Beyond Boarders

Taking the JBay crown, Kelly Slater, is simply unstoppable this year winning four out of five events on the ASP World Tour. It is his 38th ASP World Tour victory and puts him in commanding contention to claim his 9th ASP World Title.

Labels: 2008, ASP World Tour, J-Bay, Jeffreys Bay, Kelly Slater

The Billabong Pro at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, which is Stop No. 5 of 11 on the 2008 ASP World Tour, got off to a flying start and there was no shortage of standout surfing.
ASP World Tour veteran, Taylor Knox (USA) stole the show in perfect four to six foot (one to two metre) waves. Taylor posted near perfect 9.90 and a 9.80 wave scores to give him a combined heat total of 19.70 out of 20.00 points. That is reckoned to be the highest combined score in his 15 year career. What's more, he had a further 9.00 in his scoreline to spare.

The event has a scheduled waiting period running through July 20, 2008 but it is expected that conditions will be good for round 2 playoffs to carry on tomorrow.

Labels: ASP World Tour, J-Bay, Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, Taylor Knox

Australian Taj Burrow has beaten Kelly Slater (USA) to win the 2007 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay. The victory is Burrow's second on the 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour and moves him to World No. 2 on the ASP ratings. Indeed, with their final place points, Slater and Burrows have blown the fight for the World crown wide open.
It is now halfway through the tour, Mick Fanning (AUS) still holds the number one spot with 4860 points but Taj Burrow moves up to second, just 524 points behind. Andy Irons (HAW) has 3921 points in position three, while Kelly Slater (USA) now sits threateningly on 3840 points, in fourth position; Joel Parkinson (AUS) is fifth in the rankings and starting to trail with 3804 points, having been stopped by Burrows in the quarter-finals.

Mick Fanning commented, "Taj surfed insanely the whole event." However, despite falling to Taj Burrow in the semis, Fanning's consistency remains unchallenged this year with three 3rds, a 1st and a 2nd.

The men's tour now enjoys a six week break before reconvening at Lower Trestles, California, USA, in September.

Labels: 2007, ASP World Tour, Billabong Pro, Jeffreys Bay, Taj Burrow

Stop No. 5 on the 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay gets underway tomorrow; the event waiting period is July 11-22.
If you cannot be there in person, you can join the hordes of spectators at the event by viewing on the live webcast. For those luck enough to be there, a three-day J-Bay Music Festival will keep them partying on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings,
12-14 July.

This could prove to be a vital competition for the title contenders Mick Fanning, Damien Hobgood, Andy Irons, Taj Burrow and Joel Parkinson but South Africans Ricky Basnett, Royden Bryson, Greg Emslie, Travis Logie and young Jordy Smith, currently rated second on the ASP World Qualifying Series, are all capable of spoiling their game plan.

Labels: 2007, ASP World Tour, Billabong Pro, J-Bay, Jeffreys Bay, South Africa