Josh Kerr (AUS), 27, current ASP World No. 5, will take on Adrian Buchan (AUS), 29, and Yadin Nicol (AUS), 26, in Round 1 of the Billabong Rio Pro.
BARRA DA TIJUCA, Rio de Janeiro/Brazil (Monday, May 7, 2012) ? The draw has been finalized for the next stop on the ASP World Championship Tour, the Billabong Rio Pro, cementing the Round 1 match-ups for the world?s best surfers to go down at Rio de Janeiro?s Barra da Tijuca this week.
Event No. 3 of 10 on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour, the Billabong Rio Pro will recommence this year?s race for the ASP World Title, following wins by Taj Burrow (AUS), 33, on the Gold Coast and Mick Fanning (AUS), 30, at Bells Beach, with the current ratings? lead being held by 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 40.
Dusty Payne (HAW), 23, has withdrawn from the Billabong Rio Pro, citing an ankle injury that has kept him out of the water all season. Payne will be replaced by fellow Hawaiian Frederick Patacchia (HAW), 30.
Event wildcards for the Billabong Rio Pro are Tomas Hermes (BRA) and Peterson Crisanto (BRA).
When men?s competition commences, up first will be Jordy Smith (ZAF), 24, Brett Simpson (USA), 27, and Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), 30, in Heat 1 of Round 1.
The Billabong Rio Pro will run from May 9 – 20, 2012 and will be webcast LIVE via www.billabongpro.com
Running in conjunction with the men?s event is the fifth stop on the 2012 ASP Women?s World Championship Tour, the Billabong Women?s Rio Pro. This year has bore witness to return of four-time ASP Women?s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 24, to the top of the ratings after posting two big wins.
Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 28, and Silvana Lima (BRA), 27, have both withdrawn from the event due to illness and injury. They have been replaced by Melanie Bartels (HAW), 30, and Sarah Mason (NZL), 17, respectively.
Event wildcard for the Billabong Women?s Rio Pro is Juliana Quint (BRA).
When women?s competition commences, up first will be Courtney Conlogue (USA), 19, Lakey Peterson (USA), 18, and Sage Erickson (USA), 21.
The Billabong Women?s Rio Pro will run from May 9 – 13, 2012 and will be webcast LIVE via www.billabongpro.com