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Boardfolio.com >> ASP World Tour News >> Californian Knox Sets Early Pace

Six times ASP world champion Kelly Slater (Florida, USA) narrowly beat wildcard Bruce Irons (Haw) in his opening round heat of the Boost Mobile Pro Presented by Quiksilver. Slater advanced to round three sidelining Irons and Pat O'Connell (USA) to the losers round. The Boost Mobile Pro presented by Quiksilver (Sept 4-13) Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) www.aspworldtour.com World Championship Tour (WCT) Press Release Californian Knox Sets Early Pace September 4, 2003 (Lower Trestles, CA, USA) Californian Taylor Knox today set the pace in the Boost Mobile Pro of Surf presented by Quiksilver. Round one of the US$250,000 World Championship Tournament (WCT) was completed, with the first two heats of the second elimination round also decided this afternoon. Clean 4ft (1.3m) surf was on offer at the famed Californian break, with a good right and lefthand peak setup. A beautiful sunny day greeted the start of mainland America's most important surfing event. Knox, who grew up surfing Trestles and the surrounding area, displayed great form over Flavio Padaratz (Florianopolis, Brz) and Lee Winkler (Coffs Harbour, Aus). The powerful natural footer finished equal third in the last WCT at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, and continued his good run by locking in a 9.0, followed by another 8.83 to secure the day's highest combined two-wave total of 17.83-points. His smooth arcs had those present cheering him on, and served as strong warning to all contestants. "It was just one of those heats," laughed Knox, after fellow competitor Nathan Hedge (Aus) congratulated him on the great performance. "When I got my first wave and it had a glassy face, I was pretty stoked and knew I could get a big score. I grew up surfing this wave - since I was 15 - and it's one of my favorite spots. "Yeah, that got me on a good run, even though there's been a long break," he added, of his semifinal finish last month. "I was a little nervous today as all my friends were on the beach, but my daughter showed up and it made me feel really comfortable." One of the day's most anticipated clashes proved worthy as Jake Paterson (West Australia) held off reigning world champion Andy Irons (Kauai, Haw) and wildcard Rob Machado (Cardiff, CA). In somewhat of a rematch of their 2000 final at Trestles in which Irons won, Paterson unleashed his trademark forehand carves and even landed a small backhand aerial on his best lefthander for the win. The Kauaian required an 8.57 toward the end, and while he managed his best ride next, it scored slightly short of the mark for an 8.33. "I had nothing to lose out there against Andy and Rob, and the waves were pumping," explained Paterson. "I knew I needed two bombs, so I just waited. Luckily I got an 8.0 on my first ride, and then did a little backside boost on a left, so I was just going for it. It's always good to beat Andy and he's so hard." Irons then eliminated Machado in their second round 'losers' heat this afternoon. The pair sat for twelve and a half minutes without either catching a wave, so the heat had to be re-started. When it was, the Kauaian wasted no time picking off a great lefthander and belted it for the top score of 7.83. While Machado caught more rides and was surfing with his usual flow and finesse, he was unable to increase scores past a 7.1 for the lead. Irons, meanwhile, played it smart and held priority until the end, ensuring he would catch the better ride if it came. "Yeah, definitely," acknowledged Irons, of being nervous. "He's such a fierce competitor. I just had to be smart and not make a lot of mistakes. We had to have a re-start, and I've never been in one of those, so it kind of freaked me out at the beginning. But then it came down to the wire. I knew if he got a good wave near the end he could get a big score. I just had to hold him off as best I could. "I'm feeling good and psyched," he added. "It was probably good to have an extra heat out here and get more used to the lineup. I can't wait for my next round." Six-time world champ Kelly Slater (FL, USA) was another standout, defeating explosive wildcard Bruce Irons (Kauai, Haw) and good friend Pat O'Connell (CA, USA). The Floridian won the last WCT in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, to move into #2 on the current ratings and today posted a 9.07 and the second highest combined total for 17.67-points. Irons turned on toward the end of the match and collected an 8.93 with a huge frontside air, and then another 8.13 to narrowly finish runner-up. "I literally hadn't surfed a wave for three weeks until that heat, but Trestles is one of the easiest waves in the world," explained Slater. "I didn't feel I surfed great then, but after a few weeks off there's obviously going to be some warming up to do. I'm still riding the same board I had at J-Bay. I wasn't that prepared for the heat, but hopefully the waves continue to be like this or better." Brazilian Neco Padaratz created an early lead and maintained it over Joel Parkinson (Gold Coast, Aus) and young Quiksilver wildcard Dane Reynolds (CA, USA). The 27-year-old collected two high scoring rides at the outset, and though both opponents also landed some aerial maneuvers and kept the pressure on, Padaratz ultimately advanced. "It's always tough against Parko and the wildcards," said Padaratz. "The young guys coming up are really hungry and want to show everyone what they can do, so I knew it would be really hard. I just tried to stay relaxed and knew all the set waves would be good. I'm really happy." Parkinson later eliminated Reynolds in the day's final clash, though it proved a tough battle. The young Californian wildcard displayed a confident act along with his gifted surfing, and left few doubting he's got a future in WCT events down the line. Local wildcard and former world #2 Shane Beschen (now living in Hawaii) proved a danger man in the Boost Mobile Pro presented by Quiksilver. Having slipped off the WCT ranks in 2001, he's already fought his way back through the World Qualifying Series (WQS) this year and today overcame Paulo Moura (Brz) and current ratings #3 Kieren Perrow (Byron Bay, Aus). The respected aerialist landed two big boosts on one righthander, as well as a huge method-air on an earlier left. Not only did he advance directly into round three, but is also in contention for one of the wildcard spots for 'The Snapple Best Damn Airshow' on Monday the 8th. "I've had a lot of pressure on myself all year to make the 'CT and now I'm pretty much done with that job, so it feels like a huge weight off my shoulders," said Beschen. "I'm more relaxed and just want to go nuts out there now (laughs). "I want a wildcard into 'The Snapple Best Damn Airshow', so I knew I had to bust some airs then," he continued. "I love Trestles and it's by far one of the most high performance waves in the world. My focus for this event is to get a 10. I've never gotten one without being tubed, but I know it's possible out here." Defending Boost Mobile Pro winner Luke Egan (Gold Coast, Aus) dominated his heat against Brazilian Peterson Rosa and fellow Australian Tom Whitaker. The powerful goofy footer waited patiently for the superior set waves and opted for the righthanders, as he did in 2002, securing bigger scores with strong backhand turns. "I always look for the lefts when I free surf out here, so it's a heavy discipline for me to wait and go right," admitted Egan. "I think the rights suit my backhand, and thankfully I managed to pick some good ones. I'm feeling really fit at the moment as I just came off a two week trip in the Mentawai's, so all I've been doing is surfing six-hours a day. There's a long way to go, and I've got to put my result last year out of mind. That's history and I've got to make the present become good history." World #5 Mick Fanning (Gold Coast, Aus) also gained attention with his surfing, earning the day's highest single score of 9.43 and a combined total of 17.5-points. The 22-year-old defeated Shane Powell (Avoca, Aus) and Tim Curran (Oxnard, CA, USA) with a series of fast forehand carves. "It's good to be back at Trestles as it's such a fun wave," began Fanning. "It's a gnarly event as everyone comes here and just goes mental. You've got to really step it up, so it should be a good one to watch." WCT newcomer Luke Stedman was another winner this morning, defeating world #4 Taj Burrow and fellow Australian Phil MacDonald. Despite being equal last on the current ratings, the Sydney surfer displayed his steadily increasing confidence. "When you're competing against guys like Taj, who can easily post high scores on anything, you've really got to make sure you do as much as possible," explained Stedman. "It's insane to be here at Lowers and have contestable waves. It feels like I can actually showcase my talent and actually have a go. That's what surfing is all about."

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