TEAHUPOO, TAHITI — Epic conditions today greeted the world’s top rated men for their first round in the Billabong Pro Teahupoo World Championship Tournament (WCT). Organizers initially planned to complete the women’s event, but as bigger set waves continued to
TEAHUPOO, TAHITI — Epic conditions today greeted the world’s top rated men for their first round in the Billabong Pro Teahupoo World Championship Tournament (WCT).
Organizers initially planned to complete the women’s event, but as bigger set waves continued to explode on the shallow reef break, it was decided to run a full day of men’s competition.
Perfect 6-8 foot surf was on offer at Teahupoo, as a spectacular Tahitian day of clear skies and virtually no wind presented itself. Tube rides were the sought after commodity, with the longer/deeper barrel rides awarded maximum points.
Reigning world and defending Billabong Pro Teahupoo champion Andy Irons faced the toughest of opponents against 2001 event winner Cory Lopez (FL, USA) and local Tahitian hero Vetea ‘Poto’ David.
The heat proved a dramatic exchange as Lopez secured a 9.4 within the first six-minutes, but Irons’ later emerged from three clean tubes on one wave for a 9.5 and a lead he never lost.
Having won the first World Qualifying Series (WQS) event at Teahupoo in 1997, as well as last year’s WCT here, the Kaua’ian’s uncanny confidence at the life-threatening break remains a major asset. Coming into Tahiti the current ratings leader, as was the case in 2002 following his wins at Bells Beach Australia, the 24-year-old is quickly supporting his superb world title-clinching season with an ideal defense.
“That was a really tough first heat,” acknowledged Irons. “Just to have ‘Poto’ – he’s such a well-rounded competitor. He surfed the tour for so many years and he knows this break better than anyone. Then Cory’s a past champion, so I knew I’d have my work cut out for me. He started out with a 9.4, so I waited awhile and ended up getting a 9.5 on a bigger set. It had three really hollow sections on it and I made it out clean.
“To get a good result at Bells again was amazing for my confidence,” he added of the last event in Australia. “I love this place and just being in Tahiti is amazing. I was happy to get a warm up in waves this size before some bigger surf comes and it gets out of control.”
Local Tahitian wildcard Hira Terinatoofa, who placed third in the Air Tahiti Nui VZ Trials last week for his main event spot, created the day’s biggest upset by defeating world No. 5 Mick Fanning.
(Gold Coast, Aus) and Phil MacDonald (NSW, Aus). Fanning -the 2002 ASP ‘Rookie of the Year’ – held an early lead, but then Terinatoofa showed his knowledge of the break and picked off a couple of high scoring inside waves.
The 23-year-old was cheered on by friends watching from the channel, and progressed directly into round three.
“It’s kind of like a dream for me,” said Terinatoofa. “I tried for two years to make it onto the WCT and have had really bad luck since, with no sponsor now, so I’ve had to stay at home here in Tahiti. I’m really stoked and happy to be in the event. To beat Mick is really good and I really thank God for this day.
“Mick was winning the heat, so I just tried to relax and have fun,” he continued. “Then I got those good waves and it put me in front. Afterward I stayed close and blocked him on my last wave, which was another good one. I had a great time.”
