2007 Billabong Pro J-Bay: Day 1

CONDITIONS: 3-4 foot and good enough to go
HEATS HELD: Von Zipper Trials and Round 1 Heats 1-9
NATURE’S CALL: Let's Get It Going
PREDICTIONS: Nobody's Retiring Just Yet

Jeremy Flores gave it his best shot, but was unable to take down a white-hot Mick fanning in Round 1

Top seeds and former Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay champions Joel Parkinson (AUS), Mick Fanning (AUS) and Andy Irons (USA) each advanced to Round 3 today. Heats 1 through 9 of the Billabong Pro, the 5th event of 10 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour, were run before unfavorable winds saw the event called off for the day.

Parkinson, who won the event as a wildcard in 1999, asserted his intention to vie for a 2007 title with his commanding Round 1 performance. The current World No. 5 claimed both the highest heat total and single wave score of the day. He posted 16.83 out of 20.00 points after nabbing a 9.33 on his first wave ridden.

“A good set was coming but I didn’t know how many waves were in it,” Parkinson said. “I barely scratched into the first one and it was really good but as soon as I went over, the other was better, so it was a bit of a laugh really. There were only two waves in the set and the second one was better, if I had the inside, I would have had the first one and Pancho would have got the second one. I was pretty lucky.”

Current World No. 1 Fanning posted a series of solid scores to easily advance over French rookie Jeremy Flores (FRA) and local wildcard Shaun Payne (ZAF).

“It’s pretty inconsistent out there,” Fanning said. “I just wanted to get one good wave one off the back and consolidate, get that and just control the heat from there.”

Fanning has had a stellar start to the year, and as the defending and 2002 event champion, is a favorite in Jeffreys Bay. His 2007 World Title campaign is well and truly on track.

“The first few events are out the way now and its just time to start building towards the end of the year,” Fanning said. “Everything is feeling good, boards are good, so I’m just trying to keep it rolling.”

World No. 3 Irons advanced through the last heat of the day by bettering Michael Campbell (AUS) and wildcard Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF) in their low-scoring heat. Irons won last week’s Foster’s ASP World Tour event in Chile to move to World No. 3 and put himself in title contention – this after starting the year with an equal 33rd (last place) finish.

Round 1 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Results:
Heat 1: Luke Stedman(12.33), Shaun Cansdell(12.33), Tom Whitaker(8.07)
Heat 2: Daniel Wills16.50), Mark Occhilupo(11.93), Raoni Monteiro(9.63)
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez(14.93), Phil Macdonald(10.74), Troy Brooks(9.13)
Heat 4: Bede Durbidg(10.50), Fred Pattachia(9.73), Gabe Kling(2.93)
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson(16.83), Pancho Sullivan(13.83), Trent Munro(6.83)
Heat 6: CJ Hobgood(12.33), Neco Padaratz(12.17), Taj Burrow(11.93)
Heat 7: Luke Munro(13.34), Ben Dunn(11.27), Damien Hobgood(11.17)
Heat 8: Mick Fanning(16.00), Jeremy Flores(9.27), Shaun Payne(7.26)
Heat 9: Andy Irons(11.20), Damien Fahrenfort(8.07), Michael Campbell(5.66)

Remaining Round 1 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Match-Ups:
Heat 10: Kelly Slater, Chris Ward, Warwick Wright
Heat 11: Travis Logie, Adrian Buchan, Rodrigo Dornelles
Heat 12: Dean Morrison, Ricky Bassnett, Dayyan Neve
Heat 13: Bruce Irons, Leonardo Neves, Victor Ribas
Heat 14: Cory Lopez, Adriano de Souza, Michael Lowe
Heat 15: Kai Otton, Josh Kerr, Royden Bryson
Heat 16: Taylor Knox, Bernardo Miranda, Greg Emslie

Bobby Martinez admiring the view

 

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