Basnett triumphs at Mr Price Pro
19 July 2006
It has been 28 years since a South African surfer first triumphed at the Mr Price Pro, formerly known as the Gunston 500, but on Sunday Ricky Basnett won the six-star World Qualifying Series (WQS) event for the first time since South Africa's legendary surfing hero, Shaun Tomson back in 1978.
On a day that will be etched into South African surfing history, Basnett who entered as a wildcard into the round of 96, defeated world number-four on the WQS Dayyan Neve of Australia with a total of 15.60 (out of 20.00) to Neve's 10.50.
Kicking- off with an explosive frontside aerial-reverse to score 8.5 out of a possible 10 points, followed by a hands-free aerial earning 7.17, Basnett left his opponent in a combination situation, a feat that would have made Tomson proud.
Swarmed by friends
As the ocean went flat, Basnett began counting down the minutes before stepping onto the sand as the 2006 champion. Swarmed by
friends and drenched by beer, he held the South African flag high as he was carried up the beach above a sea of fans.
"I don't know what is going through my mind right now, I'm more stoked than I could ever be. This tastes better than beer!" said Basnett, absolutely shaking from adrenaline.
"I got those two waves in the beginning and then the ocean went flat. When I saw my friends on the beach with the South African flag, I could not really believe what was happening. I was just sitting out there counting down the time."
Fifth on WQS ratings
Adding the victory to his stellar performance at the four-star WQS in Margaret River, Australia, where he finished second, Basnett has climbed to fifth on the ASP WQS ratings and is closer to realising his dream of qualifying for the World Championship Tour.
Despite posting the highest individual wave score of the entire contest, an excellent 9.63 against world number-23 Troy Brooks (Aus)
in the semi-finals, the ocean failed to provide for Neve in the final and the Australian was relegated to second place.
However, their result was as good as a victory for Neve, who has reached three
WQS finals this year, and is now at number-one on the WQS ratings.
'Result means everything to me'
"This result means everything to me. I'm trying really hard to make the WCT this year, so I'm really happy to get another final, especially in a six-star," said Neve, who was considering quitting the tour when he dropped to 116th on the WQS at the end of last year, before deciding to give it one last go in 2006.
"It's not the best place to come second to a South African, but if I'd won back in Australia at my local beach, I know it would be the same, just the other way around. I'm stoked for Ricky, he deserved the win and he's got his friends and family around to celebrate with."
Also reaching the semi- finals at North beach was former
Mr Price Pro champion Neco Padaratz (Brazil), who bowed out to Basnett, after needing a 6.44 to win.
Great display of sportmanship
Taking off on a wave, and realising it was not going to have the potential he was looking for, the Brazilian clapped his hands in applause of Basnett, impressing the crowd with his great display of sportsmanship.
South Africans Travis Logie and Jordy Smith made it as far as the quarterfinals, the two surfers finishing equal fifth, and earning R14 000 for their efforts. Logie was defeated by Brooks, while Smith's hopes were dashed by Neve.
Junior final
The Mr Price Pro junior men's final saw Brandon Jackson successfully defend his title over Jordy Smith, who was penalised for interference.
Taking off on the same wave, with Jackson heading left and Smith right, the two surfers met in the middle, Smith failed to make way for Jackson, which cost him the win.
Despite
posting two 8.17 scores, Smith had his second ride halved, relegating him to second place while Jackson held onto first.
'You can't win them all'
"You can never write off Jordy. He's won contests on interferences before", said Jackson markedly pleased with his win. "Jordy's won every contest this year but you can't win them all and I'm just happy I could halt his run."
Jackson posted two six-point scores for a package of tight off the top turns and, despite numerous attacks from Josh Redman and Brandon Roberts, who finished third and fourth respectively, maintained his heat lead, earning R3 000 for his efforts.
Smith earned R2 000 and valuable ratings points, which will keep him at the top of the ASP Africa ratings. Disappointed with his error Smith said, "I just got unlucky I guess, and I'm going to learn from this for next time, but still, well done to Brandon for winning."
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