Florianopolis, Brazil — Reigning two-time Association of Surfing Professionals Champion Andy Irons nearly lost his second round heat yesterday after narrowly averting an interference call at the Nova Schin Festival. Both Irons, of Hanalei, and Brazilian Ricardo Ortiz paddled, caught,
Florianopolis, Brazil — Reigning two-time Association of Surfing Professionals Champion Andy Irons nearly lost his second round heat yesterday after narrowly averting an interference call at the Nova Schin Festival.
Both Irons, of Hanalei, and Brazilian Ricardo Ortiz paddled, caught, and were standing on the same wave. With Ortiz in priority, Irons had to get off and luckily did so before hindering his opponent’s scoring chances.
Irons, 26, is just three heat wins away from clinching his third consecutive world title crown. And an interference call is usually a death knell in a heat, calling for the contestant to be scored on only one wave.
“That was so stupid,” Irons said after advancing past the Brazilian wildcard . “I almost made a really big mistake, but luckily I didn’t interfere on his ride.”
“I was watching the rights before our heat started, but then that wave wedged into a perfect left and he was on the inside,” Irons added.
Following his shaky start, the 26-year-old caught a couple of high scoring left-handers of his own to secure the win.
Irons moved on to a round three rematch against Raphael Becker, who beat him in round one.
A semifinal result here, or any loss by ASP ratings number two Joel Parkinson, would clinch Irons’ third consecutive world title crown.
Parkinson kept his hopes going with a resounding win over Brazilian national champion Renato Galvao in another round two heat.
“I wasn’t about to give him the title today, and I won’t tomorrow either,” said Parkinson. “I’m just going to have to keep going.I’m just treating this like a normal event
With strong onshore southeast winds and messy 3ft surf on offer at Joaquina, the main site of the Nova Schin, officials packed up their tents and relocated an hour’s drive south to Imbituba.
Upon arriving at Imbituba – where six-time world champion Kelly Slater won last year’s Nova Schin Festival – good 4-6 ft right and left-hand peaks continued all day. A massive crowd, including Brazilian Tennis legend Gustavo Kuerten, was onsite to enjoy the show.
With similar surf forecast for today, organizers are expecting the contest to resume at Imbituba this morning.
