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By Press Release:
Manoa Drollet and Anthony Walsh Win Billabong Pro Tahiti Wildcards
Ian Walsh Teahupoo. Pic Credit ASP Tostee
TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Sunday 30th April 2007) - Tahitian surfer Manoa Drollet (Droll-Lay) has defeated Australian Anthony Walsh (Lennox Head) to win the Air Tahiti Nui Von Zipper Trials for the second time at Teahupoo.
In thundering 4m surf it was a day of perfect 10-point rides and terrifying wipe-outs as eight surfers battled it out for the two wildcards on offer into the Billabong Pro Tahiti main event that begins on May 4.
After taking out Australian Bra Boy Koby Abberton (Maroubra) in a highly anticipated Quarter Final, the Tahitian went on to beat Hawaiian Danny Fuller in the semi and then notch up an incredible 19.13 to beat Walsh in the final who finished with 18.57 out of 20.00.
Drollet also won the prestigious trials event in 2005.
“It was a dream of mine to surf against Koby in waves like this and that dream became a reality when I beat him,” said Drollet. “It’s always how you hope it will be when you enter the contest, with conditions like this.
“I’m really glad that I made it to the final on a day like this, it is what it is all about.”
Walsh, 24, is no stranger to Teahupoo, having made the journey from Australia to compete the trials for the past three years. A respected big wave surfer in his own right, Walsh is off the radar in regards to an impressive contest record however is one of the best tube riders in the world, something that.
A perfect 10-point ride wasn’t enough to steal victory in the final and despite holding the lead momentarily his Teahupoo specialist opponent grabbed it back in the dying minutes with a 9.60 to the thrills of the flotilla.
He defeated French surfer Fabrice Galez in the quarters before fighting back to beat Brazilian Bruno Santos in the semi.
“When I came out of that last barrel in the semi I was just hoping I would be in the main event,” said Walsh. “I can’t believe this, the waves are insane and I’m through.”
Drollet will match up against reigning world champion Kelly Slater in round one alongside Australian Phillip MacDonald. Walsh will come up against current world number one Mick Fanning (Aus) and Raoni Monteiro (Bra).
“It would be insane if the waves are like this for the main event and if I can surf a heat against Kelly, Andy, Mick or Joel then bring it on,” said Walsh.
Hawaiian tube master Fuller came close to securing a wildcard position for the second year running but was narrowly beaten by eventual champion Drollet in the Semi Final.
A 9.13 and an 8.83 would have been enough to win most heats of the trials event but the super cool goofy footer could do little to combat another perfect 10-point score from his local opponent.
Fuller will start as second cab off the rank to be granted entry into the main event should any withdrawals occur from the elite ranks.
“It’s definitely a disappointment, in the last five minutes of that heat I was telling myself that I’m right there but you can never count Manoa out,” said Fuller. “I have been in a combination situation myself before out here and then got a 9.50 and a 9.00 to win, so you never know.
“I’m stoked though, we got some great waves today.”
Brazilian Bruno Santos locked in his own perfect 10-point ride in the first semi final and looked to have a wildcard position all but assured after backing up his top score with an 8.23.
Comfortably leading for over 20-minutes, the 23-year-old was blown back into defeat in the dying stages as Walsh turned on the heat and scored an 8.90 followed by a 9.60.
Santos will be the first reserve for a wildcard into the Billabong Pro Tahiti as his semi final score was higher than his other equal third place getter, Fuller.
“Maybe if somebody is not coming for the WCT I will still get a chance to surf in the main event,” said Santos. “I had the priority and I was leading the heat, but I let him get those waves, it was stupid.
“The ten point ride was amazing, it was a really good barrel.
“It was my first ten point ride at Teahupoo.”
The Billabong Pro Tahiti main event waiting period will officially begin on May 4 and run through to may 14th. It will feature the top 45 surfers on the Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour.
The Billabong Pro Tahiti is presented by Air Tahiti Nui and supported internationally by Bose, Yamaha Waverunner, Von Zipper, Kustom, Nixon and the Tahitian Surfing Federation. The event is also supported domestically by Coca Cola, Hyundai, Mana, Opt and Vini.
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