Tom Whitaker (AUS), 30, current No. 33, on the ASP World Tour, will need a solid result in order to remain amongst the world’s elite following the Billabong Pro Tahiti.
 

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Friday, August 12, 2010) – Event No. 5 of 10 on the 2010 ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Teahupoo, boasts a venue largely considered one of the most dangerous waves on the planet, and with solid swells projected and the added pressure of the mid-year ASP field reduction, this season’s Billabong Pro Tahiti is turning into one of the heaviest events in history.

Culminating the first half of the 2010 ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Tahiti will be the final opportunity for the ASP Top 45 to secure the results needed to finish in the Top 32 on the ASP World Title rankings. Following the event in Tahiti, only the Top 32 ranked surfers will continue on throughout the back half of the season.

Tom Whitaker (AUS), 30, is into his eighth season amongst the world’s elite, but a slow start in 2010 could see the Sydney-sider slip off the ASP World Tour following the Billabong Pro Tahiti.

“The waves have been pretty fun this year and some great surfing has been going down,” Whitaker said. “Obviously, I have not got through as many heats as I would have liked, but that’s surfing – be patient and hopefully the waves will come.”

Currently ranked No. 33 on the ASP World Title rankings, Whitaker is confident in his abilities at the infamous break, and admits that his biggest concern will be missing his newborn son.

“The goal is to move up and get tubed,” Whitaker said. “I’m trying not to get too focused on the cutoff, just keep it simple and enjoy. Being away from my new son Finn is probably going to be the biggest challenge. It always takes a while to run the contest over there. Hopefully it’s pumping – that will make the contest really cool for the guys at the back fighting for the cut and for the finals day.”

Jeremy Flores (FRA), 22, currently ranked No. 24 on the ASP World Title rankings, is into his fourth season amongst the world’s best surfers, and despite feeling relatively safe from the mid-year cut-off, admits to his slow start to 2010 playing with his confidence.

“This is kind of new for me,” Flores said. “I’ve always started the year well at the first few events, but not this year. I was injured last year. I did everything to be back healthy and in good form. I felt really good physical all year, but I’ve been struggling a lot trying to find some good board. I’ve been trying to change my dimensions and stuff, but it’s tough. However, I feel good in Tahiti. I love left barrels so hopefully I’ll do something good there.”

Patrick Gudauskas (USA), 24, currently ranked No. 33 on the ASP World Title rankings, has been one of the rookies faced with enduring a harsh learning curve in 2010. Formerly offered the opportunity of a whole season to figure things out at the highest level of competition, this season’s rookies have had to perform quickly or face the cut-off.

“My rookie year thus far has been all about learning,” Gudauskas said. “With every heat under my belt, I feel more confident and comfortable heading into the next one. I haven’t had the breakout result I expected, but I believe I am capable of it. I think in part it’s due to getting more and more experience at the different waves. Plus a few tight losses going to the veterans. I’m not beat up as much as I just feel energetic at another chance to show my stuff.”

Despite the necessity for a solid result, Gudauskas remains positive of the situation and in his ability to perform at Teahupoo.

“I love challenges,” Gudauskas said. “Sitting behind the cutoff, I’m excited for the challenge heading into Tahiti. I’m preparing my best for it and looking forward to putting it all on the line. The biggest challenge will probably be just getting in rhythm with the lineups and making sure you get onto the best pits. Time to get some quality time in the green room.”

Ben Dunn (AUS), 24, into his fourth season on the ASP World Tour, is currently sitting No. 38 on the ASP World Title rankings and faces the possibility of falling outside the world’s elite in Tahiti. An able performer in all conditions, Dunn is avoiding thoughts of the cut-off until the Billabong Pro Tahiti is finished.

“I’m trying not to think about that too much,” Dunn said. “Tahiti is an easy place to do well and it’s an easy place to lose. You just need to get the best waves and get pitted. If it’s big, it’s different. I’m just going to try to get the best pits and win my heats.”

Nate Yeomans (USA), 28, is another rookie who has had to deal with the harsh learning curve this year, and will need a major result in Tahiti if he is to keep his spot amongst the world’s best.

“It’s been a huge adjustment, but I feel I have been improving with each event,” Yeomans said. “So the cutoff after five events is a bit rough for the rookies. It’s just a whole new level of surfing and a different format. It hasn’t been ideal for me, but I’m really looking forward to Tahiti. I’ve been there about eight times so I have had some experience in that lineup. It’s such a heavy wave that if you haven’t been before, I think it would totally blow you away.”

Currently ranked No. 40 on the ASP World Title rankings, Yeomans understands what it takes to win out at Teahupoo and will put everything on the line to keep his dream alive.

“Getting the right waves is crucial out there,” Yeomans said. “That event out of all the events (besides maybe Pipe) seems that you have to be patient and choose your waves wisely. If you’re not on the best waves out of the 25 minutes, the chances are you’re probably going to lose.”

A full breakdown of ASP World Title Rankings possibilities for the Billabong Pro Tahiti are available at ASPWorldTour.com

Surfline, official forecasters for Billabong Pro Tahiti, are already suggesting that excellent surf is promising. The Air Tahiti Nui VonZipper Trials is expected to start promptly on Monday morning in eight-to-ten foot waves according to Surfline’s expert swell forecaster, Sean Collins.

“The swell will be generated from a very close storm to the south, about 600 miles below Tahiti,” says Collins. “The peak day will be Sunday with the largest sets in the 12-foot range, allowing all trials competitors to warm up in some serious surf. Monday should still be in the eight-to-ten foot range.”

Thirty-two of the world’s foremost tube riders and big-wave specialists will compete in the trials, along with 32 local invitees. Just two surfers are guaranteed a wildcard from there into the Billabong Pro Tahiti main event.

The waiting period for the Billabong Pro Tahiti will begin Monday, August 23 and run through September 3, 2010.

The Billabong Pro Tahiti will be webcast LIVE via http://www.billabongpro.com/tahiti10/

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
 

Dane Reynolds (USA), 24, current ASP World No. 4, is one of the many surfers vaulting the ASP into its next evolution

ASP Board Finalizes International Bases, Independent Directors and ASP World Tour Format

In addition to the record-breaking US Open of Surfing last week, Huntington Beach played host to the ASP Board of Directors meeting, where the ASP’s new international bases were determined, the seven-person Board was completed and the new 36-man ASP World Tour format was ratified.

Formerly headquartered in Southern California, ASP International moved headquarters to Australia’s Gold Coast in 1999. Now, with key staff and strategists all over the world, the ASP Board of Directors has opted to transition its International headquarters to three main offices: Huntington Beach (USA), Hossegor (FRA) and Coolangatta (AUS).

“The move to transition our headquarters to more international bases was a relatively easy and logical decision,” Richard Grellman, Chairman of the ASP Board, said. “We have our key people based in Southern California, the Gold Coast and the South of France when they are not on the road, and the rise of telecommunications technology over the past decade has made doing business internationally an effective process. The Gold Coast office will remain as a back office and place of operations for the start of the year, but the addition of Huntington Beach and Hossegor ensures that our key staff are in close proximity to two of the major industry hubs.”

Independent Board of Directors

Last October, the ASP Board of Directors opted to alter its structure of an Independent Chairman, two event representatives and two surfer representatives to also include two Independent Directors.

In February, the ASP Board of Directors welcomed Angus Murray to the panel. Murray, who has worked with Formula 1 sponsorship, online/new media and mobile marketing splits his time between Europe, Australia and the USA, and has been a strong voice in the push towards new media prospects.

“Owned 50:50 by supportive event promoters and world class dedicated athletes, the ASP International Board of Directors has strong and solid roots from which to continue assisting all stakeholders in growing the sport,” Murray said. “Full time live webcasts and broadcasts, instant replays and live scoring are available to recreational surfers and armchair enthusiasts around the world. Technical advances; surfers as athletes and icons; media coverage including full time live webcasts, statistics, scores and broadcasts combine to ensure this compelling and professional sport being played out in exotic locations, can be accessed just about anywhere in the world – this is a very exciting time to be part of it.”

Last week, the ASP Board finalized its seven-member panel with the appointment of Kathy Kendrick. Kendrick formerly served as Vice President of European Legal Affairs for the Walt Disney Company based in Paris before playing an integral part in the creation of DreamWorks SKG alongside Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen.

“I’m excited and honored to be welcomed to the ASP Board of Directors,” Kendrick said. “The sport of surfing has exponentially built momentum ever since former President Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew activated his “Dream Tour” vision which was the catalyst resulting in today’s version: athletes of the highest caliber performing surfing of the highest level in exotic locales for a global audience in the millions. I have been very impressed with the recent developments made by the sport’s administrators and am eager to add to surfing’s development.”

ASP World Tour 36-Man Format

Finally, the ASP Board of Directors ratified the proposal of a new 36-man ASP World Tour competition format which was approved by the ASP Technical Committee during July’s Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay.

Chaired by ASP International CEO Brodie Carr, the ASP Technical Committee (Tech Comm) consists of ASP World Tour Head Judge Richie Porta, ASP International Judge Pritamo Ahrendt, ASP World Tour Manager Renato Hickel, Surfer Representatives Mick Fanning, Adrian Buchan and Kieren Perrow as well as Event Representative Graham Stapelberg.

From the mind of long-time ASP International Judge and new ASP Tech Comm member, Pritamo Ahrendt, the newly-approved 36-man ASP World Tour competition format is as follows:

Round 1: 12 three-man heats, 1st advances to Round 3, 2nd and 3rd to Round 2
Round 2: 12 man-on-man heats, 1st to Round 3, 2nd is Equal 25th place
Round 3: 12 man-on-man heats, 1st to Round 4, 2nd is Equal 13th place
Round 4: Four 3-man heats, 1st advances to Quarterfinals, 2nd and 3rd to Round 5
Round 5: Four man-on-man heats, 1st advances to Quarterfinals, 2nd is Equal 9th
Quarterfinals: Four man-on-man heats, 1st advances to Semifinals, 2nd is Equal 5th
Semifinals: Two man-on-man heats, 1st advances to Finals, 2nd is Equal 3rd
Final: One man-on-man heat, 1st and 2nd

A full outline of the new 36-man ASP World Tour format can be found at ASPWorldTour.com

The Hurley Pro Trestles, running from September 12 – 18, 2010, will be the first event to institute this format.

The next stop on the 2010 ASP World Tour will be the Billabong Pro Teahupoo from August 23 through September 3, 2010