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Billabong Pro Mundaka (Oct 5-16) www.billabongpro.com
Mundaka, Euskadi, Spain
Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) www.aspworldtour.com 2004 Foster's Men's World Championship Tour (WCT)
Competition Window Opens Tomorrow
Monday, October 4, 2004 (Mundaka, Euskadi, Spain) The Billabong Pro at Mundaka enters its waiting period tomorrow (October 5-16), with good waves predicted from the outset. Round one of the Foster's men's ASP World Championship Tournament (WCT) is expected to begin around midday (local time), conditions pending.
A traditional Basque welcoming ceremony will officially start the event tomorrow morning at 9am, with the opening non-elimination round scheduled to follow.
Alongside the world's top 45 surfers, three up-and-coming competitors have also been invited to compete in the Billabong Pro Mundaka: Peter Mendia (USA), Shaun Cansdell (AUS) and local Hodei Collazo (Basque Country).
Reigning two-time world champion Andy Irons (Kauai, HAW) . who yesterday extending his ratings lead by winning the WCT in France - has enjoyed both career highs and lows at the Mundaka event. In 2002 he won the WCT tournament only to return a year later and suffer a first round elimination, the worst result of his professional career. He will again face a wildcard in round one, this year in the form of goofy footer Peter Mendia (FL, USA).
"I'm going to try and keep a level head after this win, and just knuckle down and take it heat by heat. I don't want to get ahead of myself," said Irons after his win yesterday.
"All the wildcards are a threat," he continued. "They've got nothing to lose and all to gain. I'll be studying the lineup and keeping an open mind. Kelly is always going to be a contender in this contest. I'll be watching his heats for sure, but also a lot of other guys, like Parko, who's also coming off a couple of wins this year."
The Billabong Pro is the 9th WCT event of the 2004 ASP world tour. Finishing a run of four back-to-back tournaments, a strong result in Mundaka is crucial to the world's top 45 surfers heading into the remaining two events.
Defending event champion Kelly Slater's (USA) masterful win in 2003 saw the former six times world champion close the rating gap on Irons and challenge for the 2004 world title right down to the final heat at Pipeline.
Mark Occhilupo's (AUS) victory in Mundaka's perfect left barrels in the inaugural 1999 tournament played a major role in his claiming the ASP world tile that year.
"'99 was a special year for me and Mundaka was part of it, a highlight for sure," said Occy. "We had great waves. Mundaka changes a lot. Goofy footers have an advantage, but Andy, Kelly and guys like Bruce too, the way they ride the barrel on their backhand has taken away the advantage."
Mundaka, renowned for producing long tube rides, is a mythical left-hander situated in the Basque region of Spain. The famed venue is dramatically affected by swell, tide and wind conditions, and the river mouth sand break tests a surfer's wave selection, fitness and mental strength.
Billabong will set up an alternate site on the nearby beach break of Bakio to allow the competition to advance through the seven (7) rounds. The decision to surf either at Mundaka or Bakio will be taken on a daily basis by the contest director, after assessing the conditions in both sites with the surfers and ASP officials.
In addition to the contest, the Billabong Pro Mundaka will host a unique acoustic live concert of Donavon Frankenreiter. The Californian surfer/musician (who plays with Jack Johnson) will play on October 8th in Mundaka. More info www.donavonf.com
Billabong also expects the presence of big-wave legend Mike Parsons who holds one of the world's records for the biggest wave ever surfed (66ft at Cortes Bank, California). He will come to present the new lifejacket specifically designed by Billabong for big-wave surfing.
Billabong's live webcast technology has improved with every event. This year's production will resemble a virtual TV show, with action replay's, 3 camera angles, webcams in the judging and surfers' areas, live interviews, commercials, and previews of sick Billabong movies! On top of all this, you'll not only be able to email the commentary team, you'll be able to speak to them live through skype.com!
The live webcast of the Billabong Pro Tahiti and J-bay this year made surfing history and Mundaka is next in line! Check it out on www.billabongpro.com
The Billabong Pro Mundaka is supported by prestigious co-sponsors such as Vans, Von Zipper, Hertz, Yamaha and Cobra Jet ski, as well as local companies and administrations such as Mundaka, the Mundaka Surf Club, The Basque Surfing Federation, Bakio and the Bakio Surf Club, BBK, Telefonica and the Basque Government.
For more info:
Jesse Faen - ASP International Media Manager
jesse@aspworldtour.com
Mobile: +61-(0)-407-189-289
ASP Int'l office (Aus): +61-(0)-7-5599-1550
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