The Quiksilver Pro continued today for the last three remaining heats of round 2 and the opening four heats of round three, in three-to-five foot conditions at Les Gardians.
The reigning three-time ASP World Champ, Mick Fanning was on top form today after he despatched Dion Atkinson during their bout in round three. Atkinson surfed with power and progression, but despite his efforts he was unable to best Fanning. “France is all about pacing,” Fanning said. “The conditions can change day to day and heat to heat. You have to be patient and observant, that’s the key. Dion has been really sharp lately. We were trading pretty high scores out there and it always first you up to see you opponent get a good one and to have an opportunity to do so as well.”
[pullquote]Andino opened with an excellent campaign, showing off his signature progressive surfing[/pullquote]
Fanning was joined by Kolohe Andino, Matt Wilkinson, and John John Florence as round three victors today.
Kolohe Andino bested Freddy Patacchia in heat two of round three. Andino opened with an excellent campaign, showing off his signature progressive surfing. Patacchia combined a three-floater ride, logging a midrange five. Andino answered his call when he combined three fins-free hacks with a rail-grab and float section — leaving Patacchia in a combination situation.
Patacchia went for broke but hesitated on some risky manouvers, allowing Andino to take the win.
“It’s been fun competing against Andino,” said Patacchia. “He’s a respectful competitor — I gave him space and he gave me space and we just got to surf. I don’t think I had the best heat but I don’t want to take anything away from Kolohe. He’s shredding.”
John John Florence bested Sebastian Zietz in a risky heat four of round three. ASP/ Poullenot
Next up was Matt Wilkinson’s and Michel Bourez’s battle. Their heat got off to a slow start, Wilkinson took off with the restart horn, putting together some carvers for a four-pointer — with the score holding as heat-high into the final 10-minutes.
Bourez struggled with positioning, leading him to lack wave scores for the majority of the heat. Wilkinson found a similar ride to his opener and logged another four — earning the first solid score of the heat and taking the win.
“I really need a big result,” Wilkinson said. “The heat before ours was absolutely pumping — the girls were putting up bombs — and then we ended up catching chest-high waves to cap it off and it’s not what we expected.”
[pullquote]Florence taking on an all-or-nothing air that didn’t go as planned[/pullquote]
The all Hawaiian final heat of the day saw John John Florence and Sebastian Zietz go head-to-head for heat four; with Florence taking on an all-or-nothing air that didn’t go as planned, and Zietz finding the best barrel of the event to date.
Florence took big risks during the heat, leaving him behind during most of the heat. But in the final 10 minutes he settled into a progressive line, leading to an excellent score and forcing a lead change. He then executed a full air rotation for a solid backup. Zietz could not find the scores he needed and lost the heat.
“I got the wind knocked out of me but after I felt good,” Florence said. “The waves were pretty powerful so it ended up working really nice.”
When the competition continues for the remainder of round three, Josh Kerr will face Adrian Buchan.
Quiksilver Pro France Remaining Round 2 Results:
Heat 10: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 12.60 def. Mitch Crews (AUS) 10.50
Heat 11: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 16.00 def. Adam Melling (AUS) 15.77
Heat 12: Kai Otton (AUS) 13.00 def. Tiago Pires (PRT) 11.10
Quiksilver Pro France Round 3 Results (1st Advances to Round 4, 2nd Finishes Equal 13th):
Heat 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) 17.27 def. Dion Atkinson (AUS) 16.53
Heat 2: Kolohe Andino (USA) 15.67 def. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 12.23
Heat 3: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 10.00 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 5.60
Heat 4: John John Florence (HAW) 15.17 def. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 11.17
Quiksilver Pro France Remaining Round 3 Match-Ups (1st Advances to Round 4, 2nd Finishes Equal 13th):
Heat 5: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Heat 6: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Jeremy Flores (BRA)
Heat 7: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 8: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Heat 9: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Filipe Toledo (BRA)
Heat 10: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)
Heat 11: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 12: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)
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