The Hurley Pro 2010 has got underway at Lower Trestles, San Clemente, California, USA and it is the first time the new 36 man format has been used as the A.S.P. World Tour has been broken down from the top 45 surfers to the top 34 surfers in the world plus two wild card entries per event to make up the 36 man format.
Current world number 1, South Africa’s Jordy Smith once again found his winning streak as he won his round one encounter comfortably. World number 2 and 3, Kelly Slater and Taj Burrow followed suite and are keeping the pressure on Jordy as it is turning out to be one of the closest World Title races in history!
South Africa’s Travis Logie was unfortunate to be relegated to round 2 yesterday where he never found any luck either. The Durbanite battled to find the big scores and was oust by Floridian C.J. Hobgood who has found great form from his recent runner-up finish at the Billabong Pro Tahiti. Although Travis has made the 34 man mid year cut, he will still need to acquire some big results to get up into the top 22 qualification spot by the end of the year.
The Hurley Pro will run until Saturday 18 September. The conditions according to surfline are meant to drop off a little but favourable conditions are expected from Thursday through Saturday with a strong swell system moving in.
ASP WORLD TOUR 36-MAN FORMAT:
Round 1: 12 three-man heats, 1st advances to Round 3, 2nd and 3rd to Round 2
Round 2: 12 man-on-man heats, 1st to Round 3, 2nd is Equal 25th place
Round 3: 12 man-on-man heats, 1st to Round 4, 2nd is Equal 13th place
Round 4: Four 3-man heats, 1st advances to Quarterfinals, 2nd and 3rd to Round 5
Round 5: Four man-on-man heats, 1st advances to Quarterfinals, 2nd is Equal 9th
Quarterfinals: Four man-on-man heats, 1st advances to Semifinals, 2nd is Equal 5th
Semifinals: Two man-on-man heats, 1st advances to Finals, 2nd is Equal 3rd
Final: One man-on-man heat, 1st and 2nd
To View the Hurley Pro live go to: www.hurley.com
Greg Emslie
Jordy Smith advanced through round one of the Hurley Pro 2010.