All the match-ups and a brief run down on what’s going down. |
Local O’Neill wildcard Ratboy Collins will need to go big to progress through heat with either Slater or Parkinson.
The clock’s ticking down as we brace for event 9 of 10 on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the O’Neill Cold Water Classic.
Northern California is home to not only cold water, but plenty of kelp, seals and white sharks – and for the next 10 days the world’s best surfers too.
The event is to be held primarily (conditions dependent) at Santa Cruz’s Steamer Lane from November 1 – 11, 2012.
The wave itself offers some doughy sections for big rail turns and even an air section at times on the inside. Some goofyfooters may even have their eye’s on the peak that breaks across from the point which offers a predominantly left-hander back towards the point. It may suffice for a score if priority is a problem in inconsistent waves off the point.
With five surfers mathematically still in the hunt for the title and four close enough you could throw a blanket over them it’s going to be an exciting event (waves permitting).
Wildcard # 1 Jason ‘Ratboy’ Collins (event sponsor O’Neills pick).
Wildcard # 2 Will be winner of the 12 man invite only trials: Invited athletes include several Santa Cruz locals Nat Young, Bud Freitas, Noi Kaulukukui, Adam Replogle, Josh Mulcoy, Randy Bonds, Shaun Burns, Josh Loya and Jimmy Herrick, as well as, Johny Craft (Carmel, CA), Cory Lopez (Indian Rocks, FL) and Tim Reyes (Huntington Beach, CA).
Let’s get it on!
Note: Who’s your pick? Team Tracks feel’s Parko has this one in the bag.
Heat # 1
red Julian Wilson AUS
yellow Alejo Muniz BRA
black Taylor Knox USA
Heat # 2
Red Adriano De Souza BRA
yellow Kai Otton AUS
black Jadson Andre BRA
Heat # 3
red John John Florence HAW
yellow Heitor Alves BRA
black Patrick Gudauskas USA
Heat # 4
red Mick Fanning AUS
yellow Kieren Perrow AUS
black Dusty Payne HAW
Heat # 5
red Kelly Slater USA
yellow Kolohe Andino USA
black Nat Young (USA) (wilcard – trials winner)
Heat # 6
red Joel Parkinson AUS
yellow Damien Hobgood USA
black Jason Collins USA (wildcard)
Heat # 7
red Taj Burrow AUS
yellow Brett Simpson USA
black Matt Wilkinson AUS
Heat # 8
red Gabriel Medina BRA
yellow Bede Durbidge AUS
black Adam Melling AUS
Heat # 9
red Owen Wright AUS
yellow Miguel Pupo BRA
black Yadin Nicol AUS
Heat #10
red Josh Kerr AUS
yellow Michel Bourez PYF
black Raoni Monteiro BRA
Heat #11
red Jeremy Flores FRA
yellow CJ Hobgood USA
black Travis Logie ZAF
Heat #12
red Jordy Smith ZAF
yellow Adrian Buchan AUS
black Tiago Pires PRT
Watch it live: HERE