Qualification shuffle intensifies at Sunset

The Vans World Cup ran again at Sunset today and the qualification bubble squeezed just a little tighter. We can speculate all we want but nothing’s concrete until the last siren sounds on the final at Sunset, signalling the end of 2014’s last qualifying event. And that could well be tomorrow. However, it’s worth putting two gents under the spotlight now. Matt Wilkinson won his heat today, putting himself back in a far more comfortable place – theoretically he’s on secured his spot on tour, but at this point, being so close to the bubble is never safe. Wilko rolled into Sunset at number 13 on the QS, but his movement to the round of 32 today (via some real handy backhand work) is a step closer to the first full night’s sleep has had in a minute. “It’s been an up-and-down year for me,” Wilko said. “That was a big heat for me and I was fired up to get those waves. I think that puts me in a good position and hopefully we get some more great surf and I find myself in the Final.” And then there’s Dusty Payne, who continued his run as Triple Crown standout (he already won Haleiwa!), clocking of the highest heat totals against Gabriel Medina. “It’s always nice to compete with the top dogs,” said Dusty. “Beating Gabe doesn’t really mean anything except I get to cruise to the next round. It doesn’t really mean much. I was just looking to go and try to get two fun waves. I’m just having fun and the waves keep coming, and I just keep smiling. It’s fun!” If he makes the semis and ends with a seventh or better, Dusty is back in the big game. Watch it all unfold tomorrow, here. Round of 64H1: Keanu Asing (HAW) 7.77; Ian Walsh (HAW) 5.83; Yadin Nicol (AUS) 2.00; Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 0.50H2: Billy Stairmand (NZL) 11.27; Adrian Buchan (AUS) 10.64; Adam Melling (AUS) 9.07; Tom Whitaker (AUS) 4.00H3: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 9.66; Beyrick De Vries (ZAF) 9.57; Aritz Aranburu (ESP) 9.40; Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 6.67H4: Chris Ward (USA) 15.33; Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.70; Jeremy Flores (FRA) 7.27; Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 6.16H5: Jonathan Gonzalez (CNY) 12.50; Owen Wright (AUS) 11.10; Mitch Crews (AUS) 10.17; Kaimana Jaquias (HAW) 6.87H6: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 12.57; Wade Carmichael (AUS) 9.96; Perth Standlick (AUS) 8.60; Nat Young (USA) 7.93H7: Julian Wilson (AUS) 10.93; Davey Cathels (AUS) 7.44; Joan Duru (FRA) 6.83; Jadson Andre (BRA) 6.70H8: Dusty Payne (HAW) 16.17; Gabriel Medina (BRA) 12.17; Dane Gudauskas (USA) 10.73; Connor O’Leary (AUS) 9.04H9: David do Carmo (BRA) 13.36; Mason Ho (HAW) 10.70; Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 7.90; Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 6.47H10: Lucas Silveira (BRA) 11.74; Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 11.53; Kai Barger (HAW) 11.10; Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 4.30H11: Ricardo Christie (NZL) 16.90; Josh Kerr (AUS) 11.83; Seth Moniz (HAW) 11.43; Brett Simpson (USA) 8.17H12: Charles Martin (GLP) 15.00; Alex Smith (HAW) 13.16; Tiago Pires (PRT) 11.37; Bede Durbidge (AUS) 9.33H13: Kolohe Andino (USA) 15.10; Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 8.57; Travis Logie (ZAF) 5.77; Italo Ferreira (BRA) 5.50H14: Granger Larsen (HAW) 12.10; Glenn Hall (IRL) 12.00; Dion Atkinson (AUS) 11.97; Miguel Pupo (BRA) 9.83H15: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 16.84; Garrett Parkes (AUS) 13.43; Kai Otton (AUS) 10.73; Hiroto Arai (JPN) 2.00H16: Matt Banting (AUS) 14.23; Michel Bourez (PYF) 12.90; Isaiah Moniz (HAW) 12.60; Tim Reyes (USA) 11.20