Pro Surfing and Contests

ASP World Tour Rankings - after the Quiksilver Pro France 2008

What a difference a contest makes.  France’s rippable beachbreaks saw Kelly Slater (USA) increase his sizeable lead over his nearest competitors, while others in the top 10 were forced to shuffle a bit.  The big story out of France was the rise of Adriano de Souza (BRA) and the fall of Andy Irons (HAW).  Adriano jumped from 6th place to 4th place, while three time World Champ Andy Irons fell from 9th place to 13th place, now just one spot above his brother, Bruce who is sitting at 14th place.  Elsewhere in the top 10, Adriano’s ascension saw Joel Parkinson (AUS) and current World Champ Mick Fanning (AUS) shuffle from 4th and 5th places to 5th and 6th places, respectively.  Big story number two - Adrian “Ace” Buchan’s (AUS) win in France propelled him straight into the top 10.  Ace has gone from 14th to 9th place, while winning his first ever elite tour victory.  At least the Aussies have something to be happy about, since their world title hopes have been dashed by the unstoppable Kelly Slater.  Other big news was Dane Reynolds’ big jump from 20th to 15th place, further proving that the world’s best freesurfer can also be one hell of a competitor.  This bump also pushes Dane well into the safety zone for a seat on the 2009 World Tour.  Damien Hobgood (USA), Jordy Smith (ZAF), Timmy Reyes (USA), Taylor Knox (USA), and Chris Ward (USA) all bumped up further into the safety zone of the top 27, while many of the back-of-packers continue their decline.  Though some of the bottom feeders are already nearing requalification through double duty on the World Qualifying series, we’re sure to see a few of our favorite top 45 disappear into oblivion.  Only three contests left for people to make their moves.  If Slater finished 9th or higher in Mundaka, the title is his.  Can he seal the deal next week, or is he going to drag this faux title race on a little longer?  Stay tuned for the Billabong Pro Mundaka, kicking off in northern Spain this coming Monday.

 

1 Kelly Slater (USA)

2 Taj Burrow (AUS)

3 Bede Durbidge (AUS)

4 Adriano de Souza (BRA)

5 Joel Parkinson (AUS)

6 Mick Fanning (AUS)

7 Bobby Martinez (USA)

8 C.J. Hobgood (USA)

9 Adrian Buchan (AUS)

10 Jeremy Flores (FRA)

11 Kai Otton (AUS)

12 Luke Stedman (AUS)

13 Andy Irons (HAW)

14 Bruce Irons (HAW)

15 Dane Reynolds (USA)

16 Dayyan Neve (AUS)

17 Kieren Perrow (AUS)

18 Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)

19 Chris Ward (USA)

20 Taylor Knox (USA)

20 Tim Reyes (USA)

20 Jordy Smith (ZAF)

23 Roy Powers (HAW)

24 Dean Morrison (AUS)

24 Ben Dunn (AUS)

26 Damien Hobgood (USA)

27 Tom Whitaker (AUS)

28 Heitor Alves (BRA)

29 Mikael Picon (FRA)

30 Jay Thompson (AUS)

31 Mick Campbell (AUS)

32 Tiago Pires (PRT)

33 Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)

34 Daniel Wills (AUS)

34 Royden Bryson (ZAF)

34 Luke Munro (AUS)

34 Ben Bourgeois (USA)

38 Neco Padaratz (BRA)

39 Travis Logie (ZAF)

40 Pancho Sullivan (HAW)

41 Jihad Khodr (BRA)

41 Daniel Ross (AUS)

43 Leonardo Neves (BRA)

44 Aritz Aranburu (EUK)

45 Ricky Basnett (ZAF)

46 Nic Muscroft (AUS)

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