Damien Hobgood emerges victorious from first round of 2011 Billabong Rio Pro
America’s Damien Hobgood defeated Brazil’s Raoni Monteiro and Portugal’s Tiago Pires in the ninth heat of the first round of the men’s 2011 Billabong Rio Pro that went down on Tuesday, May 17, at Arpoador in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
Pires had been the only surfer among the three to show some form during the current season of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Men’s World Tour. He had managed to reach the quarter-final stage in the second stop of the season, Rip Curl Pro, which was held at Bells Beach in Victoria, where he was eventually eliminated from the competition at the hands of Brazil’s Jadson Andre.
However, the Portugal surfer failed to repeat his impressive performance on the first day of the 2011 Billabong Rio Pro, where he was pitted against Hobgood and Monteiro in the ninth heat. Though the conditions at the event site were not exactly something that one could write home about, the waves that Pires chose were even more disappointing. He only managed to earn 10.93 after his two waves ending up with the lowest score of the heat.
Brazil’s Monteiro had an advantage of competing in his own backyard, but the surfer was unable to capitalise on it. Putting up a determined fight, he was able to beat his Portugal rival with a score of 11.10, but still was unable to take the top spot.
Hobgood was not any more blessed than the others when it came to surfs. However, he made the best of the waves that he eventually locked. His skilful turns and other manoeuvres earned him a score of 12.00 to see him through to the third round of the event.
The third stop of the 2011 ASP Men’s World Tour has faced a constant challenge in Rio De Janeiro over the last few days. The conditions had been so bad that the event organisers were forced to call one lay day after another till there were signs of improvement. After six days of delay, the competition had finally been able to get underway on Tuesday. Even then the best Barra De Tijuca had to offer was 5 foot tides.
With relatively good conditions expected on Wednesday, the event will most likely continue with round two and round three.
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