Shane Holmes and Eli Steele advance through to Round 3 of CHIKO Pro Junior – Surfing News
Australia’s Shane Holmes and Eli Steele prevailed in their respective Round 2 heats at CHIKO Pro Junior, part of Newcastle’s Surfest, which went down at Merewether in New South Wales, Australia, on Thursday, March 8.
The talent pool attending the sixth Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Men’s Junior Qualifying event was large, setting the stage for a series of exciting battles as the surfers pursued the prize money of $20,000 and coveted ASP Junior rating points.
The surfing conditions at the primary event site turned out to be pretty demanding, with off-shore winds accompanying the six-foot waves.
The second round of 4-Star CHIKO Pro Junior continued with the fifth heat, which pitted Holmes against his fellow countrymen Michael Wright, Jesse Horner and Troy Skillin.
Holmes posted a 6.75 on the score-board off his first business-wave and managed to add an additional 7.50 to his account, moving to a heat-total of 14.25 points. The score carried him to victory, consequently taking him into Round 3 (Round of 64).
Wright also managed to advance through into the next round after scoring a 4.75 and 8.10 off his top-two waves for a heat-total of 12.85 points, securing runner-up place as a result.
Horner finished with a heat-total of 2.60 points, while Skillin rounded out the fourth place with a heat-total of 2.00 points. Both the surfers had completely succumbed to the conditions and only managed to catch one wave each. Their lacklustre performance
led to their elimination from the competition.
The sixth heat turned out to be a low-scoring affair with Steele clinching top honours despite managing to lock only one wave. Earning an 8.25 off his sole wave, the Australian confirmed his place in the next round.
Australia’s Michael Barber made the Round 3 cut as well after grabbing runner-up place through a heat-total of 6.60 points, which comprised of a 4.00 and 2.60 points.
Japan’s Kai Awada rounded out the third place with a heat-total of 3.15 points, consequently getting removed from the contention for the event title.
Chile’s Guillermo Satt also made an early exit from the event due to his absence from his Round 2 heat.
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