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Boardfolio.com >> ASP World Tour News >> Competition Resumes At Bakio

Kelly Slater advances to round 3 in the day's last heat. The Billabong Pro Mundaka was forced to relocate to nearby Bakio after a week of flat conditions at the famed left. Billabong Pro Mundaka (Oct 12-24) Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) www.aspworldtour.com World Championship Tour (WCT) Press Release Competition Resumes At Bakio October 21, 2003 (Mundaka, Basque Country) The Billabong Pro Mundaka relocated this morning to nearby Bakio and finally resumed after the past seven-day's wait. Remaining round one heats of the US$250,000 World Championship Tournament (WCT) were completed, as well as half of round two this afternoon. Difficult 3ft (1m) beach break conditions were on offer at Bakio. Competition went on hold during the midday higher tide, but contestable waves remained throughout. Australian Mick Fanning (Gold Coast) overcame a strong start by fellow countryman Luke Stedman (Avalon) to ultimately post the highest combined scores of the day. Stedman secured an early 8.17 in their round two clash, but Fanning got his own 8.0 and then another 8.57 toward the end with trademark fast surfing. He's next against Phil MacDonald - who finished runner-up in the previous WCT in France - after the powerful natural footer eliminated Brazilian Peterson Rosa today. "I didn't hear the scores, so I had no idea what was going on," said Fanning of his opponent's initial lead. "I just knew I needed some scores and tried to get some good ones. It was hard out there, but I've been doing the 'Bakio bash' all week, so I'm kind of hoping my time out here will pay off. "Phil's been surfing really well the past couple of events," he added, of his upcoming opponent. "It's going to be a good heat, but I'm pretty fired up for it." Six-time world champ Kelly Slater (FL, USA) defeated wildcard Nathan Yeomans (CA, USA) for a fairly straightforward win. Yeomans dramatically helped Slater's hopes of clinching a record seventh world title this year by eliminating reigning world champ Andy Irons (Kauai, Haw) from the Billabong Pro Mundaka last week, but the Floridian offered little thanks in return. The 31-year-old opened his account on a 7.33 righthander and then locked in an 8.67 with commanding turns, leaving his opponent searching for a combination of rides worth 16.01-points. "I got a good one to start and 'Nate' seemed to be looking for the lefts, but I don't think they were doing a lot out there," explained Slater. "That was working against him and then I got a wave toward the end which built up through the inside and had a steep wall. "I appreciated it," he joked, in reference to his opponent eliminating Irons earlier. "But I've got to do my work now. I have to make it through the next round and then try to make some ground from there. We'll see how the next heat goes, but if I make it, it'll start relieving some pressure for me." Current ratings #6 Kieren Perrow (Byron Bay) ended the run of fellow Australian Darren O'Rafferty (Port Macquarie). O'Rafferty had beaten Shane Powell (Avoca) and eliminated 1999 world and Billabong Pro Mundaka champion Mark Occhilupo (Gold Coast) this morning, but was unable to bridge the gap Perrow created following his opening 8.33 ride. The natural footer placed third at Bakio last year during the tournament - for his best result at that point - but is focused on going further this time round. "I was lucky as I didn't even think it was going to be that great when I paddled into it," began Perrow, of his first wave. "It's hard to pick them out there and I knew Darren was surfing really well after his heat this morning. I try not to worry about whom I'm surfing against though. "I want to better it this year and make a bloody final," he continued, of his semifinal finish in 2002. "Hopefully it's at Mundaka and we'll all be stoked to finish there." Guilherme Herdy (Brz) ousted Damien Hobgood (FL, USA) from round two. The Brazilian quickly racked up an 8.33 and 6.33 for a lead he never lost. Having reached the final of the inaugural Billabong Pro Mundaka in 1999, Herdy is another out to better his runner-up finish here. He'll face Perrow in round three. "Anyone can win a heat in conditions like this, so I just tried to find the right waves and do strong maneuvers," explained Herdy. "I made the final at Mundaka against 'Occy', so I hope we get a big swell to finish the event. We've all been frustrated with the lack of surf, but the sandbank is incredible still, so fingers crossed." Dean Morrison (Gold Coast) will face another Australian in Mick Lowe (Windang) when round three unfolds. The stylish natural footer eliminated Brazilian Armando Daltro today with the best single score of 9-points, while Lowe stopped a fired up Chris Davidson - who had earlier won a highly contested first round heat this morning. Danny Wills won the opening heat of the day ahead of fellow Australian Nathan Hedge, and together they eliminated Brazilian Fabio Gouveia. Wills, who has been staying in Bakio all week with his wife and two children, credited his familiarity with the break for his superior wave selection en-route to a convincing victory. "It was a good decision to stay at Bakio all week, as I figured the contest would end up here eventually given the swell outlook, so it helps to get used to the spot," said Wills. "I've been real lucky to have my family here too, otherwise I don't know what I would have done during the wait? I'm just glad I made it worthwhile for them to hang around." A 9am (local time) decision will be made at Bakio tomorrow morning for remaining round two heats onwards, conditions pending. The Billabong Pro Mundaka is co-sponsored by Fosters, Vans and Von Zipper and supported by Telefonica, BBK, the "Diputacion de Bizkaia", the "Gobierno Vasco", the city of Mundaka, the Mundaka Surf Taldea and EHSF (Federation of Surfing).

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