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TOP 45 REVIEW PERFORMERS
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If given the right waves and the right opportunities, all these surfers undoubtedly have the talent to challenge the Super Freaks. Most should climb higher in 2008. |
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Most telling stat: Won 80% of his first round heats.
Vs Top 5: 50%
Win Ratio: 71.4%
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8. Jeremy Flores 19, Reunion Island/New Caledonia
The rub on Jeremy Flores was that his surfing wasn’t going to translate at the next level. While the highly touted Frenchman (actually, he’s from Reunion Island) was a well-known favorite of last year’s rookie class, the Top 10 seemed a long way off…or so we thought. Mr. Flores served us a nice, big dish of crow to feast on last year by cracking the Top 10, and taking the Rookie of the Year honors to boot. He now sits atop the new European insurgency going into 2008. Flores can hang a lot of his success last year on winning eight of his 10 first-round heats. He was also dead even against the Top Five and had a very respectable win ratio of 71%, which bested Andy Irons among others. However, Flores must be wary of the sophomore slump that has, on occasion, plagued those who succeed in their maiden outing, like Bobby Martinez. This could be a major factor when considering his purchase, as he will no doubt start the year with a hefty price tag. Flores’ ability to tackle heavier surf is still a question that was never really tested last year. But the type of numbers he posted is indicative of a very solid foundation that he’ll be looking to build on. The experience he gained should keep him safe on tour for some time to come, however his position inside the Top 10 is not secure by any stretch of the imagination, so the risks are inherent. |
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Most telling stat: 18.18% v Top 10
Win ratio: 45%
At his best: In hollow lefts.
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23. Fredrick Patacchia 26, Oahu, Hawaii
Although he was the life of each end-of-event party, Fred really didn’t have too much to celebrate as far as results were concerned in 2007. He finished the year two spots afloat of the dreaded “bubble” in 23rd place and amassed only a 45 percent win ratio throughout the year. His results against the Top 10 weren’t much better, winning only 18.18 percent of his match-ups. He went 0-3 against Slater and 0-4 against Durbidge. His most astonishing win against any of the Top 10 was over Taj Burrow at Trestles, a heat that also had the dubious honor of Jordy Smith’s presence. In fact, that particular heat, where he posted 15.76 points, was the only round 1 heat that Patacchia advanced through the entire year, which illustrates that he has the talent to mix it up with the big boys when he’s pushed, but falls short when he should easily excel. Patacchia is a talented surfer who thrives in the hollow left-handers, but if he has one specific weakness, his backhand is it. Based on the number of quality right hand waves on tour, his mental attitude, and his numbers coming into the ’08 season, it seems likely that Patacchia will slide into the bottom half of the 45 sooner rather than later. |
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Most telling stat: only advanced out of third round three times. Never out of round 4.
Win ratio: 44.73%
Vs. Top 5: 0% (0/3)
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25. Ricky Basnett, 22, Durban, South Africa
Ricky Basnett was a bit of an oddity in 2007. He breezed through the opening rounds of nine of the ten WCT events, but only progressed out of round three on two occasions, and never advanced beyond round four. That is not to say he never had his opportunities. He squandered a perfect opportunity against Taylor Knox at J-Bay when he gave up priority for a bad wave and then half-surfed an insider in the dying seconds to fall fractions of a point short of the required score. He also lost twice in agonizingly close, low-scoring encounters with his fellow countrymen. While most of this can be put down to inexperience, the real problem with Basnett’s surfing in his rookie year was not his ability (he has style, power, and flair in spades) nor was it his inability to surf in waves of consequence (he grew up surfing Cave Rock, South Africa’s version of Backdoor), but rather it was his lack of confidence to take it to the big names that saw him struggle beyond the opening rounds. Some insiders say that he is almost “too nice” to pose a real threat, but under the careful watch of Rip Curl’s training program, he may finally begin to show returns. One heat could turn Basnett around mentally and, given that opportunity, he could do some damage this year. |
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Win ratio: 51%
Best result: 5th at Bells.
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27. Royden Bryson 25, East London, South Africa
When Royden Bryson missed the Teahupoo event in 2007, the rumor-mill went into overdrive. But whatever was being said about this young goofy-footers fear of big waves is entirely without substance. His heat in Chile where he got the beating of a lifetime and soldiered on with a concussion should be an indication of his fearless attitude. The real reason for him missing the event was a administrative error, which resulted in him not getting his Tahitian visa in time. Royden has a manger now, which should free him up to concentrate on his lightning-fast brand of surfing. Bryson’s progressive approach is bolstered by a solid big-wave foundation, and is respected by judges and competitors alike. In 2007 his overall win ratio was a meager 51%, but after his 5th at Bells and numerous fourth round appearances it is clear that his ability is not lacking. Expect to see plenty more from Royden in his sophomore year. |
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Most telling stat: Luke came up against the Top 5 10 times in 9 events.
Win Ratio: 40%
Vs Top 5: 10% (1/10)
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32. Luke Munro 25, Currumbin, Australia
Luke Munro is testament to the tremendous amount of talent coming out of Australia that goes thoroughly unnoticed throughout the rest of the world. Although relatively unknown in the U.S., Munners has made a healthy start to the 2008 season by besting Dane Reynolds in his opening heat at the Quiksilver Pro at Snapper (nay, D-Bah). Luke’s 2007 rookie season was a rough one for the regularfooter with his seed putting him against the likes of many of the Top 10 in the early rounds. Now that he’s no longer a rookie, perhaps Luke has gained some insight into what it takes to compete at the elite level, and if his performance during the opening days of Snapper is any indication of where Luke is headed in 2008, he just might prove to be a spoiler for many of the Top 10. |
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33. Tim Reyes 25, Huntington Beach, California
While the eyes of the surfing world focus on the arrival of the terror twins on tour, Timmy Reyes will be returning from an injury that has taken him off the map. As a competitor, Reyes was only beginning to hit his stride on the WCT when a mistimed floater tore the ACL and MCL ligaments in his right knee and sent him to the sidelines for nearly all of 2007. But now, in 2008, after receiving an injury wildcard, Timmy has been spotted several times already looking 100% fit, pissed, and ready. Word on the street is that Timmy will not just compete, but will be a major player this year. After finishing 11th in his rookie year—despite having missed the last two events—many believe the Top 10 is very much a reality. Reyes didn’t have to look far for a template during his recovery. Fanning’s journey back in 2005 was the model he stuck with, and Mick’s success last year kept his fire stoked. Never doubt the desire of a man on a major comeback mission. It won’t all be smooth sailing, but the smart money will be hard pressed to pass up this guy in 2008. |
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