Tiago Pires : photo Kirstin/ASP Covered Images
Team News
Pires and Flores Through to Round 3 of Rip Curl Pro Search 'Somewhere'
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 31 July, 2008 : - - The European contingent is currently competing in the Rip Curl Pro Search 'Somewhere in Indonesia' and the two first days of competition have been epic thus far. Jeremy Flores (FRA), Miky Picon (FRA) and Tiago Pires (PRT), three of the four ASP Top 45 Europeans this season, all got their start in the event and are already looking forward to surfing the perfect and testing solid waves expected.
Aritz Aranburu (EUK), fourth European on the Dream Tour who surfed two events only this year, is still injured and pulled out from the event a couple of weeks ago. Tiago Pires (PRT), 26, was the best European in Round 1 when he advanced directly to Round 3 after winning his opening battle with a last second ride in the six to eight foot (2 to 2.5 meter) waves at the event's prime location.
"It got better out there and I was so lucky to get that wave at the end", Pires said. "The other two guys are such amazing barrel-riders and it could have been anyone’s heat. I was fortunate to get that barrel at the end and get through the heat." Pires, who has had average results thus far for his rookie season on the ASP World Tour, was ranked No. 38 before the event and is looking forward to move up the ratings.
"It’s been really hard for me this year," Pires said. "There are so many good guys on tour and there are no easy heats. I am happy to be here in Indonesia for the Rip Curl Pro Search and I hope I can keep going."
Jeremy Flores (FRA), 20, currently the best European on tour and rated No. 11 before the Rip Curl Pro Search event, had a shcoker in Round 1 when he finished second to Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA), having to surf Round 2 -the sudden death round- to try and avoid a last place finish.
Flores, who eliminated Ricky Basnett (ZAf) today, will now wait to know his opponent in Round 3 as six heats of Round 2 remain before all next round's battles are known. Flores, who opened his 2008 campaign with an impressive equal 3rd in Australia, is chasing a second excellent result to jump in the Top 10, but was close not to surf the event after twisting his ankle.
"I twisted my ankle about 10 days ago so all I can really do is ride the barrel", Flores said. "I tried to do a few turns but it’s pretty ugly. Thankfully the waves are good so of course I am going to be surfing. If you had asked me three days ago if I was going to surf, I would have said ‘no’."
Miky Picon (FRA), 29, who surfed amongst the ASP Top 45 in 2006 and requalified last year, placed second in his Round 1 heat and is now waiting for his Round 2 encounter with rookie Jay Thompson (AUS). Picon, who was rated No. 27 before the event, is looking to secure a second solid result after his equal 9th in Tahiti in May. Picon, who is Used to hollow barreling lefthanders and usually at ease in such waves as a goofyfooter, has all chances to advance through to Round 3 when competition resumes.
All news, photos, results and videos available at aspworldtour.com and aspeurope.com
EUROPEANS' ASP WORLD TOUR RATING
No. 11, Jeremy Flores (FRA), 2711 points
PROFILE AT http://www.aspworldtour.com/2008/profiles_men.asp?ID=8
No. 26, Miky Picon (FRA), 1870 points
PROFILE AT http://www.aspworldtour.com/2008/profiles_men.asp?ID=44
No. 39, Tiago Pires (PRT), 1495 points
PROFILE AT http://www.aspworldtour.com/2008/profiles_men.asp?ID=37
No. 45, Aritz Aranburu (EUK), 1110 points / INJURED
PROFILE AT http://www.aspworldtour.com/2008/profiles_men.asp?ID=38
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Gregoire Puget
Team - Surfersvillage
