Dane Reynolds withdraws from Billabong Pro Tahiti – 2011 ASP World Tour
America’s Dane Reynolds has officially withdrawn from the upcoming 2011 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour event, Billabong Pro Tahiti, which is scheduled to go down at Teahupoo in Tahiti, French Polynesia, from August 20 to 31.
The 25-year-old is yet to state a reason for taking such a decision and even his manager, Blair Marlin, is in the dark as far as the reason behind this withdrawal is concerned.
During his conversation with a leading surfing website, Marlin said, “Dane didn't give an excuse for missing the event in Tahiti, but you will be seeing him in New York.”
The Long Beach-based surfer has already missed out on all the previous stops of ASP World Tour this season due to a knee injury. However, his fifth-place finish at the recently held US Open of Surfing competition made it evident that he was no longer struggling
with any injury problem.
The decision to withdraw from Billabong Pro Tahiti is likely to get Reynolds penalised heavily by the ASP if he fails to offer a good enough reason. After pulling out of the previous stop of the World Tour, Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, he had received a $2,500
fine.
A second withdrawal from the World Tour event in the absence of a valid reason could lead to an even higher fine of $5,000. Withdrawal from a third event this season could eventually lead to a suspension from three contests.
As per article 156 of the ASP Rulebook, “Failure to attend the World Tour Events entered with warning but no doctor's certificate (men and women seeds only): First offense $2,500; Second offense $5,000; Third offense automatic suspension for 3 Events or
remainder of the tour year if less and no entry into ASP Prime and Star Events during this time.”
The ASP media director, Dave Prodan, made it very clear that ASP treats every surfer the same way and the same set of rules apply to everybody, which meant that if Reynolds did the crime, he would have to do the time. However, the ASP is awaiting an explanation
from the 25-year-old before taking any action.
Reynolds will be getting replaced by his 34-year-old compatriot, Cory Lopez, at the Billabong Pro Tahiti.
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