Matt Banting (AUS) has taken out the Inaugural Australian Open of Surfing Pro at Manly beach today. The beach was packed with tens of thousands of surf fans for the final day of competition and they were treated to an exciting show with close back-and-forth battles, powerful turns and big airs as the world's best surfers fought for the prestigious crown, precious ASP World Tour ratings points and tens of thousands of dollars prize-money.

Matt Banting (AUS) went back-to-back at the Australian Open of Surfing after claiming the Pro Junior division title yesterday and today winning the blue ribbon ASP 6-Star division. Banting battled hard in the Final against American Evan Gieselman (USA), with both surfers going for broke in the small, but fun surf. The 17-year-old from Port Macquarie took to the air and landed some massive air-reverses that saw him post some big scores and claim the USD$25,000 1st prize and 3,500 ASP World Tour ratings points.

"This has been the best week of my life!" Banting said. "I'm so happy, this is the best feeling I've ever had! I'm shaking so much I can hardly talk. Evan (Gieselman) is a really good surfer, he was blowing up for the whole final, I was really scared. I was just lucky to start off well with a couple of good waves. I just want to thanks my Dad and Mum for supporting me, I love them!"

The Italian Wonderkid, 14, outclassed best under 16 aussie surfers.

Italian young prodigy Leonardo Fioravanti won this week end the Ocean & Earth International Teenage Rampage Final, a competition gathering Australia's under 16 best groms. Quiksilver's wonderkid wowed crowds with his phenomenal surfing. Winning all three rounds in the lead up to the semis, Fioravanti seemed unstoppable, with Sam Bond knocked out in the semi's and Broulee event winner Matt King (Ulladulla) going down to Mikey Wright and Luke Hynd, the final was packed with talent.

At the age of 14, the youngest contender of his category appreciates his performance : "Surfing against Australia's best teenagers was awesome, these guys ripped out there all day and it came down to the last minute it was unreal. It's so good being in Australia, I love the culture and the people here in Cronulla have been so friendly, I've made some good friends here and would love to come back and surf again", said a super excited Fioravanti.

The Quiksilver team surfer whose season was suspended due to injury during The Quiksilver Pro France (Oct) has started this year with some great sessions in preparation for his return to the ASP World Tour.

Following his ankle injury during the Quiksilver Pro France Round 3, last October, Jeremy Flores went through intensive rehabilitation until the end of 2011.

After he pulled out of The Quiksilver Pro and Peniche events, the surfer from Reunion Island was also forced to withdraw the Pipe Masters where he hoped to defend to defend his title.

He still achieved an impressive 13th in the World Ratings despite missing 3 events.

In spite of his intensive rehabilitation program, he traveled to Hawaii to honor his invitation and attend the opening of the Quiksilver In Memory Of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Event. He is the sole European entrant in the competition that will only run when the waves reach the required size.

On Christmas Eve, Jeremy took part in a trip to Morocco, which was organized by Quiksilver alongside Ramzi Boukhaim and Dimitri Ouvre, to see if his ankle had recovered. A solid swell hit Taghazout near Agadir, which allowed Jeremy and the boys to surf the famous spots of Killer, Anchors Point and the surrounding beaches.

Between Christmas and New Years Day there were some epic sessions at Graviere as well as Peniche and Ericeira in Portugal, where he surfed alongside Aritz Aranburu and Patrick Beven.

After returning to Hossegor, Jeremy Flores is preparing to travel to Hawaii this week in preparation for the start of the 2012 season, which begins with the Quiksilver Gold Coast event held during the 25thFeburay and the 7th March.

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Quiksilver, DC and Roxy teams shined at the recent ISA China Cup held previous the ASP 4 star event in Hainan Island, China.

This international competition sanctioned by ISA Federation crowned Peru's Roxy Girl Sofia Mulanovich in the Open Women's division while DC surfer Marc Lacomare (France) grew on the 3rd step of Men's Final followed by Quiksilver's Nic Muscroft (Aus) for copper. The Australian was also rewarded with the Oz National Team, winner of the team contest ahead of the French selection.

Open Women Final
Gold – Sofia Mulanovich (PER) – 15.27
Silver – Sarah Baum (RSA) – 13.70
Bronze – Diana de Souza (BRA) – 12.60
Copper – Justine Dupont (FRA) – 10.76

Open Men Final
Gold – Heath Joske (AUS) – 17.50
Silver – Cory Lopez (USA) – 12.33
Bronze – Marc Lacomare (FRA) – 12.30
Copper – Nic Muscroft (AUS) – 4.13

Final ISA China Cup Team Rankings
1. Australia – 12,930
2. France – 11,658
3. USA – 10,690
4. Peru – 10,028
5. Brazil – 9,760
6. South Africa – 8,880
7. Argentina – 7,690
8. Venezuela – 7,460

The International Surfing Association is proud to announce the Hainan Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival presented by Quiksilver that will take place in Wanning, Hainan Island, China.

From January 6 to 14, China will become the international surfing capital with the world's top surfers competing on their National Teams in the ISA China Cup followed by a second surfing competition, the Hainan Classic, an ASP Men's 4-Star contest. It will be the first time ever in the history of the country that surfing events of this magnitude take place.

More info and live coverage of the event on http://hainaninternationalsurfingfestival.com

Kelly Slater brachte gestern im kalten Wasser von San Francisco bisher in der Surfwelt Unerreichtes zustande und holte in Runde drei gegen Daniel Ross seinen historischen 11. Weltmeistertitel. Slater (39 Jahre) ist der erste Surfer, der 11 ASP-Weltmeistertitel sammeln konnte. Eine Leistung, die seine herausragende Karriere über zwei Jahrzehnte hinweg wieder spiegelt und ihn zum jüngsten als auch ältesten ASP World Champion aller Zeiten macht.

“Der 10. World-Titel erschien mir härter und fühlte sich an wie eine Reise von 2 Jahren - eigentlich wie eine 20-jährige Reise zum zehnten Titel. Dieses Jahr war es einfacher, und ich konnte es lockerer angehen. Der elfte war für die Leute nicht so ein großes Symbol wie der zehnte. Da der Weg zum Titel in diesem Jahr fast unbemerkt passierte, stand ich nicht so unter Druck“, sagte Kelly. „Die Leute reden immer über mein Alter, und ihr wisst, dass ich 39 bin, fast 40, aber für mich ist das nur eine Zahl. Wie ihr seht, kann man den Leuten das Gegenteil beweisen und super fit bleiben. Warum sollte ich mit 50 nicht noch besser in Form sein als jetzt? Wenn mir etwas wichtig ist, dann den Menschen gegenüber genau das zu repräsentieren. Ich esse gesund, spreche darüber und lebe es - und es zeigt sich in meinen physischen Fähigkeiten“, so Slater.

“Kellys unglaublicher Antrieb und seine Entschlossenheit im Wettkampf ist phänomenal”, sagt Bob McKnight, Quiksilver CEO. “Nach zwei Jahrzehnten, in denen er so viel im und für das professionelle Surfen erreicht und getan hat, sind wir stolz und begeistert, ihm hier beim Gewinn seines 11. Weltmeistertitels zusehen zu dürfen. Glückwunsch, Kelly!”

Trotz seiner Abwesenheit beim Event in Südafrika im Juli und der Herausforderung angesichts des neuen und starken Teilnehmerfeldes hatte Slater 2011 einen imponierenden Lauf mit drei Siegen auf der Welttour (Gold Coast, Tahiti, Trestles) und Zweitplatzierungen in New York und Portugal – eine Performance, die er teilweise der Befreiung durch den Gewinn des 10. ASP-Titels in der letzten Saison zuschreibt.

Kelly gewann seine bisherigen ASP World Championships in den Jahren 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2006, 2008 und 2010. Seine Karriereerfolge beinhalten zudem 48 Siege auf der Welttour und 2 Goldmedaillen bei den ESPN X Games.

Die ASP World Tour ist aber noch nicht vorbei - der nächste und finale Tour-Stop ist die Pipeline in Oahu (Hawaii) von 8 bis 20. Dezember 2011. Weitere Informationen zur ASP-Tour unter: http://www.aspworldtour.com .

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE // ERGEBNISSE

Gabriel Medina holt ersten ASP Tour-Sieg

LA GRAVIERE, Hossegor/Frankreich, 14. Oktober 2011 – Der 17-jährige ASP-Newcomer Gabriel Medina (BRA), der nach der September-Rotation erst in die Top-34 der ASP aufgestiegen war, holte sich beim Quiksilver Pro France seinen ersten ASP World-Titel. Er verwies damit den 22-jährigen Julian Wilson (AUS) bei erstklassigen 3- bis 4-Fuß-Wellen in La Graviere auf den zweiten Platz.

Beim Quiksilver Pro France, dem 8. Stop der diesjährigen ASP World-Tour, stellte die “Next Generation” wieder einmal ihr Talent und ihre Intentionen unter Beweis. Gabriel Medina schlug auf seinem erst zweiten Event in den ASP Top-34 eine Schneise durch die weltbesten Surfer und sicherte sich auf seinem Weg zum Sieg drei der fünf höchsten Single-Wave-Scores des Events. Sein Full-Rotation-Forehand-Air eröffnete den finalen Heat mit einem starken 7.83-Punkte-Run. Wilson war ebenfalls in Top-Form und überholte Medina bis zum letzten Moment, als der junge Brasilianer schließlich mehrere riskante Manöver auf einem langen Lefthander präsentierte und sich mit 9.17 Punkten die Führung zurück holte.

Taylor Knox (USA, 40) surfte sein bestes Ergebnis des Jahres und teilt sich gemeinsam mit Jordy Smith (ZAF, 23) den dritten Platz. Damit steigt er von Rang 32 auf 21 des ASP-Rankings auf. Er musste sich jedoch im Halbfinale den beeindruckenden Airs von Medina geschlagen geben. Smith vollbrachte bei diesem ersten Event nach einer Verletzungspause einen erstklassigen Wiedereinstieg in den Wettbewerb, konnte jedoch Wilson im Halbfinale nicht übertreffen.

Quiksilver-Legende, zehnmaliger ASP World Champion und amtierende Nummer Eins des ASP Rankings, Kelly Slater (USA, 39), schaffte es dank Medina diesmal nur bis ins Viertelfinale. Die Ikone aus Florida war am Tag des Finales offensichtlich nicht in Bestform; Medina dominierte die Runs in den wechselnden Morgenbedingungen. „Keine gute Performance von mir,“ sagte Slater. „Ich glaube, er ist gut gesurft, ich habe nicht wirklich viel gesehen, weil ich nur im Back herumtrieb. Leider war ich die ganze Zeit aus dem Rhythmus und hatte nicht wirklich die Chance, ein Battle mit ihm auszufahren.“ So stellte es sich im Nebel Südfrankreichs heraus, dass der World-Titel 2011 wohl noch nicht beim nächsten Event in Portugal entschieden wird, sondern erst in San Francisco.

Highlights des Quiksilver Pro France verfügbar unter: www.quiksilverlive.com .

VIDEO - QUIKSILVER SNACK PACK - QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE

Das Quiksilver Snack Pack ist ein einzigartiges Paket voller Interviews und Perspektiven auf den Quiksilver Pro France, der in diesem Jahr sein zehntes Jubiläum feiern durfte. Hier kann man beispielsweise beobachten, wie gefährlich leichtfüßig Quiksilver-Legende Kelly Slater auf dem Weg zu seinem 11. ASP World-Titel ist, oder welche neuen Rivalitäten sich für die nächste Saison gebildet haben. Ein Blick hinter die Kulissen, Interviews mit den weltbesten Surfern und die besten Szenen auf den französischen Beach Breaks - das Snack Pack ist nun verfügbar unter http://youtube.com/quiksilver - den Trailer gibt es hier zu sehen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j3KkCXP0bY .

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE - ERGEBNISSE FINALE:

1 – Gabriel Medina (BRA) 17.00

2 – Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.10

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE - ERGEBNISSE HALBFINALE:

SF 1:              Gabriel Medina (BRA) 19.57 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 7.00
SF 2:              Julian Wilson (AUS) 18.50 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.55

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE - ERGEBNISSE VIERTELFINALE:

QF 1:              Taylor Knox (USA) 15.17 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 9.50
QF 2:              Gabriel Medina (BRA) 16.66 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 8.60
QF 3:              Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.26 def. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 13.77

QF 4:              Julian Wilson (AUS) 13.00 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 3.54

ASP WORLD TITLE TOP 5 (nach Quiksilver Pro France):

1. Kelly Slater (USA) 50,150 pts

2. Owen Wright (AUS) 43,900 pts

3. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 35,900 pts

4. Taj Burrow (AUS) 34,450 pts

5. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 34,000 pts

Quiksilver Pro France TV Feeds / Bilder / Infos :

www.quiksilver-press.com

User :             quiksilver

Passwort :     quiksilverpress

FOLDER: EVENTS / QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE

QUIKSILVER KING OF THE GROMS – INTERNATIONALES FINALE

Yan Daberkow (BRA) steigt in Medinass Fußstapfen

Direkt nach den Pro's traten die 16 weltbesten Rookies beim internationalen Finale des Quiksilver King of the Groms gegeneinander an. And the winner is… der Brasilianer Yan Daberkow! Er schlug den Australier Mitch Parkinson mit 16 zu 13,54 Punkten. Er steigt damit in die Fußstapfen von Gabriel Medina, der 2 Jahre nach seinem Sieg beim King of the Groms den Quiksilver Pro France gewann. Der Quiksilver King of the Groms hat sich also einmal mehr als wegweisender Talent-Scout für die nächste Surfgeneration erwiesen.

After surviving this morning's five-hour fog delay, the Quiksilver Pro France resumed in clean three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) conditions at La Graviere, completing Rounds 4 and 5 of competition.

Event No. 8 of 11 on the 2011 ASP World Title series, the Quiksilver Pro France bore witness to some impressive surfing this afternoon with the Quarterfinalists being determined in picturesque conditions.

Taj Burrow (AUS), 33, current No. 6 on the ASP World Title rankings, blitzed his afternoon Round 4 heat today, comboing both Owen Wright (AUS), 21, and Damien Hobgood (USA), 32, with explosive surfing on his backhand and forehand.

“I did have fun in that heat,” Burrow said. “It went my way towards the end and I got some really nice rights and some good lefts too. I'm sure Owen (Wright) would have loved to have been on a couple of those lefts as they really lined up nicely. It felt great to post some good scores and hopefully the conditions remain fun and consistent for the rest of the event.”

Burrow will take on Julian Wilson (AUS), 22, in Quarterfinal 4.

Kelly Slater (USA), 39, reigning 10-time ASP World Champion, continued his surgical dismantling of the La Graviere peaks today, generating unmatched speed and flow to claim his Round 4 victory and advance directly into the Quarterfinals.

“The waves are pretty fun out there and I have a good board under my feet,” Slater said. “I guess I'm comfortable out there. I've been coming to France for so many years that I'm used to the waves here and I know what to look for when it's changing.”

The current ASP World No. 1 was characteristically hesitant when probed about his 2011 ASP World Title campaign.

“Quarterfinals is another good result for me and a lot of the guys that were threatening have fallen out early in this event,” Slater said. “I haven't worked the numbers out, but they may be too far behind at this point. Owen (Wright) is obviously still in there and he's really strong at the remaining events so I wouldn't be surprised if it came down to the wire. There is still a lot that can happen.”

Slater will face Gabriel Medina (BRA), 17, when Quiksilver Pro France competition resumes. Medina advanced directly through Round 5 of competition after Jeremy Flores (FRA), 23, withdrew from the event following an ankle injury sustained in Round 3.

Jordy Smith (ZAF), 23, back in his first event since sustaining a rib injury in Tahiti, caused a major upset today, ousting current No. 2 Owen Wright (AUS), 21, from competition in Round 5 and shaking the 2011 ASP World Title race to its core.

“I had a great time out there,” Smith said. “I just approached it as a free surf. Obviously, Owen (Wright) is in the title race and he has a bit of pressure on him. My girlfriend actually gave me the best advice as I didn't have the best heat before. She said, ‘babe, if it ain't working, change it up.' That's what I did and it worked really well.”

Alejo Muniz (BRA), 21, and Julian Wilson (AUS), 22, continued their ASP Rookie of the Year battle, both battling through Rounds 4 and 5 and into the Quarterfinals.

Michel Bourez (PYF), 25, current No. 10 on the ASP World Title rankings, continued his solid run at La Graviere, posting an impressive 14.57 out of a possible 20 for powerfully dismantling the clean lefts and rights on offer this afternoon.

“This is a huge relief for me,” Bourez said. “It's my best result of the year so far. I started the season with five ninths in a row so I'm very happy to finally crack the Quarterfinals. I'm feeling healthy and strong and hopefully we continue to get fun waves for the rest of the competition.”

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 8am to assess conditions for a possible 8:30am start.

When competition resumes, up first will be Michel Bourez (PYF), 25, and Taylor Knox (USA), 40, in Quarterfinal 1.

Highlights from the Quiksilver Pro France will be available via http://www.quiksilverlive.com

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE ROUND 4 RESULTS:

Heat 1: Michel Bourez (PYF) 14.57, Taylor Knox (USA) 11.17, Jeremy Flores (FRA) N/S

Heat 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.83, Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.80, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 7.83

Heat 3: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 13.10, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.10, Julian Wilson (AUS) 10.03

Heat 4: Taj Burrow (AUS) 17.43, Damien Hobgood (USA) 14.13, Owen Wright (AUS) 11.10

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE ROUND 5 RESULTS:

Heat 1: Taylor Knox (USA) 13.50 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 12.53
Heat 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) Advances Over Jeremy Flores (FRA) *Flores withdraws due to ankle injury sustained in Round 3 of competition.

Heat 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.74 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 10.53

Heat 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.16 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 9.86

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:

QF 1: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)
QF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Gabriel Medina (BRA)
QF 3: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)

QF 4: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Julian Wilson (AUS)

France's Team Quiksilver surfer Jérémy Florès, the current world n°9 and top European in the ASP World Tour rankings, has announced his withdrawal from the Quiksilver Pro France. After injuring his right ankle during his heat with Kai Otton (which the Frenchman won), Jérémy underwent a series of examinations, and a scan yesterday (Monday) revealed ligament damage. Jérémy will therefore take no part in the 4^th or 5^th rounds of the Quiksilver Pro France. His aim now is to get back to full fitness in time for the Peniche event in Portugal, and retain his place in the ASP world top 10 in 2011.

Clean five foot (1.5 metre) waves graced the banks at La Graviere today as the Quiksilver Pro France completed Rounds 2 and 3 of competition.

Event No. 8 of 11 on the 2011 ASP World Title season, the Quiksilver Pro France rampaged through 12 heats of competition today that saw a number of upsets as well as impressive performances by the event's top seeds. Kelly Slater (USA), 39, reigning 10-time ASP World Champion, posted a convincing win over wildcard Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR), 17, in Round 3 of competition. The iconic Floridian was all business for his midday bout, closely analyzing the conditions and posting the highest heat total of the day, a 16.90 out of a possible 20, for an impressive display of backhand surfing. “I was nervous before the heat because there have been a few that have been slow and guys haven't been getting waves,” Slater said. “I started loosening up there at the end. With the tide changing, I was somewhat confident that the lefts would begin offering better scoring opportunities and that's where I got my two best waves.”

The past three events have seen the historic exchange between Slater and young Australian Owen Wright (AUS), 21. The two have made the last three, consecutive Finals (an ASP first) and have ignited one of the greatest ASP World Title races in recent years.

“I've always known Owen (Wright) to be building up and building up,” Slater said. “By the way people talk, I'm stoked to still be standing. These young guys are incredible. The stuff that Dane (Reynolds), Jordy (Smith), Julian (Wilson) and Owen do is amazing. When I was younger, I was always looking up to the older guys and now I'm looking to the younger guys to see what kind of lines they're taking.”

Wright wasted no time in the final heat of the day, smashing a 7.00 and an 8.17 in the opening minutes to dispatch of Tiago Pires (PRT), 31, and advance through to Round 4, setting up another thrilling chapter in the hunt for the 2011 ASP World Title.

Michel Bourez (PYF), 25, into his third season amongst the world's elite, dominated the morning righthanders with unmatched power on his forehand. The powerful Tahitian posted a 13.76 heat total in his Round 3 victory over Kieren Perrow (AUS), 34.

“The waves are very fun out there today,” Bourez said. “The bank is good and there are some really rippable rights coming through. I have a great board at the moment and I'm feeling strong. I've been doing a lot of stretching and just focusing on surfing better.”

Current No. 10 on the ASP World Title rankings, Bourez has had an impressive run this season, but has yet to crack Round 5 of an elite tour event – an oversight he hopes to remedy at the Quiksilver Pro France.

“Last year I finished 11th and this year my goal was to finish Top 10,” Bourez said. “I've had a pretty good year so far and my results are going pretty well right now. Hopefully I'm able to reach my goal by the end of the year.”

Bourez will face Taylor Knox (USA), 40, and Jeremy Flores (FRA), 23, in Round 4 of competition.

Jordy Smith (ZAF), 23, is back competing in his first event since a rib injury sidelined him in Tahiti in August. Today's Round 3 bout against Dane Reynolds (USA), 26, was one of the most anticipated of the events and the two progressive surfing stalwarts didn't disappoint. Smith opened up strong with two solid waves on his forehand and was able to stave off a late charge from Reynolds.

“There were a few waves out there but the tide got a little bit high so it was inconsistent,” Smith said. “I'm pretty stoked right now. There are some pretty good ramps and I think Dane (Reynolds) found one in the heat. I just tried to find some good waves and put in some good scores early. It was pretty relaxed out there, we've been surfing together all week so it was just another surf for us.”

Smith was sitting at No. 2 on the ASP World Title rankings prior to injury and is hesitant to commit to chasing the ASP World Title in 2011.

“A miracle would have to happen for me to get back in the race,” Smith said. “I'm not looking at the World Title right now as I've missed two events. Kelly (Slater) has a good chance at winning it at the moment. Owen (Wright) is right there too. The rest of us are all just looking to get back in the game.”

Gabriel Medina (BRA), 17, newcomer to the elite ASP Top 34 following September's midyear rotation, scored an impressive victory in the dying moments of his Round 3 bout with veteran Australian Bede Durbidge (AUS), 28. The young goofy-footer took to the air on his forehand to net a 7.73 out of a possible 10 in the final moments of the heat to advance through to Round 4 of competition – his best result to date.

“It was a very tough heat for me,” Medina said. “Bede (Durbidge) is an excellent surfer. I was only able to turn the heat in the last seconds. France is a special place for me. I won the ‘King of the Groms' event two years ago and now I'm in the main event. It's a great feeling. The waves and weather are great and I'm very stoked to have the support of my family here with me.”

Jeremy Flores (FRA), 23, posted a Round 3 victory over Kai Otton (AUS), 30, but reinjured his ankle before the heat was finished. Although current scheduled to compete in Round 4 of the Quiksilver Pro France, the young Frenchman's status is undetermined at this point.

Mick Fanning (AUS), 30, defending Quiksilver Pro France winner, was eliminated this morning in a low-scoring affair against teammate Knox in Round 3 of competition meaning a new winner will be crowned this year.

Taj Burrow (AUS), 33, punctuated the afternoon's action with some electric surfing on his backhand. The lightning-fast Western Australian ran riot on the inside bank lefthanders, pipping Travis Logie (ZAF), 32, with a final wave in the final moments.

“It was pretty intense there at the end,” Burrow said. “We were the first heat to go try down on that bank so we were the guinea pigs. Travis (Logie) was absolutely ripping too so it was really close. Stoked to get through and feel like I'm settling into France nicely and I think we have swell turning up in the next couple of days so I'm looking forward to it.”

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 8am to assess conditions for a possible 8:30am start.

When competition resumes, up first will be Taylor Knox (USA), 40, Michel Bourez (PYF), 25, and Jeremy Flores (FRA), 23, in Heat 1 of Round 4.