JAPAN — The Quiksilver Pro scored yesterday by relocating to Japan’s version of the legendary righthand point break ‘Malibu’. Round two of the Foster’s men’s ASP World Championship Tournament (WCT) was completed in epic conditions, with four heats of the
JAPAN — The Quiksilver Pro scored yesterday by relocating to Japan’s version of the legendary righthand point break ‘Malibu’. Round two of the Foster’s men’s ASP World Championship Tournament (WCT) was completed in epic conditions, with four heats of the third also decided. Typhoon ‘Songda’ produced the best competition surf ever witnessed in Japan, with hollow 6ft. waves continuing all day. Hordes of local enthusiasts, together with international media, were captivated by state-of-art performances. A surreal setting mixed the beautiful Katsuura bay – littered with various surf breaks and a traditional Japanese Temple, together with the modern highway and overpass pathway utilized by contest officials and spectators.
Kaua‘i’s Bruce Irons secured his second only round three berth of the year by overcoming Guilherme Herdy. The Kauaian has suffered a worse than expected start to his maiden WCT campaign, but put that aside and surfed a confident heat. He’ll next challenge 2001 world champ CJ Hobgood. “I fell on my first couple of waves and had to tell myself to relax,” recalled Irons. “I definitely didn’t expect to surf real waves like this in Japan.”
Australian Danny Wills utilized conditions to eliminate fellow countryman and WCT replacement Luke Hitchings with the day’s top scores. Having previously won back-to-back WCT’s here in 1998, Wills again displayed winning form with two eight plus rides in his tally to advance into round three. He’ll face Californian Tim Curran tomorrow.
“Never thought we’d get waves like this in Japan,” reasoned Wills. “It’s unreal. I was frothing a bit at the start cause it was so fun, but stoked to be through.” Brazilian Armando Daltro posted his first WCT heat win of the year, accounting for world #7 Taylor Knox. Despite being rated last on the current ratings, Daltro let loose on his forehand to post a brilliant 9-point ride and take control.
Having won a 6-Star World Qualifying Series (WQS) in Japan last month, the 31-year-old has carried the confidence over and today reaped the benefits.
