BILLABONG PIPELINE MASTERS OFF TODAY; LOOKS GOOD FOR TOMORROW

BANZAI PIPELINE, Hawaii (Monday, Dec. 10, 2007) – The Billabong Pipeline Masters, the final event on the 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour, will not begin today, but with optimal conditions forecasted for Pipeline tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 13th, event organizers are optimistic Round 1 could commence then.

With the 2007 Foster's ASP World Title already wrapped up and set firmly upon Mick Fanning's mantle, requalification for the ASP World Tour will serve a major point of interest on the beach at the Billabong Pro Pipeline Masters. Bruce Irons (HAW), who won the event in 2003, is among the surfers needing a solid result at Pipe if they hope to surf amongst the elite in 2008. Irons will take on Taj Burrow (AUS), Chris Ward (USA), T.J Barron (HAW) in Heat 7 of Round 1.

The Billabong Pipeline Masters is the third and final installment of action in the Vans Triple Crown of series and will determine this year's Vans Triple Crown champion. ASP World No. 6 Bede Durbidge (AUS) currently leads the men's Vans Triple Crown of Surfing ratings followed Roy Powers (HAW), Mick Fanning (AUS), Adrian Buchan (AUS) and Makuakai Rothman (HAW).

In addition to their share of the $740,000 in prize money, the men's Vans Triple Crown champion will receive a limited edition $25,000 Chevy Colorado truck and a custom $10,000 Nixon watch.

All of the action of this year's Billabong Pipeline Masters can be experienced live at www.billabongpro.com and www.aspworldtour.com.

Billabong Pro Round 1 Heat Draw
Heat 1: Andy Irons (HAW), Adriano de Souza (BRA), Cory Lopez (USA), Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 2: Bobby Martinez (USA), Leonardo Neves (BRA), Greg Emslie (ZAF), Tim Reyes (USA)
Heat 3: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Daniel Wills (AUS), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Mark Occhilupo (AUS)
Heat 4: Damien Hobgood (USA), Luke Stedman (AUS), Raoni Monteiro (BRA), Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS), Phillip MacDonald (AUS), Ricky Basnett (ZAF), Laurie Towner (AUS)
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Royden Bryson (ZAF), Kalani Chapman (HAW)
Heat 7: Taj Burrow (AUS), Bruce Irons (HAW), Chris Ward (USA), T.J Barron (HAW)
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA), Neco Padaratz (BRA), Sunny Garcia (HAW)
Heat 9: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Michael Campbell (AUS), Bernardo Miranda (BRA), Michael Lowe (AUS)
Heat 10: Taylor Knox (USA), C.J. Hobgood (USA), Josh Kerr (AUS), Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 11: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Kai Otton (AUS), Troy Brooks (AUS), Victor Ribas (BRA)
Heat 12: Dean Morrison (AUS), Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Dayyan Neve (AUS), Shaun Cansdell (AUS)