IRONS DEFENDS RIP CURL PRO SEARCH TITLE IN CHILE

ARICA, Chile (Thursday, June 28, 2007) – Defending Rip Curl Pro Search champion Andy Irons (HAW) found the form to grab another globe-shaped trophy with his win over Damien Hobgood (USA) in Arica, Chile today.

"They're the best trophies – they're epic," Irons said. "They're my favorite trophy and I've got one for the living room and one for the mantle now."

The former 3X Foster's ASP World Champion bested Hobgood 16.84 to 8.67 in the four foot (1.3 metre) waves off Ex Isla Alacran.

"It was a battle," Irons said. "I was hitting the reef and getting worked, but I tried to play it smart and catch the inside waves. Damien was waiting for the sets and it was almost better to not have priority because I caught whatever came in. You can never count Damien out though; he has beaten me before in Tavarua so I knew I had my work cut out for me. With two minutes to go, I was still nervous."

Irons held the heat lead throughout the 35-minute bout, but cemented it with a 9.17 late in the game.

"It was a set wave and kind of bumpy," Irons said. "Damien was paddling out and I got in just underneath it. When I was coming out, I did an extra stall to make sure that I got behind the hook. I came out with a bit of emotion to show them I liked it and it paid off.

Irons jumped from 7th to 3rd on the Foster's ASP World ratings today and is in a position to jump even higher after ratings are adjusted citing his last place finish in the first event of the year. Surfers drop their worst two results after event No. 8 of the 10-stop Foster's ASP World Tour. The Rip Curl Pro Search Chile is Stop No. 4 of 10 on the often deemed 'Dream Tour.'

"I didn't go anywhere," Irons said of his absence in the Top 3. "I was always right there in the World Title race. I just had one bad contest that I'm throwing away and I can't wait. It's game on."

Rip Curl Pro Search Runner-up Damien Hobgood is also putting together a silent world title assault. After winning the last event on the calendar in Tahiti, he has moved to World No. 2 with his 2nd place finish today.

"I'm super stoked but I would have definitely like to put on a bit better performance in the Final," Damien Hobgood said. "Andy was just too good though and he put the pressure on early. He's such a good surfer; maybe I was thinking too hard out there. I never really got anything going and he kept building. I never really had a chance."

Damien met his twin brother CJ for the third time in man-on-man competition in the semifinals. Damien defeated CJ and now leads him 2:1 in brotherly bouts. The close heat went to Damien who scored an 8.00 and 5.13 to CJ's 5.83 and 6.50.

"I think it came down to Damien falling on his first wave and me falling on my best wave," CJ Hobgood said. "I was trying to get deep, then got on my back foot, then couldn't get back on my front foot. I didn't come out and it was probably the score. I blew that wave and that's what cost me the heat."

CJ Hobgood won the 2001 Foster's ASP World title, but his brother Damien has sat higher in the ratings in recent years.

"Equal 3rd is not bad a result, but it sucks because he was in the final in the last contest so I wanted to win," CJ Hobgood said. "We were one for one when we've gone up against each other so I wanted to win today and the opportunity was there to get my brother in the semis."

Also exiting the event with an equal 3rd result is current Foster's ASP ratings leader Mick Fanning (AUS). Fanning had Irons on the ropes for the first half of their semifinal heat, but was shut out when eventual the winner put a 9-point ride (one of several he posted this event) on the board.

Fanning has had better success during the latter part of the tour in years past and will head into the next leg as the man to beat after a solid start to the season.

"I'm stoked with the result here," Fanning said. "I will keep building from here on in. I love going to J-Bay and Trestles. The rest of the year is always really fun for me so I'm just going to keep trying to build. Andy is dropping a 33rd and you can always guarantee that he'll get a result at Pipe. It's not over after this so I'm just going to try to keep pushing and hopefully it all goes well."

The 2008 Rip Curl Search location remains a mystery, but the Foster's 45 are most definitely headed to JBay, South Africa in a week and a half.

Visit the media center on www.aspworldtour.com/2007/ripcurlpro for transcribed athlete interviews, downloadable wav files, hi-res images, heat by heat updates and more.

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH FINAL:
Final: Andy Irons (HAW) vs. Damien Hobgood (USA)

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Andy Irons (HAW) 16.33 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.33
SF 2: Damien Hobgood (USA) 13.13 def. CJ Hobgood (USA) 12.00

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Andy Irons (HAW) 14.67 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 5.43
QF 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 12.67 def. Bobby Martinez (USA) 12.50
QF 3: CJ Hobgood (USA) 14.83 def. Dean Morrison (AUS) 10.17
QF 4: Damien Hobgood (USA) 12.17 def. Bruno Santos (BRA) 7.50

Foster's ASP World Tour Ratings after the Rip Curl Pro Search Chile
1. Mick Fanning (AUS) 3984 points
2. Damien Hobgood (USA) 3374 points
3. Andy Irons (HAW) 3189 points
4. Taj Burrow (AUS) 3086 points
5. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 3072 points
6. Kelly Slater (USA) 2808 points
7. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 2457 points
8. Kai Otton (AUS) 2301 points
9. Daniel Wills (AUS) 2210 points
10. Travis Logie (ZAF) 2210 points

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE TO CROWN A CHAMP TODAY

ARICA, Chile (Thursday, June 28, 2007) – The Rip Curl Pro Search Chile, stop No. 4 of 10 on the Foster's ASP World Tour, will endeavor to wrap up proceedings in the 3 to 4 foot (one to one half metre) waves on offer at Ex-Isla Alacran today.

"We'll be starting competition today at 7:45 am with hopes of running the six remaining heats and crowning a champion," ASP World Tour Head Judge Perry Hatchett said. "This is one of the glassiest mornings we've had yet and we're going to take advantage of the conditions while we can. The swell is projected to pick up slightly throughout the day and with the tide dropping, conditions should only get better."

Quarterfinal 1 was held on Tuesday, June 26, with Andy Irons (HAW) advancing as the Rip Curl Pro Search semifinalist over Joel Parkinson (AUS). Quarterfinal 2 featuring World No. 1 Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. 2006 ASP Rookie of the Year Bobby Martinez (USA).

Logon to www.aspworldtour.com/2007/ripcurlpro to watch it all LIVE!

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Andy Irons (HAW) 14.67 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 5.43

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH REMAINING QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:
QF 2: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Mick Fanning (AUS)
QF 3: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. CJ Hobgood (USA)
QF 4: Bruno Santos (BRA) vs. Damien Hobgood (USA)

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE OFF FOR THE DAY; AWAITS NEW SWELL

ARICA, Chile (Wednesday, June 2, 2007) –Rip Curl Pro Search Chile Quarterfinals 2 through 4 will not run today. Small waves have seen the remaining six heats of Foster's ASP World Tour competition called off for the day.

Quarterfinal 1 saw Andy Irons (HAW) take out Joel Parkinson (AUS) before winds swung onshore yesterday afternoon. With only a half day's worth of surfing needed to complete the contest and five days left in the waiting period, officials have opted to wait for better conditions to materialize.

"A new swell is expected to pulse at Ex-Isla Alacran on Thursday and Friday, whilst early light winds should create clean conditions," Ben Matson of swellnet.com.au said.

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

Visit the media center on www.aspworldtour.com/2007/ripcurlpro for transcribed athlete interviews, downloadable wav files, hi-res images, heat by heat updates and more.

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Andy Irons (HAW) 14.67 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 5.43

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH REMAINING QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:
QF 2: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Mick Fanning (AUS)
QF 3: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. CJ Hobgood (USA)
QF 4: Bruno Santos (BRA) vs. Damien Hobgood (USA)

MORRISON ELIMINATES SLATER AT RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE

ARICA, Chile (Tuesday, June 26, 2007) –Australia's Dean Morrison dazzled in his Round 4 heat against Kelly Slater (USA) to eliminate the 8X Foster's ASP World Champion from the Rip Curl Pro Search Chile today.

Slater was on the first plane out of Arica after earning his second equal 9th place finish of the season. Morrison walked away with the highest two-wave heat total of the event –
18.83 out of 20.00 – and a quarterfinal berth.

"Every time you come up against Kelly, it's easy to play mind games with yourself," Morrison said. "Luckily enough, I was able to stick to my game plan and not worry about him. That's what I was able to do in that heat and I came out on top."

Morrison's victory over Slater today was his first since 2003 when he beat Slater on the Gold Coast of Australia and went on to win the contest.

"It's been a long time since I've beat Kelly so I'm just stoked I got to surf against him and have a good heat," Morrison said. "I'm really proud of it."

Morrison and Slater went wave for wave, before Morrison made it out of an almost impossible looking barrel to post a perfect 10.00 – the second of the event.

"It stood up nice," Morrison said. "It had a nice line on it and I knew it was going to taper off and I was able just to hang in there and keep that line and it let me out. It's the second 10-point ride I've ever had so it means a lot."

Slater fought back until the final seconds but couldn't find a wave offering the 9.37 scoring potential he needed.

"Dean's 10.00 looked kind of like a closeout to me," Slater said. "There was a little too much bend on the end of it, but obviously it held open and there you have it. I probably got the second best wave and he got the third. I was going to need the second and third to catch him and just didn't quite have it."

The reigning world champion is currently sitting 6th on the Foster's ASP World Tour ratings.

"At this point, it's not feeling like a World Title year for me so far," Slater said. "To lose out here, that's the fourth event that Mick has bettered me in and it's going to be really hard to catch him. If he stays somewhat consistent at all, he is going to be hard to catch this year. If he were to better me in just two more events this year, I don't think I could catch him. That's a fact of life and that's the reality of where we're at right now."
Current ratings leader Mick Fanning (AUS) advanced over Chris Ward (USA) in Round 4 and will now meet Bobby Martinez (USA) in Quarterfinal 2. Fanning, who was interviewed before Slater and current World No. 4 Joel Parkinson (AUS) were eliminated later in the day, is well on his way increasing his ratings lead. He remains humble.

"There are still guys who are still close," Fanning said. "Joel's still there and Andy's still there, Kelly's got a heat right now and Damien's got a heat coming up, so if those guys keep getting through, I want to keep getting through with them. I'm just trying to get a better result."

Joel Parkinson was eliminated by Andy Irons in Quarterfinal 1. Competition was called off after Quarterfinal 1 due to unfavorable wind conditions. Irons and Damien Hobgood (USA), rated 7th and 3rd in the world respectively, are still in Rip Curl Pro Search Chile contention. Irons will finish with an equal 3rd or better result.

Twin brothers CJ and Damien Hobgood are through to the Quarterfinals and will meet each other in the Semifinal 2 should they win their heats when competition resumes. Damien, who won the last event on the Foster's ASP World Tour in Tahiti, indicated that he is less worried about matching his brother's world title success (CJ was ASP World Champion in 2001) and more focused on winning events.

"I just like to win," Hobgood said. "That globe trophy that Rip Curl gives out is pretty sweet and I'm just trying to go for that."

Damien will meet wildcard Bruno Santos (BRA) in Quarterfinal 4. Santos eliminated 2006 Rip Curl Pro Search runner-up Taylor Knox (USA) today.

"I'm so lucky because I fell three times in my last heat and I still made it – I've had a lot of good luck this contest," Santos said. "The heat before mine had so many waves but me and Taylor waited so long for waves; there were not many sets in our heat, but I'm stoked I made it."

Swellnet.com.au are forecasting easing swell for tomorrow, Wednesday, June 27, 2007, with an increase expected on Thursday. Six heats of the Rip Curl Pro Search Chile remain and another call on competition status will be made tomorrow at 7am.

Visit the media center on www.aspworldtour.com/2007/ripcurlpro for transcribed athlete interviews, downloadable wav files, hi-res images, heat by heat updates and more.

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Andy Irons (HAW) 14.67 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 5.43

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE ROUND 4 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.26 def. Cory Lopez (USA) 12.80
Heat 2: Andy Irons (HAW) 17.10 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 11.17
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA) 11.34 def. Daniel Wills (AUS) 6.93
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.44 def. Chris Ward (USA) 9.27
Heat 5: Dean Morrison (AUS) 18.83 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 17.37
Heat 6: CJ Hobgood (USA) 13.34 def. Fred Patacchia (HAW) 4.60
Heat 7: Bruno Santos (BRA) 10.84 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 6.83
Heat 8: Damien Hobgood (USA) 15.63 def. Travis Logie (ZAF) 1.60

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH REMAINING QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:
QF 2: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Mick Fanning (AUS)
QF 3: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. CJ Hobgood (USA)
QF 4: Bruno Santos (BRA) vs. Damien Hobgood (USA)

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE ROUND 4 TO RUN TODAY

ARICA, Chile (Tuesday, June 26, 2007) – Rip Curl Pro Search Chile competition will hit the water at 7:25am local time today. The final two heats of Round 3 will feature first before event organizers jump into Round 4 which they hope to wrap up today.

Waves are five to six foot (two metres) and Foster's ASP World Tour No. 4 Damien Hobgood (USA) will go up against South African rookie Royden Bryson in the first heat of the day.

According to official Rip Curl Pro Search Chile surf forecaster Ben Matson of swellnet.com.au: "Easing swells and early light winds will create excellent small to medium-sized surf for the Rip Curl Pro Search at Ex-Isla Alacran."

Logon to www.aspworldtour.com/2007/ripcurlpro to watch it all LIVE!

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 15: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 16: Travis Logie (ZAF) vs. Ricky Basnett (ZAF)

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE ROUND 4 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Cory Lopez (USA)
Heat 2: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Andy Irons (HAW)
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Daniel Wills (AUS)
Heat 4: Ben Dunn (AUS vs. Mick Fanning (AUS)
Heat 5: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Dean Morrison (AUS)
Heat 6: CJ Hobgood (USA) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 7: Bruno Santos (BRA) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)
Heat 8: Winner of Round 3 Heat 15 vs. Winner of Round 3 Heat 16

BURROW BOWS OUT OF RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE; FANNING ADVANCES

ARICA, Chile (Monday, June 25, 2007) – Day 6 of the 12-day Rip Curl Pro Search Chile waiting period proved a drama-filled affair. The elimination of world No. 2 Taj Burrow (AUS), a scorching performance by 3X Foster's ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW) and a perfect 10-point ride by Fred Patacchia (HAW) headlined proceedings.

Clean six foot (two metre) waves allowed event officials to run 16 heats of Foster's ASP World Tour action (the final two of Round 2 and the first 14 of Round 3) before the wind swung onshore this afternoon.

Burrow was beaten in the second to last heat of the day by wildcard Bruno Santos (BRA). Santos, who is surfing in his sixth World Tour event as a wildcard, got the better of Burrow in the relatively slow scoring heat. Santos' result today is his best in elite tour competition.

"Taj surfs so well, he's No. 2 right now," Santos said. "The conditions were not really good in our heat – everyday at 2pm, the wind comes. There were not very many barrels, but I found two small waves and advanced. The heat was not really good, but I just tried to do my best and have fun out there."

The elimination of Burrow and advancement of Foster's ASP World Tour No. 1 Mick Fanning (AUS) will prove crucial when ratings are adjusted after this event. Fanning beat wildcard Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) earlier in the day.

"He surfs these waves all the time at home in Hawaii," Fanning said of Bacalso. "Wildcards are always dangerous no matter what the conditions are. They have no pressure whatsoever – they just have to go out there and try to take everyone down. I just wanted to go out there and get through that round and get it done."

Fanning will meet Chris Ward of California in a highly anticipated Round 4 clash.

"Mick and I draw each other a lot and we're pretty even right now so I think that will be a great match-up," Ward said. "I'm looking forward to it for sure."

Andy Irons posted the highest wave total of the event, an 18.24 out of 20.00, despite exiting the water halfway through his heat against Brazil's Victor Ribas.

"I got smashed on my first wave, got a good barrel on my second, a pretty good one on my third and broke my board on my fourth," Irons said. "Then I wrapped it up. It was freezing cold and I didn't want to come in on the barnacles and get cut up. No disrespect to Victor, but by the time I got back out there, I might have cut myself and it probably wouldn't have been worth it. I had two 9.0s and if he beat me, then good on him."

Irons will meet on-fire rookie Kai Otton (AUS) in Round 4. Otton finished equal 3rd in Tahiti and currently sits 10th on the Foster's ASP World Tour.

Jeremy Flores (FRA) is the only rookie rated higher than Otton at 9th, but that will change post the Rip Curl Pro Search Chile. The young Frenchman failed to get past Fred Pattachia (HAW), who posted the only perfect 10-point wave score of the event today.

"It was a tough heat," Patacchia said. "I saw Jeremy get a few 9.0s earlier in the event so I knew I had to get out there and have all cylinders firing. I took off deep on a deep one and it had two huge layers that I had to drive through – I saw the window and I knew I was coming out. I gave a shout out to the crowd and threw a little claim with a big smile on my face."

Reigning Foster's ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) also commanded his Round 3 heat today. Slater 17.40 wave total was the second highest of the day. He will meet Dean Morrison (AUS) in the next round.

"Dean has proven himself more than once at Teahupoo which is a similar type wave," Slater said. "He's gotten Andy (Irons) out there a couple times which I don't think many people would expect. That just proves the depth of his abilities and his competition skills are pretty amazing too.

Last year's rookie of the year Bobby Martinez (USA) advanced over 2007 rookie Josh Kerr (AUS) this morning. Martinez has had a slow start to his 2007 campaign after finishing 5th in the world last year.

"I've been getting 17ths all year so I'm glad I got through," Martinez said. "To not get another 17th is nice. I've been losing a lot and anything can happen so I'm not getting ahead of myself – I'm taking it one heat at a time."

The last two heats of Round 3 featuring Florida's CJ Hobgood and South Africans Royden Bryson, Travis Logie, and Ricky Basnett will be first up when the Rip Curl Pro Search Chile resumes. Another call on competition status will be made tomorrow at 7am.

Visit the media center on www.aspworldtour.com/2007/ripcurlpro for transcribed athlete interviews, downloadable wav files, hi-res images, heat by heat updates and more.

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE ROUND 3 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.47 def Michael Lowe (AUS) 7.73
Heat 2: Cory Lopez (USA) 14.50 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 10.00
Heat 3: Kai Otton (AUS) 14.50 def. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 2.56
Heat 4: Andy Irons (HAW) 18.27 def. Victor Ribas (BRA) 3.16
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) 13.00 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 5.67
Heat 6: Daniel Wills (AUS) 11.00 def. Leonardo Neves (BRA) 9.36
Heat 7: Chris Ward (USA) 9.33 def. Ben Dunn (AUS) 9.13
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.66 def. Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 3.50
Heat 9: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.40 def. Kieren Perrow (AUS) 10.40
Heat 10: Dean Morrison (AUS) 17.37 def. Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 9.24
Heat 11: CJ Hobgood (USA) 12.50 def. Bruce Irons (HAW) 4.17
Heat 12: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 17.50 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 11.43
Heat 13: Bruno Santos (BRA) 11.34 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 6.17
Heat 14: Taylor Knox (USA) 16.56 def. Phillip Macdonald (AUS) 6.50

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 15: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 16: Travis Logie (ZAF) vs. Ricky Basnett (ZAF)

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE BACK IN ACTION AT ARICA

ARICA, Chile (Monday, June 25, 2007) – The Rip Curl Pro Search Chile, stop No. 4 of 10 on the Foster's ASP World Tour, will resume with the last two heats of Round 2 before moving into Round 3 this morning.

Twenty-five minute heats will commence in six foot (one metre) waves at Ex Isla Alacran at 7:30am local time.

"We woke this morning to clean, offshore conditions and we're looking to get things underway at 7:30am," ASP Head Judge Perry Hatchett said. "We have two heats left in Round 2 and then we're going to try to run as many heats of Round 3 as we can. To do this, we're going to try to drop the heats down to 25 minutes in order to fit in as many heats as possible. We're in a position here at this spot where we don't know if the sea breeze is going to come up before 11am or before 1pm and we don't want to be in a position where we have to send guys out in the onshore afternoon conditions."

Logon to www.aspworldtour.com/2007/ripcurlpro to watch it all LIVE!

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE REMAINING ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 15: Bernardo Miranda (BRA) vs. CJ Hobgood (USA)
Heat 16: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE UPCOMING ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Michael Lowe (AUS)
Heat 2: Cory Lopez (USA) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Heat 3: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
Heat 4: Andy Irons (HAW) vs. Victor Ribas (BRA)
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Seed #25
Heat 6: Daniel Wills (AUS) vs. Seed #24
Heat 7: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Kekoa Bacalso (HAW)
Heat 9: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 10: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Pancho Sullivan (HAW)
Heat 11: Bruce Irons (HAW) vs. Seed #26
Heat 12: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Frederick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Bruno Santos (BRA)
Heat 14: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Phillip Macdonald (AUS)
Heat 15: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 16: Travis Logie (ZAF) vs. Ricky Basnett (ZAF)

TEN HEATS OF ROUND 2 COMPLETED AT RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE

ARICA, Chile (Sunday, June 24, 2007) –Round 2 of the Rip Curl Pro Search ran ten heats of Foster's ASP World Tour action at Ex Isla Alacran today. Heats 4 through 10 were run in eight foot (two and a half metre) sets before the winds turned onshore and competition was called off.

Californian Chris Ward (USA) claimed the best barrel and the highest wave score of the day to eliminate Floridian Gabe Kling (USA) from their Round 2 heat. Ward's committed take off and subsequent six second cover-up garnered him a 9.83 wave score.

"I was lucky to get that wave and have it open up at the end because I was pulling in no matter what," Ward said. "I have a couple of backup boards on the beach and that's the way you've got to do it – you've just got to pull in. You never know if it's going to open up or closeout on you, you've just got to charge it. You end up on the rocks if you don't make it."

Ward was among the surfers charging the mammoth waves at Ex Isla Alacran during the two day competition recess. The Rip Curl Pro Search was put on hold the past two days citing dangerous conditions and the surfer's safety.

"These are the most dangerous waves I've ever surfed," Ward said. "This spot is right up there with Pipe and Teahupoo. It breaks in shallow water and there's no eel grass like we have in California to protect you from hitting the reef – just jagged rocks with barnacles and mussels. It doesn't feel too good on your feet without booties but I like surfing without them so it's worth a couple scrapes."

Also scoring an excellent barrel ride and eliminating last year's World No. 9 Tom Whitaker (AUS) was wildcard Bruno Santos of Brazil. Santos, who earned a wildcard into last month's Foster's ASP World Tour event in Tahiti, surfed against Whitaker in Round 2 there as well but with the opposite outcome.

"Tom is a big seed and a really good surfer but I feel really comfortable here," Santos said. "That one wasn't even a set wave and I almost fell inside the barrel because I was so deep but I like this kind of wave— big left barrels— and I'm really happy here."

Mick Lowe (AUS) bounced back from one of the worst wipeouts of the day to steal a last minute lead over Luke Stedman (AUS). Lowe slotted himself in a sizeable tube not long after breaking his board and paddling out on one smaller than he'd have preferred.

"It was all happening in that heat," Lowe said. "I penetrated first and thought I had it pretty easy, but then I went back over again. Luckily I was wearing a lot of rubber because I landed on my butt pretty hard. My board was broken so I let myself get washed in and grabbed another board. I was pumped up. The board felt pretty small but it got me that good wave and got me through the heat."

Two heats of Round 2 remain to be run. Heat 15 will feature Bernardo Miranda (BRA) vs. CJ Hobgood. Heat 16 will see Greg Emslie (ZAF) take on Josh Kerr (AUS). Another call on competition status will be made tomorrow morning at 7am.

Visit the media center on www.aspworldtour.com/2007/ripcurlpro for transcribed athlete interviews, downloadable wav files, hi-res images, heat by heat updates and more.

TODAY'S RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 4: Bruno Santos (BRA) 16.43 def. Tom Whitaker (AUS) 4.83
Heat 5: Daniel Wills (AUS) 4.47 def. David Weare (ZAF) 3.84
Heat 6: Cory Lopez (USA) 14.33 def. Luke Munro (AUS) 4.64
Heat 7: Dean Morrison (AUS) 13.50 def. Neco Padaratz (BRA) 9.63
Heat 8: Chris Ward (USA) 15.66 def. Gabe Kling (USA) 7.67
Heat 9: Ben Dunn (AUS) 12.00 def. Troy Brooks (AUS) 10.16
Heat 10: Michael Lowe (AUS) 12.23 def. Luke Stedman (AUS) 6.34
Heat 11: Royden Bryson (ZAF) N/A def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) N/S
Heat 12: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 14.67 def. Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 3.50
Heat 13: Ricky Basnett (ZAF) 7.10 def. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) 5.04
Heat 14: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 11.40 def. Dayyan Neve (AUS) 10.00

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE REMAINING ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 15: Bernardo Miranda (BRA) vs. CJ Hobgood (USA)
Heat 16: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)

PREVIOUS RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.50 def. Christian Merello (CHL) 5.90
Heat 2: Andy Irons (HAW) 13.20 def. Manuel Selman (CHL) 12.00
Heat 3: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.73 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 11.50

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE ROUND 2 RESUMES IN ARICA

ARICA, Chile (Sunday, June 24, 2007) – Round 2 of the Rip Curl Pro Search Chile, Stop 4 of 10 on the Foster's ASP World Tour, has recommenced in eight to 10 foot (three metre plus) waves in Arica this morning.

The first three heats of Round 2 were run on Thursday, June 21, but big, messy swell, saw the competition placed on hold until this morning. Heat 4 featuring Australia's Tom Whitaker and Brazilian wildcard Bruno Santos is in the water now.

Royden Bryson (ZAF) will receive a bye in Heat 11. Bryson was slated to meet Adriano de Souza who has left Chile to recover after hitting his head on the reef and receiving 15 stiches.

Logon to www.aspworldtour.com/2007/ripcurlpro to watch it all LIVE!

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 4: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Bruno Santos (BRA)
Heat 5: Daniel Wills (HAW) vs. David Weare (ZAF)
Heat 6: Cory Lopez (USA) vs. Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 7: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 8: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 9: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Troy Brooks (AUS)
Heat 10: Luke Stedman (AUS) vs. Michael Lowe (AUS)
Heat 11: BYE vs. Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 12: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Shaun Cansdell (AUS)
Heat 13: Ricky Basnett (ZAF) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 14: Frederick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 15: Bernardo Miranda (BRA) vs. CJ Hobgood (USA)
Heat 16: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS))

CHILEANS WIN FOSTER’S SURF SHOWDOWN – ROUND 2 CALLED OFF

ARICA, Chile (Saturday, June 23, 2007) – After another morning spent assessing the conditions at Ex-Isla Alacran, event organizers for the Rip Curl Pro Search Chile opted to run the Foster's Surf Showdown before calling Round 2 off for the day.

Event No. 4 on the 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Search Chile, was greeted with conditions similar to yesterday, with heaving 8 to 10 foot (three metre plus) waves detonating on the shallow reef. While officials deliberated on whether or not to send Round 2 out, the Foster's Surf Showdown took center stage.

The Showdown featured an hour-long battle royale pitting two-man teams representing the United States, South Africa, Australia, Brazil, the Foster's Rookies and a special host team from Chile against one another in the challenging conditions.

The exhibition was an incredible display of big-wave bravado as surfers charged the 10-foot bombs slamming into Ex-Isla Alacran. When the hour-long session finished, it was the Chilean Team, comprised of trialist Ramon Navarro and wildcard Manuel Selman, causing a sensational upset and claiming the Rip Curl Pro Search Chile Foster's Surf Showdown Title over runner-up Team USA, which featured Kelly Slater and Chris Ward.

"For me, this is amazing," Navarro said. "Having all the pros come to Chile and surf these waves is a dream and to have the opportunity to surf with them is incredible. I cannot believe this right now."

The thousands in attendance were extremely enthusiastic with every ride ridden, and the experience cemented the already-healthy respect that the competitors had for one another.

"I was stoked that the Chilean guys won because Ramon is nuts – he just lives to charge big waves," Slater said. "The first big closeout that came through, he took off on and I was just screaming. That guy is my hero. He's not scared; he just goes."

The result for Team USA sees them jump to the top of the 2007 Foster's Surf Showdown Ratings, dethroning the formerly leading Foster's Rookies.

Following the Foster's Surf Showdown, event organizers officially postponed Round 2 for the day, hoping for conditions to clean up in the morning.

The reef at Ex-Isla Alacran is quickly becoming one of the most infamous on tour, claiming skin and board alike with terrifying indifference.

Royden Bryson (ZAF) suffered one of two horrific wipeouts during the opening days of competition, the other sending Adriano de Souza (BRA) home following a concussion and 15 stitches to the head. As fate would have it, the two had been paired in the elimination Round 2 meaning that Bryson will receive a walkthrough to Round 3 with De Souza's departure.

"The waves for the first two days of the contest were so good – it was super perfect," Bryson said. "I think Adriano surfed on the first day and it was a little smaller and a little bit shallower – it's super shallow on the inside. Pretty much what happened to him happened to me, but fortunately I hit everything else except for my head. What can one say? I'm just fortunate to have a walkthrough and it's unfortunate what happened to Adriano."

When competition commences, Heat 4 of Round 2 will be first up featuring Tom Whitaker (AUS) and Bruno Santos (BRA).

Next call will be at 7am local time tomorrow morning for a possible 7:30am start.

The event will be webcast LIVE on http://www.aspworldtour.com/2007/ripcurlpro/

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE FOSTER'S SURF SHOWDOWN RESULTS:
1. Chile (Manuel Selman/Ramon Navarro) 1200 points
2. USA (Chris Ward/Kelly Slater) 1032 points
3. Australia (Danny Wills/Phillip MacDonald) 876 points
4. Brazil (Bernardo Miranda/Bruno Santos) 804
5. South Africa (Greg Emslie/David Weare) 732
6. Foster's Rookies (Josh Kerr/Luke Munro) 699

CURRENT 2007 FOSTER'S SURF SHOWDOWN RATINGS (AFTER CHILE):
1. USA: 3984 points
2. Foster's Rookies: 3831 points
3. Australia: 3660 points
4. South Africa: 3372 points
5. Brazil: 3144 points
6. Hawaii: 1764 points

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE REMAINING ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 4: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Bruno Santos (BRA)
Heat 5: Daniel Wills (HAW) vs. David Weare (ZAF)
Heat 6: Cory Lopez (USA) vs. Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 7: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 8: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 9: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Troy Brooks (AUS)
Heat 10: Luke Stedman (AUS) vs. Michael Lowe (AUS)
Heat 11: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 12: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Shaun Cansdell (AUS)
Heat 13: Ricky Basnett (ZAF) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 14: Frederick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 15: Bernardo Miranda (BRA) vs. CJ Hobgood (USA)
Heat 16: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.50 def. Christian Merello (CHL) 5.90
Heat 2: Andy Irons (HAW) 13.20 def. Manuel Selman (CHL) 12.00
Heat 3: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.73 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 11.50

WILD SURF STALLS RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE

ARICA, Chile (Friday, June 22, 2007) – The Rip Curl Pro Search Chile, stop No. 4 of 10 on the Foster's ASP World Tour, will not run today. Contest officials surveyed the heavy eight to 10 foot (three metre plus) waves rushing the rocks at the contest site off Ex Isla Alacran for several hours before making the call.

Citing concerns for the safety of the surfers, Contest Director Neil Ridgeway, ASP Head Judge Perry Hatchett and ASP Surfer Representative Phil Macdonald decided to call the competition off for the day.

"We went on hold for a few hours to see if the conditions improved and they didn't," Macdonald said. "It's kind of all over the place out there and the safety of the competitors is a huge issue. I think if we'd have gone out today someone would have been injured. It's not the wave size that is an issue, it's the well being of the surfers. We have 10 more days to run the contest and plenty of swell so let's just wait until tomorrow to see what happens next."

According to Ben Matson of swellnet.com.au: "A very large swell in excess of 12 feet (four metres) is expected to provide challenging conditions on Friday and Saturday for the Rip Curl Pro Search in Arica."

The first three heats of Round 2 were run yesterday with Andy Irons (HAW), Taj Burrow (AUS) and Kieren Perrow (AUS) advancing. Another call on competition status will be made tomorrow morning at 7am.

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE UPCOMING ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 4: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Bruno Santos (BRA)
Heat 5: Daniel Wills (HAW) vs. David Weare (ZAF)
Heat 6: Cory Lopez (USA) vs. Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 7: Dean MOrrison (AUS) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 8: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 9: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Troy Brooks (AUS)
Heat 10: Luke Stedman (AUS) vs. Michael Lowe (AUS)
Heat 11: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 12: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Shaun Cansdell (AUS)
Heat 13: Ricky Basnett (ZAF) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 14: Frederick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 15: Bernardo Miranda (BRA) vs. CJ Hobgood (USA)
Heat 16: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)

IRONS NARROWLY ESCAPES ELIMINATION AT RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE

ARICA, Chile (Thursday, June 20, 2007) – Only seven heats of the Rip Curl Pro Chile, stop No. 4 of 10 on the 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour, were run today, but near perfect rides were ridden in four of them.

Former three-time ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW) earned a much-needed 9.70 out of 10.00 with just three minutes left in his heat against local Chilean wildcard Manuel Selman.

"I was ready to go home at the end of that heat; I was about to pack my bags and go and have a two-week break," Irons said. "It's just the way my year has been going. It was a really slow and sketchy heat and the local kid knew where to surf and got a couple of 6.0s. I had a 3.0 and thought that was it. I needed and 8.50, and that point, there weren't too many 8.50's coming through. I knew I was in trouble."

The defending Rip Curl Pro Search champion was critically close to adding another 33rd (last) place result to his ratings scoreline when he twisted fate with a deep tuberide in the dying minutes of the heat.

"I was paddling into the wave and it sucked up like Pipe – it had a nice line to it," Irons said. "I made sure I was a little behind the peak and I knew I had to get really deep – I needed an 8.50. Right toward the end it got kind of washy and wild but when I came out it was instant relief; I knew I got the score, but I wasn't sure if he was on the wave behind me."

Selman was on the wave following, but failed to emerge from the tube.

The remaining four heats of Round 1 and the first three heats of Round 2 were run in solid eight to 10 foot (two to three plus metre) waves before inconsistent conditions and unfavorable winds forced officials to call off competition for the day.

Like Irons, Leonardo Neves (BRA), Kai Otton (AUS) and Kieren Perrow (AUS) also posted waves in the high 9.0s today. Otton paired his 9.93 with an 8.17 to earn the highest heat total of the event thus far, an 18.10. His 9.93 wave score ties Neves' for the event highest as well.

"I love these kind of waves," Otton said. "I'm from the South Coast in Australia– the far south coast of New South Wales – and there are reefs and ledges everywhere there. I've grown up surfing these types of waves but this one is unbelievable. It's definitely dangerous. It's a nine out of 10 for danger for sure."

Brazilian Leonardo Neves looked dangerous when he came out of a deep barrel to beat Cory Lopez (USA) and Shaun Cansdell (AUS) in their Round 1 clash.

"I dropped down, turned and didn't event look," Neves said. "The surfboard did all of the work and then when I came out of the barrel I thought maybe it would be a good score like a 7.0 or an 8.00. A minute or two later I heard the score and thought, 'wow, a 9.93, it was really good!' I am really happy."

Former Foster's ASP World Tour surfer and event wildcard Perrow took out world No. 5 Bede Durbidge (AUS) after earning a 9.73 late in their Round 2 duel.

"The wave was doubling up so I really wanted to get underneath it at the start," Perrow said. "It's kind of hard to get in some of those waves out there so I tried to be a little deep. I took off and saw that section so I had to high-line it in the beginning, but then it really opened up. My board was getting bounced around a fair bit inside, but I saw the exit and it just sort of spat me through it. I was so stoked. It's the first time I've claimed a wave in a while."

Chilean wildcard Christian Merello was not quite as lucky. Morello pulled into a huge closeout wave and had to come in and regain his composure before heading back out into his heat with tour front-runner Taj Burrow. Burrow easily eliminated Merello in the large, almost life-threatening Round 2 conditions today.

"It's a crazy slab," Burrow said. "You just have to pick that right one and hopefully get spat out the end. When you come out, you have to start moving because if you get cleaned up in there you'll end up like Royden (Bryson) earlier – he got hammered. It was scary to watch. You've got to get in and out."

Bryson suffered a heavy wipeout and was washed up on the rocks during his Round 1 heat against fellow South Africans Greg Emslie and Travis Logie.

"It was a super weird heat," Logie said. "It was the first time that three South Africans have been in a heat in World Tour history. We thought it was going to be a fun heat, but it was actually a bit heavy. I snapped a board and Royden landed straight on dry reef and I think he's a bit concussed actually. He paddled back out and he was throwing up so I'm a bit worried about him. I hope he's okay."

Bryson is reported to be doing fine, as is Adriano de Souza who needed 15 stitches after hitting his head on the reef yesterday. Oddly enough, the two will meet up in Heat 11 of Round 2.

With the swell expected to hold through tomorrow morning, contest officials are confident that Heat 4 of Round 2 will hit the water at 7:30am local time.

Visit the media center on www.aspworldtour.com/2007/ripcurlpro for transcribed athlete interviews, downloadable wav files, hi-res images, heat by heat updates and more.

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.50 def. Christian Merello (CHL) 5.90
Heat 2: Andy Irons (HAW) 13.20 def. Manuel Selman (CHL) 12.00
Heat 3: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.73 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 11.50

TODAY'S RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 13: Travis Logie (ZAF) 11.50, Royden Bryson (ZAF) 10.00, Greg Emslie (ZAF) 7.00
Heat 14: Leonardo Neves (BRA) 15.26, Cory Lopez (USA) 9.66, Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 5.10
Heat 15: Kai Otton (AUS) 18.10, Josh Kerr (AUS) 12.67, Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) 7.00
Heat 16: Taylor Knox (USA) 13.90, CJ Hobgood (USA) 7.94, Dayyan Neve (AUS) 2.90

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE REMAINING ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 4: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Bruno Santos (BRA)
Heat 5: Daniel Wills (HAW) vs. David Weare (ZAF)
Heat 6: Cory Lopez (USA) vs. Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 7: Dean MOrrison (AUS) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 8: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 9: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Troy Brooks (AUS)
Heat 10: Luke Stedman (AUS) vs. Michael Lowe (AUS)
Heat 11: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 12: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Shaun Cansdell (AUS)
Heat 13: Ricky Basnett (ZAF) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 14: Frederick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 15: Bernardo Miranda (BRA) vs. CJ Hobgood (USA)
Heat 16: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)

SWELL IS UP AND RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE IS BACK ON

ARICA, Chile (Thursday, June 21, 2007) – As projected, the swell has increased overnight with 6 to 8 foot (two metre) waves gracing Ex-Isla Alacran for Day 2 of the Rip Curl Pro Search Chile.

Event No. 4 of the 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Search Chile enjoyed great waves for the Day 1 of competition and the first pulses of the forecasted swell have begun to show.

Event organizers will follow the same plan as yesterday, running as many heats as possible before the onshore winds kick in this afternoon.

Yesterday revealed some incredible action with surprise upsets and committed barrel-riding, and Ex-Isla Alacran promises much of the same for Day 2 beginning with the final four heats of Round 1 before progressing into the elimination Round 2.

The first heat of the day will be an all-South African affair with the veteran Greg Emslie (ZAF) squaring off against the youngsters Travis Logie (ZAF) and Royden Bryson (ZAF).

"I haven't talked to them but I'm pretty sure the guys will take turns out there," Emslie said. "It's going to be a tough heat. Those two small goofy-footers are going to be sneaking into a lot of little barrels so I'll have my work cut out for me. It's going to be fun though."

The event is being webcast LIVE on http://www.aspworldtour.com/2007/ripcurlpro/

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE REMAINING ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 13: Travis Logie (ZAF), Greg Emslie (ZAF), Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 14: Cory Lopez (USA), Leonardo Neves (BRA), Shaun Cansdell (AUS)
Heat 15: Kai Otton (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 16: Taylor Knox (USA), CJ Hobgood (USA), Dayyan Neve (AUS)

FANNING AND FLORES SET THE PACE AT RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE

ARICA, Chile (Wednesday, June 20, 2007) – Foster's ASP World Tour No. 1 Mick Fanning (AUS) and in-form rookie Jeremy Flores (FRA) wasted no time finding their feet in Round 1 of the Rip Curl Pro Chile. Heats 1 through 12 were run in four to six foot (two to three metre) waves at the meaty point-break wave of Ex-Isla Alacran today. Fanning and Flores set the pace and are both through to Round 3.

Fanning, who is better known for his fast, explosive surfing than his barrel riding, snuck into a tube with 13 seconds on the clock to earn the 8.80 that won him the heat. Prior to that wave, Fanning trailed Dean Morrison (AUS) by 6.50 points.

"I knew I could get the 6.00 or the 7.00 if I could just get the wave," Fanning said. "I was looking at those rights all day long and I was lucky that I snuck into one at the end. I didn't think that wave was going to be all that great, but it sectioned off a bit longer than I thought and I got lucky. I haven't beaten Dean in so long so I'm stoked to get him back."

Fanning's two wave total of 17.57 out of 20.00 was the highest of the day. Pair his Round 1 performance at Ex-Isla Alacran with his final berth in Tahiti and it's hard to believe that barrel riding has not always been his forte.

"I've worked really hard on it," Fanning said. "I knew that if I was going to have any chance of winning the world title, I'd have to go and practice riding barreling lefts and that's what I did. I went to Teahupoo early and surfed it everyday and I feel comfortable out there. I came here early too."

Fanning has made the final in two of three events this year and has won the first contest of the year. His worst finish of 2007 is a 3rd place result in Bells Beach, Australia. Despite the hype that Fanning looks like he could bring the world title back to Australia for the first time since Mark Occhilupo (AUS) won it in 1999, the Gold Coast surfer swares he's taking it all in stride.

"There's no pressure because it's a long year and there has only been three events," Fanning said. "You can't rest on your laurels when you've only had three events. You've got to go out there and keep attacking and that's what I'm doing. I'm not going to stop until the end."

Flores' event-high wave score of 9.63 out of 10.00 helped him send Bernardo Miranda (BRA) and Mick Lowe (AUS) to the first elimination round today. The highest rated rookie on tour (he currently sits 9th in the ratings) beat current world No. 2 Taj Burrow in Round 1 of the last stop on tour in Tahiti – the same event in which he eliminated eight-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) in Round 4.

"It was just a really peaky wave; there was a right and a left," Flores said of his high scoring ride. "Bernardo was in a good spot too, but he didn't really hassle so I was lucky with that. I took the wave and the opportunity. At the start, I didn't really see the barrel because it wasn't too clean, but at the end, it got really round and really good."

Flores, like several of the surfers competing in the Rip Curl Pro Search Chile, surfed the wave for the first time yesterday. He was pleased with the quality of the break.

"Last year, I saw the waves they had in Mexico and heard Rip Curl say, 'we're going to try to find the best waves in the world,' so I was positive they were going to find a really good wave for this year," Flores said. "It is a sick wave and I think we're really lucky to be here."

Defending Rip Curl Pro Champion Andy Irons (HAW) wasn't feeling quite as lucky when fellow Hawaiian Pancho Sullivan took out their Round 1 heat. Sullivan, who is large in stature and generally revels in bigger, heavier waves, was delighted to surf such a powerful break.

"I love surfing meaty waves that really get the adrenaline going," Sullivan said. "You've got to really position yourself late to get a good barrel here – every takeoff is critical. That's what this whole tour is about – pushing the level of performance in heavier, consequential waves. I think this is an incredible move by Rip Curl to create an event like this where the objective is to roam the planet and find the best waves possible."

Burrow, like Irons, will also negotiate Round 2 after finishing second in his three-man heat. Wildcard Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) beat Burrow and rookie Ben Dunn (AUS) to advance to Round 3. Bacalso has already enjoyed a certain amount of success in the elite tour arena – he's claimed the scalps of a couple full-time Foster's ASP World Tour surfers during his stints as a wildcard.

"Taj is a badass surfer and I just had to focus on what I had to do and not worry about him," Bacalso said. "I just went out there with an open mind and stuck to my game plan. I somehow got a couple rights and won the heat."

Slater also won his heat today. Coming into the event rated World No. 6, the eight-time ASP World Champion hinted that he almost skipped the event but changed his mind when he saw the outstanding swell forecast for the June 20 to July 1 waiting period.

"I'm basically motivated to be here by the quality of swell and the wave that we get to surf – the combination of the two," Slater said. "Coming to Chile too – this is the first time we've had a tour event in Chile and I thought that because of that, it would be important to be here and see what it was all about and meet the people."

Bobby Martinez (USA), Bruce Irons (HAW), Raoni Monteiro (BRA), Phillip Macdonald (AUS), Damien Hobgood (USA), Joel Parkinson (AUS) and Victor Ribas (BRA) also won their first ever competitive clashes in Chile today.

Unfavorable winds forced event officials to call off the remaining four heats of Round 1. Another call on competition status will be made tomorrow morning at 7am. Swell forecasts courtesy of Ben Matson at www.swellnet.com indicate that waves could approach 10 foot (three plus metres) by tomorrow afternoon.

Visit the media center on

www.aspworldtour.com/2007/ripcurlpro for transcribed athlete interviews, downloadable wav files, hi-res images, heat by heat updates and more!

RIP CURL SEARCH PRO ARICA - ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Bobby Martinez (USA) 15.50, Troy Brooks (AUS) 7.50, Ricky Basnett (ZAF) 2.33
Heat 2: Bruce Irons (HAW) 12.67, Gabe Kling (USA) 6.27, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 5.07
Heat 3: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 10.50, Neco Padaratz (BRA) 4.37, Tom Whitaker (AUS) 2.17
Heat 4: Phillip MacDonald (AUS) 13.16, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 5.17, Luke Munro (AUS) 3.60
Heat 5: Damien Hobgood (USA) 17.56 , David Weare (ZAF) 11.40, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 6.76
Heat 6: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.40, Bruno Santos (BRA) 5.33, Luke Stedman (AUS) 2.40
Heat 7: Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 12.84, Andy Irons (HAW) 12.33, Kieren Perrow (AUS) 8.43
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS) 17.57, Dean Morrison (AUS) 15.27, Christian Morello (CHL) 7.40
Heat 9: Kelly Slater (USA) 13.24, Chris Ward (USA) 10.33, Manuel Selman (CHL) 8.50
Heat 10: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 13.67, Ben Dunn (AUS) 13.20, Taj Burrow (AUS) 11.27
Heat 11: Victor Ribas (BRA) 14.66, Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 14.34, Daniel Wills (AUS) 6.36
Heat 12: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 16.96, Bernardo Miranda (BRA) 14.50, Michael Lowe (AUS) 6.93

RIP CURL SEARCH PRO ARICA REMAINING ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 13: Travis Logie (ZAF), Greg Emslie (ZAF), Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 14: Cory Lopez (USA), Leonardo Neves (BRA), Shaun Cansdell (AUS)
Heat 15: Kai Otton (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 16: Taylor Knox (USA), CJ Hobgood (USA), Dayyan Neve (AUS)

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE UNDERWAY IN ARICA

ARICA, Chile (Wednesday, June 20, 2007) – The first heat of official Foster's ASP World Tour action in Chile is underway in Arica. Heat 1 of Round 1 of the Rip Curl Pro Search Chile features Bobby Martinez (USA), Ricky Basnett (ZAF) and Troy Brooks (AUS) contesting four to six foot (one to two metre) waves at Ex-Isla Alacran.

Competition began at 7:30 local time and heats are 30 minutes in duration. Contest officials will endeavor to get through as many heats as possible each day before unfavorable winds set in – something that occurs almost daily by mid-afternoon.

Heats 5 through 10 feature top seeded surfers Damien Hobgood (USA), Joel Parkinson (AUS), Andy Irons (HAW), Mick Fanning (AUS), Kelly Slater (USA) and Taj Burrow (AUS) in that order.

Heat 13 is an all South African affair with Travis Logie, Greg Emslie and Royden Bryson each looking to avoid having to surf Round 2.

Logon to www.aspworldtour.com and www.ripcurl.com/chile to watch it all LIVE!

RIP CURL SEARCH PRO ARICA - ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Bobby Martinez (USA), Ricky Basnett (ZAF), Troy Brooks (AUS)
Heat 2: Bruce Irons (HAW), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 3: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Raoni Monteiro (BRA), Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 4: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Phillip MacDonald (AUS), Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 5: Damien Hobgood (USA), Adriano de Souza (BRA), David Weare (ZAF)
Heat 6: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Luke Stedman (AUS), Bruno Santos (BRA)
Heat 7: Andy Irons (HAW), Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS), Dean Morrison (AUS), Cristian Merello (CHL)
Heat 9: Kelly Slater (USA), Chris Ward (USA), Manuel Selman (CHL)
Heat 10: Taj Burrow (AUS), Ben Dunn (AUS), Kekoa Bacalso (HAW)
Heat 11: Daniel Wills (AUS), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Victor Ribas (BRA)
Heat 12: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Bernardo Miranda (BRA), Michael Lowe (AUS)
Heat 13: Travis Logie (ZAF), Greg Emslie (ZAF), Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 14: Cory Lopez (USA), Leonardo Neves (BRA), Shaun Cansdell (AUS)
Heat 15: Kai Otton (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 16: Taylor Knox (USA), CJ Hobgood (USA), Dayyan Neve (AUS)

SLATER AND IRONS POISED TO BRING THE HEAT TO CHILE

ARICA, Chile (Tuesday, June 19, 2007) – Reigning and 8X Foster's ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) and three-time Foster's ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW) are accustomed to filling top spots in the ratings.

They will enter the Rip Curl Pro Search Chile an uncharacteristic 6th and 7th in the world respectively. The event is the 4th of 10 on this season's Foster's ASP World Tour and is being held in the North Chilean village of Arica from June 20 to July 1, 2007.

Slater, who was sitting with a mammoth ratings lead that saw him well on his way to earning his eighth world title by this time last year, hasn't won an event since early 2006. His 9th place finish at the last Foster's ASP World Tour event in Teahupoo was his worst result in years.

"I haven't really surfed an inspired year so far," Slater said. "I did pretty well on the Gold Coast but I haven't really been able to concentrate start to finish to put an event together for myself yet. Realistically I need to put a hundred percent toward the goal to win 10 world titles, but if I'm not going to put myself in the right place to win nine, I can't do that."

Slater has posted victories at every event on the Foster's ASP World Tour except the Rip Curl Pro Search. He arrived today, the day before the contest, and has yet to surf the contest break off Ex-Isla Alacran.

"Somebody asked me, 'are you really showing up and just expecting to surf this wave?' but I've surfed so many waves all over the world and this is the kind of wave I really like, I think it suits me really well," Slater said. "I've watched a lot of video of the spot and just going down there and watching it today, even though obviously it won't look the same tomorrow because it's going to get much bigger, I got a quick feel for it. It's not a huge lineup to learn."

Despite having yet to experience the power and flux of the lineup, Slater admits that his affinity for waves such as Ex-Isla Alacran will play to his advantage.

"It's like a beach break on a reef – a short, punchy little wave that's really hollow – the kind of wave I love," Slater said. "There's a right, a left and you've got to just look at the angles the wave is coming in on. When a wave comes in that's going to barrel, you can line the thing up and know where you need to be so that's not the biggest problem; the bigger problem is knowing where is the reef really shallow, where you can get hurt, that sort of thing. That's probably the biggest concern for all of us."

Irons, defending Rip Curl Pro Search champion, won his last world title in 2004. He sits just behind Slater on the ratings and both are expected to make a push in Chile given their prowess in conditions similar to those on offer.

"Well Kelly is a great surfer and he's been saying that he might retire for a while now, but he's here and he says he's ready, so I'm sure he'll go out there and make an effort," Irons said. "Personally, I'm not approaching this event any different than I would any other. I kind of like not having the spotlight on me as it let's me slip under the radar a little bit."

Taj Burrow (AUS) is among the surfers headed to Chile with a bull's eye on his back; he currently sits in second place just below ASP World No. 1 Mick Fanning (AUS). Burrow, who finished world runner-up in 1999 and 2001, hasn't sat above both Slater and Irons on the ASP ratings for some time.

"It's different to see those two sit a little further down the ratings – I think they were kind of just cruising earlier this year," Burrow said. "For me it just seems the people that are the hungriest and most focused are ahead for that reason. I think myself and Mick are really trying the hardest out of anyone right now. Kelly, Andy and Joel (Parkinson) are huge threats and they could easily get on a roll any day now. It's going to be exciting for sure when it comes down to crunch time later in the year."

The 48-man format used by the Foster's ASP World Tour is generally comprised of the Top 45 and three event wildcards. However, a rash of recent and still healing injuries will see five wildcards and one ASP replacement surfer offset the 42 full-time Foster's ASP campaigners in Chile.

Timmy Reyes (USA) has yet to surf professionally since doing major damage to ligaments in his knee seven months ago. Though first ASP replacement Trent Munro (AUS) just missed requalifing for the elite tour last year, he has surfed in Reyes absence in the first three events of 2007. When Munro declined the Chilean berth, second ASP replacement surfer, South African David Weare (the surfer next in line to qualify via the World Qualifying Series) accepted the invitation.

Mark Occhilupo (AUS) and Mick Campbell (AUS) suffered back and ankle injuries respectively and were forced to withdrawal as well. Manuel Selman (CHL) and Cristian Merello (CHL) are the two Chilean trials winners who earned main event berths. They will be joined in the draw by Rip Curl appointed wildcards Kieren Perrow (AUS), Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) and Bruno Santos (BRA).

According to Ben Matson at Swellnet.com.au: "A solid swell and favorable conditions are expected to deliver great waves at Ex-Isla Alacran on Thursday morning."

That said, the Rip Curl Pro Search waiting period will commence tomorrow, Wednesday, June 20, and a call on competition status will be made at 7am.

For more information, visit www.aspworldtour.com and www.ripcurl.com/chile.

RIP CURL SEARCH PRO ARICA - ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Bobby Martinez (USA), Ricky Basnett (ZAF), Troy Brooks (AUS)
Heat 2: Bruce Irons (HAW), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 3: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Raoni Monteiro (BRA), Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 4: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Phillip MacDonald (AUS), Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 5: Damien Hobgood (USA), Adriano de Souza (BRA), David Weare (ZAF)
Heat 6: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Luke Stedman (AUS), Bruno Santos (BRA)
Heat 7: Andy Irons (HAW), Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS), Dean Morrison (AUS), Cristian Merello (CHL)
Heat 9: Kelly Slater (USA), Chris Ward (USA), Manuel Selman (CHL)
Heat 10: Taj Burrow (AUS), Ben Dunn (AUS), Kekoa Bacalso (HAW)
Heat 11: Daniel Wills (AUS), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Victor Ribas (BRA)
Heat 12: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Bernardo Miranda (BRA), Michael Lowe (AUS)
Heat 13: Travis Logie (ZAF), Greg Emslie (ZAF), Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 14: Cory Lopez (USA), Leonardo Neves (BRA), Shaun Cansdell (AUS)
Heat 15: Kai Otton (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 16: Taylor Knox (USA), CJ Hobgood (USA), Dayyan Neve (AUS