TOP SEEDS SOW WILDCARDS TO THE WIND IN NOVA SCHIN FESTIVAL ROUND TWO

IMBITUBA, Brazil (Tuesday, October 31, 2006) Top seeded surfers forced to negotiate Round Two of the Nova Schin Festival presented by Billabong found the form that escaped them yesterday to avoid elimination this morning.

Heats one through seven, each featuring a tour staple vs. a Brazilian alternate or wildcard, were run in contestable three foot (one metre) waves in Imbituba. Deteriorating conditions with career-hinging heats on deck caused event officials to call off competition around midday.

Five of the Foster's ASP World Tour Top 10 surfers found themselves in today's losers round and none were eager to etch an equal 33rd next to their name on the ratings board.

Andy Irons (HAW), Joel Parkinson (AUS), Damien Hobgood (USA), Tom Whitaker (AUS) and Dean Morrison (AUS) made that abundantly clear to the Brazilian contingent with their Round Two wins.

Leading the charge was current world No. 4, Parkinson. One of four in contention for this year's world crown before his loss to eventual champion Slater in Mundaka, Parkinson took the lead early in his 25-minute heat against Pedro Norberto (BRA).

Surfing Round Two for the first time in 2006, Parkinson landed a huge frontside aerial to cement his victory – his performance providing little indication of his waning motivation.

"It's a little bit more difficult now that the title's wrapped up – it feels like there is something missing," Parkinson said. "That said I really wouldn't mind the number two spot and one of my goals is to try to be the top Aussie surfer so I'll be keen to chase that too."

Irons, another uncharacteristic name in the second round, posted a less impressive victory over former world tour veteran Neco Padaratz (BRA), but still finds himself in Round Three.

Sharing Parkinson's disorientation at the loss of a world title to chase, Irons now faces the challenge of maintaining his current rating through the next two events.

"It definitely feels weird once the title is decided, Irons said. "The pressure is gone and anything above a 9th means I'm bettering a result. I'm just trying to stay top two."

The three time-world champ, who lost to Padaratz in a 2002 French final, narrowly nixed the Brazilian crowd favorite when he beat him 13.80 to 12.57.

"Neco is probably the hardest draw as far as wildcards go," said Irons. "He's been on tour a long time and he'll be back on tour next year. He's won contests before so he knows what to do out there and he has beaten me before so I knew he could do it again, I'm just glad he didn't."

Padaratz was the first surfer to be suspended for testing positive to a banned substance in 2004. Despite the career ending setback, Padaratz has requalified for the Foster's ASP World Tour in 2007 via the World Qualifying Series (WQS).

Defending champion Damien Hobgood also made it out of his Round Two heat today. The current world No. 7 beat Jean da Silva (BRA) but admitted that it wasn't as easy as Irons and Parkinson had made it look.

"I watched Parko and Andy this morning and they were ripping, but it was pretty hard for me out there not being frontside," Hobgood said. "It's a difficult wave for the goofy-footers."

Hobgood was also quick to disclose that he's not sitting on his 'Defending Champ' laurels.
"That win feels like a long time ago now," Hobgood said. "Someone had to actually remind me that I was the defending champion. It doesn't mean that much really, because no one remembers that, they just remember the guy who won the last contest."
World Nos. 8 and 10, Whitaker and Morrison respectively, rounded out the five Top 10 surfers who made it through their heats today.

Thirteenth-place rated Philip Macdonald (AUS) also advanced to try to make good on his 'Top 10 by Year's End' goal.

"Other years all of the wildcards have gotten through but this year the tables have turned," Macdonald said. "I put a bit of pressure on myself because all of the red singlets advanced today and then the conditions started deteriorating but I managed to make it through. I guess it just goes to show that the Brazilians are great surfers, but the tour surfers have a lot to offer out here too."

Only Bruce Irons, who is sitting 12th on the Foster's ASP World Tour ratings, lost to an event wildcard today.

Odirlei Coutinho, who has already enjoyed some success on the WQS, dispatched Irons from their heat seven duel.

"I'm so happy," Coutinho said. "Bruce did every maneuver in surfing, airs, everything. I got the best wave of the heat and I won. I'm stoked."

Another call on competition status will be made tomorrow morning at 7am local time.

Nova Schin Festival Round Two Results: (1st advances to Round Three, 2nd finishes equal 33rd)
Heat 1: Andy Irons (HAW) 13.80 def. Neco Padaratz (BRA) 12.57
Heat 2: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.50 def. Pedro Norberto (BRA) 8.33
Heat 3: Damien Hobgood (USA) 13.87 def. Jean da Silva (BRA) 13.00
Heat 4: Tom Whitaker (AUS) 13.83 def. Renato Galvao (BRA) 13.67
Heat 5: Dean Morrison (AUS) 12.57 def. Bernardo Pigmeu (BRA) 10.66
Heat 6: Phillip MacDonald (AUS) def. Leonardo Neves (BRA) 9.33
Heat 7: Odirlei Coutinho (BRA) 13.33 def. Bruce Irons (HAW) 9.66

Nova Schin Festival Round Two match-ups remaining: (1st advances to Round Three; 2nd finishes equal 33rd)
Heat 8: Bede Durbidge (AUS) versus Yuri Sodre (BRA)
Heat 9: CJ Hobgood (USA) versus Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Heat 10: Shaun Cansdell (AUS) versus Toby Martin (AUS)
Heat 11: Trent Munro (AUS) versus David Weare (ZAF)
Heat 12: Fred Patacchia (HAW) versus Pedro Henrique (BRA)
Heat 13: Adriano de Souza (BRA) versus Jarrad Howse (AUS)
Heat 14: Luke Stedman (AUS) versus Mikael Picon (FRA)
Heat 15: Jake Paterson (AUS) versus Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 16: Chris Ward (USA) versus Paulo Moura (BRA)

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NOVA SCHIN FESTIVAL BRAZIL ROUND TWO IN THE WATER

IMBITUBA, Brazil (Tuesday, October 31, 2006) – Round Two of the Nova Schin Festival has kicked off in playful three foot (one metre) surf in Imbituba, Brazil this morning.

Kicking things off is an epic heat featuring three-time world champion Andy Irons (HAW) versus wildcard Neco Padaratz (BRA).

Padaratz, who is a seasoned Foster's ASP World Tour competitor in his own right, beat Irons in the 2002 Quiksilver Pro France final. Irons knows beating the uber-competitive Padaratz won't be an easy task.

"Neco is definitely a tough draw anywhere," Irons said. "He surfs really well here since it's his home waters, so it's going to be a hard heat for sure. Whatever happens, happens. There's always a flight home tomorrow, and if not, there's another one the next day."

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Round Two match-ups: (1st advances to Round Three; 2nd finishes equal 33rd)
Heat 1: Andy Irons (HAW) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 2: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Pedro Norberto (BRA)
Heat 3: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Jean da Silva (BRA)
Heat 4: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Renato Galvao (BRA)
Heat 5: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Bernardo Pigmeu (BRA)
Heat 6: Phillip MacDonald (AUS) vs. Leonardo Neves (BRA)
Heat 7: Bruce Irons (HAW) vs. Odirlei Coutinho (BRA)
Heat 8: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Yuri Sodre (BRA)
Heat 9: CJ Hobgood (USA) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Heat 10: Shaun Cansdell (AUS) versus Toby Martin (AUS)
Heat 11: Trent Munro (AUS) versus David Weare (ZAF)
Heat 12: Fred Patacchia (HAW) versus Pedro Henrique (BRA)
Heat 13: Adriano de Souza (BRA) versus Jarrad Howse (AUS)
Heat 14: Luke Stedman (AUS) versus Mikael Picon (FRA)
Heat 15: Jake Paterson (AUS) versus Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 16: Chris Ward (USA) versus Paulo Moura (BRA)

SOUTH AFRICANS SHINE IN NOVA SCHIN FESTIVAL BRAZIL ROUND ONE

IMBITUBA, Brazil (Monday, October 30, 2006) – Round One of the Nova Schin Festival may have featured 18 Australians, 16 Brazilians and 10 U.S passport holders, but outnumbered South African surfers held their own in the tricky two to four foot (one to one-half metre) Imbituba surf today.

One of only three South African's on tour, Greg Emslie amassed the day's highest heat total (17.00 out of a possible 20.00 points) with a series of vertical snaps that sent world No. 4 Joel Parkinson (AUS) and wildcard Renato Galvao (BRA) straight to Round Two. Currently rated 22nd in the world, Emslie credited his win to wave selection.

"I watched a few of the heats before mine and I saw some opportunities the other guys weren't taking," Emslie said. "Some of the guys looked like they might not be sitting out far or deep enough, so I went out there with that strategy, waited for the bigger sets and found the good sections to do the turns on. Both of my good scores were on those kind of waves –it definitely paid to wait for the good ones out there."

Like Emslie, South Africa's second-year tourer Travis Logie will enjoy a Round Two bye courtesy of his opening round performance. Logie's upset win over three-time world champion Andy Irons (HAW) and two-time World Qualifying Series (WQS) No. 1 Neco Padaratz (BRA) sees him straight through to round three.

"The waves are pretty weak and there was a bit of wind up the face but there were still some really good waves out there," Logie said. "Andy and Neco are two of the best surfers in the world in any conditions so I'm really stoked to get a win over those guys. To be honest, I was pretty upset when I first looked at my heat draw."

Perhaps more notable than his victory, is the Round Two match-up created by Logie's win today. The equal statured Irons and Padaratz will now meet in Round Two. Though competing in this event courtesy of a wildcard, Padaratz is known for his passionate competitiveness and has plenty of Foster's ASP World Tour experience of his own to draw from. He will be one of many Brazilians fired up to advance over their Round Two foes in front of a home crowd.

Taj Burrow, 2004 Nova Schin Festival winner, delighted the crowds and judges alike with his aerial antics today. Burrow earned a 9.33 (out of 10) and the day's second highest wave score for a lofty 360 performed in a critical section of the wave.

"It's pretty similar to the conditions we've surfed here before." Burrow said. "The wind always seems to come from the same direction and the rights are always pretty weak and slopey, so it makes it hard to do proper turns but pretty good for airs. I felt like it was almost easier to do an air than a normal turn out there so that's was what I did."

C.J. Hobgood (USA) and Troy Brooks (AUS) made an airborne affair of their heat against Jarrad Howse (AUS) as well. Hobgood earned the high score of the event for an impressive air reverse, but Brooks answered back with a few of his own and a win.

"C.J. went pretty nuts out there," Brooks said. "I saw that air reverse he did from behind - it was good to watch. The wind is sort of perfect out there (for aerial maneuvers). It's onshore but there are big rocks sticking out of the water which protects it from chop getting in so it creates a smooth face with the perfect wind for aerials – you've got to do them."

Despite a nagging knee injury that forced him to miss Europe, Brooks was able to surf in last week's Six-Star WQS event where he made the final and earned enough points to requalify for the Foster's ASP World Tour via the qualifying series.

"I had my knee injury and I just got back in the water a little over a week ago," Brooks said. "Onbongo was my first event (back) and my knee still hurt a fair bit but I managed to get a 2nd and requalify (for the 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour) so the pressure's off and I can go out there, do a few airs and have a bit of fun."

The absence of Renato Galvao (BRA) (who was one of three replacement surfers who were unable to make it to Imbituba in time for Round One and will have to surf Round Two) made for a Round One rematch of last year's Nova Schin Festival final when Victor Ribas (BRA) took on Damien Hobgood (USA). Unlike last year's heat in which Hobgood was victorious, Ribas came out on top today.

"Renato (Galvao) didn't come so it was just me and Damien (Hobgood), like last year's final except that the conditions are different," Ribas said. "It's pretty inconsistent and there were less waves than in the heat we had last year but I got some waves ahead of Damo and had a little bit of an advantage. At the end I just sat on him, I don't like to do that, but I really need a result to qualify for next year so I have to do everything I can."

As the second to last event on the Foster's ASP World Tour, the Nova Schin Festival is critical to several surfer's campaigns. Tour staples with careers on the line versus wildcard and replacement surfers with nothing to lose in Round Two will make for some scintillating surfing.

A call on Round Two competition will be made at 7:30 local time tomorrow.

Round One Nova Schin Festival Results: (1st advances to Round Three, 2nd and 3rd to Round Two):
Heat 1: 1. Nathan Hedge (AUS) 12.70; 2. Phillip MacDonald (AUS) 11.73; 3. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 10.10
Heat 2: 1. Taylor Knox (USA) 15.50; 2. Yuri Sodre (BRA) 14.10; 3. Chris Ward (USA) 11.10
Heat 3: 1. Jihad Khodr (BRA) 14.50; 2. Jake Paterson (AUS) 11.50; 3. Dean Morrison (AUS) 8.90
Heat 4: 1. Michael Lowe (AUS) 13.16; 2. Tom Whitaker (AUS) 4.00; 3. Odirlei Coutinho (BRA) 0.00
Heat 5: 1. Bobby Martinez (USA) 12.34; 2. Luke Stedman (AUS) 12.33; 3. Leonardo Neves (BRA) 0.00
Heat 6: 1. Victor Ribas (BRA) 10.44; 2. Damien Hobgood (USA) 9.76; 3. Bernardo Miranda (BRA) 0.00
Heat 7: 1. Greg Emslie (ZAF) 17.00; 2. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.00; 3. Renato Galvao (BRA) 9.50
Heat 8: 1. Travis Logie (ZAF) 13.74; 2. Neco Padaratz (BRA) 12.20; 3. Andy Irons (HAW) 10.73
Heat 9: 1. Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.66; 2. Pedro Norberto (BRA) 12.83; 3. Fred Patacchia (HAW) 10.83
Heat 10: 1. Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.37; 2. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.23; 3. Jean da Silva (BRA) 13.00
Heat 11: 1. Peterson Rosa (BRA) 11.66; 2. Toby Martin (AUS) 10.60; 3. Bruce Irons (HAW) 9.16
Heat 12: 1. Darren O'Rafferty (AUS) 14.00; 2. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 12.97; 3. David Weare (ZAF) 3.30
Heat 13: 1. Cory Lopez (USA) 12.83; 2. Paulo Moura (BRA) 9.44; 3. Pedro Henrique (BRA) 8.41
Heat 14: 1. Troy Brooks (AUS) 16.17; 2. CJ Hobgood (USA) 15.73; 3. Jarrad Howse (AUS) 12.17
Heat 15: 1. Marcelo Nunes (BRA) 13.60; 2. Mikael Picon (FRA) 12.50; 3. Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 10.84
Heat 16: 1. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 15.83; 2. Roy Powers (HAW) 12.90; 3. Trent Munro (AUS) 12.16

NOVA SCHIN FESTIVAL BRAZIL PRESENTED BY BILLABONG TO START TODAY

IMBITUBA, Brazil (Monday, October 30, 2006) – Round One of the Nova Schin Festival presented by Billabong will commence in Imbituba, Brazil at 9:30 this morning.

Two to four foot (half to one and a half metre) waves will present the world's best surfers with ample opportunity to add progressive aerial surfing to their respective repertoires today.

Newly crowned eight-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) is one of five Foster's ASP World Tour surfers who will not compete in the Nova Schin Festival. Slater is expected to arrive in Brazil later this week, but he will not surf the main event.

Mark Occhilupo (AUS) and Pancho Sullivan (HAW) have also opted out of their Brazilian berths, both surfers indicating that impending childbirths would hinder their involvement in the Nova Schin Festival. Withdrawing due to injury are Australian Daniel Wills (ankle) and American Tim Reyes (knee).

Filling their spots will be Brazilian alternates Jihad Khodr, Odirlei Coutinho, Pedro Norberto, Bernardo Miranda and Leonardo Neves. The Nova Schin Festival wildcards are Renato Galvao (BRA), Neco Padaratz (BRA) and Jean da Silva (BRA).

Thirteen of today's 16 heats will feature a Brazilian surfer.

Logon to www.aspworldtour.com to watch it all LIVE!

Round 1 Nova Schin Festival presented by Billabong Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Phil Macdonald (AUS); Nathan Hedge (AUS); Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Heat 2: Taylor Knox (USA); Chris Ward (USA); Yuri Sodre (BRA)
Heat 3: Dean Morrison (AUS); Jake Patterson (AUS); Jihad Khodr (BRA)
Heat 4: Tom Whitaker (AUS) Michael Lowe (AUS); Odirlei Coutinho (BRA)
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA); Luke Stedman (AUS); Leonardo Neves (BRA)
Heat 6: Damien Hobgood (USA); Victor Ribas (BRA); Bernardo Miranda (BRA)
Heat 7: Joel Parkinson (AUS); Greg Emslie (ZAF); Renato Galvao (BRA)
Heat 8: Andy Irons (HAW); Travis Logie (ZAF); Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 9: Taj Burrow (AUS); Frederick Pattachia (HAW); Pedro Norberto (BRA)
Heat 10: Mick Fanning (AUS); Adriano de Souza (BRA); Jean da Silva (BRA)
Heat 11: Bruce Irons (HAW); Peterson Rosa (BRA); Toby Martin (AUS)
Heat 12: Bede Durbidge (AUS); Darren O'Rafferty (AUS); David Weare (ZAF)
Heat 13: Cory Lopez (USA); Paulo Moura (BRA); Pedro Henrique (BRA)
Heat 14: C.J. Hobgood (USA); Troy Brooks (AUS); Jarrad Howse (AUS)
Heat 15: Shaun Cansdell (AUS); Marcelo Nunes (BRA); Mikael Picon (FRA)
Heat 16: Trent Munro (AUS); Roy Powers (USA); Raoni Monteiro (BRA)

SLATER ONE OF FIVE WITHDRAWLS FROM NOVA SCHIN FESTIVAL BRAZIL

IMBITUBA, Brazil (Sunday, October 29, 2006) – Newly crowned eight-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) is one of five Foster's ASP World Tour surfers surrendering their spots in the Nova Schin Festival presented by Billabong. The main event waiting period for this, the 10th of 11 stops on the Foster's ASP World Tour, starts tomorrow, October 30, 2006.

Slater, who earned his eighth ASP World Title in Mundaka earlier this month, was a last minute withdrawal from main event competition, but has hinted that he may make his way to Imbituba, Brazil to surf in the Foster's Expression Session and make good on his assorted media responsibilities.

His mother's upcoming wedding is one of several personal obligations Slater's recent title win has freed him to attend.

This marks the second 2006 tour event Slater will miss; the first being Fiji which he bowed out of due to a rib injury. Citing Slater's affinity for the last location on the '06 Tour calendar, Hawaii's Banzai Pipeline, it's widely expected that fans have not seen the last of the eight-time world champ this year.

Mark Occhilupo (AUS) and Pancho Sullivan (HAW) have also opted out of their Brazilian berths, both surfers indicating that impending childbirths would hinder their involvement in the Nova Schin Festival. Withdrawing due to injury are Australian Daniel Wills (ankle) and American Tim Reyes (knee).

Filling their spots will be Brazilian alternates Jihad Khodr, Odirlei Coutinho, Pedro Norberto, Bernardo Miranda and Leonardo Neves. In addition to the alternates, Nova Schin Festival wildcards Renato Galvao (BRA), Neco Padaratz (BRA) and Jean da Silva (BRA) will join Brazil's eight Foster's ASP World Tour regulars to bring the home country's Nova Schin Festival contingent to 16 – making Brazilians one-third of the field.

Fourteen of the 16 Round 1 heats will feature at least one Brazilian surfer. Accustomed to the small and peaky beach break conditions, the local contingent could cause a few upsets in Imbituba.

Logon to www.aspworldtour.com tomorrow to watch it all LIVE!

Round 1 Nova Schin Festival presented by Billabong Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Phil Macdonald (AUS); Nathan Hedge (AUS); Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Heat 2: Taylor Knox (USA); Chris Ward (USA); Yuri Sodre (BRA)
Heat 3: Dean Morrison (AUS); Jake Patterson (AUS); Jihad Khodr (BRA)
Heat 4: Tom Whitaker (AUS) Michael Lowe (AUS); Odirlei Coutinho (BRA)
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA); Luke Stedman (AUS); Leonardo Neves (BRA)
Heat 6: Damien Hobgood (USA); Victor Ribas (BRA); Bernardo Miranda (BRA)
Heat 7: Joel Parkinson (AUS); Greg Emslie (ZAF); Renato Galvao (BRA)
Heat 8: Andy Irons (HAW); Travis Logie (ZAF); Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 9: Taj Burrow (AUS); Frederick Pattachia (HAW); Pedro Norberto (BRA)
Heat 10: Mick Fanning (AUS); Adriano de Souza (BRA); Jean da Silva (BRA)
Heat 11: Bruce Irons (HAW); Peterson Rosa (BRA); Toby Martin (AUS)
Heat 12: Bede Durbidge (AUS); Darren O'Rafferty (AUS); David Weare (ZAF)
Heat 13: Cory Lopez (USA); Paulo Moura (BRA); Pedro Henrique (BRA)
Heat 14: C.J. Hobgood (USA); Troy Brooks (AUS); Jarrad Howse (AUS)
Heat 15: Shaun Cansdell (AUS); Marcelo Nunes (BRA); Mikael Picon (FRA)
Heat 16: Trent Munro (AUS); Roy Powers (USA); Raoni Monteiro (BRA)

Nova Schin Festival Fast Facts

Event Name: Nova Schin Festival, presented by Billabong

Status: The Nova Schin Festival, presented by Billabong is the 10th of 11stops on the 2006 Foster's ASP World Tour and is South America's sole top tier tour event. The Foster's ASP World Tour crowns the men's professional surfing world champion.

Location: The Nova Schin Festival, presented by Billabong will be staged in Imbituba a punchy beach break offering left and right breaking waves. It is open to swell and regularly serves up quality waves.

Field: The Nova Schin Festival, presented by Billabong will feature 45 of the world's top touring professional male surfers and three event wildcards adding up to a total field of 48.

Duration: A total of four full days of competition is required to finalize the event but the tournament features a waiting period designed to capture the best possible conditions from October 30 through to November 15.

Format: 16 x three man non-elimination round one heats (1st>Rnd 3, 2nd & 3rd>Rnd
2). Round two onwards features man-on-man elimination heats.

Ratings points: The winner receives 1200 Foster's ASP World Tour ratings points.

Defending Champion: Damien Hobgood (USA) will be back to defend his crown after having a solid 2006 season. The likeable goofyfooter from Florida has claimed one win this year in Fiji and will be looking to finish with another victory here in Imbituba. He is currently ranked No. 7 in the world.

Contest Director: Recently retired Flavio Padaratz is one of the most successful surfers to emerge from Brazil. His list of triumphs include three Top 10 finishes on surfing's elite tour as well as two World Qualifying Series titles (1992 and '99).

SLATER TO CHASE MORE RECORDS AT NOVA SCHIN FESTIVAL BRAZIL

IMBITUBA, Brazil (Friday, October 27, 2006) – After leaving the shores of Europe with Kelly Slater (USA) having claimed his eighth Foster's ASP Men's World Tour crown, the surfing world will now shift its focus across the globe toward the Nova Schin Festival presented by Billabong, which will kick off on Monday, October 30.

In its fourth year, the prestigious Nova Schin Festival – the only top tour event to be held in South America – will move an hour south from its traditional home base of Florianopolis to take advantage of the more consistent break known as Imbituba, which previously had been the event's back-up venue.

And while Slater has the world champion's crown wedged firmly in his travel bag, there is still much anticipation surrounding his claim for the only record he has yet to break – the most number of tour victories currently held by Tom Curren (USA).

At present he is equal with Curren holding onto 33 career wins and with the world title pressure valve now being released it is expected that surfing's greatest ever exponent will lift another gear in the punchy beach breaks and go for broke.

"I'd really love to win the last two contests," said Slater. "I'd really love to win Pipe, so I'm going to really focus on that.

"It's true that people do surf better when there's no pressure," said Slater. "And you do surf your best when you're not thinking about those things, but if you don't have something pushing your surfing then it's hard to go forward. When you have an opportunity in a sport to achieve records then you have to grab onto them when you can. I love the idea of having challenges."

Currently filling ratings spots two through to five going into the remaining two events are three-time Foster's ASP Men's World Tour champion Andy Irons (USA), 2004 Nova Schin Festival champion Taj Burrow (AUS), Joel Parkinson (AUS) and Mick Fanning (AUS), with rookie Bobby Martinez (USA) sitting a mere five points behind 5th place Fanning.

Martinez, who has claimed both the Billabong Pro Tahiti and more recently the Billabong Pro Mundaka, is brimming with confidence and will be out for another solid result so as to round out what has been an incredible year.

The youngster spent much of the early part of 2006 hot on the heels of Slater, but after a string of indifferent results he slipped before raging back into the limelight with his recent win.

"It's been an amazing year for me that's for sure," aid Martinez. "This year I came in just happy to be here after struggling on the World Qualifying Series for so long. And to finally get here in the big league… I just want to give it my all at every contest. But I don't want to get ahead of myself thinking I'm going to win. There are so many good guys on this tour so you can only do your best."

Defending Nova Schin Festival champion Damien Hobgood (USA) sits in 7th place on the rankings with Tom Whitaker (AUS), Taylor Knox (USA) and Dean Morrison (AUS) rounding out the Top 10.

Looking at the lower rankings there are many who are depending on an excellent result in the Brazilian beachbreaks so as to keep their top tour dreams alive – surfers ranked from 28 down face relegation to the ASP's second tier World Qualifying Series in 2007

And going into the remaining two tour events, only one Brazilian – rookie Adriano de Souza – is guaranteed a spot in next year's top 45.

But with conditions favouring the locals, plus with a hugely vocal crowd getting right behind their heroes, it will be expected that the Brazilian contingent will come out firing.

Leading the charge will be tour veteran Victor Ribas (BRA) who is renowned for his late season charges, as indicated last year when he finished runner-up to Hobgood.

"This time of year is when I traditionally do well," said Ribas. "I love California and Europe and now Brazil – I always tend to do okay in those events. Last year I went to Europe and did well and then I went to Brazil and got second. I think this is the time of the year when my body is ready for the good results."

Twenty-fifth ranked Ribas, who has been following competition for well over a decade-and-a-half, indicated that 2006 has been a great year for him as he has regained "grommet-like" enthusiasm for competition.

"I'm so stoked right now," said Ribas. "I'm enjoying the tour. It's like I'm just starting again. I feel like a kid."

Log onto www.aspworldtour.com to watch the Nova Schin Festival presented by Billabong LIVE starting Nov. 30th.

About Foster's Group: Foster's Group is a premium global drinks company delivering a portfolio of beer, wine, spirits, cider and non-alcoholic beverages. The Foster's network spans three regions: 1) Australia, Asia and Pacific; 2) Americas and; 3) Europe, Middle East and Africa. Foster's has been the naming rights title sponsor of the Foster's Asp World Tour since 2004. Foster's Lager is the official beer of the tour and is the world's seventh largest international beer brand – available in 155 countries.

About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals has been the governing body of pro surfing since 1976. Under the ASP umbrella sit the sport's elite tours including the premium Foster's ASP World Tour, the ASP Women's World Tour, the second tier ASP World Qualifying Series and ASP Women's Qualifying Series plus the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships and ASP Masters Tours.

Event Fast Facts

Event Name: Nova Schin Festival, presented by Billabong

Status: The Nova Schin Festival, presented by Billabong is number 10 of eleven stops on the 2006 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), Foster's ASP Men's World Tour and South America's sole top tour event. The Foster's ASP Men's World Tour crowns the men's professional surfing world champion.

Location: The Nova Schin Festival, presented by Billabong will be staged in Imbituba a punchy beach break offering left and right breaking waves. It is open to swell and regularly serves up quality waves.

Field: The Nova Schin Festival, presented by Billabong will feature the world's top male full-time touring professional surfers and along with event wildcards will comprise a total field of 48.

Duration: A total of four full days of competition is required to finalize the event but the tournament has a waiting period so as to capture the best possible conditions from October 30 through to November 15.

Format: 16 x three man non-elimination round one heats (1st>rnd 3, 2nd & 3rd>rnd 2). Round two onwards feature man-on-man elimination heats.

Ratings points: The winner receives 1200 Foster's ASP Men's World Tour ratings points.

Defending Champion: Damien Hobgood (USA) will be back to defend his crown after having a solid 2006 season. The likeable goofyfooter from Florida has claimed one win this year in Fiji and will be looking to finish with another victory here at Imbituba. He is currently ranked 7 in the world.

Contest Director: Recently retired Flavio Padaratz is the most successful surfer to emerge from Brazil. His list of triumphs since he joined the ASP in 1988 includes three Top 10 finishes on surfing's elite tour and two World Qualifying Series titles (1992 and '99).

Billabong Events: Billabong is a strong supporter of the Fosters ASP Men's World Tour, sponsoring several events on the calendar: the Billabong Pro Tahiti, Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay (South Africa), Billabong Pro Mundaka (Euskadi), Billabong Pro Maui (Hawaii, ASP Women's World Tour final event) and the Billabong World Junior Championships, Men and Women (Australia).

FOSTER’S RE-SIGN AS ASP WORLD TOUR NAMING RIGHTS SPONSOR FOR 2007

COOLANGATTA, AUSTRALIA: (October 19, 2006) – The Association of Surfing Professionals Ltd (ASP) is pleased to announce that Foster's have re-signed as naming rights sponsors of pro surfing's elite ASP World Tour for a further 12-month period starting from January 2007.

Foster's have been naming rights sponsors for the past three years and have greatly contributed to the promotion and development of the sport as a whole and their further commitment will greatly enhance the opportunities for the further growth of what is one of the most exciting sports in the world.

"We're extremely happy that Foster's are back on board," said ASP Chief Executive Officer Brodie Carr. "They have been a fantastic supporter of ASP and our premium men's pro surfing tour and we look forward to the continuing partnership.

"With the further commitment we will be able to develop new media platforms, improve our coverage and continue to spread the great vibe of surfing to the masses."

Carr indicated that with groundbreaking webcasting attracting massive audiences, plus the monthly international TV show now reaching hundreds of millions of living rooms across the globe, the enthusiasm for the revamped "Dream Tour" is providing a fantastic marketing platform for corporate entities.

"ASP is demonstrating now that we can deliver returns to our sponsors and there is real value in being associated with world's best surfers in the world's best waves at our world class events," said Carr.

For Foster's the association with pro surfing is a perfect match.

"Sun, sand, the beach and sport are a great fit for Foster's – Australia's internationally famous beer," said Foster's Group Chief Marketing Officer Richard Scully. "The ASP World Tour showcases not only the competitive environment of pro surfing but also the fantastic associated lifestyle, and we are proud to continue our association for our fourth consecutive year.

"The great surfing countries are also big fans of Foster's and we're looking forward to flying the flag as another great Australian on the Foster's ASP World Tour."

The 2006 Foster's ASP World Tour now heads to Imbituba, Brazil for the Nova Schin Festival, which is the 10th event of the 11-tournament season.

With Kelly Slater (USA) having wrapped up his eighth world crown just recently at the Billabong Pro Mundaka, there will be intense competition for the remaining hotly contested top five positions on the overall rankings.

Mixed with the unpredictable nature of the beachbreak conditions at the location, the stage will be set for an almighty showdown as numerous local rookies will be out to cause havoc amongst the sport's most notable stars.

Current Foster's ASP Men's World Tour top 10 ratings after event #9 The Billabong Pro Mundaka

1. Kelly Slater (USA) 7824
2. Andy Irons (HAW) 6348
3. Taj Burrow (AUS) 6290
4. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 6050
5. Mick Fanning (AUS) 5848
6. Bobby Martinez (USA) 5843
7. Damien Hobgood (USA) 5152
8. Tom Whitaker (AUS) 4948
9. Taylor Knox (USA) 4880
10. Dean Morrison (AUS) 4856

KELLY SLATER WINS UNPRECEDENTED EIGHTH FOSTER’S ASP MEN’S WORLD TOUR CROWN

MUNDAKA, Basque Country, Northern Spain (Friday, October 13, 2006) – After an amazing year on the Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour, Kelly Slater (USA) has claimed an unprecedented eighth world crown.

Despite there being two events still remaining in the season, Slater cannot be surpassed at the top of the ratings by any of his closest rivals (including Taj Burrow (AUS), Andy Irons (HAW), Joel Parkinson (AUS) and Mick Fanning (AUS)) who were all eliminated prior to or by Slater in today’s event, the Billabong Pro Mundaka.

It has been another scintillating year for Slater, kicking off the season with a sound win in the Quiksilver Pro on Australia’s Gold Coast.

He then backed that up with a win in event number two, the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach Victoria, Australia.

His event stats then read: 3rd in the Billabong Pro Tahiti; a no show at The Globe WCT Fiji; 5th in the Rip Curl Pro Search, 3rd Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, 2nd Boost Mobile Pro, California; 3rd Quiksilver Pro France; and now 2nd here in the Billabong Pro Mundaka.

And while Burrow – who had a second to Slater in the opening event and again came in at second to Fanning at Jeffereys Bay – at times looked to be closing in on the front runner, Slater has held onto the top slot all year.

Slater admitted that this year has probably been his best consistency-wise since he claimed his first title way back in 1992.

“This has definitely been my most consistent year ever,” said Slater directly after claiming the title after he won over Parkinson in the Billabong Pro Mundaka semifinals. “I’ve been much more relaxed this year. I’ve just been cruising and having fun and haven’t put so much pressure on myself.”

After claiming six world crowns in the ’90s Slater drifted into semi-retirement in 1999.

He then returned to the Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour in 2001 and after an incredible duel with former three-time champion Andy Irons (HAW) Slater reclaimed the crown in 2005.

And after such an emotionally draining win last year, the 34-year-old Floridian hinted that he may again look to retire in 2006.

At the beginning of the year Slater was still not committed to completing the whole tour.

Slater claimed that after the two wins in the opening events he had found new momentum and after a rib injury held him out of the Globe WCT in Fiji, he began to muster for an all out assault.

“I was almost going to retire this year,” said Slater. “And then I won on the Gold Coast and then at Bells and kept going. I tore a rib cartilage at Bells, and then I hit the same spot with my board in Tahiti. That meant that I missed Fiji, which probably kept my motivation going into the next event in Mexico. That made me more focused, and I had the advantage of competing in one less event than the other guys but still had the ratings lead, so I could afford to relax and take things as they came.”

Yet again Slater has displayed that he is most definitely the greatest competitive surfer of all time.

While many of his much younger rivals consistently lift the performance bar year in year out, Slater continues to match the new school and out do the old.

To follow are the basic stats of Kelly Slater. More can be found on www.aspworldtour.com in the surfer profiles section.

Slater’s Stats:

In winning his eighth Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour crown Slater has again created history.

He won his first title in Brazil at Rio de Janeiro in 1992. He then lost the following year to Derek Ho (HAW) but reclaimed his crown in 1994 and held onto it with a firm grip until 1998.

Slater left the tour before the start of the 1999 season to go into semi-retirement until 2001.

From 2002 to 2004 three-time world champion Andy Irons (HAW) dominated the sport.

In 2005, after a dramatic chain of events, where Slater engaged in an intense ratings battle with Irons he returned to forefront of the sport reclaiming the crown yet again in Brazil.

Slater was the youngest to claim the title at 20 years of age and is now the oldest champion at 34 years of age. Eclipsing his own record set last year when he was 33.

The only record Slater is yet to smash is the most number of competition victories held by Tom Curren (USA). He is currently equal with Curren with 33 event victories.

Slater has however now overtaken Curren for the most heat wins at top-level competition.


Quotes from Kelly Slater, immediately after the title win and his second place to Martinez in the Billabong Pro Mundaka.

On Bobby Martinez on his year and winning the Billabong Pro Mundaka:
“I was stoked that Bobby started out so strong this year. He got to third and he was right up there in the ratings, then he had a little rough patch there during the past few events. I was just so happy to see him win at Teahupoo, it was his dad’s birthday that day. To win here again it just all fits, I got the title by making the final and Bobby (Martinez) wins it. I’m stoked for him.”

Slater on the realisation of his 8th world title claim sinking in:
“I’ve got to get away from everyone for it to sink in. I need a little space. I had a lot of stress for the last couple of years before winning last year and this year I haven’t really had any stress at all. I’ve been on a good run and I just kept getting those results. I wasn’t really too worried about it either way. It all just came together, it’s just been the smoothest year ever as far as competition goes. My life is pretty cruisey now. I don’t know how to put it, but it’s definitely not the emotional output of last year. I had years of stuff building up to that and this year is just happier. Everything came out last year.”

Slater on beating the records of successful champions such as Lance Armstrong and Michael Schumacher:
“I haven’t even thought about that. I just have to sit back and think about that, Schumacher nearly won his 8th the other day but he blew his engine out and Lance didn’t even try for his 8th so it would be interesting to see if he tried for that.”

Slater on going for a 9th world title next year:
“I feel good, I feel like I’m surfing as strong and as good as ever. I feel like I’m competing better than ever. It makes me feel like I can keep going if I want. I just don’t know if that’s what I want now. At this point I’m not sure.”

Slater on nearly giving it all away at the beginning of the year:
“It was really close, I almost didn’t even come to Bells Beach, I’m sure there’s some sort of moral in that for me for my life.”

Slater on the decision to defend the title next year:
“Can’t I just enjoy eight!”

Slater on the temptation to retire at the pinnacle of his career:
“Yeah it is tempting, but it’s also tempting when you’re doing well to keep going. If I had come back and not won the title it could have been a frustrating thing for me looking back, but it’s also part of doing everything possible to try and have everything you can have.”

Slater on a straightforward year:
“I think the one key thing was that I just didn’t have that stress of lat year. I’m sure other guys were feeling it, but I was just relaxed. I really honestly didn’t care until the last couple of events, where it started sinking in that I could win my 8th title, but up until that I was just thinking ‘don’t worry about it, I’ve got the 7th, I’m stoked I can just relax now, everything else is just a bonus’. That attitude allowed me to be a lot freer in my decision making in the water. To be not stressed and to take chances and stuff and it’s all sort of paid off.

Slater on how satisfying this world title is compared to others:
“This one’s a real different feeling, last year was just such a pressure valve and just such a big release. This year is maybe the most satisfying cause it just flowed so well. I’m throwing away a 5th place now and I’ve never come close to that in my career. It will be nice to throw that 5th out come the end of the year.”

Slater on the remaining two contests of the year:

“I’d really love to win those contests, I’d really love to win Pipe, and so I’m going to really focus on that.”

Slater on being the first to win multiple world titles on separate occasions:
“I didn’t really think about it, I guess I’ll sit back later and think about it. I’ve got to try and keep my focus It feels good, I’m a little cold and shaky, but I’m just stoked I can go and sit down now and relax.”

Slater on dreaming about being champion:
“I used to play little games with myself, like paddle for waves and say, if I catch this one I’ll win this many world titles. I used to just plant these seeds in my head and I don’t know what number I put in there but eight sounds pretty good.”

Slater on the possibility of beating Tom Curren’s record of most WCT event wins:
“I’d have to think about that one, Curren is my all time surfing hero. I know we’re tied right now. I could have had it in Trestles if I won that one, it would have been a little ironic there because Tom (Curren) and I both won our first events at that wave. If I could have done it today it would’ve meant a lot to win my eighth world title and win that at the same time.”


For more quotes from Slater during the event go to the media centre of www.aspworldtour.com For all of Kelly Slater’s transcribed quotes from every event this year, go to WCT events and click on the individual event pages and go to the media centre within the mini site.


Current Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour top 10 ratings after event #9 The Billabong Pro Mundaka

1. Kelly Slater (USA) 7824
2. Andy Irons (HAW) 6348
3. Taj Burrow (AUS) 6290
4. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 6050
5. Mick Fanning (AUS) 5848
6. Bobby Martinez (USA) 5843
7. Damien Hobgood (USA) 5152
8. Tom Whitaker (AUS) 4948
9. Taylor Knox (USA) 4880
10. Dean Morrison (AUS) 4856

ROOKIE BOBBY MARTINEZ WINS BILLABONG PRO MUNDAKA

MUNDAKA, Basque Country, Northern Spain (Friday, October 13, 2006) – After an incredibly strong performance in one metre (three foot) waves at the famed break of Mundaka, Bobby Martinez (USA) has won the Billabong Pro ahead of newly crowned eight-time world champion Kelly Slater (USA).

Despite conditions not being brilliant, the entertainment and drama during the day was at a paramount as alongside Martinez's stellar win, the contenders for the Foster's ASP Men's World Tour title were eliminated one by one in order for Slater to claim the crown.

Martinez however was in no way intimidated by Slater's dominance of this year's tour and powered home with a feverish small-wave attack to claim his second tour event of the year.

Getting down to work from the outset of the final, Martinez set about racking up his wave count.

His best wave came when he pumped out no less than 12 to 15 forehand snaps over a 100 metre distance which earned him a score of 8.83 out of 10 – his total score was 16.40 out of 20 to Slater's 14.27.

"I don't know what to say, it's been an amazing year for me," said a beaming Martinez. "This year I came in just happy to be here after struggling on the World Qualifying Series for so long. I just wanted to give it my all at every contest and just try and requalify and to win two events… it's just crazy for me. I never got ahead of myself thinking I'm going to win this event. I just can't believe it!"

Adding to the prize was the fact that he had beaten Slater, who has been a hero for Martinez since he was a youngster.

"It's great, he's my favourite, he's my hero and I've looked up to him from the moment I saw him surf," said Martinez. "To be out there in the water right after he won his 8th world title was cool. We were talking and having a good time. He's the best surfer to ever step foot into the sport and it was a laugh. We were just having fun with it. We were talking and goofing around. It was cool. It didn't feel real."

Martinez defeated a stellar field on his run to the podium, defeating Dean Morrison (AUS) in the semifinal, and Andy Irons (HAW) in the quarters.

"I got lucky this event," said the unassuming Californian. "I'm just thrilled to be on this tour. I'm so glad to be here traveling and doing what I'm doing. It's what I've dreamed of and it's amazing for me.

Martinez has now put himself in the box seat to take out the 2006 Foster's ASP Men's World Tour rookie of the year.

"I don't know, I'm not thinking about that!" said Martinez. "I'm just living the moment right now. It's just crazy and I'm trying to enjoy right here right now, cause it doesn't happen for me much. So I'm just enjoying it all."

And could the rookie go on to win a world title of his own?

"Nah I'm not going to say that at all, next year I just hope I qualify!" said Martinez. "There's no telling what could happen next year. I hope I can just qualify and be here again. This is everything I've dreamed of."

For Slater his second place was obviously well overshadowed by his semi final result where he claimed a win over Joel Parkinson (AUS) and in turn created history by claiming an unprecedented eighth world crown.

In the semi, Slater pulled out all the stops on the smallish waves and perhaps went into the final too relaxed, as during the 35-minute final decider he was no match for Martinez's energy.

He was full of praise for his finals rival Martinez with whom he has been a friend for many moons.

"I was stoked that Bobby started out so strong this year. He got to third and he was right up there in the ratings, then he had a little rough patch there at the last few events," said Slater. "I was just so happy to see him win at Teahupoo, it was his dad's birthday that day. To win here again, it just all fits, I got the title by making the final and Bobby (Martinez) wins it. I'm stoked for him."

(NB: Another release will be circulated later containing all of Kelly Slater's quotes on his world crown.)

Finishing in equal third, Parkinson, the form surfer of the European tour leg to date, was obviously dismayed at the result given that in the loss to Slater he had surrendered his outside chance for claiming his first ever world title.

"It was hard… Three events ago I wasn't even in contention and then I was in that position," said Parkinson. "So I thought I should be able to hold my head high, whether I win or lose.

"I had the mindset of winning so I was really angry when I lost. A lot of people said to me after it, 'hold your head high', but for 10 minutes there I was just shattered. I thought the rest of the 45 are going to be say 'why didn't you give it to him' and blame me for letting him win, but it isn't all me, there are a lot of people who could have beat him during the year. But congratulations to him."
Also finishing in equal third was Parkinson's good friend Dean Morrison (AUS) who earlier in the day defeated Burrow in the quarterfinals thus ending his title aspirations.

"Bobby's grabbed a 9.40 early and that made it really hard for me to get in front," said Morrison about his matchup. "There's not too many opportunities out there and you really have to fight for them. We were scuttling around at the start of the heat and he got lucky and got that one. That was the deciding factor in the heat. That's the way it is with the conditions like that. There's five or 10 minutes in the heat that change the outcome."

Morrison has now booked a spot in the top 10 and with two events remaining he indicated he is eager to move further up the charts.

"It's been a great year learning wise and I'm getting the ball rolling," said Morrison. "We've got 10 days off and we go to Brazil and then on to Hawaii. I'm really looking forward to a big finish this year."

As mentioned by Morrison the tour will now move around the globe to Imbituba, Brazil for the Nova Schin Festival presented by Billabong.

The event kicks off on October 30 with a waiting period extending until November 8.

Today's results:

Remaining quarterfinal: (1st to semifinal 2nd to equal 5th and 732 ratings points)
Quarterfinal 4: Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.50 vs Dean Morrison (AUS) 12.00

Semifinals: (1st to final 2nd receives equal 3rd and 876 ratings points)
Semifinal 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.50 def Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.14
Semifinal 2: Bobby Martinez (USA) 15.57 def Dean Morrison (AUS) 11.60

Final: (1st receives 1200 ratings points 2nd receives 1032 ratings points)
Final: Bobby Martinez 16.40 def Kelly Slater (USA) 14.27

Current Foster's ASP Men's World Tour top 10 ratings after event #9 The Billabong Pro Mundaka

1. Kelly Slater (USA) 7824
2. Andy Irons (HAW) 6348
3. Taj Burrow (AUS) 6290
4. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 6050
5. Mick Fanning (AUS) 5848
6. Bobby Martinez (USA) 5843
7. Damien Hobgood (USA) 5152
8. Tom Whitaker (AUS) 4948
9. Taylor Knox (USA) 4880
10. Dean Morrison (AUS) 4856

KELLY SLATER - NUMBER 8 IS HERE!

MUNDAKA, Basque Country, Northern Spain (Friday, October 13, 2006 at 15:30 local time) - Kelly Slater has just won his eight world title. In the semifinal of the Billagon Mundaka Pro he beat Joel Parkinson, who was the last surfer that could prolong the world title battle to Brasil and maybe Hawaii. Congratulations Kelly!!

BILLABONG PRO MUNDAKA FINAL DAY UNDERWAY NOW!

MUNDAKA, Basque Country, Northern Spain (Friday, October 13, 2006) – Click on www.billabongpro.com or www.aspworldtour.com now to catch all the action in the business end of the Billabong Pro Mundaka.

With the waves beginning to cooperate, reeling into the famed Mundaka point at around one metre (three feet) plus, the event will restart at quarterfinal number four containing Taj Burrow (AUS) up against Dean Morrison (AUS).

With so much hanging on the line today, the atmosphere at the location is electric with a maximum capacity crowd of around 15,000-plus people cramming along the rocky shoreline eager to catch a glimpse of what will be the most dramatic finish to an event in years.

All eyes are heavily focussed on Kelly Slater (USA) who potentially could wrap up his eighth world title if he claims the event.

Out to stop him is Joel Parkinson (AUS) who will battle it out with Slater in semifinal number one but before that ensues the other remaining title contender Taj Burrow must win past Dean Morrison (AUS) in quarterfinal then beat Bobby Martinez in semi two.

In short, to keep the race alive going into the next tour event in Brazil, Parkinson and Burrow either/or MUST finish in front of Slater today.

A loss by either prior to the final will see Slater wrap it up if he wins the final or not.

Stay tuned to all the action LIVE on www.aspworldtour.com or www.billabongpro.com

Today's draw:

Quarterfinal 4: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs Dean Morrison (AUS)

Semifinal 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs Kelly Slater (USA)

Semifinal 2: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs winner quarterfinal four

Final: We'll soon see!

DAY OF DRAMA AT BILLABONG PRO MUNDAKA

MUNDAKA, Basque Country, Northern Spain (Thursday, October 12, 2006) – It's coming down to crunch time at the Billabong Pro Mundaka and the atmosphere is nothing short of electric as heading into the business end of the ninth event on the Foster's ASP Men's World Tour the competition is intense.

With only small waves hitting the famed left hand break that is Mundaka, organisers moved the event 15 minutes drive south to Bakio to contest round four and the quarterfinals in the location's peaky beach breaks.

It was a drama-filled day all round, with some amazing surfing, particularly in the latter stages when the quarterfinals hit the water and the race for the world crown was narrowed from five surfers down to three.

Bowing out of the race was Australia's Mick Fanning (AUS) and former three-time world champion Andy Irons (HAW).

Both were ousted in scintillating heats to Joel Parkinson (AUS), who is also still in contention, and Bobby Martinez (USA) respectively.

Kelly Slater (USA) meanwhile stayed on target to wrap up an unprecedented eighth world crown by winning through to meet Parkinson in semifinal one after he held off a challenge from Tom Whitaker (AUS) in quarterfinal two.

The heat of the day however was the matchup between good buddies Fanning and Parkinson.

Neither held any punches as they bashed the lip, landed some big aerials and swooped through some creative arcing turns.

In the end though Parkinson was just too strong and in taking the win his feelings were bitter sweet.

"There's been some good battles between me and Mick (Fanning)," said Parkinson. "That one should have been a final and not a quarter. I'm sad that we met in the quarters, but I'm glad that I got through and I just wish it had of been the final."

"I've had a good ratio against Mick, but I hate having to surf against him, not only is it a really hard heat, but it's kind of emotional. I'm always cheering for him to win so when I come up against him I don't know who to cheer for."

Parkinson, as mentioned, will now take on Slater in the first semifinal to be held tomorrow morning and he is fully aware that he will have to continue his momentum as a loss will instantly destroy any title hopes.

"It's been a hard run so far. I've had Bruce (Irons) and Mick (Fanning)," said Parkinson. "And while I've overcome some big obstacles there the biggest is yet to come. I don't expect anything to be easy."

Slater meanwhile had a quarterfinal heat where quality waves were scarce, yet the seven-time world champion did what he had to and in the end easily defeated Whitaker.

"I don't think there was that much more out there really," said Slater. "Tom (Whitaker) had one wave that looked really nice, but even he said 'that thing just went flat on me'. With the tide coming up it wasn't allowing us to do much."

And does a seven-time world champ get jittery being so close to another crown…

"I'll be fine, I'm not too stressed out about anything," said Slater "I'm a little bit antsy, but when I'm not surfing a heat and I get away from the contest a little bit I'm relaxing so it's not to bad. Consistency wise this is the best year for me. I've been much more patient in heats all year and am not trying to rush myself."

The 34-year-old also knows that he faces a huge test tomorrow against Parkinson.

"Joel (Parkinson) has been the form guy at the last couple of events," said Slater. "Even at Trestles, he and Taj (Burrow) were the form guys. He just had a little slip up and I got him. If you're going to win you want to surf against the best guy and Joel (Parkinson) is proving to be that guy at the moment. He's got a winning record against me so I have to step it up and match him."

Leaving the water with a massive grin after claiming the heat victory was none other than Martinez.

Surfing a solid heat the workaholic weaved through, up and over everything to take control against Irons and hang on right to the end.

He has taken one event this season, the Billabong Pro in Tahiti, and is showing the same winning form here in Mundaka.

After an indifferent mid season Martinez is extra happy to be finishing in front of the pack again.

"I'm really happy, the last three contests I have been in I did badly," said Martinez. "To make it through a heat, let alone to be in the semis… well I'm super happy.

"This heat was as important for me as it is for him, while he could win the world title and I can't, it's important for me because I just want to do my best," said Martinez. "I don't know how many chances I'll get to surf in this tour so every chance I try to surf like it's my last chance."

The only title contender yet to compete in the quarterfinals is Taj Burrow (AUS) who will go up against Dean Morrison (AUS) first thing tomorrow.

Like Parkinson he must go all the way to the final and take the event in front of Slater to keep the race alive going into Brazil.

"It's going to be interesting for sure," said Burrow "Bring it on I say!"

Forecasts indicate that the conditions will not be much different to those of today but with only four heats remaining organisers are hinting that they could bring the event back to Mundaka and take advantage of the break when tides are right.

"For Mundaka, waist-shoulder high sets will show on the best tides tomorrow," said surf forecaster www.surfline.com "Mundaka will probaby only be contestable in the afternoon. For Bakio, you can expect larger surf in the chest-head high range, with a few bigger sets on the best tides."

Check www.aspworldtour.com or www.billabongpro.com for al the updates and for downloadable audio files, transcribed quotes and heat by heat reports.

Round four results: (1st place to semifinal 2nd receives equal 9th placing and 600 ratings points)

Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.57 def Bruce Irons (HAW) 11.00
Heat 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.67 def Victor Ribas (BRA) 10.73
Heat 3: Tom Whitaker (AUS) 12.00 def Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 4.57
Heat 4: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.33 def Cory Lopez (USA) 13.17
Heat 5: Andy Irons (HAW) 13.27 def Trent Munro (AUS) 6.16
Heat 6: Bobby Martinez (USA) 13.16 def Phil MacDonald (AUS) 12.67
Heat 7: Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.33 def Adriano de Souza (BRA) 10.33
Heat 8: Dean Morrison (AUS) 13.50 def Damien Hobgood (USA) 12.33

Quarterfinals: (1st to semifinals 2nd receives equal 5th and 732 ratings points)

Quarterfinal 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.34 def Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.33
Quarterfinal 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 13.23 def Tom Whitaker (AUS) 7.93
Quarterfinal 3: Bobby Martinez (USA) 12.40 def Andy Irons (HAW) 11.40

Quarterfinal 4: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs Dean Morrison (AUS)

Semifinals: (1st to final 2nd receives equal 3rd and 876 ratings points)

Semifinal 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs Kelly Slater (USA)
Semifinal 2: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs winner of quarterfinal four

BILLABONG PRO MUNDAKA HITS THE ROAD

MUNDAKA, Basque Country, Northern Spain (Thursday, October 12, 2006) – With the tides yet again affecting the conditions at Mundaka, organisers of the Billabong Pro have decided to move the event 15 minutes drive south to the beach breaks of Bakio.

The location, while nowhere near as incredible as its neighbour Mundaka is however much more open to swell and can produce some quality peaks that will provide an adequate platform on which the world's best on the Foster's ASP Men's World Tour can show their wares.

The aim is to retstart the event at 12 noon then complete the remaining three heats of round three.

Conditions will then be reassessed back at Mundaka with the hope that there will be enough quality to contest round four.

The pressure is beginning to mount as there are three days left in the official waiting period and over a day needed to complete the event. But since the tides affect the region so dramatically, there will be a push to run in anything reasonably contestable.

If round four continues today all eyes will be focussed on the race for the Foster's ASP Men's World Tour crown with Kelly Slater in the box seat.

On his heels are Taj Burrow (AUS), Andy Irons (HAW), Mick Fanning (AUS) and Joel Parkinson (AUS).

And with a move to the unpredictable beach breaks luck will play a much greater factor in deciding heat results.

Stay tuned to www.billabongpro.com or www.aspworldtour.com for all the updates and to watch every heat LIVE!

Remaining round three heats:
Heat 14: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs Adriano de Souza (BRA)
Heat 15: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs Mikael Picon (FRA)
Heat 16: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs Michael Lowe (AUS)

Round four heat draw so far: (1st to Quarterfinals 2nd receives equal 9th place and 600 ratings points)

Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs Bruce Irons (HAW)
Heat 2: Victor Ribas (BRA) vs Mick Fanning (AUS)
Heat 3: Pancho Sullivan (HAW) vs Tom Whitaker (AUS)
Heat 4: Cory Lopez (USA) vs Kelly Slater (USA)
Heat 5: Andy Irons (HAW) vs Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 6: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs Phil MacDonald (AUS)
Heat 7: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs TBC
Heat 8: TBC

SWELL ON THE WAY FOR BILLABONG PRO MUNDAKA

MUNDAKA, Basque Country, Northern Spain (Wednesday, October 11, 2006) – As small waves have plagued the magical left hand wave that is Mundaka, organisers of the Billabong Pro have, after a long wait, deemed today to be another lay day.

However, it is forecast that a new swell is on its way and the first signs of that should begin to show late this afternoon. It is anticipated that by tomorrow the location will once again be firing at its best.

"The surf will pick back up out of the west north west over the second half of the week, thanks to successive lows moving toward the Bay of Biscay," said forecasters www.surfline.com

"The swell won't be from an ideal swell angle which will limit the size, but surf in the chest-shoulder-head high range is looking likely over the course of the better tides on Thursday. We could even see some larger sets sneak in from time to time, especially if the storm can move a little further north over the next 24 hours."

With the forecast looking promising, competitors are beginning to get anxious as the event draws toward the business end.

With all the Foster's ASP Men's World Tour title contenders moving through to round four it's expected that the drama surrounding this year's Billabong Pro Mundaka will be at an all time high.

Those in contention include Kelly Slater (USA) (who can wrap up an eighth world crown with a win here), plus Taj Burrow (AUS), Andy Irons (HAW), Mick Fanning (AUS) and Joel Parkinson (AUS).

Looking at the draw and the potential matchups in later rounds there won't be an easy run for anyone.

If both surfers overcome their round four foes, Fanning and Parkinson could meet in quarterfinal one, from there the winner could potentially meet Slater in the semi, and then of cause must go on to win the final.

On the other side of the draw Burrow and Irons have the opportunity to cancel each other out of the race as they potentially could meet in second semi final.

Whichever way it is viewed all have their work cut out for them.

Throw into the mix the swag of surfers who, although aren't in world title contention but are dead eager to thwart any of the frontrunner's campaigns, and you have a script for an enthralling show.

Organisers will view reconvene tomorrow at 9am to assess conditions and tides permitting will send out the remaining heats of round three.

There is just over a full day required to complete the event, with 18 heats, including the final, in total remaining.

Stay tuned to www.billabongpro.com or www.aspworldtour.com for all the updates and to watch every heat LIVE!

Remaining round three heats:
Heat 14: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs Adriano de Souza (BRA)
Heat 15: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs Mikael Picon (FRA)
Heat 16: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs Michael Lowe (AUS)

Round four heat draw so far: (1st to Quarterfinals 2nd receives equal 9th place and 600 ratings points)

Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs Bruce Irons (HAW)
Heat 2: Victor Ribas (BRA) vs Mick Fanning (AUS)
Heat 3: Pancho Sullivan (HAW) vs Tom Whitaker (AUS)
Heat 4: Cory Lopez (USA) vs Kelly Slater (USA)
Heat 5: Andy Irons (HAW) vs Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 6: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs Phil MacDonald (AUS)
Heat 7: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs TBC
Heat 8: TBC

WILDCARD GILMORE WINS HAVAIANAS BEACHLEY CLASSIC

MANLY, Australia (Wednesday, October 11, 2006) – Wildcard surfer Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) wowed the world when she became the youngest-ever winner of an ASP Women's World Tour event in 2005. She's stamped herself in the history books with her win at the $US100,000 Havaianas Beachley Classic today.

The 19-year-old is the only individual in surfing history to win two ASP World Championship Tour events as a wildcard.

Surfing from the trials to take out the richest event in women's surfing history, the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) No. 2 led the entire 35-minute final to post an emphatic victory at Manly Beach in Sydney, Australia, this morning.

"This whole event has happened in just three days and now it's all over!" Gilmore said. "I took it heat by heat and everything's fallen into place. It's unbelievable. Layne's a six-time world champ and one of the best competitors in the world; she's really smart in a heat and I have learnt a lot watching her. It's been great just being out in the water with her, so to come out on top, I just can't even explain it."

Despite not yet being a full-fledged fixture on the ASP Women's World Tour, Gilmore, who is already one of the highest paid female surfers in the world, earned US$20,000 for her win today. That figure is double what the average women's world tour event doles out.

Gilmore didn't paddle out expecting to earn the cash easily. Beachley's Semifinal win over Chelsea Georgeson (AUS) had the Manly local looking the girl to beat.

"I was watching Layne and Chelsea's Semi and Layne got a 9.0 and a 7.5 and I thought, 'OK, this is going to be really hard,' but I had a little plan and things changed around and time went a lot quicker than I thought. I was sitting out there in the lead, but not by much and I was like, 'Go, get a wave girl, go!' and then I got that last one at the end which sealed it. My heart was pounding like crazy, I can't believe it!"

Currently rated second in her first full year on the ASP's World Qualifying Series (WQS), her place amongst the elite on next year's tour is almost assured. Her prior performances indicate that she'll stir things up when she gets there.

"I am sure by me winning the girls are going to want to smash me even harder now," Gilmore said. "I guess they've been thinking "Oh, wildcard,' we can just cruise a bit, but I'm sure now they'll just want to come out in front of me."

Event namesake Beachley, who has been beaten by Gilmore before, certainly wanted to come out in front today. Unfortunately for her, it was not to be.

"It came so close to a fairytale ending for me and I was bitterly disappointed not to win but I am so relieved it is over," Beachley said. "I'm really proud of Stephanie but I'm proud of myself for staging such a great event too."

Beachley joked that she did everything right whilst organizing and running her first ASP Women's World Tour event, but couldn't remember why she thought putting Gilmore on the invited trialist list was a good idea.

"Aren't I foolish? Why did I invite Stephanie Gilmore?" Beachley said. "No, I invited her to make sure that we were all surfing at a level that we should be surfing at and she's the one raising the bar at the moment, she inspires all of us to surf better and that's why she's here and that's why she's on tour next year. "

Beachley, who has been sick and rundown since the event started, couldn't recover her Semifinal form to stop Gilmore. She scratched around the line-up looking for waves with high-scoring potential but came up short.

"The heat was really starved for waves so I paddled down the beach to see if I could get some open faced ones but I really didn't feel comfortable down there." Beachley said. "I came back to my little secret spot up here that everybody's been surfing but the clock just kept ticking. There was 23-minutes and then there were 13-minutes and then it went down to 7-minutes and I still hadn't caught a wave. I spent a lot of time sitting around waiting for a quality wave and if we'd had an extra 30-seconds in the final I could've won it, but that's just the luck of the draw."

Still, Beachley leaves her event the world ratings leader, having overtaken Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) who was also eliminated by Gilmore in Round Three.

Reigning ASP World Champion, Georgeson maintains her third place rating after losing to Beachley in the semis.

"It just wasn't my day," Georgeson said. "I went out feeling good and got some average scores but the waves I caught didn't really open up. I tried to sit there and wait for a decent one but it never came. I let one slip by that Layne got when I thought there was one behind it, but it didn't happen. There's not much you can do in that situation."

Georgeson also has Gilmore to thank for keeping her world title chances alive today. Had Beachley won the Havaianas Beachley final, Georgeson would have been mathematically out of the running to defend her world crown.

Georgeson knows all too well how hard the race for a world title can be, but is even more wary of what it will be like next year when Gilmore is a tour staple.

After Steph's result on the Gold Coast the last year, when she won that event, we all started training madly," Georgeson said. "It is good for the sport though, you get the younger girls coming up and it's like a generation change; it's good for us."

Gilmore beat former world champion Sofia Mulanovich en route to victory today. Visibly uncomfortable with her equipment early in the semi Mulanovich made a mad dash to the beach to switch boards halfway through her heat.

"My board broke this morning, it got really dinged, and I was like, 'Ok, maybe I should just go out with the other one instead of breaking my board in the middle of the heat, but it was a bad choice," Mulanovich said. "I hadn't ridden that board for a long time so it was a bad choice that created a lot of insecurities for me too. But whatever, I made a mistake in that heat, Steph is a great surfer and at least I lost to a super talented girl."

The world title scenario heading to event No. 7 on the ASP Women's World Tour, Sunset Beach, Hawaii, is as follows: Beachley can clinch her seventh world title with a win at Sunset if Melanie Redman-Carr bows out with an equal or less than 7th place finish. If anything less occurs, the world title race will stretch to the final event of the year in Maui. Georgeson must finish ahead of Beachley at Sunset to remain in contention.

Final Results: (1st wins the event and earns US$20,000; 2nd finishes runner-up and earns US$10,000)
FINAL: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 13.50 def. Layne Beachley (AUS) 11.00

Semifinal Results: (1st advances to the Final; 2nd finishes equal 3rd and earns US$8,000)
Heat 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 10.25 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 7.10
Heat 2: Layne Beachley (AUS) 16.25 def. Chelsea Georgeson (AUS) 10.50
For Further Information:

ASP Women's World Tour Ratings after the Havaianas Beachley Classic
1. Layne Beachley (AUS) 5424 points
2. Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) 5112 points
3. Chelsea Georgeson 4800 points
4. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 3324 points
5. Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 3168 points
6. Silvana Lima (BRA) 3156 points
7. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 3132 points
8. Samantha Cornish (AUS) 2748 points
8. Heather Clark (ZAF) 2748 points
10. Megan Abubo (HAW) 2736 points
10. Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 2736 points
12. Julia Christian (USA) 2544 points
13. Rochelle Ballard (HAW) 2376 points
14. Keala Kennelly (HAW) 2364 points
15. Trudy Todd (AUS) 1992 points
16. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 1800 points
17. Serena Brooke (AUS) 1620 points

HAVAIANAS BEACHLEY CLASSIC TO CROWN CHAMP TODAY

MANLY, Australia (Wednesday, October 11, 2006) – The Havaianas Beachley Classic Semifinal Round isunderway at Manly Beach this morning.

The two 30-minute heats featuring three former world champions in Sofia Mulanovich (AUS), Chelsea Georgeson (AUS) and Layne Beachley (AUS) and wildcard Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), should prove scintillating.

Conditions will be assessed throughout the Semis so that event officials can send the Havaianas Beachley Classic Final out in the best conditions on offer today.

Today's outcome is crucial to both Beachley and Georgeson's 2006 ASP World Title aspirations. One of the two will take the ratings lead at the event's end in light of current world No. 1 Melanie Redman-Carr's early event exit.

TITLE CONTENDERS DOMIINATE IN BILLABONG PRO MUNDAKA ROUND THREE

MUNDAKA, Basque Country, Northern Spain (Tuesday, October 10, 2006) – The race for the Foster's ASP Men's World Tour title is hotting up as all contenders for the crown have progressed through to round four of the Billabong Pro Mundaka.

In one metre (three foot) and reeling waves, Kelly Slater (USA), Andy Irons (HAW) and Taj Burrow (AUS) all won heats today thus keeping their stakes on the big prize alive.

Current ratings leader and seven-time world champion Slater surfed a very smart heat when he disposed of local wildcard Hodei Collazo (EUK) in the day's first encounter.

Slater looked to be in perfect position right throughout the heat and monopolised every set wave that pushed through the arena. Yet he felt within himself there is still plenty of room for improvement.

"I don't feel like I'm totally in sync with the waves yet," said Slater. "I felt like towards the end of that heat I was starting to open up a little more with my turns. I'm starting to feel a little more free ever time I surf."

At one stage the defiant Collazo had an opportunity to catch up to the heat frontrunner and Slater was worried his underdog rival could have pulled an upset.

He also joked that the result was payback for Collazo's win over Slater's good friend Taylor Knox in round two.

"I saw him take off on that wave," said Slater. "I had flash backs of Luke Egan beating me in '97 or '98 at Grajagan. The same thing happened… I saw him free-fall into the wave and I crossed my fingers hoping he wouldn't come out. I wasn't sure if he came out or not because I heard the crowd yelling. He beat my best friend the other day, Taylor Knox, so now we're even between me and my crew (laughs)."

His opponent Collazzo did put up a valiant effort and with the vocal crowd pushing him all the way he showed that he certainly possesses the skills that could take him onto the world stage.

Collazzo was appreciative of the opportunity to surf against his hero.

"I think it's a really good experience for me," said Collazo. "I've been watching him surf since I was really young. Surfing in these waves with Kelly Slater, who is a world champion, puts a lot of pressure on me, but I also learn a lot from him."

Slater must now face Cory Lopez (USA) in round four. And after having a strong run so far, Slater is also wary of Lopez's capabilities.

"I'm coming up against Cory Lopez in the next round and I'm hoping for some more open face waves," said Slater. "Cory can fit into those little barrels pretty good. He's one of the best tube riders in the world."

Irons meanwhile had a very close encounter with his rival in Yuri Sodre (BRA) almost letting him in the door in the last few minutes when Sodre grabbed a decent scoring ride.

Sodre, for an instant, went to the lead but was pegged back when Irons blasted a wave in the dying seconds.

"Yeah that was pretty sketchy," said Irons. "At the beginning I got a little laid back. I left the door wide open and he was at the gate for about 22 minutes or something, so it was definitely not one of my better heats. I didn't know what he got on that last wave, as I wasn't sure what he did, but I knew he went pretty far. I was definitely biting my nails out there."

Irons was more eager to build some momentum, as it's been a while since he surfed his round one heat.

"It's been over a week since my last heat," said Irons. "So it just felt good to get back in the water with a jersey on and get back into motion."
Burrow looked dangerous in his heat against rookie Adrian Buchan (AUS).

He only rode four waves in the heat, three of which demonstrated why he is one of the biggest names in the sport.

He was worried however that there was always a possibility that the ocean could go flat and adapted his strategy to suit.

"I saw Jake (Paterson) lose the heat before due to only getting one ride," said Burrow. "So I thought it would be good to get a bit of a wave count up, at least build a little house with a couple of small scores. It was pretty scarce though."

Only two other heats were run today as once again the tide filled in the break and the waves began to dry up.

As mentioned by Burrow, heat six between Jake Paterson (AUS) and Phil Macdonald (AUS) was a completely one-sided affair as Paterson only rode one wave during the heat.

"The ocean just went flat," said winner MacDonald. "Jake and I sat out there and Jake couldn't get a wave. I just fluffed around and got a 5.5 and a 4.83. I didn't think they were going to be counters but in the end they were the two highest scores of the heat. It's just one of those things, Mundaka turns on and then it turns off just as quick. It's just Mother Nature."

The remaining heat of the day was between Trent Munro (AUS) and Shaun Cansdell with Munro running home with a win.

"I've been surfing with Shaun ever since he was a little kid," said Munro. "I wasn't going to take him lightly. I was going to give it everything I've got and I'm sure he did the same. I owed him one from Trestles where he beat me so there you go Shauny!"

Munro now has the unenviable task of surfing against Andy Irons in round four.

"Again I've been surfing against Andy for years, all through the junior ranks," said Munro. "He's at the top of the world so to be up against him and giving him a good go, that's where I'm at."

Organisers will meet again tomorrow at 9am to check conditions and will no doubt wait once again for the tide to become favourable.

The www.surfline.com forecast indicates that while we perhaps won't see huge swell over the next few days there potentially could be some very nice waves on which the event will be completed.

"Wednesday will see mostly leftover energy with waist high waves on the better tides and occasional larger sets to chest high," said Surfline. "Going further out, it appears that back to back west north west swells will build through the day on Thursday and hold waves into Friday."

Stay tuned to www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com for all the latest updates.

And for downloadable audio files, transcribed quotes and heat-by-heat updates head to Media Centre.

Round three heat results: (1st to round four 2nd receives 17th placing and 410 ratings points)

Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (Aus) 19.70 def. Jarrad Howse (Aus) 8.27
Heat 2: Bruce Irons (Haw) 13.84 def. Luke Stedman (Aus) 7.66
Heat 3: Victor Ribas (Bra) 11.27 def. CJ Hobgood (Aus) 10.84
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (Aus) 18.00 def. Toby Martin (Aus) 15.00
Heat 5: Pancho Sullivan (Haw) 15.10 def. Tim Reyes (USA) 13.34
Heat 6: Tom Whitaker (Aus) 17.27 def. Chris Ward (USA) 13.67
Heat 7: Cory Lopez (USA) 12.17 def Travis Logie (ZAF) 10.34
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) 14.33 def Hodei Collazo (EUK) 12.23
Heat 9: Andy Irons (HAW) 11.76 def Yuri Sodre (BRA) 10.60
Heat 10: Trent Munro (AUS) 13.73 def Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 12.96
Heat 11: Bobby Martinez (USA) 15.17 def Peterson Rosa (BRA) 12.94
Heat 12: Phil MacDonald (AUS) 10.33 def Jake Paterson (AUS) 4.67
Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.00 def Adrian Buchan (AUS) 12.23

Remaining round three heats:
Heat 14: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs Adriano de Souza (BRA)
Heat 15: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs Mikael Picon (FRA)
Heat 16: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs Michael Lowe (AUS)

SLATER TO KICK OFF BILLABONG PRO MUNDAKA RESTART

MUNDAKA, Basque Country, Northern Spain (Tuesday, October 10, 2006) – As the famed lefthand wave that is Mundaka springs to life organisers of the Billabong Pro will send out the remaining heats of round three in a matter of moments.

And the first cab off the rank this morning will be the matchup between seven-time Foster's ASP Men's World Tour champion Kelly Slater (USA) versus local wildcard Hodei Collazo (EUK).

Today's heat is vital for Slater who can wrap up his eighth world crown if he goes right through to take the event.

He will have his work cut out for him surfing against Collazo who will be surfing in front of a massively supportive crowd on his home turf.

Title contenders Andy Irons (HAW) and Taj Burrow (AUS) will also both compete today in heats nine and 13 respectively.

If any of Mick Fanning (AUS), Joel Parkinson (AUS) who both surfed yesterday, or Irons or Burrow finish ahead of Slater and win the event, the race will continue on to the next tour event in Brazil.

At present the break is sending in some incredible waves and with a solid draw (as listed below) expect the sparks to fly!

Stay tuned to all the LIVE action on www.billabongpro.com or www.aspworldtour.com

Round three heat results: (1st to round four 2nd receives 17th placing and 410 ratings points)

Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (Aus) 19.70 def. Jarrad Howse (Aus) 8.27
Heat 2: Bruce Irons (Haw) 13.84 def. Luke Stedman (Aus) 7.66
Heat 3: Victor Ribas (Bra) 11.27 def. CJ Hobgood (Aus) 10.84
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (Aus) 18.00 def. Toby Martin (Aus) 15.00
Heat 5: Pancho Sullivan (Haw) 15.10 def. Tim Reyes (USA) 13.34
Heat 6: Tom Whitaker (Aus) 17.27 def. Chris Ward (USA) 13.67
Heat 7: Cory Lopez (USA) 12.17 def Travis Logie (ZAF) 10.34

Remaining round three heats:

Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) vs Hodei Collazo (EUK)
Heat 9: Andy Irons (HAW) vs Yuri Sodre (BRA)
Heat 10: Shaun Cansdell (AUS) vs Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 11: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs Peterson Rosa (BRA)
Heat 12: Phil MacDonald (AUS) vs Jake Paterson (AUS)
Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Heat 14: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs Adriano de Souza (BRA)
Heat 15: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs Mikael Picon (FRA)
Heat 16: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs Michael Lowe (AUS)

REDMAN-CARR ELIMINATED FROM THE HAVAIANAS BEACHLEY CLASSIC

MANLY, Australia (Tuesday, October 10, 2006) – The shock elimination of ASP ratings leader Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) in Round Three of the Havaianas Beachley Classic has left Layne Beachley (AUS) and Chelsea Georgeson (AUS) on the beach to battle it out for the World No. 1 spot.

Beachley, former six-time world champion, and Georgeson, reigning world champion, disposed of their Round Three and Quarterfinal compatriots in Manly, Australia today and will now meet in Havaianas Beachley Classic Semifinal Two.

Event wildcard Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), who sent Redman-Carr packing in Round Three, and former world champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER) will meet in the first Semifinal.

With three former world champions and a wildcard who has beaten every one of them in ASP Women's World Tour competition still in contention, the business end of the Havaianas Beachley Classic should boast some of the most exciting surfing ever seen in the history of the women's discipline.

"The semis are going to be tough," Beachley said. "Sofia and Steph are going to have a corker of a heat and Chels and I will be battling it out for ratings points. We always said this event was going to be crucial, we just didn't realize how crucial. The fact that Mel lost in the early rounds and Chelsea and I are still up against each other on the same side of the draw makes it that much more exciting."

Though failing to post performances as explosive as her Round One showing, Beachley used her local prowess to ultimately advance today; first over Jacqueline Silva (BRA) and again to take out Samantha Cornish (AUS).

"I'm really happy, very relieved and completely exhausted," Beachley said after her Quarterfinal. "I'm just really glad it's over. Sam is such a tough competitor, she's obviously consistent and gets great scores and I knew she only needed a 6.0. I am lucky it closed out with eight minutes to go and that she fell off."

Beachley, who is the brainchild behind bringing an ASP Women's World Tour event back to Sydney and tacking on an additional US$40,000 worth of prize money to the winnings, seems relieved just to have made it this far.

"I would walk happy with a semifinal finish; I am walking away happy now," Beachley said. "I walked away from the first round happy to even have this event off the ground. At the end of the week I'll be happy just to sit back and go, "Wow, I can't believe I did that! I can't believe I pulled off the richest event in women's history."

Georgeson has indicated that she'll be disappointed with anything less than a win.

"It is a good result and I just have to keep going," Georgeson said. There are two more rounds to go so hopefully I can do it. I'm pretty fired up so we'll have to wait and see."

Should she eliminate Beachley in the next round and go on to win the event, Georgeson will take the ratings lead for the first time since winning her first world title in Maui last December.

"You can't count yourself out or get bummed because Mel (Redman-Carr) won the first three events of the year and Sofia (Mulanovich) won three in a row last year so anything is possible," Georgeson said. "You've got to give it everything you've got and never give up."

Georgeson eliminated Hawaiian Megan Abubo (AUS) in Quarterfinal Three today.

"Megan and I have had quite a few good battles so I was pretty amped at the start of that heat," Georgeson said. "I went all out on my first two waves and got some good scores. I didn't surf so well the rest of the heat, I fell off almost every wave, but because I gave it everything at the start it just happened to be enough."

Mulanovich was elated she did enough to make it out of her first quarterfinal duel in five events. Her victory over Julia Christian (USA) will see Mulanovich surf her first 2006 semifinal.

"It's my best result for the year so far," Mulanovich said. "I'm in the semis and hoping to make the final, so we'll see how it goes. I surfed pretty well in the other contests too, but I just kept getting knocked in the quarters. It's not that I didn't feel confident in my surfing, it just came down to bad tactics and things like that."

Mulanovich will meet Gilmore for the first time this year after drawing the wildcard several times in 2005.

"I actually haven't surfed a heat against Steph for a while," Mulanovich said. "But last year we met in almost every heat! We'll just have to see what happens."

After ending Redman-Carr's Sydney showing in their wave-starved Round Three heat, Gilmore went on to eliminate Rebecca Woods (AUS) in the Quarters.

"I had my own little plan which was to go up the beach and get a quick couple of waves under my belt which worked out well," Gilmore said. "Luck was on my side and I guess if Bec had more time she might have made it. She got that 7.0 in the last minute, so if she had more time she probably would have gotten me."

Gilmore, who won an ASP Women's World Tour event as a wildcard last year, and looks likely to qualify for the elite tour next year, has beaten Mulanovich before, but most recent bouts have seen the Peruvian come out on top.

"The year I won on the Gold Coast and then had wildcards into multiple events, I didn't make it past the third round; Sofia kept beating me," Gilmore said. It's going to be a hard heat, she's been surfing great all week, but I'll do my best. I'm really hungry to get out there and get some more experience."

Also bowing out of the Havaianas Beachley Classic with equal ninth place finishes were Trudy Todd (AUS), Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), Claire Bevilacqua (AUS), Serena Brooke (AUS), Heather Clark (ZAF) and Silvana Lima (BRA).

It looks likely that the remaining three heats of competition will be run tomorrow morning and the first-ever Havaianas Beachley Classic winner will be crowned by noon local time.

Contest officials will make an official call at 7am tomorrow, Oct. 11, 2006.

Semifinal Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Sofia Mulanovich(PER) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
Heat 2: Chelsea Georgeson (AUS) vs. Layne Beachley (AUS)

Quarterfinal Results: (1st advances to the Semifinals; 2nd finishes equal 5th)
Heat 1: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 13.00 def. Julia Christian (USA) 9.25
Heat 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.25 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 11.25
Heat 3: Chelsea Georgeson (AUS) 15.25 def. Megan Abubo (HAW) 9.50
Heat 4: Layne Beachley (AUS) 14.25 def. Samantha Cornish (AUS) 14.00

Round Three Results: (1st advances to the Quarterfinals; 2nd finishes equal 9th)
Heat 1: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 12.00 def. Trudy Todd (AUS) 6.00
Heat 2: Julia Christian (USA) 13.75 def. Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 10.00
Heat 3: Rebecca Woods (AUS) 12.75 def. Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 12.50
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 10.45 def. Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) 6.25
Heat 5: Chelsea Georgeson (AUS) 15.75 def. Serena Brooke (AUS) 11.50
Heat 6: Megan Abubo (HAW) 16.50 def. Heather Clark (ZAF) 10.00
Heat 7: Samantha Cornish (AUS) 11.50 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 5.60
Heat 8: Layne Beachley (AUS) 13.35 def. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 9.25

HAVAIANAS BEACHLEY CLASSIC BACK IN ACTION AT MANLY

MANLY, Australia (Tuesday, October 10, 2006) – Half-metre (two foot) waves are rippling through 'Queenscliff' this morning and Round Three of the Havaianas Beachley Classic will begin at 8am local time.

The eight 30-minute heats will take four hours to complete and conditions will be reassessed later this morning to see whether the quarterfinals will follow.

Of great interest will be Heat Four of Round Three featuring world No. 1 Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) and event wildcard Stephanie Gilmore (AUS). Gilmore won yesterday's Beachley Trials to earn her main event berth and having won an ASP Women's World Tour event as a wildcard before, is never an underestimated competitior.

"I've been thinking that I would be having Steph Gilmore as the wildcard drawn against me since I heard the event was on, so this isn't a surprise, " Redman-Carr said. "I figured it'd be quite good for me to come up against Steph early on. All the other girls, like Chelsea, Layne and Sof have had to come up against Steph, so I guess it's my turn."

Logon to www.aspworldtour.com to watch it all live!

Round Three Havaianas Beachley Classic Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Sofia Mulonovich (PER) vs. Trudy Todd (AUS)
Heat 2: Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) vs. Julia Christian (USA)
Heat 3: Rebecca Woods (AUS) vs. Claire Bevilacqua (AUS)
Heat 4: Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
Heat 5: Chelsea Georgeson (AUS) vs. Serena Brooke (AUS)
Heat 6: Megan Abubo (HAW) vs. Heather Clark (ZAF)
Heat 7: Silvana Lima (BRA) vs. Samantha Cornish (AUS)
Heat 8: Layne Beachley (AUS) vs. Jacqueline Silva (BRA)

MUNDAKA TURNS ON FOR BILLABONG PRO ROUND THREE

MUNDAKA, Basque Country, Northern Spain (Monday, October 9, 2006) – After a short wait for tides to improve throughout the morning, the famous location of Mundaka set a perfect stage on which the best surfers in the world could put down some stellar performances in round three of the Billabong Pro.

Like the previous day, the morning was slow due to an enormous high tide but as the water began to exit the river the legendary bank came to life serving up one to 1.5 metre (three to five foot) waves that would run as far as the length of a football field.

The standard of the opening heats was nothing short of spectacular with the biggest names in the sport dominating over their foes.

And continuing on from where they left off in the opening round, Mick Fanning (AUS) and Joel Parkinson (AUS) did no harm to their Foster's ASP Men's World Tour title hopes by again locking in some of the top scores of the day.

Parkinson in particular indicated he is in unstoppable form coming home with a combined heat total of 19.70 out of a possible 20 to knock out Jarrad Howse (AUS).

Threading some amazingly long barrels then mixing it with some huge floaters, the extra-relaxed naturalfooter from Australia's Gold Coast has really begun to gain momentum.

And as far as heats go he believed it doesn't get much better than what was served up today with his total score coming in as the second highest of the 2006 Foster' ASP Men's World Tour season.

"Score wise the heat was amazing," said Parkinson. "But wave wise, I've never surfed a heat that good. I've had some good surf before, but that was just ridiculous. Every set that came through was three or four waves and every one was a potential 10 point ride if you wanted to commit to it."

Parkinson likened the heat to being more a free surf than a competitive situation such was the amount of wave riding time he had.

"Once I realised the waves turned on I just thought, whatever, I may as well not even have a contest singlet on," said Parkinson. "We were just going wave for wave. I felt really good out there. Jarrad (Howse) got a couple of good ones, he didn't make a couple, but he said he got one ridiculous one. We were just chatting out there the whole time. It was one of those heats I'm probably going to tell my grandkids about."

Hot on his heels again was his good friend Fanning, who posted an 18.00 in total to hold off a very strong challenge from a determined Toby Martin (AUS).

Fanning forced Martin onto the back foot from the outset but right throughout the heat Martin kept knocking on the door.

The challenge was obvious motivation for Fanning who lifted a gear to land some massive aerials to pull take the win.

"Everything is starting to feel pretty good now," said Fanning. "We had a pretty big break there, I think I surfed my heat a week ago, so I've just been hanging out waiting for it. But I'm just stoked to get back in the water and have another heat."

Looking at the upcoming draw, and if the two continue to go from strength to strength they are slated for a quarterfinal matchup.

And since the two are both still in the running to snatch the world crown from ratings leader and seven-time world champion Kelly Slater (USA) both will be eager to take each other down.

"Everything is going good," said Fanning. "But it's just unfortunate that if we keep getting through we will meet each other in the quarters. If we were on the opposite sides of the draw it would be good, we could hopefully make another final together. But that's just the way it goes and we have to keep going and hopefully keep making those finals."

Coming in with the third highest score of the day was fellow Aussie Tom Whitaker.

And given his stunning form there is every chance that the Sydneysider could prove to be a dark horse.

In defeating Chris Ward (USA), Whitaker locked in a 9.50 for a solid wave where he launched an amazing all out backhand assault.

"It was tricky. It was the perfect wave to go absolutely ballistic on," said Whitaker. "But the first couple of sections I knew I could do some pretty nice floaters and get some points and then rip in after that. I took it easy at the start and tried to flare up. I just wanted to get a good score and not try and go mad."

In his best year to date Whitaker is eager to make an impact in the Billabong Pro Mundaka.

"This year I really thought about being relaxed out there," said Whitaker. "It's about making the right decisions and trying not to make it too complicated. It's an easy thing to learn… you get a couple of waves in your heat and do your best on them and the result comes."

Possibly the biggest upset of the day came from pint-sized Brazilian Victor Ribas when he sent 2001 world champion CJ Hobgood packing back to the USA.

"I decided to catch as many waves as possible," said Ribas. "I just tried to do a couple of turns and build a score. Finally I got my back up wave and I got through the heat. The heat was pretty hard, we left a couple of waves and we were running out of time. I missed one very good barrel, which would have been my best wave. But at least I got through to the next round."

Pancho Sullivan (HAW) was another to seriously impress as he eliminated Tim Reyes (USA) in round three heat five.

With a powerhouse display he drove up into the lip, throwing spray everywhere on numerous occasions much to the delight of the massive crowd. It certainly didn't seem like he was holding back which is what he claimed afterwards.

"I had to tone it down and surf a little bit conservatively because my board felt like it was spinning a bit," said Sullivan. "I was just hoping to post a couple of solid scores and then go for broke. It just felt like that little bit of chop was creating a little bit of slide and the wave is so fast down the line you can't afford to let the fins go. I just tried to pick waves that looked like they had a decent pace to them and build on my scores."

Sullivan also indicated that to due to the dramatically extreme tides and the influence they have on the wave you have to be prepared for everything.

"Two weeks ago during the event in France we drove down here and surfed the place when it was overhead," said Sullivan. "I saw so many 15 to 20 second barrels that day, it just blew my mind. But actually being here for the event and seeing it day in and day out it really is a test. You constantly have to be ready for any conditions."
Forecasters www.surfline.com have indicated that there will be more decent waves for tomorrow although like today there will be a delay in proceedings while waiting for the tide.

With that in mind the call has been made to check conditions at 9am in the morning.

Round three heat results: (1st to round four 2nd receives 17th placing and 410 ratings points)
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (Aus) 19.70 def. Jarrad Howse (Aus) 8.27
Heat 2: Bruce Irons (Haw) 13.84 def. Luke Stedman (Aus) 7.66
Heat 3: Victor Ribas (Bra) 11.27 def. CJ Hobgood (Aus) 10.84
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (Aus) 18.00 def. Toby Martin (Aus) 15.00
Heat 5: Pancho Sullivan (Haw) 15.10 def. Tim Reyes (USA) 13.34
Heat 6: Tom Whitaker (Aus) 17.27 def. Chris Ward (USA) 13.67
Heat 7: Cory Lopez (USA) 12.17 def Travis Logie (ZAF) 10.34

Remaining round three heats:

Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) vs Hodei Collazo (EUK)
Heat 9: Andy Irons (HAW) vs Yuri Sodre (BRA)
Heat 10: Shaun Cansdell (AUS) vs Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 11: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs Peterson Rosa (BRA)
Heat 12: Phil MacDonald (AUS) vs Jake Paterson (AUS)
Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Heat 14: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs Adriano de Souza (BRA)
Heat 15: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs Mikael Picon (FRA)
Heat 16: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs Michael Lowe (AUS)