Home	Add URL	Pics & Vids	Shopping

Boardfolio.com >> ASP World Tour News >> Competition Continues in Good Waves

Britain's Sam Bleakley created an upset by eliminating seasoned Oxbow competitor Zack Howard this morning. 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 Continues in Good Waves November 10, 2003 (Manu Bay, Raglan, New Zealand) The Oxbow Pro Longboard continued today in good waves. Remaining second round heats of the 12th annual US$50,000 tournament were completed, before the first seven of the next also unfolded this afternoon. Clean 4ft (1.5m) surf was initially on offer at Raglan, though onshore winds increased throughout the day and waves became less frequent on a dropping swell. 1998 world champion Joel Tudor (CA, USA) continued his run through the Oxbow Pro Longboard with a great win over Josh Constable (Aus). The Californian was actually sick following his best 8.75 ride - having eaten lunch just prior to paddling out - but still put on a fantastic display to move into round four with the highest combined tally of the day for 16.25-points. "Just the anxiety of the heat, and the fact I ate lunch beforehand," explained Tudor, of what caused him to be sick. "Those waves are really long and take a lot out of you, but whatever it takes... I'm stoked to be through." Duane DeSoto (Haw) eliminated ratings #3 Jye Byrnes (Newcastle, Aus) in the closest of round three heats, and thus ended the Australians world title hopes. The pair actually tied on 14-points, but the Hawaiian's best 8.0 ride was the heat's top score and pushed him through on a single wave count back. Returning to competition after being out for the year due to a knee injury, DeSoto is especially eager to secure the Oxbow trophy after being out of contention for the world crown. "I injured my knee again just before the European season this year, so it blew my chances at the crown" explained DeSoto. "I just came to Raglan hoping to win the contest. It'd be such a pleasure to take the Oxbow trophy. I just had the meanest heat with Jye and beat him, so it gives me added confidence. I'm stoked I drew him and made it." South African Mathew Moir secured his fourth round berth with a great 8.5 ride in the dying moments against Hawaiian Keegan Edwards. The goofy footer - who finished 5th in last year's Oxbow event - was trailing in the close match, but then milked his last wave for all its worth to advance. "I was pretty lucky with that last wave being my best," said Moir. "I needed a 7.5, so at least I got that to make it. I just want to finish fifth or better this year (laughs)." Brazilians Danilo Rodrigo, Jeremias da Silva and Paulo Kid all progressed into round four. Silva, a quarterfinalist in Mexico last year, was over the moon following his two wins today. First he accounted for France's Timothee Creignout with a couple of great rides, before scrapping past Ian Bell (Aus) in a low scoring match this afternoon. Having borrowed the airfare money off his brother to compete at Raglan, each round symbolizes a further repayment for the always-smiling Saquarema resident. "My brother gave me the money to come to New Zealand, so it's very good I make the heats," said Silva. "I have no sponsors and it's difficult, so I have to use the prizemoney to pay him back. It's very important I make the quarterfinals, but congratulations to Oxbow for having the event here." Britain's Sam Bleakley created an upset by eliminating seasoned Oxbow competitor Zack Howard (CA, USA) this morning. The stylish natural footer sealed victory with his final 7.10 ride, and will now face reigning three-time (1999, 2001 & '02) winner Colin McPhillips (CA, USA) in round three. "It was a little bumpy and not as nice as yesterday, but I really enjoyed that heat," said Bleakley. "I wasn't really worried about the result, and was just enjoying the chance to surf one of the best lefts in the world with only one other guy. I've been doing this tour for the past two years and haven't progressed past this, so pretty nice to make round three. Zack Howard is one of the best longboarders in the world and he always does really well on tour, so to beat him is a great result for me." Lucas Proudfoot (Cabarita, Aus) took advantage of the long lefthanders to progress past Antoine Cardonnet (Fra) in round two. The goofy footer snapped his surfboard prior to competing this morning and was forced to borrow one, but quickly adopted. "The whole event started with an awesome ceremony, and we've been getting good waves," said Proudfoot. "The local indigenous people are really nice and there's a good feeling here. I'm just happy to be surfing a lefthand point, coming from the land of rights where I live. I just tried to get two good waves down past the judging tower and do as much as possible. I snapped my board clean in half this morning, so I'm borrowing a board now. It goes well, so I'm stoked." Another decision will be made tomorrow morning at 7am (local time).

Search Boardfolio.com Surfing Resources Surfing Culture Surfing Posters & Prints Surfing & Beach Calendars Surfing Books Shortboard Videos & DVD Longboard Videos & DVD Boardfolio Poster Store Drive Thru Australia - DVD Poor Specimen Productions presents Drive Thru Australia on DVD. 3 Surfers, 14 days, Australia. Starring Benji Weatherley, Donavon Frankenreiter, Rob Machado, Dean Morrison, Steve Irwin, Margo, Dylan Longbottom, Koby Abberton and Blow Up Kalani Robb. Round three! First they surfed down the coast of California. Then they took Japan by land, air and sea. Now the crew is taking OZ by storm. Donavon, Benji Weatherley, Rob Machado and the winter of 2003. A blowup doll, a couple RVs, a small crew and the long road down under. The Drive Thru Australia. Surfing down the east coast of OZ for 2 weeks, the crew meets up with Dean Morrison, Margo, and friends, score the best waves seen yet on any Drive Thru trip and even find time to chill with the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. On the road...AGAIN!   Support Your Surf Community Free Ad Space on Boardfolio.com

To add your surf link to Boardfolio.com, drop us a line at boarders@boardfolio.com or click here. If you are interested in a bold listing for your website, click here. Trademark Notice: Websites listed on this page are for informational purposes only. Products or name brands mentioned in this website may be trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of their respective holders and are respectfully acknowledged.