Live 2 Surf

Event No. 5 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay is coming off an historic day of competition that saw cranking surf, perfect scores and some major upsets. Today’s culmination will crown a champion by day’s end and play an important role in the 2009 ASP World Title race.

“We’ve got good surf coming in again although there is a little more wind on it this morning than I would prefer,” Mike Parsons, Billabong Pro Contest Director, said. “We’ll be getting underway at 7:30am with the first heats of the day and will be running through the Final this afternoon.”

Yesterday saw the elimination of ASP World Title contenders Mick Fanning (AUS), 28, C.J. Hobgood (USA), 30, and Taj Burrow (AUS), 31, with the remaining frontrunners all advancing through to the final day of competition.

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, current ASP World No. 1, was in sensational form yesterday, netting a Perfect 10-point ride as well as several high-scoring 9s. The phenomenal natural-footer will take on current ASP World No. 6 Bobby Martinez (USA), 27, in Quarterfinal 2 this morning.

Kelly Slater (USA), 37, reigning nine-time ASP World Champion and current ASP World No. 9, was devastating in yesterday’s Round 2 match, collecting four 9-point-plus rides before he was finished. The four-time past winner of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay will take on compatriot Taylor Knox (USA), 28, in Round 3 this morning.

First up today will be 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie Michel Bourez (PYF), 23, against free-surfing wunderkind Dane Reynolds (USA), 23, in Heat 5 of Round 3.