THE 2003 ASP/WCT QUIKSILVER NIIJIMA PRO: DAY ONE

Masatoshi Ohno: Japan's rising son. PHOTO: ASPWORLDTOUR.COM

Japanese wildcard Masatoshi Ohno today created an upset as the Niijima Quiksilver Pro got underway. The US$250,000 World Championship Tournament (WCT) commenced with round one being split in half -- heats running simultaneously on two separate banks in front of the main contest site. Eight heats of the second elimination round were then decided further south down Habushiura Beach at 'Secret Point.'

Tricky 2-3ft (0.6-1m) waves breaking close the shore were on offer this morning, while 2 miles (4km) along the same stretch of beach longer 4ft righthanders peeled cleanly down the line. Organizers set up a mobile site there to the appreciation of all contestants, with four-wheel drives taxiing those involved between locations.

Quiksilver wildcard Masatoshi Ohno put aside nerves to surf confidently and defeat Neco Padaratz (Brz) and world #4 Taj Burrow (West Australia) in a great exchange. Having earlier contested the Quiksilver Trials on Australia's Gold Coast and more recently in Fiji without success, Ohno lifted his game on home turf for a significant career win. The goofyfooter was impressive on his backhand; securing a round three berth.

"It's great," said Masatoshi. "To win that heat with such good surfers is a really good experience for me. I did my best, and I think these conditions really worked to my advantage, so I was lucky. If they were perfect waves, it would have been more difficult for me. The WCT guys have much more experience in good waves, and I know all of them are so good. I'm really happy to make it."

Burrow later contested round two against another Japanese wildcard Masaki Harada - after the Niijima Quiksilver Pro relocated further south to 'Secret Point' and there unleashed a devastating performance over his opponent. The West Australian convincingly advanced with a 7.5 and then equaled the best single score of the event for a 9.0 and the days' highest combined tally of 16.5-points. A carving reverse 360 at the end of his best ride got the crowd cheering.

"The conditions were really tricky this morning and I couldn't even catch a wave," recalled Burrow after his win. "I just had to focus on the 33rd place round. I was a little bit nervous, but once the waves started coming through I was feeling confident after getting a few under my belt. The waves were amazing, like Trestles (CA, USA) and really rippable. I actually surfed here all day yesterday feel pretty confident if they continue to run the contest at this break."

Replacement surfer Ben Bourgeois (USA) -- who filled Hawaiian Shane Dorian's spot in the Niijima Quiksilver Pro -- made the most of the opportunity by defeating 2001 world champion CJ Hobgood (Fl, USA) and Michael Campbell(Port Macquarie, Aus) this morning. The former WCT surfer narrowly missed out on a full-time position in 2003, but posted the day's first 9.0 and the second highest combined tally of 16.15-points with his smooth forehand attack.

"I got lucky since Shane didn't want to come here," explained Bourgeois of his position in the event. "Stoked just to be here and have a spot, and winning that first heat is great. The waves were really tough and I didn't really have a strategy out there, but I was lucky to catch a really long one. I didn't feel that good on it, but the wave itself was a nine(laughs)."

 

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