ID :
203869
Sat, 08/27/2011 - 14:24
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/203869
The shortlink copeid
Kai Otton scores perfect 10 at Teahupoo
Australia's Kai Otton came to Teahupoo needing something special at the Billabong Pro to push him further than he's been in a competition in more than a year.
And boy, did he produce the goods on Friday (Saturday AEST) in a dramatic day of action in solid three-metre plus waves at the feared reef break.
The 31-year-old scored a perfect 10 during his round-three victory over Adrian Buchan to charge into the fourth round.
After riding a monster barrel, Otton came roaring out to wild cheers of the spectator boats.
Most of them wouldn't have been aware of just how important winning the heat was for the Sydney surfer.
The 11-event world tour's next stop is Long Island, New York then - from Trestles in California on - only the top 32 continue for the rest of the year.
Otton is ranked 36 and a loss in the third round would have ended his tour.
"This is career defining for me, this event," Otton told AAP.
"I really needed a result to make the cut and I hadn't made it through that round for over 15 months, I think.
"It puts me in a lot better position. I picked up 2000 points but I've still got some work to do and, if I get to the quarter-finals, I'll be doing myself a lot of favours."
Otton added that one of the best things about getting a perfect score was the bragging rights with his mates, one fellow professional surfer in particular.
"I've never had a 10 and my good mate Tommy Whitaker was paying me out recently, saying I've never had a 10 ... he's had a couple," he said.
"It was pretty fitting to get it out here, too. I know he's had a couple here and it feels pretty good.
Otton's perfect score was the second of the day with Brazil's Raoni Monteiro achieving the feat in his round-two win over world No.3 Adriano de Souza.
Overall, it was a bad day for Australia's big guns which featured several heavy wipeouts.
Australia's Joel Parkinson looks almost certain to have surrendered the world No.1 spot after losing to American Brett Simpson, while world No.5 Taj Burrow also bowed out with a second-round loss to Brazilian wildcard Ricardo dos Santos.
Frenchman Jeremy Flores was one of the stars of the day. He kept the big crowds entertained with some courageous surfing to win his second and third-round heats.
A swell of up to five metres has been forecast for Saturday, with organisers expected to put the competition on hold while big wave surfers take over with a tow-in expression session.
And boy, did he produce the goods on Friday (Saturday AEST) in a dramatic day of action in solid three-metre plus waves at the feared reef break.
The 31-year-old scored a perfect 10 during his round-three victory over Adrian Buchan to charge into the fourth round.
After riding a monster barrel, Otton came roaring out to wild cheers of the spectator boats.
Most of them wouldn't have been aware of just how important winning the heat was for the Sydney surfer.
The 11-event world tour's next stop is Long Island, New York then - from Trestles in California on - only the top 32 continue for the rest of the year.
Otton is ranked 36 and a loss in the third round would have ended his tour.
"This is career defining for me, this event," Otton told AAP.
"I really needed a result to make the cut and I hadn't made it through that round for over 15 months, I think.
"It puts me in a lot better position. I picked up 2000 points but I've still got some work to do and, if I get to the quarter-finals, I'll be doing myself a lot of favours."
Otton added that one of the best things about getting a perfect score was the bragging rights with his mates, one fellow professional surfer in particular.
"I've never had a 10 and my good mate Tommy Whitaker was paying me out recently, saying I've never had a 10 ... he's had a couple," he said.
"It was pretty fitting to get it out here, too. I know he's had a couple here and it feels pretty good.
Otton's perfect score was the second of the day with Brazil's Raoni Monteiro achieving the feat in his round-two win over world No.3 Adriano de Souza.
Overall, it was a bad day for Australia's big guns which featured several heavy wipeouts.
Australia's Joel Parkinson looks almost certain to have surrendered the world No.1 spot after losing to American Brett Simpson, while world No.5 Taj Burrow also bowed out with a second-round loss to Brazilian wildcard Ricardo dos Santos.
Frenchman Jeremy Flores was one of the stars of the day. He kept the big crowds entertained with some courageous surfing to win his second and third-round heats.
A swell of up to five metres has been forecast for Saturday, with organisers expected to put the competition on hold while big wave surfers take over with a tow-in expression session.
