then it had a ramp and the wind was perfect. There was no way I could resist, even if I needed a score (laughs), it was just a perfect little section. Stoked I made it and stoked I got a good score. It’s always good for airs here, so I hope I can just keep my confidence going and make every air I go for, as I know the judges like them. Pretty psyched, as it ?s always good to get out of that round.« Current #5 Joel Parkinson (Aus) eliminated local wildcard hero Tiago Pires (Port). The pair put on a great show, though the Australian capitalized with a 9.25 to advance into round three. »He was definitely the hardest wildcard in the event and a local hero, so I didn’t want to surf against him,« admitted Parkinson. »The waves are really hard and it just came down to whoever got them. It was my lucky day, as Tiago surfed really well and could have had me on a couple of waves.

« There’s a lot pressure in that round, » he added. "I’ve got a good board though, and I’m feeling good after surfing so much the past few days. Hopefully I can go all the way.

Current ratings #2 Luke Egan (Aus) continued his recent success, advancing over replacement surfer Jose Antunes (Port) in the first heat of the men’s second round.

Current #3 Michael Lowe (Aus) also advanced, though there was some controversy during his match with wildcard Jose Gregorio (Port). The Portuguese surfer held priority at one point, and though the two contestants were surfing separate sections of the beach, Lowe caught a wave the judges ultimately deemed was connected to Gregorio’s. The Australian was therefore awarded zero points, despite it being one of his better rides. Although he went on to win, the 25-year-old was still visibly frustrated upon exiting the water.

« There was a priority call on what was probably my best wave, » said Lowe. « The guy was sitting 300m down the beach and I was right over in the corner. You can’t tell me there was one clean line out there, but they called my wave a zero. If that had of cost me the heat I would have been very upset. Jose’s a really good surfer, so I didn’t know what he was going to pull out down the beach. I just had to concentrate on my own game and it ended up working out. »

Shane Dorian (Haw) ousted Paul Canning (SAfr) from the Figueira Pro in the day’s final heat, after their match was brought forward to accommodate Pat O’Connell’s (USA) missing equipment situation. The 30-year-old got off to a flying start, collecting two back-to-back solid scores, and progressed to round three.

« I was a little worried since the conditions were deteriorating so rapidly, » said Dorian afterward. « It was tough, but I’m stoked I won. I just tried to get all psyched beforehand, and drank a bunch of energy drinks so I was just buzzing, and it worked. »

Falconer Leads Way In Women ?s Division

Neridah Falconer (Aus), currently rated #17 on the women’s WCT after missing the last tournament due to injury, today dominated their opening round with the best overall two-wave total. Against Heather Clark (SAfr) and Rochelle Ballard (Haw), the 30-year-old collected an 8.0 first wave and then waited patiently for another 8.25 to seal victory with 16.25-points.

« It was so messy, but with half an hour I figured I’d just sit and wait, » said Falconer. « I haven’t had a really good year, as I’ve been out injured twice. I was just trying to enjoy myself, so I wasn’t stressing. »

Maria ’Tita’ Tavares (Brz) also posted a convincing win, defeating reigning four-time world champion Layne Beachley (Aus) and replacement Marie Pierre Abgrall (Fra). The Brazilian displayed a commanding performance, scoring two 8.0’s in the testing conditions.

« I’m really happy to be back in a WCT event, » began Tavares, after the past four months break. « I was home in Brazil for awhile, doing little competitions in similar waves to here. I wasn’t able to come over to Europe for the WQS events since I don ?t have a sponsor to pay for them, so I just trained. I love the WCT’s and they are my life. »

Australian WCT rookies Samantha Cornish and Chelsea Georgeson both earned big wins. Cornish defeated fellow Australian and current ratings leader Melanie Redman-Carr, as well as wildcard Patricia Lopes (Port), while Georgeson outscored current #2 Lynette MacKenzie and Amee Donohoe (both Australian).

« Just before my heat I really watched the conditions and saw a little peak, so I made a landmark and stuck to it, » explained Cornish. « Fortunately a couple of waves popped up. To succeed in a heat you need to examine the conditions and have a really good plan and a backup plan. At the beginning of the year I was just going out surfing and wasn’t doing so well, but now I ?ve changed my plan and it’s coming good. »

Current #10 Serena Brooke was another heat winner, accounting for fellow Australian and 1993 world champion Pauline Menczer, as well as Hawaiian Keala Kennelly, who won the last WCT in Tahiti. The 26-year-old collected an 8.5 one ride, the highest single score of the women today.

« It was mushy and all over the place, but I just focused on waiting and not taking off on anything unless it was better than a five, » explained Brooke. « I’m pretty amped to do well. I’m in 10th now, so I’m hoping to get some good results to make sure I re-qualify. »

A decision will be made tomorrow morning at 8am (local time) as to the day’s schedule.

Official results of the Figueira Pro

Men round two (1st place advances to round 3 ; loser finishes =33rd and receives US$3,000)
 H1 : Luke Egan (Aus) 13.0 def. Joao Antunes (Port) 7.25
 H2 : Michael Lowe (Aus) 15.85 def. Jose Gregorio (Port) 11.1
 H3 : Shea Lopez (USA) 15.0 def. Justin Mujica (Venz) 13.15
 H4 : Joel Parkinson (Aus) 17.0 def. Tiago Pires (Port) 14.2
 H5 : Damien Hobgood (USA) 14.25 def Eric Rebiere (Fra) 9.75
 H6 : Taj Burrow (Aus) 18.3 def. Marcelo Nunes (Brz) 6.0
 H7 : Kieren Perrow (Aus) 15.75 def. Rodrigo Dornelles (Brz) 14.65
 H8 : Taylor Knox (USA) 14.0 def. Victor Ribas (Brz) 11.75
 H9 : Nathan Hedge (Aus) 12.25 def. Paulo Moura (Brz) 5.0
 H10 : Jake Paterson (Aus) 13.0 def. Luke Hitchings (Aus) 9.5
 H11 : Shane Powell (Aus) 13.5 def. Darren O ?Rafferty (Aus) 12.25
 H13 : Shane Dorian (Haw) 15.75 def. Paul Canning (SAfr) 13.9

Women round one (1st & 2nd place advance to round three ; 3rd place into round two)
 H1 : Jacqueline Silva 11.6 (Brz) ; Megan Abubo (Haw) 11.25 ; Kate Skarratt (Aus) 5.75
 H2 : Serena Brooke (Aus) 13.5 ; Pauline Menczer (Aus) 12.5 ; Keala Kennelly (Haw) 9.0
 H3 : Samantha Cornish (Aus) 14.85 ; Melanie Redman-Carr (Aus) 11.2 ; Patricia Lopes (Port) 5.2
 H4 : Maria Tavares (Brz) 16.0 ; Layne Beachley (Aus) 12.25 ; Marie Pierre Abgrall (Fra) 7.0
 H5 : Lynette MacKenzie (Aus) ; Chelsea Georgeson (Aus) ; Amee Donohoe (Aus)
 H6 : Heather Clark (SAfr) ; Rochelle Ballard (Haw) ; Neridah Falconer (Aus)

Remaining round two men ?s heats
 H12 : Pat O ?Connell (USA) vs. Phil MacDonald (Aus)
 H14 : Nathan Webster (Aus) vs. Guilherme Herdy (Brz)
 H15 : Fabio Gouveia (Brz) vs. Russell Winter (UK)
 H16 : Flavio Padaratz (Brz) vs. Beau Emerton (Aus)