Jordy Smith is one of the few surfers standing in the way of Mick Fanning’s clinching of the 2013 ASP World Title today at the Rip Curl Pro Portugal pres. by Moche.
SUPERTUBOS, Peniche/Portugal (Thursday, October 17, 2013) – The final day of the Rip Curl Pro Portugal presented by Moche has been called on this morning with Round 4 commencing at 8am in building three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) waves at Supertubos.
Stop No. 9 of 10 on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the Rip Curl Pro Portugal completed a mammoth day of competition yesterday setting up to capitalize on today’s conditions for the culmination of the event.
“Solid surf still on offer today and light winds so we’ll commence the final day of competition at 8am,” Rich Porta, ASP International Head Judge, said. “Today will hold the best conditions for the remainder of the window so, while it’s a big day of surfing, it’s also about putting the guys out in the very best conditions possible. Good luck to all our remaining competitors today.”
With the final day of the event called on, the 2013 ASP World Title is in play for two-time ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS), 32.
The elimination of 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 41, in Round 2 by local wildcard Frederico Morais (PRT), 21, will allow Fanning to knock the Floridian out of the race with a Semifinal berth today. However, even a Semifinal berth for Fanning will still allow for Jordy Smith (ZAF), 25, Taj Burrow (AUS), 32, and reigning ASP World Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS), 32, to send the title race to the final event in Hawaii with a win today.
UPCOMING RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL ROUND 4 MATCH-UPS: Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Kai Otton (AUS), Julian Wilson (AUS) Heat 2: Matt Wilkinson (AUS), John John Florence (HAW), Mick Fanning (AUS) Heat 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Nat Young (USA), Josh Kerr (AUS) Heat 4: Miguel Pupo (BRA), C.J Hobgood (USA), Taj Burrow (AUS)
