| |
News
|
|
 |
| GLOBAL NEWS |
| |
Billabong Pro Teahupoo
May 6th - 18th, 2004
Von Zipper/Air Tahiti Nui Trials
Teahupoo, Tahiti
May 1st - 5th, 2004
World's Most Prestigious Trials to Award Billabong Pro Teahupoo Wildcards
 |
|
Thirty-two year old Dorian who retired from full time competition last year after 12 years on tour posted a quarter
finals result in the 2003 Billabong Pro and has a best ever placing of equal 3rd at Teahupoo.
|
This weekend eighty four of the world's most respected surfers will put it all on the line at the infamous surfing break of Teahupoo Tahiti in the 2004 Von Zipper/Air Tahiti Nui Trials in bid to seal one of the two US$260,000 Billabong Pro World Championship Tour (WCT) wildcards up for grabs.
The worlds largest and most prestigious WCT trials has become a revered event in its own right, with legend surfers, former world champions, rising international stars, big wave specialists, underground surfers and local Tahitians either qualifying for or invited to compete in the much anticipated tournament.
Former world no.4 Shane Dorian (Haw) and former world no.2 Rob Machado (USA) are just two of the big names who will line-up at the dredging left-hand reef break - situated 400 metres off-shore. Thirty-two year old Dorian who retired from full time competition last year after 12 years, posted a quarter finals result in the 2003 Billabong Pro and has a best ever placing of equal 3rd at Teahupoo. Stylish goofy footer Machado is another who will put the contest jersey back on for a chance to compete against the worlds top 45 surfers at the feared break.
"The Billabong Pro Tahiti event is by far the best event on the tour, and I will always want to compete in that event. Some of the best surfer's in the world are in the trials and I want to do my very best to do well there," said Dorian from Teahupoo. "I love that wave and the .aloha' vibe from the Tahitians. Some of the best surfer's that compete in the trials are from Tahiti Manoa, Poto, Raimana, Malik, Alain, Arsene and Nicolas...the list goes on."
Four trials wildcards have been awarded to Adrian Buchan (Avoca, Aus), 2003 Billabong Pro Teahupoo third placed Danilo Costa (Brz), Sean Holmes (Sth Africa) and Tiago Pires (Spn) who will enter in round two. 22-year-old Buchan who has competed in the two previous Von Zipper/Air Tahiti Nui trials is aware of how tough the event is stating, "With the field in this years trials it has become a prestigious event in its own right. Just looking at the names there's a handful of guys capable of taking out the 'CT (WCT) so I'm really excited to be part of such an event. It will be a great experience to surf out there with a couple of other guys if we get a real 'Chopes' swell. I can't wait!"
The largest field of Teahupoo specialists ever to line-up will also include 2003 trials runner-up Conan Hayes (Haw), Pipeline specialist Jamie O'Brien (Haw), former world champion Derek Ho (Haw), talented goofy footer Shaun Cansdell (Aus) and former Teahupoo WQS winner Koby Abberton (Aus).
Despite the big name field the fearless Tahitians will once again be the surfers to beat. 2003 Trials winner Alain Riou and former world ranked professional Vetea David are just two of the locals who are renowned for their deep take-off and radical surfing at Teahupoo .
Reigning world champion Andy Irons (Haw) who has won both the 2000 Trials and the 2002 Billabong Pro Teahupoo considers his Tahitian victories as career highs stating, "Winning there is awesome its probably one of biggest accomplishments of my career. It's one of the most respected waves out there, like Pipeline, Waimea, Sunset spots like that. It's just such a powerful wave."
With Tahiti's recently crowned world amateur champion Hira Terinatoofa being awarded a wildcard straight into the Billabong Pro Teahupoo the top two placed trialists will advance directly into the main event.
The trials require three days in which to be completed but have a five day waiting period from May 1st to 5th. The Billabong Pro Teahupoo which comprises both a men's and women's WCT has a waiting period from May 6th through to the 18th.
Further Information
Mandy McKinnon
61 (0) 417 079941
mandy@aspworldtour.com
Luke Fitcher
lfitcher@billabong.com.au
Daily press releases will be available from the Von Zipper/Air Tahiti Nui Trials via e-mail or on www.BillabongPro.com
Digital photos will also be distributed daily via Steve Robertson stever@surfingaustralia.com.au
Billabong photo contact
www.billabong.com/mediaroom
A Television news feed from the trials will also be distributed internationally . details to follow ASAP.
Internet users will be able to watch all the surfing action live from round one of the Billabong Pro Teahupoo Tahiti. Both the men and women's WCT tournaments will be filmed from the all-important boat angle situated in the channel looking directly into the barrel. A stabilizing camera lens and a microwave system will create a spectacular webcasting experience from one of the world's most remote surfing locations. Simply log onto www.BillabongPro.com and enjoy the action.
|
|
