Major upsets highlighted sensational surfing in the inaugural Rip Curl Search WCT event at Reunion Island's St Leu break where Australian surfers have dominated the third round with six of them winning through to the final eight contenders.
Taj Burrow and Trent Munro were eliminated by fellow Australians, Danny Wills and Jake Paterson, while 14th seeded Australian Phil MacDonald posted the best total heat score of the event (17.90) to knock out third seeded compatriot, Joel Parkinson.
Heading the upsets was Australian Darren O'Rafferty, the 17th seed, eliminating America's six-time world champion and current world ratings leader Kelly Slater. Then, immediately following that surprise,
Brazilian Peterson Rosa, the 19th seed, produced an equally stunning shock to eliminate Hawaii's reigning three-time world champion Andy Irons.
The rout continued with eighth seeded Australian Mick Fanning managing to retain superiority over spirited Brazilian 26th seed Marcelo Nunes and sixth seeded Australian Nathan Hedge having a clear win over South African rookie Travis Logie.
American Cory Lopez spoiled the Australian party by just managing to beat Luke Egan.
In the quarter final draw Rosa is matched against Lopez, so low odds against an all Australian final. Other quarter final draws are: Wills versus Paterson, Fanning against O'Rafferty and MacDonald against Hedge.
More surfing video of the competition highlights.
