Competition intensified on day four of the ASP Prime-rated Mr Price Pro Ballito as the surfing moved into man-on-man competition that saw upsets galore.
The annual competition is the biggest Qualification Series (QS) event in Africa. It's an opportunity to earn crucial points towards surfers' qualification hopes for the 2015 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT).
Two-time ASP World Junior Champ Jack Freestone takes flight at Ballito. - WSL / Kelly Cestari
Four heats of the Men's No-Loser Round of 24 were completed, followed by the first four heats of the Round of 24 elimination round, leaving just 20 surfers remaining out of the initial 96.
Two-time ASP World Junior Champion Jack Freestone (AUS) put on another progressive performance, his aerial prowess earning him a 8.67 and 8.17. He scored the highest heat total of the day, with a 16.84.
"The waves are similar to yesterday, so I went out there with the same game plan," said Freestone. "This event is important for my quest to qualify and I'm riding a magic board, which I'm hoping will take me all the way."
Dillon Perillo, blasting through the QS rankings. - WSL / Kelly Cestari
Dillon Perillo (USA), No. 81 on the QS, caused a massive upset by eliminating the top seeded Matt Banting (AUS). Banting was coming off a win at the prior QS event, the Los Cabos Open.
After a slow start to the season, Perillo advanced into the Round of 16 as the day's standout performer.
"It's definitely my best result of the season," Perillo said. "I've never made a heat in a Prime, so it feels good to make three of them."
“Everyone has been doing big airs and I've just been doing snaps, floaters, and cutbacks. I'm not sure if it's perseverance, luck, or if I've just been on the better side of the draw.â€
ASP World No. 25 Tiago Pires (PRT) looked sharper than ever in one of the day's biggest matchups, taking on former WCT campaigner Heitor Alves (BRA).
Pires showed power and control through his maneuvers, turning average-looking waves into solid rides, edging out his opponent by the narrowest of margins to advance into the Round of 16.
WCT surfer Tiago Pires will move on to the Round of 16. - WSL / Kelly Cestari
"Alves is a dangerous competitor," Pires said. "He's very fast and very precise and I was scared at the end there but luckily the waves were on my side."
Former World Junior Champion Caio Ibelli (BRA), proved the event's ultimate journeyman. After surfing the first heat of almost every round, Ibelli's last-minute aerial heroics against Tomas Hermes (BRA) secured his place into the next round.
"I was really struggling out there and then I got that six," Ibelli said. "This is the second time I've tried this board and it feels good and weird at the same time. I'm happy I got the last wave and got the score."
Caio Ibelli ducks for cover at Ballito. - WSL / Kelly Cestari
Former WCT campaigner Timmy Reyes (USA) took yet another magnificent heat win, this time over Portugal's Frederico Morais, who was narrowly eliminated from this year's event.
Also advancing out of the elimination-free Round of 24 this morning were Jadson Andre (BRA), Adrian Buchan (AUS), and Jeremy Flores (FRA).
The Mr Price Pro Ballito will continue Friday with the possibility of running the remaining four heats of the Round of 24, followed by the Round of 16. The call will be made at 07:00 am local time.
A full list of results can be found at mrpricepro.com.
Big Upsets, Surprise Ouster at Mr Price Pro
WSL
Competition intensified on day four of the ASP Prime-rated Mr Price Pro Ballito as the surfing moved into man-on-man competition that saw upsets galore.
The annual competition is the biggest Qualification Series (QS) event in Africa. It's an opportunity to earn crucial points towards surfers' qualification hopes for the 2015 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT).
Four heats of the Men's No-Loser Round of 24 were completed, followed by the first four heats of the Round of 24 elimination round, leaving just 20 surfers remaining out of the initial 96.
Two-time ASP World Junior Champion Jack Freestone (AUS) put on another progressive performance, his aerial prowess earning him a 8.67 and 8.17. He scored the highest heat total of the day, with a 16.84.
"The waves are similar to yesterday, so I went out there with the same game plan," said Freestone. "This event is important for my quest to qualify and I'm riding a magic board, which I'm hoping will take me all the way."
Dillon Perillo (USA), No. 81 on the QS, caused a massive upset by eliminating the top seeded Matt Banting (AUS). Banting was coming off a win at the prior QS event, the Los Cabos Open.
After a slow start to the season, Perillo advanced into the Round of 16 as the day's standout performer.
"It's definitely my best result of the season," Perillo said. "I've never made a heat in a Prime, so it feels good to make three of them."
“Everyone has been doing big airs and I've just been doing snaps, floaters, and cutbacks. I'm not sure if it's perseverance, luck, or if I've just been on the better side of the draw.â€
ASP World No. 25 Tiago Pires (PRT) looked sharper than ever in one of the day's biggest matchups, taking on former WCT campaigner Heitor Alves (BRA).
Pires showed power and control through his maneuvers, turning average-looking waves into solid rides, edging out his opponent by the narrowest of margins to advance into the Round of 16.
"Alves is a dangerous competitor," Pires said. "He's very fast and very precise and I was scared at the end there but luckily the waves were on my side."
Former World Junior Champion Caio Ibelli (BRA), proved the event's ultimate journeyman. After surfing the first heat of almost every round, Ibelli's last-minute aerial heroics against Tomas Hermes (BRA) secured his place into the next round.
"I was really struggling out there and then I got that six," Ibelli said. "This is the second time I've tried this board and it feels good and weird at the same time. I'm happy I got the last wave and got the score."
Former WCT campaigner Timmy Reyes (USA) took yet another magnificent heat win, this time over Portugal's Frederico Morais, who was narrowly eliminated from this year's event.
Also advancing out of the elimination-free Round of 24 this morning were Jadson Andre (BRA), Adrian Buchan (AUS), and Jeremy Flores (FRA).
The Mr Price Pro Ballito will continue Friday with the possibility of running the remaining four heats of the Round of 24, followed by the Round of 16. The call will be made at 07:00 am local time.
A full list of results can be found at mrpricepro.com.
Matt Banting
Check out some of the finest imagery from the last held Pantin Classic.
Banting has been hot in Aussie waters lately, but now he needs to survive a tough Elimination Round matchup to keep his CT dreams alive.
Chapter 1, Episode 12
After Kolohe Andino pulled out of the Australian leg due to injury, Qualifying Series leader Matt Banting was given his spot at Newcastle.
After two weeks in hotel quarantine, CT athletes have made their way to Newcastle and are getting ready to put on a show.
The WSL caught up with the current QS rankings leader as he enjoys Autumn at home on Australia's East Coast.
Mr Price Pro Ballito
ASP Oracle Al Hunt breaks down the QS rankings shifts following the Mr Price Pro and Los Cabos Open of Surf.
Competition in Ballito winds down with big airs, hallow barrels, and all-around power surfing.
The Prime-rated Mr Price Pro lived up to its reputation, showcasing stellar performances across the board.
The Californian takes down WCT surfer Matt Wilkinson at the conclusion of the prestigious South African QS event.
The ASP Prime-rated event has a lay day Saturday, with competition to resume Sunday, July 6.