World Champion Hobgood Eliminated By ‘Rookie’ Perrow
Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia (Thursday, April 4th)
World champion CJ Hobgood (USA) was today eliminated from the 30th Anniversary Rip Curl Pro by newcomer Kieren Perrow (Aus). Round four of the US$250,000 World Championship Tournament (WCT) was completed, with the final rounds expected to resume tomorrow morning. Consistent 3-5 ft (1.5m) surf was on offer, with onshore winds and rain patches affecting the lineup sporadically. Perrow, 25, finished 7th last year on the World Qualifying Series (WQS) to earn his position on the elite tour. Against Hobgood this morning he initially trailed, but after locking in the best score of 8-points to take the lead, good waves failed to emerge for more than 10-minutes and the Australian advanced. He’ll now face last year’s event runner-up and fellow Byron Bay resident Danny Wills, who dominated his heat today against another WCT newcomer, Australian Lee Winkler. “I can’t believe it,” said Perrow afterwards.
“12-minutes to go, I definitely thought another set would come and maybe we’d both get a wave. I was thinking that CJ would get his score for sure, and that I’d have to chase him, but the ocean just went flat. “I’m rapt, stoked to have gone through to the quarters,” he continued. “You don’t think you’re going to surf against someone from your hometown when you reach this level. It’ll be an interesting match-up.” Hobgood, 22, was in command as the heat neared the halfway mark, but following his opponent’s best ride, was unable to secure real points.
During the final minute he caught two waves, but neither offered much potential and he consequently bowed out. “I fell on a bunch of waves early, but I really didn’t it was going to matter as there was so much time left,” said Hobgood. “I was sitting out the back waiting for a wave, but nothing came in. There’s not much you can do. Kieren surfed well.” 1998 Rip Curl Pro winner and 1999 world champ Mark Occhilupo (Aus) continued his amazing form, posting the highest total of the 2002 tournament for 26.45-points. Against world #18 Flavio Padaratz (Brz), who also tore apart his waves, the 35 year old unleashed the kind of attack only he seems capable of at Bells.
With long, drawn out bottom turns generating plenty of speed, the Australian flew down the line and belted the lip with precision, as well as executing one searing cutback, in particular, right in his opponent’s face. By heat end, the Brazilian required a combination of rides worth 10.71-points. “It was fun,” began Occhilupo. “At the start I was selective, but then I got some good waves. I was pleased with how selective I was ‘cause I didn’t want to get out of rhythm. “I’m feeling really good,” he continued. “My board is going great, but I’ll just take it heat by heat.” Former world #2 Taj Burrow (Aus), who finished runner-up to Occhilupo in 1999, will now face him in the quarterfinals. Burrows, 23, came back after a slow start against South African Greg Emslie to earn a 9.0, and then collected two more scores for a convincing victory. “It’ll be fun,” he said, of challenging Occhilupo. “He’s had some pretty incredible heats, so I just figure he’s peaked, or I hope (laughs). I just changed onto a different surfboard and it goes a million times better. I think everyone struggles to find a good board for here, so I’m glad I have. I can’t wait to get out there again.”
Three-time Rip Curl Pro winner and 2000 world champion Sunny Garcia (Haw) continued his campaign to match the record of four Bells’ trophies. Against world #5 Jake Paterson (Aus), the 32 year old Hawaiian started a little slower than his opponent, but then picked off an 8.15 and ultimately the win with two more solid rides. “I hate surfing against Jake, as he’s a family man, and for me beating him is taking away from his kids,” reasoned Garcia afterward. “I know the feeling ‘cause I have three kids of my own. He’s a great guy, as well as a really good competitor. “I know in order to be in world title contention, you have to be in the quarters or better at every event,” he added.
“To be in the quarterfinals in the Rip Curl Pro at Bells is incredible, considering the other day my back was in so much pain when I surfed my heat.” World #26 Nathan Hedge eliminated fellow Australian and world #14 Trent Munro. The heat went down to the wire with both posting high scores, though ‘Hog’ took control after two strong backhand rides toward the end. Munro caught a wave in the final 20-seconds requiring a 5.61, but fell, losing any hope of progression. “Last year Trent got me in Brazil, in the quarters, and then went on to win the contest,” recalled Hedge. “I’m pretty stoked to beat him. I didn’t think I surfed to my full potential, as I was a little bit nervous, but I ended up with an 8.25 (best ride). Then I got lucky with a couple more and moved through. “I’ve never surfed against Sunny, so yeah, bring it on,” he added, of facing Garcia in the quarterfinals. “I’ll just rise to the occasion, I hope.” World #28 Renan Rocha (Brz) continued his backhand attack, eliminating world #16 Richie Lovett (Aus). The Brazilian created an early lead as his opponent waited patiently, before Lovett secured the best ride of the heat for 8.5-points.
Paddling into his last ride after the Australian had caught another, however, Rocha only required a 7.01, and following a series of strong turns, raised his arms confidently in the air. The judges agreed, rewarding him an 8.0 and a berth in the quarterfinals. “I was kind of nervous at the start,” explained Rocha. “Later on Richie got two big scores, so I had to comeback. I just prayed at the end. I knew that set was coming, so I just believed in the wave. “I’m very confident, but all the guys are really good surfers,” he continued. “It just depends heat by heat.” World #10 Andy Irons dominated the day’s last heat against fellow Hawaiian and world #6 Kalani Robb. The 23 year old posted a 9.0, en-route to leaving his close friend in need of 8.86-points. He now meets Rocha, who eliminated him from the Rip Curl Cup at the end of 2001 to spoil his then world title hopes. “That was unreal,” began Irons, after the win.
“It was like old school. I know he surfs really well, and if he had of gotten the waves I did, he probably would have beaten me. I surf with him all the time, and we’re pretty competitive, but I definitely didn’t feel as nervous against him as in earlier heats. “I’m feeling pretty psyched,” he added, of his upcoming quarterfinal. “Renan’s a tough competitor, and he’s beaten me before, so I’m just going to put my head down and hopefully get some payback.” Quarterfinals in the Rip Curl Pro are likely to begin tomorrow morning, with the semifinals and then grand finale following. A decision will be made by 8am as to the day’s schedule. Further information and Surfer Profiles: www.aspworldtour.com
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