In small, windy surf at Cloudbreak, Jordy Smith skipped directly to Round 3 of the Fiji Pro after dominating his opening heat against Miguel Pupo and Aritz Aranburu. Combining powerful backhand snaps and the best tuberide of the day ensured that Jordy notched up the highest heat total of Round 1 (17.13 out of 20.0pts).
This long tube scored Jordy a 9.20 and helped him secure the day’s highest heat total.
The wind made it tricky out at Cloudbreak for the world’s best. In his post heat interview, Jordy had to hold on to his hat as he spoke with Ronnie Blakey on the media boat. He explained that especially while paddling for a wave, the spray being whipped up the face made it difficult to see what was going on. It didn’t appear to effect his performance though, and he’ll be hoping to remain one of the guys to beat when Round 3 gets underway.
Despite tucking into some deep tubes, Travis Logie lost to John John Florence in Round 1.
In the last heat of the Round, Travis Logie was unlucky not to jump directly to Round 3 as well, when he lost a closely fought tube duel with John John Florence. Watching the webcast it was hard not to feel that Travis was slightly underscored, but as we’ve learnt from watching ASP events over the years, if the scores are close the nod more often goes the way of the bigger name surfer.
Kelly Slater knows Cloudbreak – inside and out.
With a combined heat total of 16.50pts, Kelly Slater was the next highest scoring surfer of Round 1. The 11-time world champ displayed his experience and comfort out a Cloudbreak – a spot he has been visiting since he first emerged on the world stage. When the swell gets bigger, as Kelly has proven over the years, he has an uncanny ability to read the reef better than just about anyone out a Cloudbreak, and he remains a favourite to take the title in Fiji.
Reigning world champ, Mick Fanning, made his path to the final tougher by getting relegated to Round 2. He surfed a disappointing Round 1 heat, which Fred Patacchia dominated. Taj Burrow also fell into the Round 2 draw, as did Josh Kerr – another Top 10 surfer having to battle through the second Round.
The forecast isn’t predicting any solid surf for the duration of the waiting period, but cleaner conditions with the swell staying in the 3 to 4-foot range should make for an exciting event as the Fiji Pro continues.
Check out www.aspworldtour.com for heat highlights, all the results and more from the Fiji Pro.
