Gotcha Pro Tahiti presented by Globe Featuring Gallaz Women’s Pro (MAY 9-18))

Teahupoo, Tahiti (Tuesday, May 9, 2000).
Current world champion and defending Gotcha Pro Tahiti champion Mark Occhilupo (Aus) was convincingly beaten today in the first round by trials winner Andy Irons, as the young Hawaiian continued his blistering form. Both Occhilupo and fellow Australian Shane Powell were no match for Irons, who not only posted the highest score of the day with a perfect 10-point ride, but also left his opponents needing a combination of rides, after earning the highest total heat score of the day, finishing with 26.55 out of a possible 30-points.

Occhilupo, who has suffered a poor string of results this year, actually hurt his back at the beginning of the heat today, but wasn’t blaming this on his performance in the two-metre, sometimes inconsistent conditions.
Instead, he gave credit to Irons, who is looking like a strong favorite at this point of the event.

‘I knew Andy was the one in form, which is obviously is,’ stated Occhilupo, who’ll now have to compete in round two, unlike Irons who progresses straight to the third. ‘I started out alright, but then I was just kind of behind the eight ball with Andy having two really high scoring waves, then he got a third good one which he got 10 (a perfect score) for. I paddled for a wave, but it wasn’t the right one. I’ll just have to see what tomorrow brings.’ Irons, who failed to re-qualify for this year’s World Championship Tour (WCT) despite being acknowledged as one of the world’s best surfers, finds himself back in a WCT after a sensational showing throughout yesterday’s trials event.
‘Yesterday was lot bigger and it was a lot gnarlier,’ said the 21-year-old.
‘Today is a little smaller and almost fun compared to yesterday. I’m just stoked to be back in the WCT and surf another contest. I don’t have a thing to worry about, there’s no pressure on me. I just want to have fun and go for it.’

Current ratings leader Sunny Garcia (Haw), who arrived in Tahiti after posting an unbelievable run of great results, including the first two WCT events of the season, both held in Australia, wasn’t so lucky today. Garcia, 30, lead his heat up until the final 30-seconds, when local Tahitian hero Vetea ‘Poto’ David snuck into a smaller inside wave to score the points he needed. Garcia will now have to surf in the sudden-death second round.

‘There wasn’t too many waves coming in and at the end Poto needed a 6.11 and paddled for a little 1-2ft wave,’ reasoned Garcia, who was not at all impressed by the judge’s decision. ‘I didn’t think he was going to get a 6 on it, let alone a 7, so I lost in the last 30-seconds. I don’t care what angle the judges are looking from, a 2ft wave is a 2ft wave. That’s the way it is though, I can’t win everything (laughs).

David, who was a member of the WCT for a number of years, retired to enjoy the waves and life he has on offer at home, a decision evident in the way he surfs Teahupoo. Despite its treacherous nature, Poto handles the spot completely at ease, using his intrinsic knowledge to good use today.

‘I wanted to be patient out there and pick the right ones,’ he explained.
‘Sunny got a medium wave and got an 8. I only needed a 6.11 and knew if I got a little barrel and made it I could get it. Then I got that last one right at the end and came out of the barrel and claimed it so the judges would give me the score (laughs).

Six-time world champion Kelly Slater (USA) was another big winner today, defeating fellow American Tim Curran and Australia’s world number two Taj Burrow in their meet. Slater, who accepted a wildcard position into this event and progressed through the trials yesterday to make the main event, is competing at Teahupoo for the first time.

‘It’s definitely competitive out there,’ Slater reasoned after his win. ‘I finally got a good night’s sleep and got some food (last night). Coming off 36hrs of traveling to get here, I was just trying to get some energy and the motivation back. Yesterday was a good warm up and I feel better.’
Further Information Contact

Jesse Faen, ASP Int’l. Media Director: In Tahiti # (68)-9-574-786
jesse@aspworldtour.com

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