Sport

Emslie second in Rio Surf Pro

14 October 2008

Seasoned South African pro surfer Greg Emslie continued his hot streak of performances in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, taking second place in the six-star rated, R1-million Rio Surf Pro International.

The 31-year-old East Londoner won every heat he contested on Ipanema Beach except the wave-starved final in which he finished second to Rio local and former Brazilian champion Simao Romao.

Emslie collected $7 400 and 2 188 ratings points for his runner-up finish, which rocketed him from 17th to ninth on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings.

'Almost no waves'

"I really wanted to win but, unfortunately, there were almost no waves in the final. Simao got the best one and deserved the victory," Emslie said after the title deciding heat.

"It was good to be in another final in Brazil. I get lucky here and the result gives me more confidence to go after a place in the ASP World Tour."

Emslie is bidding to regain a place amongst the world's 45 highest ranked surfers who will compete on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the global circuit that determines the annual world surfing champion. The top 27 on the World Tour are joined by the top 15 on the WQS and three ASP wildcards in making up the top 45.

Narrowly missed out

Emslie, South Africa's most successful pro surfer with prize-money earnings of over $550 000, narrowly missed out on re-qualifying for a ninth year on the World Tour at the end of 2007, after finishing the year rated 30th.

There are still half a dozen six-star and six-star prime-rated events before the year ends in Hawaii in December.

David Weare dropped one spot to seventh on the WQS ratings ladder after an early exit in Rio, while fellow Durbanite Warwick Wright rose just one place to 57th after reaching the last 48.

Oakley presents the Rio Surf Pro International
Aproador, Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro

Results

Final

1. Simao Romao (BRA) – 11.33 - US$15 000 and 2 500 points

2. Greg Emslie (RSA) – 10.60 - US$7 400 and 2 188 points

Semifinals
(Losers – 3rd place – US$4 500 and 1 875 points)

H1: Simao Romao (BRA) 13.43 def. 13.33 Willian Cardoso (BRA)

H2: Greg Emslie (RSA) 12.77 def.9.83 Michel Bourez (PYF)

Quarterfinals
(Losers – 5th place – US$2 600 and 1 625 points)

H1: Simao Romao (BRA) 17.00 def. 10.50 Bernardo Miranda (BRA)

H2: Willian Cardoso (BRA) 13.60 def. 13.10 Marlon Lipke (GER)

H3: Greg Emslie (RSA) 16.67 def.13.66 Dustin Barca (HAW)