Big Scores And Excellent Waves On Day One of SriLankan Airlines Pro
PASTA POINT, Maldives (Sunday, June 3rd, 2007) – High scores were the only way to progress through round one of the SriLankan Airlines Pro with the famed Pasta Point serving up excellent 1.5m(4 to 5ft) long peeling waves to the large international field.
Round one produced many outstanding performances which was expected with such a quality line up here for this years event.Dane Reynolds (USA), Nick Rozsa (Bra), Matt Scoringe (NZ), Hideyoshi Tanaka (Jpn), Frederick Robin (Fra) and Blake Thornton (Aus) were just some of the classy surfers today in waves that offered almost limitless scope to perform multiple high scoring moves.
Reynolds attracted a lot of attention in the events opening heat. The LA surfer has enormous expectations as an emerging surfer from the USA and his style, speed and power saw him progress comfortably to round two although surprisingly, in second place behind young American surfer Nick Rozsa.
It was a lot of fun out there and the waves are such a pleasure to surf commented Reynolds after his heat. Its good to get the first heat over with and I guess I used it to familiarize myself more with this wave because for certain the next rounds will see even bigger scores required My start to the season has been great and this event is really important to me Ill be doing everything I can for a great result here.
Both Reynolds and Rozsa set the scene for what will be expected throughout this event with nothing but superb performances likely to see any surfer progress in such quality waves.
Blake Thornton (Aus/Maroubra) was one of the highest scoring winners of the day with a 15.83 tally to defeat French surfer Joan Duru.
Thornton summed up the feelings of most surfers here after his heat saying Its such an easy wave to surf that you sort of know you have to be scoring in the excellent range if youre going to progress. Six point rides wont do here because 8 point plus rides are easy to find, especially in the next rounds so for me, its go big or go home!
Twenty heats of round one were completed today and with conditions expected to remain excellent all week expectations are high for yet another magnificent event in paradise.
The Maldives presents SriLankan Airlines Pro is made possible by SriLankan Airlines, Maldives Tourism, Dhonveli Beach & Spa Resort, Dhiraggu Internet and Atoll Travel.
Watch all the action live at the http://live.coastalwatch.com/default.aspx?eid=14328