Home	Add URL	Pics & Vids	Shopping

Boardfolio.com >> ASP World Tour News >> Tudor Leads World Title Charge Into Semifinals

Californian Joel Tudor today stormed into the Oxbow Pro Longboard semifinals and now leads this year's world title race. 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 Tudor Leads World Title Charge Into Semifinals November 14, 2003 (Manu Bay, Raglan, New Zealand) Californian Joel Tudor today stormed into the Oxbow Pro Longboard semifinals and now leads this year's world title race. Remaining round three heats of the US$50,000 tournament commenced this morning, with round four and quarterfinals following this afternoon. The final day of this year's all-important event is expected to climax tomorrow morning. Clean 4-5 ft (1.5m) surf was on offer this morning. Onshore winds increased throughout the day, but good waves persisted. Tudor - the 1998 world champ - overcame ratings leader Taylor Jensen in their anticipated round four clash this morning, posting a great 9-point ride first wave. He then upped the ante against Hawaiian Duane DeSoto in the quarterfinals, earning the event's best single score for a near-perfect 9.75. Together with another 8.0 ride, the 27-year-old secured the tournament's highest combined total and holds the ratings advantage as the final day looms. "It was really difficult out there and the chops were like devil wind at J-Bay (SAfr)," began Tudor, of conditions during this afternoon. "I've just got to cross my fingers, gain momentum and hope I do well tomorrow. I'm stoked though, and think I've got a pretty good shot. I'm not making any claims, but we'll see what happens. "He beat me in Biarritz, so I wasn't going to let that happen again," he added, of eliminating Jensen. "He's only a grommet still - just 19 - so he's still got a lot of experience to gain. It took me seven years to win a world title. He'll definitely win one though, as he's the only kid on tour to really give Bonga, Colin and myself a run for our money the past year." Mathew Moir (SAfr) then created a major upset by eliminating 1996 world champ and this year's #1 seed Bonga Perkins (Haw). Perkins, who finished runner-up last year in Mexico, collected two eight plus scores in their quarterfinal, but his South African opponent took control with a great 9.25 ride and commanding lead. He'll now face Tudor in a crucial semifinal bout, though is unable to overtake his ratings lead. "I was happy just to make the round I did last year in Mexico," explained Moir, of reaching the quarterfinals. "I was so relaxed then, as I didn't really have anything to lose. I just tried everything and it all paid off, so I'm really happy. "I'm just happy to make it this far and every heat I take as it comes," he continued. "Joel's really good and getting a lot of great scores, so I'm just going to try and do my best." Reigning three-time (1999, 2001 & '02) winner Colin McPhillips (CA, USA) was also in devastating form, eliminating Sam Bleakley (GB) and Lucas Proudfoot (Aus) with some of the day's top scores, before edging out three-time Oxbow runner-up Alex Salazar (Brz) in one of the closest of heats. The Californian can only win a record equally fourth world title if he wins the event and Tudor bows out prior to the final. "That's definitely got to be my closest heat ever," reasoned McPhillips, after the quarterfinal. "It didn't go as planned, or like my other heats. I think we both let some good waves go by, thinking there would be more sets. It was hard to figure out, but it sure was fun when you got a good one. I've just got to keep the roll going and that's my plan." 2000 world champ Beau Young (Byron Bay, Aus) secured the fourth semifinal spot. The Australian won three tight matches today, eliminating Brazilian Augusto Saldanha in round three, fellow Australian Grant Thomas next, and then Jamie Viudes (Brz) in the day's final heat. He'll face McPhillips in the semifinals, and currently poses the greatest threat to Tudor's lead. Should he reach the event climax against the Californian however, the winner will take all the glory. "All of my heats were really close," admitted Young. "It's been a little str essful, but I'm through and feel like my scores are going to come. If I actually get my act together for two more heats, I'll get some really high scores. "It was really nice to make some heats on his birthday, and pretty awesome just to have him here with all my friends," he added, of his famous father and four-time world longboard champion Nat, who celebrates his 56th birthday today at Raglan. A decision will be made tomorrow morning at 7am (local time) as to the final day's schedule, with an Expression Session also planned to run.

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.