Day one of the 2012 Billabong Pro, Rio

Today the Billabong Pro, Rio kicked off at the back-up venue of Arpoador. With competitors almost grazing elbow on rock paddling into the takeoff, the lefts wedged and grew down the line but wee often too quick. The webcast was plagued by ‘technical difficulties’ all morning, for which the ASP had this to say: “The event would like to apologise to all its fans for the technical difficulties that prevented a solid webcast from streaming for most of the morning. ASP technicians are working with event staff to enhance the production and ensure streaming is improved for the remainder of the event.”

Whether it was streamable or not, Julian Wilson pasted a 9.27 outta 10 (the day’s highest single wave score) and a combined heat-total of 17.14 outta 20 (also the days’ highest).

“I got kinda lucky there because Freddy didn’t go on that wave,” said Jules. “The set before that, Freddy went on the first wave and the one behind was better. I think he was worried about that happening again and when that second set came through, it lined up really well for me. I got to my feet straight away, but then saw that the section was still building and wasn’t really there yet. I took my time and squared it up because I really wanted to get strong starts to those waves, keep it clean and not try to rush it.”

Jules also spoke briefly about his round one elimination at Trestles last week, thanks to an interference: “I think after that heat at Lowers where I had the interference, today was a bit of redemption,” he said. “To come down here, I still had a bit of frustration and I just wanted to come out of the gates strong and get a good solid start. The waves were really fun in that heat, so it was exciting to do well.”

Taj Burrow also dominated his heat today, scooping a 16.16 heat total and skip round two. “It’s always good to get that first round out of the way,” said Taj. “Skipping the second round is a real treat. I hate that round and it was great to catch a couple of fun lefts. It was kind of inconsistent at the start. My board was brand new, so I was a bit nervous, but it went well.”

And of his performance at the Rip Curl Pro, the West-Australian said: “Bells was a shocker and they always hurt, especially after a win. I was hungry and confident to back it up and had an absolute meltdown there. It happens, but I don’t feel any pressure. I know exactly what I did wrong. I surf better when I’m relaxed and happy and want to have fun. I put pressure on myself down there, but that’s not how I operate. Here, there’s no pressure.”

Another man who’s currently emitting steam is Ads De Souza. He won his round one heat over Kai Otton and Brazilian Willian Cardoso. “It feels good to be here at Arpoador,” said Adriano. “I just love this place. I’ve been competing here since I was an amateur and I always love to come back. It’s good to see the WCT here again and it’s got me excited and motivated as well.”

But, how does Kelly’s absence effect Ads’ game? “There’s a lot of pressure being defending champion and with Kelly not here,” he said. “I’m the second seed and could take the lead for the title if I do well here. It’s still too early to really consider the title, but I know the crowd is behind me at this event.”

When men’s competition resumes, up first will be Gabs Medina against Peterson Crisanto in Heat 1 of the elimination Round 2.

All photos by ASP/Kirstin.

BILLABONG RIO PRO MEN’S ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Josh Kerr (AUS) 11.86, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 11.23, Jadson Andre (BRA) 9.56
Heat 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 13.57, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 13.24, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 11.53
Heat 3: Owen Wright (AUS) 13.60, Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 9.20, Taylor Knox (USA) 6.03
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.80, Kai Otton (AUS) 14.53, Willian Cardoso (BRA) 11.40
Heat 5: Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.16, Kieren Perrow (AUS) 11.20, Tomas Hermes (BRA) 9.53
Heat 6: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.00, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 10.23, Peterson Crisanto (BRA)
Heat 7: Julian Wilson (AUS) 17.14, Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 13.74, Brett Simpson (USA) 11.56
Heat 8: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 15.00, Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.24, Yadin Nicol (AUS) 11.30
Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.34, Travis Logie (ZAF), 13.87, Damien Hobgood (USA) 13.53
Heat 10: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 13.90, Tiago Pires (PRT) 13.17, Michel Bourez (PYF) 11.57
Heat 11: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.84, Kolohe Andino (USA) 10.17, Heitor Alves (BRA) 9.37
Heat 12: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.93, Adam Melling (AUS) 12.57, John John Florence (HAW) 9.16

UPCOMING BILLABONG RIO PRO ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Peterson Crisanto (BRA)
Heat 2: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Tomas Hermes (BRA)
Heat 3: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Willian Cardoso (BRA)
Heat 4: Heitor Alves (BRA) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)
Heat 5: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 6: Brett Simpson (USA) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)
Heat 7: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 8: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Yadin Nicol (AUS)
Heat 9: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 10: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 11: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. Kolohe Andino (USA)
Heat 12: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)

BILLABONG RIO PRO WOMEN’S ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) 15.50, Sage Erickson (USA) 14.54, Courtney Conlogue (USA) 13.03
Heat 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.77, Justine Dupont (FRA) 8.33, Paige Hareb (NZL) 8.27
Heat 3: Alessa Quizon (HAW) 13.10, Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 12.93, Sarah Mason (NZL) 9.27
Heat 4: Rebecca Woods (AUS) 14.17, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 14.07, Melanie Bartels (HAW) 6.67
Heat 5: Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.63, Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 5.80, Coco Ho (HAW) 0.27
Heat 6: Malia Manuel (HAW) 11.66, Laura Enever (AUS) 11.10, Pauline Ado (FRA) 9.77

BILLABONG RIO PRO WOMEN’S ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Paige Hareb (NZL) vs. Pauline Ado (FRA)
Heat 2: Laura Enever (AUS) vs. Sage Erickson (USA)
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Melanie Bartels (HAW)
Heat 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Jacqueline Silva (BRA)
Heat 5: Courtney Conlogue (USA) vs. Justine Dupont (FRA)
Heat 6: Coco Ho (HAW) vs. Sarah Mason (NZL)