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Boardfolio.com >> ASP World Tour News >> Competition Commences in Great Surf

1998 world champion Joel Tudor weaved his classic style across the long Raglan lefts to advance directly in to round three. Oxbow World Longboard Championships (Nov 7-16) www.oxboweb.com Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) www.aspworldtour.com 2003 World Longboard Tour (WLT) Press Release Competition Commences in Great Surf November 9, 2003 (Manu Bay, Raglan, New Zealand) The Oxbow Pro Longboard commenced today in great waves. Round one of the 12th annual US$50,000 tournament was completed, before the first four heats of round two were also run this afternoon with one major upset unfolding. A swell increase overnight produced solid 4-6 ft (1.6-2m) surf at Raglan, with slight onshore winds creating crumbling lips perfectly suited for re-entries. The world's top rated longboarders put on a great display for the enthusiasts who ventured down to check out the surfing action. 1998 world champion and prodigious longboarder Joel Tudor (CA, USA) weaved his classic style across the long lefthanders for a win over Jye Byrnes (Aus) and Anri Nabeshima - the sole Japanese entrant in the 2003 Oxbow Pro Longboard championships. Despite having semi-retired from competitive longboarding, Tudor opted to return this season mainly due to the epic point break chosen. "The fact it was going to be held at a left was kind of encouraging to comeback," explained Tudor. "In the past 10 years it's only been held in two other lefts. Reunion Island (1995) was last time. I'm somewhat retired from all this, but my brother also had a break in his work schedule, so its great to come here together. I've been to New Zealand's airport a bunch of times, but this is the first trip to Raglan and it's unreal. "It's great as I get to see Beau (Young) and all the European guys," he added, of being around the event again. "There's no real jealousy trips among the longboard guys, so we all have a good time together and just check out each others surfing." Brazilian Danilo Rodrigo caused an upset by defeating 2000 world champion Beau Young (Aus) and fellow countrymen Luis Juquinha this morning. The stocky natural footer picked off a good ride to take the heat; advancing directly into round three while his opponents were forced to contest the 'losers' second round. "It was a hard heat but I was lucky to get a good wave," said Rodrigo. "This is my first time to New Zealand, but it's so beautiful and such a good wave." Young later took on local Raglan wildcard Michael Thomson in round two this afternoon. Despite a slow start and some initial falls, the Australian turned on the goods towards the end with some huge backhand re-entries and one extremely critical floater for a 9.0, equaling the day's highest combined total of 17-points. "I was pretty upset with this morning's effort as I couldn't really figure out where to sit," explained Young. "I felt like I was surfing alright, but the scores I was getting weren't great, so it was nice to get a few good ones then and know I'm still surfing OK. You kind of wonder when you're only getting fours and fives (laughs)." 1996 world champ Bonga Perkins (Haw), who finished runner-up last year, dominated his opening clash with Lucas Proudfoot (Aus) and local Raglan wildcard Michael Thomson (NZ). The Hawaiian displayed great form with committed backhand re-entries and some good nose rides through the inside section. "It's great to be here at a world-class lefthander," said Perkins. "We're at the last event of the tour and we've got some waves, so it's great for everybody. These are the biggest waves we've had all year on tour, so everyone is pretty excited and there should be some great surfing." Reigning three-time (1999, 2001 & '02) Oxbow champ Colin McPhillips (CA, USA) also advanced directly into round three with a win over Ian Bell (Aus) and local wildcard Kelly Ryan (NZ). Despite the obvious pressures associated with be the defending champ, the 28-year-old Californian was relaxed and just happy to be at Raglan. "I got the first heat under the belt, so it feels good," said McPhillips. "It was a bit of a shaky one actually. I opened with a big set, but it was so bouncy, and then I fell on a couple of waves. I'm happy to just get the initial shakes out of the way. We'll see what happens." Current ratings leaders Taylor Jensen (CA, USA) also won a close first round heat against Justin Redman (West Aus) and Jonathan Larcher (Fra). The 19-year-old admitted feeling somewhat under prepared for a backhand assault at Raglan, but hopes to find his form throughout the event. "That heat was tough," reasoned Jensen. "The wind came up, but there was still a few waves through the inside and I stuck around there and got lucky. Being the point's leader at the moment is amazing. I didn't expect it this year at all, but to come here is really fun. I would have rather had a righthand point break (laughs), but overall I'm happy and will get some work in on my backhand, which I need." Redman then went on to create the day's biggest upset, eliminating current ratings #4 and fellow Australian David Simons in their round two decider. The West Australian goofy footer laid down some big cutbacks and took an early lead. Simons fought back toward the end with the heat's top single score of 6.75, but was unable to secure another needed 5.6 as time elapsed. "Dave's a great surfer and I'm sure he really wanted to beat me, since it means a lot more to him cause of the ratings," reasoned Redman. "But I want to do good as well, so I'm stoked to get through a heat. I didn't want to come here at get last, even though the level is so high. I didn't want to go home a loser, so at least now I've got something to say." South Africans Jason Ribbink and Mathew Moir also secured big wins today. The 2001 event runner-up earned the best single and combined scores of the day, with a near-perfect 9.25 first wave, while Moir was convincing against Dwayne Paenga (NZ) and Zack Howard (USA). "The waves have been really good," said Moir. "It's a great longboard wave, and at home there's a place I surf which is similar to here, so it's been good practice." Another decision will be made tomorrow morning at 7am (local time) as to the day's schedule, with a probably 7:30am start for remaining round two heats.

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