Article

Highlights From Day One of the Rip Curl Pro

| posted on October 10, 2010

The first nine heats of the Rip Curl Pro Portugal saw the underdogs prevail in shifty, inconsistent conditions at Supertubos. Among them, Tom Whitaker, Dusty Payne, Matt Wilkinson, Gabe Kling and Jeremy Flores surfed smart heats to secure first round victories while event favorites like Kelly Slater, Dane Reynolds, Jordy Smith, Tiago Pieres, and CJ Hobgood failed to advance.

Despite this big double grab, World No. 2, Jordy Smith, couldn't get past Gabe Kling. Photo: Joli

Despite this giant double grab, World No. 2, Jordy Smith, couldn't get past Gabe Kling. Photo: Joli

ASP Wildcard, Tom Whitaker, did two backside hooks to receive Day One's highest score of a 9.5. Photo: Joli

Rain or shine, Portugal surf fans will be there. Photo: Joli

Rain or shine, Portugal's surf fans will be there. Photo: Joli

Taj Burrow was able to find the rare barrel to defeat Brett Simpson and Travis Logie. Photo: Joli

Taj Burrow, finding the rare open barrel to defeat Brett Simpson and Travis Logie. Photo: Joli

Dane Reynolds's aerial surfing wasn't enough to get past Jeremy Flores. Photo: Joli

Dane Reynolds' aerial surfing wasn't enough to beat European standout, Jeremy Flores. Photo: Joli

Carrying his France momentum into Portugal, Mick Fanning was able to narrowly edge out trails winner Marlon Lipke for a Round 1 victory. Photo: Joli.

Mick Fanning, carried his momentum from France into Portugal with a Round 1 win. Photo: Joli.

Day One saw an estimated 40,000 surf enthusiasts. Photo: Joli

An estimated 40,000 surf fans showed up for the first day of the Men's event. Photo: Joli

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Comments

Sand Sock Girl
October 12, 2010 10:09 pm

Too bad! I missed this Rip Curl event. Damn, I heard it was lotsa fun!

Rodney
October 11, 2010 2:12 pm

Rip Curl should not be running heats with the worlds best surfers in wind blown storm slop. If I wanted to see surfing in those conditions, I would go to a NSSA contest in Huntington Beach. Am I nuts or does anybody agree with me?