Brad Morgan
10 July 2007
Jihad Khodr became the fourth Brazilian surfer to capture the Mr Price Pro in eight years when he defeated Jeremy Flores in the final at Durban's New Pier on Sunday. The victory saw him rocket up the World Qualifying Series standings, from 25th position to third place.
An elated Khodr described his win as "a dream come true".
Surfing in conditions similar to those he is used to at home, the Brazilian performed consistently well throughout the event, winning five out of six heats, and recording the highest score of the competition in the semi-finals; his total of 17.80 took him past Australia's Jay Thompson in a great showdown and into the final.
Convincing win
Flores, the winner of the WQS in 2006, struggled in the final, while Khodr looked comfortable. He highlighted his performance with a 9.00 score to take a convincing win.
In the semi-finals, Flores defeated Tiago Pires. However, Pires' strong showing helped him to the top of the WQS standings, ahead of South Africa's Jordy Smith, who fell to second after a below-par performance.
Dave Weare was the best of the local competitors, reaching the round of 16 before falling to Josh Kerr of Australia. That meant Weare finished in a tie for ninth.
Top 10 showdown
The women's title went to Melanie Redman-Carr. In a showdown of two surfers ranked in the top 10 in the world, Redman-Carr (no. 8) defeated Rebecca Woods (no. 4) in an all-Australian final to move to the top of the WQS ratings.
Woods led the final most of the way, but a late score of 8.17 lifted Redman-Carr to her eleventh WQS win.
Third place was shared by 2006 Mr Price Pro runner-up Jessi Miley Dyer and ISA world champion Julia Christian. Redman-Carr accounted for Miley Dyer in the semi-finals, while Christian fell to Woods.
South Africa's top performer was Nikita Robb who made it through to the quarterfinals before suffering a narrow loss to Woods.
On to Jeffreys Bay
Many of the surfers in action in Durban will be in action later this week in Jeffreys Bay, which will be hosting the Billabong Pro, the fifth of 10 stops on the prestigious World Championship Tour.
The entire top 45 on the Foster's ASP World Tour will be in action. The event also presents an opportunity for up-and-coming competitors to make their mark against the world's elite.
On Wednesday, 12 wildcards will be competing for a place in the main draw, with six South Africans facing six international surfers.
Local wildcards
Local challengers taking to the legendary "Supertubes" in the hope of securing a place will be Warwick "Wok" Wright, Damien Fahrenfort, Shaun Payne, Rudy Palmboom, Shaun Joubert, and Dale Staples. Wright, Fahrenfort, and Payne are all currently competing on the WQS.
Payne is a J-Bay local and will look to put his home knowledge to good use, while Fahrenfort has enjoyed success in the Billabong Pro in the past after securing a place in the main draw via the wildcard route. In 2005 he accounted for 2001 world champion CJ Hobgood, and in 2006 he ousted Damien Hobgood, the current world number two.
The international wildcards include Wade Goodall and Luke Dorrington of Australia, Hodei Collazo of Spain, 2004 world Pro Junior champion Pablo Paulino of Brazil, American Stirling Spencer, and Hawaiian TJ Barron.
Depending on where the wildcards finish, they will face a daunting task in the first round.
Wildcard heats
Current world number one and defending champion Mick Fanning, as well as Mr Price Pro runner-up Jeremy Flores await in heat eight.
Heat nine will also host a wildcard, who will face three-time world champion and 2004 Billabong Pro winner Andy Irons, along with Mick Campbell, WCT number 11.
The third wildcard will take on eight-time world champion Kelly Slater, a three-time winner of the contest, as well as Chris Ward, currently number 13 on the WCT standings.
Some might wonder whether winning through the wildcard event is a reward at all, but what the tough first round heats against the big guns offer is an opportunity to make a memorable mark. Also, with a total prize purse of $300 000 on offer, reaching the main draw is well rewarded.
Format
Round one winners move through to the third round, while the second and third place finishers contest second round heats. Second round winners advance to the third round and the loser is eliminated. However, even losing in the second round guarantees a decent enough pay day, worth $4 200.
Four South Africans from the WCT are in the main draw: Travis Logie, currently flying high at number nine, Ricky Basnett, Royden Bryson, and Greg Emslie.
The Billabong Pro has a waiting period from 11 July to 22 July, but with predictions of good conditions for Thursday, 12 July and on into the weekend, it is likely that contest director Mike Parsons will get the competition going early.
The event will be broadcast live on the Internet, at the Billabong Pro website with six cameras covering the action, and commentary in four languages. The coverage also includes interviews.
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