Small surf keeps Billabong Rio Pro on hold – Surfing news
Yet another lay day has been called for Billabong Rio Pro, the third of ten stops on the 2013 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Championship Tour.
The primary event site of Barra da Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is renowned for the quality of waves on offer, but the low swell on Thursday, May 16, 2013, did not quite live up to the reputation of the break.
The ASP officials deemed the one-to-two foot waves breaking at Barra da Tijuca unsatisfactory and decided to keep the contest on hold for the fifth consecutive day, thus continuing their wait for a better swell to arrive at the event site before giving a
green signal.
“Small surf continues today and we have called competition off for the day,” Rich Porta, ASP International Head Judge said. “The models are showing a swell arriving this evening and we anticipate more energy in the water for a possible recommencement tomorrow.”
Even though the ASP officials have hinted about a possible start tomorrow, it is still too early to start getting excited about the adrenaline-pumping Round 2 heats that would be featuring the top surfing talent from around the globe.
The event organisers will reconvene at Barra da Tijuca at 7 in the morning to assess the conditions and take a decision regarding the possible 7:30 am start.
Billabong Rio Pro completed Round 1 on its first active day, delivering a series of exhilarating battles and showcasing a handful of exquisite performances by the best in the business.
Majority of the heavy-weights, which included the 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater, defending ASP World Champion Joel Parkinson, two-time ASP World Champion Mick Fanning and formidable Brazilian talent Adriano de Souza, managed to stun their opponents
during their Round 1 heats to advance straight into the third round without having to face the pressure of participating in Round 2 heats.
Australia’s Taj Burrow, Josh Kerr and Julian Wilson were among the 24 surfers who failed to hold their own in the opening round of the competition. Pushed against the wall after a disappointing start to the latest elite tour event, the surfers are expected
to holding nothing back as they take each other on for survival in the relegation round.
Burrow will take on the local talent Gustavo Fernandes in the opening heat of Round 2 once the Billabong Rio Pro recommences.
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