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Boardfolio.com >> ASP World Tour News >> Semifinalists Decided In Solid Surf

Mick Fanning won the first quarterfinal of the day with the longest ride of the Billabong Pro Mundaka. Despite being out of clear view for most of the ride, judges and spectators alike could see spray flying off the back of the wave with each turn. Billabong Pro Mundaka (Oct 12-24) Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) www.aspworldtour.com World Championship Tour (WCT) Press Release Semifinalists Decided In Solid Surf October 23, 2003 (Mundaka, Basque Country) Semifinalists for the Billabong Pro Mundaka were decided this afternoon in solid conditions. The US$250,000 World Championship Tournament (WCT) recommenced after a five-hour break due to the higher tide, but then upped the ante with the best surf of the tournament so far. Semifinals and the event climax are expected to take place tomorrow morning at Mundaka. Solid 6-8 ft (2-2.6m) waves were on offer and continued to improve as the higher tide drained out with massive barrels funneling down the line. Current ratings #4 Mick Fanning (Gold Coast) gained control of the first quarterfinal against ratings #6 and fellow Australian Kieren Perrow (Byron Bay, Aus) with arguably the longest ride of the Billabong Pro Mundaka. The 22-year-old performed a series of critical under the lip backhand re-entries, finally raising his arms for Jet Ski assistance once the wave had used up all its power far on the inside. He scored an 8.33, and despite being out of clear view for most the ride, judges and spectators alike could see spray flying off the back of the wave with each turn he executed. With three semifinal finishes already to his credit this year, Fanning is obviously eager to bust through into tomorrow's grand finale. "It's good the waves came up, but I didn't realize how big it was until I paddled out," said Fanning. "I only had a 6'3", but it turned out to be perfect and went well. I'm just stoked to get through. I'm pretty psyched for tomorrow and will give it all I've got. Hopefully I can make the final, but I'm really happy to have already gained more points on the ratings." Six-time world champ Kelly Slater (FL, USA) survived an extremely tough battle with current #10 Mick Lowe (Windang, Aus). The Australian collected a 9.07 on his second ride for a good tube and held control, but the Floridian fought back with an 8.17 and then a committed barrel of his own for a much needed 7.9 score. Lowe required another wave worth 7-points during the final minutes, but after being dropped back into the lineup after his 6.5 ride, was unable to secure anything else. Should Slater make tomorrow's final he'll overtake reigning world champ Andy Irons (Kauai, Haw) on the current ratings. "That was seriously hard work," admitted Slater. "I couldn't tell what waves to take and had no idea it was going to pick up like this, so I had the wrong equipment. I was jus trying to slow my board down so I could turn. I had one wave through the middle I go barreled on, but I fell, so I needed a score near the end. Mick took the first wave, but my next one sucked out and started draining. I got tubed and then did a floater I luckily made. I swear that was some of the toughest work I've had in a heat. "It'll be another re-match with Mick from Japan," he added, of facing Fanning tomorrow. "I owe him one from there, but he's been surfing great this year. He's so fast, so hopefully if the waves stay like this I can get the right equipment surf a little more aggressively." West Australian Taj Burrow continued his good run today, eliminating Brazilian Flavio Padaratz from the Billabong Pro Mundaka. Having scored his first perfect 10 in round three this morning, he quickly created a lead and maintained it through the low-scoring heat for a semifinal berth. "I'm so stoked, even though I only got a couple of average ones," said Burrow. "It was so stormy and tricky to get waves. Really powerful and big, and I rode a brand new board. I actually got the worst beating I've had in so many years down the end section. I was trying to go as fast as I could, but was hit in the head by the lip and got pounded. Then about six waves broke on my head (laughs), but it was worth it. I was just putting everything into, as it was my last heat of the day and I'm so stoked to be into the semis." Padaratz's equal 5th placing is still his best result this season, and heading to his home in Florianopolis, Brazil, for the next WCT - which he's played a major part in creating - has generated some added confidence. "There was a bit of confusion then because I couldn't hear the scores and thought I needed more than I did," explained Padaratz. "Oh well, next event in Brazil. It's a dream come true to have an event at home, which is mobile and will showcase our best waves. I can't wait to get there." Nathan Hedge (Narrabeen) took out fellow Australian and current ratings #5 Joel Parkinson (Gold Coast) in this evenings' fourth quarterfinal. 'Hog's' fighting spirit was evident as he turned on the pressure in the latter half with carving forehand re-entries for the lead. 'Parko' committed himself to some major floaters - making one - but still required a 7.34 at conclusion. 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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