Billabong Pro Tahiti 2010 runs August 23rd -September 3rd at Teahupoo,Taiarapu-Tahiti. Adam Melling is now safe from the mid year cut and can concentrate on making his mark on one of the scariest waves on the planet. Owen Wright is also sitting safely inside the cut off at No.11 and will be frothing for some frontside slabs. Anthony Walsh has built a solid rep @ Chopes over the last few years and it's a certainty that he will throw himself into the gnarliest pits in an attempt to qualify for the main event thru the Air Tahiti Nui VonZipper Trials. Good luck gentlemen.
UPDATE August 17th
Justifying his inclusion in the Air Tahiti Nui VonZipper Trials Anthony Walsh registered the event’s first perfect-10 point ride with just ten seconds remaining in his Round 2 clash versus Hawaii’s Hank Gaskell and locals Tuhiti HAUMANI and David DANDOIS .The score catapulted Walshy from last place to first in the dying moments and he secured a place in Round 3.
Photo Billabong Pro Tahiti
UPDATE August 18th
Walshy charged towards the pointy end of the trials with wins in round 3 ( 13.66 ) and round 4 ( 15.40 ). He faced Steven Pierson ( Tahiti ) in the man on man quarters. With just 10 minutes remaining, Walshy required a combination of scores to overtake the Tahitian and managed to answer back with a near-perfect 9.93 for an awesome double-barrel ride to put him within striking distance. However, with time ticking away, Teahupo’o did not co-operate and still requiring a second good scoring wave he was bundled out in equal 5th place.
Photo Billabong Pro Tahiti
UPDATE August 24th
Lay day today. Swell forecast is looking suss. When the event gets started Mello surfs in Ht 7 vs Mick Fanning and Tamaroa McComb while Owen surfs in Ht 12 against Brett Simpson and Neco PadaratzUPDATE August 25th,26th
Lay day today.
Owen Wright photo: © ASP / SCHOLTZ
UPDATE August 27th
Lay day today but organisers are confident of a start Saturday morning.UPDATE August 28th
Groundhog day. Check back tomozzaUPDATE August 29th
After going on hold for the majority of the morning, event organizers called the Billabong Pro Tahiti off for the sixth day in a row, but a new southwest swell projected to fill in tomorrow.“It’s another beautiful day in Tahiti but still no surf so competition is off,” Richie Porta, ASP International Head Judge, said. “We’re tracking some energy that is supposed to be bringing better direction and better swell starting tomorrow afternoon so we’ll return in the morning to assess conditions.”
Baby food photo: © ASP / SCHOLTZ
UPDATE August 30th
After 4 hrs on hold another lay day has been called
Getting better © ASP / ROBERTSON
UPDATE August 31th
The event finally started in 3'waves today. Adam couldn't find the right waves and was sent to round 2 by the local grom, Tamaroa. He surfs next in round 2 Ht 11 vs the Ginger Ninja. Owen surfed a smart heat to come up with a win and a start in round 3.
About time © ASP / ROBERTSON
UPDATE September 1st
Mello had a win by the narrowest of margins in round 2 ( 14.44 to 14.40 ) and moved into round 3. Owen's round 3 heat win was slightly different scoring 16.33 to Jay Thompson 2.17. Mello destroyed Dusty Payne in round 3 with a heat total of 17.83 that included an amazing foam ball barrel that scored the highest in the event so far, 9.80.“It was good to get on a roll out there. A couple of wider ones that opened up for me and it felt great to get a couple of scores. Dusty is such an amazing barrel-rider that I knew I had to be on my game from the outset.”
When the event resumes Owen surfs Ht 4 against Freddy P and Mello surfs Ht 5 against Slater.
UPDATE September 2nd
Another lay day was called today after the running of the remaining heats in round 3.UPDATE September 3rd
Another lay day was called today. There is one day left in the waiting period and 17 heats to go.UPDATE September 4th
Adam and Owen have both finished equal 9th and cemented their positions amongst the world's elite on the WCT. Owen now sits at No.8 and Mello at No.18. Well done fellahs. Click here to enter the gladiator pit LIVE
The local time at the end of the road is -
