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Boardfolio.com >> ASP World Tour News >> Curran Wins Airshow; World Champ Eliminated

Tim Curran, who landed a 5ft high frontside double-grab air-to-fakie, was presented with the $20,000 prizemoney—the most ever awarded in an Airshow. The Boost Mobile Pro presented by Quiksilver (Sept 4-13) Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) www.aspworldtour.com World Championship Tour (WCT) Press Release Curran Wins Airshow; World Champ Eliminated September 6, 2003 (Lower Trestles, CA, USA) Californian Tim Curran today won 'The Snapple Best Damn Airshow', while world champ Andy Irons (Kauai, Haw) was eliminated from the Boost Mobile Pro of Surf presented by Quiksilver. Round three of the US$250,000 World Championship Tournament (WCT) was completed, as well as four heats from the fourth this afternoon. Great 4-5 ft (1.5m) conditions were again on offer at the famed Californian break, as a huge beach crowd gathered for mainland America's most important surfing event. 'The Snapple Best Damn Airshow' was an hour-long spectacle, showcasing 10 of the world's best aerial surfers going absolutely mental. Curran, who landed a 5ft high frontside double-grab air-to-fakie maneuver, was presented the US$20,000 prizemoney - the most ever awarded in an Airshow. A good friend of young Hawaiian surfer Jason Bogle, who was recently diagnosed with cancer, Curran later announced his intention to split the money and donate half to the 'Jason Bogle Cancer Fund'. "I'd like to thank Snapple for putting on this Airshow," said Curran on stage. "And all the guys out there for doing huge airs. The waves were going off, and the fact Snapple are donating money to Jason Bogle is huge, as he's one of all of our friends. We all agreed and I'm going to split this and give another 10 grand to Jason's Fund." Snapple also donated US$10,000 in second place-getter Kelly Slater's and 'The Snapple Best Damn Airshow' name, together with all proceeds from Snapple beverages sold on the beach during the entire tournament. Meanwhile, in the Boost Mobile Pro presented by Quiksilver, wildcard Bruce Irons (Kauai, Haw) caused the biggest upset by eliminating older brother Andy - the reigning world champ and current ratings leader. In round three's most anticipated clash, Andy began with an inspired ride of forehand carves for a daunting 9.17. Phased, but not beaten, the younger Irons collected two seven plus scores and the lead. Andy then caught three quick rides and fell, before the ocean went flat for an agonizing 15-minutes. Then with a couple of minutes to go he grabbed a final wave requiring a 6.33, but could only post an even six and was forced to accept defeat. "It happened in my last contest (Jeffreys Bay, South Africa) too," said a disappointed Andy, referring to his second consecutive 17th place finish. "I started with a good wave and couldn't get another one. It goes flat, or I catch the wrong waves, or something goes wrong... I don't know what it is, but hopefully I don't drag it into the next event. I'm glad my brother is doing well. It's a bummer he had to beat me, but I hope he goes on and wins it, and Kelly loses soon." Bruce then continued his fantastic campaign with some incredible aerials during 'The Snapple Best Damn Airshow', and then eliminated Paulo Moura (Brz) in the day's final fourth round heat. He'll next face another Brazilian in the quarterfinals, after Victor Ribas accounted for 1999 world champ Mark Occhilupo (Gold Coast, Aus) this morning, and Mick Lowe (Windang, Aus) - who incurred an interference - the following round. "I'm really tired," offered Bruce, once it'd all unfolded. "I got up early and the heat with my brother, and then the Airshow, took a lot of energy from me. It's a good thing there wasn't a lot of waves out there (against Moura), but I'm glad I caught the two good ones. I'm stoked, and just taking it heat by heat. Trying not to put pressure on myself, as this is fun. That's what I'm focusing on." Also into the quarterfinals is world #4 Taj Burrow (West Australia), who pulled a near-perfect 9.8 out of his bag of tricks to eliminate fellow countryman Nathan Hedge (Narrabeen). Securing the best single score of the event so far, Burrow's forehand gouge left the beach crowd shaking their heads in disbelief. He'll next face world #5 Mick Fanning (Gold Coast, Aus) in another epic match-up, after Fanning stopped the run of West Australian Jake Paterson. "That was really intense," admitted Burrow. "I was getting waves, but 'Hedgey' was getting better ones each set and must have been surfing really well. Then I did one wild turn on my last wave, praying I wouldn't fall as my tail went right around, and luckily hung on. I was so glad to get a 9.8 (laughs). The wave was a blessing and I nailed it." Six-time world champion Kelly Slater (FL, USA) overcame Luke Stedman (Whale Beach, Aus) in round three. The Floridian made his share of errors - including falling on his first good wave, and then slipping off during another two - but he also weaved his magic on a great lefthander and remained within clear striking distance of Stedman's lead. As time elapsed the champ required a 7.1, but with 40-seconds remaining he paddled into a great righthander and skated across the lip with two floaters, and then executed a series of re-entries for the winning score of 7.37-points. Following Andy's loss, Slater can now claim the ratings lead if he wins the Boost Mobile Pro presented by Quiksilver. "I shouldn't have caught that first wave," began Slater, surrounded by media. "I just wanted to get something happening. Then Luke got the next one and was ahead, so I had to play catch up the whole time. I saw some waves coming at the end of the heat, so I hoping to stay inside and keep him off one so he didn't better his score, and then find one for myself. I didn't need a big score, so knew if I got a wave and didn't fall I could get it. I was patient, and just told myself, 'if it's meant to happen it will.' "It gives me an opportunity to catch up," he added, of the all-important title race. "But there's still a long way to go." Neco Padaratz continued his campaign over fellow Brazilian Peterson Rosa with a commanding performance. The 27-year-old locked in one of the highest tally's for 17.4-points, and will now face Slater in another great round four battle. "I just know I'm against another person, and expect 200 percent of myself," said Padaratz, of facing Slater. "I know he's going for the world title and is always on it. He'll be ready and so will I." World #2 Joel Parkinson (Gold Coast, Aus) fought back after opponent and former #2 wildcard Shane Beschen opened with a commanding 8.33 ride, highlighted by a forehand air-reverse on the inside. The Australian locked in two strong waves - one right and the other a left - while Beschen was unable to secure another big score. Parko will now face another local in Pat O'Connell (Laguna), who eliminated Trent Munro (Scotts Head, Aus) from round three. "I was kind of late getting out for the heat, and saw Beschen get his first good one as I was paddling," explained Parkinson. "I knew I was behind the eight ball, so I thought it may end up bad, but the second half of the heat went my way." Defending Boost Mobile Pro winner Luke Egan (Gold Coast, Aus) controlled his third round match with Shane Dorian (Haw), and will now face good friend Taylor Knox (CA, USA) next, after the Californian collected one of the best single scores of the day for a 9.5 to eliminate Armando Daltro (Brz).

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