Michel Bourez and CJ Hobgood secure Round 4 spot at opening Vans Triple Crown of Surfing event
French Polynesia’s Michel Bourez and America’s CJ Hobgood emerged triumphant in their respective Round 3 (Round of 64) heats at the Reef Hawaiian Pro, the first event on the 30th anniversary Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, which went down at the
North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, on Saturday, November 17, 2012.
With his win in the fifth heat, Bourez advanced to the fourth round (Round of 32), accompanied by America’s Cory Lopez who finished in runner-up place. Australia’s Adam Melling and France’s Romain Cloitre finished in third and fourth place respectively,
which resulted in the removal from the contention for the event title.
The sixth heat saw Hobgood secure his place in the next round. His compatriot Patrick Gudauskas successfully extended his life in the event after finished in second place, whereas Hawaii’s Hank Gaskell and America’s Gabe Kling finished in third and fourth
place respectively, which resulted in their elimination from the competition.
The talented surfers from around the globe had plenty of reason give their 100 percent on the latest day of the competition as the conditions were not easy and demanded a little extra from them before rewarding them desirable results.
Bourez, however, adjusted quite well to the challenging conditions prevailing at Alii Beach during the fifth heat.
The French Polynesian surfer earned an impressive 7.93 off his first business-wave and went on to add an additional 6.33 points to his account, thus finishing with a winning heat-total of 14.26 points.
Lopez finished behind him in second place with a heat-total of 13.34 points, which comprised of a 6.77 and 6.57-poing ride. The effort proved just enough to take him through into the next round.
Melling finished third with a heat-total of 11.50 points, while Cloitre remained absent from the heat.
The sixth heat saw Hobgood walk away with the win after putting on a phenomenal performance during the course of the four-man battle.
The American surfer posted a 9.27 off his first business-wave and went on to back it up with an 8.33-point ride, thus finishing with a heat-total of 17.60 points.
Gudauskas collected a couple of scores in the seven-point range, which resulted in a heat-total of 14.30 points.
Gaskell finished in third place with a heat-total of 11.60 points, while Kling had to settle for bottom position after registering a heat-total of 10.60 points, which included a 6.10 and 4.50-point wave.
Tags: