Damien Hobgood into Round3 in Fiji
CLOUDBREAK, Tavarua/Fiji (Sunday, June 3, 2012) – The long-awaited return of the world’s best surfers to the iconic lefthander of Cloudbreak was realized today as the ASP Top 34 took on the open ocean reef pass for Round 1 of the Volcom Fiji Pro.
Event No. 4 of 10 on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour, the Volcom Fiji Pro enjoyed solid six-to-eight foot (2 – 2.5 metre) waves at the primary venue of Cloudbreak today, and there was no shortage of action as the world’s best tore into the conditions on offer.
FOX Pro Surfer Damien Hobgood (USA) has moved into Round 3 in Fiji after a solid performance in pumping six-to-eight foot conditions. Damien relegated and inform Taj Burrow (AUS) and fellow American Taylor Knox (USA) into Round 2.
Fellow stable mate Bede Durbidge (AUS) was only just beaten in his Round 1 heat and will be up against fellow Australian and room mate Adam Melling (AUS) in Round 2.
Mitch Coleborn (AUS), 25, wildcard into the Volcom Fiji Pro, caused the upset of the day, besting reigning 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 40, as well as dangerous goofy-footer Kai Otton (AUS), 32, in their non-elimination Round 1 bout. After a rough start, including suffering a number of waves on the head, Coleborn rebounded in sensational fashion, grabbing 9.27 followed by an 8.10 for the day’s highest heat total of a 17.37 out of a possible 20.
“The heat ended up good but the start was a nightmare,” Coleborn said. “Then I got that one 9-something and it really turned the heat around for me. Once I pulled in, I knew it was going to happen and I couldn’t wipe the smile off of my face after I came out. I still needed a score though and bagged another solid one at the end. I guess I got a couple of waves between all of the beatings I took.”
Coleborn, current No. 62 on the ASP World Rankings, is battling to join the elite ASP Top 34 in the near future, and the young goofy-footer was thrilled to capitalize today on the world-class waves of Fiji as a wildcard.
“Out there on the ledge there are chip shots and you’ve got to be right there under them,” Coleborn said. “That last one was a dream come true. It’s a different thing coming here compared to other contests. You knew a swell was coming and it’s Fiji and you just can’t think a bad thought. I’m happy to be here.”
Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 6:30am to assess conditions for a possible 8:30am start.
When competition resumes, up first will be Kelly Slater (USA), 40, up against local wildcard Isei Tokovu (FIJ) in the opening heat of the elimination Round 2.
Highlights from the Volcom Fiji Pro will be available via www.volcom.com/fijipro
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
VOLCOM FIJI PRO ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 13.67, Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 7.67, Brett Simpson (USA) 3.67
Heat 2: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 12.33, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 8.86, Josh Kerr (AUS) 6.10
Heat 3: Damien Hobgood (USA) 11.00, Taylor Knox (USA) 10.16, Taj Burrow (AUS) 4.17
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 10.60, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 7.10, Willian Cardoso (BRA) 2.93
Heat 5: Mitch Coleborn (AUS) 17.37, Kelly Slater (USA) 13.50, Kai Otton (AUS) 13.27
Heat 6: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.93, Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 8.33, Isei Tokovu (FIJ) 2.23
Heat 7: Owen Wright (AUS) 14.87, Tiago Pires (PRT) 11.50, Yadin Nicol (AUS) 10.26
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.66, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 4.90, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 2.00
Heat 9: John John Florence (HAW) 15.37, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 11.73, Kieren Perrow (AUS) 6.33
Heat 10: Heitor Alves (BRA) 8.70, Julian Wilson (AUS) 6.70, Kolohe Andino (USA) 5.67
Heat 11: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.80, Travis Logie (ZAF) 7.50, Gabriel Medina (BRA) 6.00
Heat 12: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 15.27, Adam Melling (AUS) 9.97, Michel Bourez (PYF) 9.70
VOLCOM FIJI PRO ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Isei Tokovu (FIJ)
Heat 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Willian Cardoso (BRA)
Heat 3: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)
Heat 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 5: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 6: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Yadin Nicol (AUS)
Heat 7: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Heat 8: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 9: Tiago Pires (PRT) vs. Kolohe Andino (USA)
Heat 10: Brett Simpson (USA) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 11: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 12: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
