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Slater, Mick and Medina Dominate Round 1 of Billabong Pro Tahiti
Stop 7 of the Samsung Galaxy ASP World Tour kicked off earlier today in Tahiti, with eleven time world champion Kelly Slater dominated the first heat with a two wave total of 16.40 which including a filthy backhand tube that netted him a single wave score of 9.40. The 42-year-old “freak of surfing” took on Kauai’s Sebastian Zietz and Ireland’s Glenn Hall, who placed second and third respectively. Both Hall and Seabass will surf again in the do or die Round 2 tomorrow, while Slater will get to relax in preparation for his Round 3 heat later this week.
The swell at Teahupoo, currently in the six- to ten-foot range, is supposed to jump up again this week, but whether or not it will hit Code Red levels of the 2011 Billabong Pro is anyone’s guess. Needless to say it’s the best surf anyone on tour has seen all year.
Other Round 1 winners include reigning World Champ Mick Fanning, perennial top fiver Taj Burrow and the current ASP Men’s ratings leader Gabriel Medina. Also making through to Round 3 is local pro Michel Bourez, last year’s winner Ace Buchan, Australian Dion Atkinson, Santa Cruz goofy foot Nat Young.
The final three heats of Round 1 are currently in the water with So Cal wonderkid Kolohe Andino taking on Spain’s Aritz Aranbaru and Hawaiian barrel master Freddy Patacchia. Kolohe’s been on a tear this year and hopes to keep the ball rolling in Tahiti. Stay tuned here for updates throughout the entire event.
Tune in live to the contest on www.ASPWorldTour.com
