2006 Rip Curl Pro & Music Festival - Bells Beach Australia

DAY 1: THE BOMB RIP CURL PRO TRIALS

“Well, at least it’s not Groundhog’s Day again,” said a relieved Kekoa “Tank” Bacalso, comparing the early 90’s Bill Murray flick to 2005’s identical 14 days of lake-like conditions and teeth-chattering winds during the Rip Curl Pro at Bells.

Indeed, Tank was right. This is a new year and just the beginning action in the ASP’s longest running WCT event: The Rip Curl Pro. And those who attended last year were thrilled to lay eyes on the shoulder to head high, clean lines funneling through Rincon at Bells on April 10.

“I’ve never had fun out here,” stated fired-up Puerto Rican Brian Toth after one of his heats. “I lost, and I still ended up having a good time.”

There were no excuses during The Bomb Rip Curl Pro Trials. The clean righthanders were the proper canvas for every trialist to show what they have. From Victorian hometown heroes like Adam Robertson to International WQS point-chasers like Jean Da Silva, the trials didn’t lack action.

Highlights included a devastating 3-hack massacre from Bacalso in round two that earned him a 9.63, the highest score of the day. Other highlights included a unique strategy from 16-year old Aussie wiz kid, Owen Wright, to opt on only taking lefts during his stacked round three heat with Bacalso and Matty Wilkinson. Despite Bells’ reputation of being a world-class right, the wirey O. Wright sliced, carved, and aired each Bells left to victory in that particular heat.

When the dust settled, the final saw two local big shots, Nic Muscroft and Adam Robertson, who both won all 3 of their heats, which virtually sealed their spots in the main event. However, one more spot (making three total) was still up for grabs, and it was between 17-year old wonderboy Matt Wilkinson and the new ASP World Junior Champ, Kekoa Bacalso.

Wilkinson didn’t let Bacalso’s new title phase him, as he crushed 2 lined up rights to seal victory in the final and a spot in the main event.

“I’m sooooo stoked,” gasped a still-dripping Wilko. He failed to elaborate further, but if you were 17 years old and beat a stacked field to surf in the Rip Curl Pro WCT, I’m sure you’d be lacking better adjectives too.

RESULTS (CUMULATIVE SCORE TOTAL):
1. NIC MUSCROFT (QUALIFIED FOR MAIN EVENT)
2. ADAM ROBERTSON (QUALIFIED FOR MAIN EVENT)
3. MATT WILKINSON (QUALIFIED FOR MAIN EVENT)
4. KEKOA BACALSO (1st Alternate)

RESULTS OF FINAL HEAT:
1. MATT WILKINSON
2. NIC MUSCROFT
3. ADAM ROBERTSON
4. KEKOA BACALSO

____________Official Release____________________

BELLS BEACH SET TO RETURN TO GLORY FOR 2006 RIP CURL PRO

Long-term swell forecasts have indicated that excellent waves will once again return to the famed Bells Beach stage for the 34th annual Rip Curl Pro Surf and Music Festival due to begin tomorrow (Tuesday 11 March), and competitors are anxious that they may have to unleash their “guns” or longer boards as the swell could reach overhead heights by the weekend.

Contest Director, two-time world champion (in 1987 and 1991) Damien Hardman, was resembling an eager “grommet” today as he anticipated some incredible action to ensue when the swell increases toward the end of the week.

“It’s predicted that we’ll see an increase in swell tomorrow but mainly on Wednesday which should let us start the event in some quality Bells walls,” said Hardman. “Then come Friday, we’ll see a new and even bigger swell arrive and that is forecast to be overhead in size.

“If the swell comes through as has been indicated by www.swellnet.com.au,” said Hardman, “we should see the most prestigious event on the Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour return to its exciting best.”

In 2005, the event, the second on the Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour won by Trent Munro (AUS), was plagued by unfavourable conditions and was forced to move to Phillip Island located two hours away.

Late this afternoon, injury withdrawals from Toby Martin (AUS) due to a lingering neck injury and Adrian Buchan (AUS) due to an ankle injury forced a draw change (the draw features 45 world-ranked surfers plus three wildcards) and it now includes Ben Dunn (AUS) and Jihad Kodher (BRA) plus three wildcards from the Rip Curl Pro Trials.

The trials event, held today at Bells in one metre (three foot) conditions, was taken by Nic Muscroft (AUS), followed by Matt Wilkinson (AUS) and Adam Robertson (AUS).

The main event draw could still change given that both seven-time Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour champion Kelly Slater (USA) and three-time tour champion Andy Irons (HAW) were both unable to attend a press conference today due to them being unwell.

Slater is believed to be in a bad way suffering from a mystery virus, and he was even forced to withdraw from a World Qualifying Series event in Newcastle, Australia last week due to the severity of his condition.

The Rip Curl Pro press conference, also staged today at the Melbourne Aquarium, featured Munro and 2001 champion and world number three Mick Fanning (AUS) wrestling for the much sought after Rip Curl Pro winner’s bell trophy while scuba diving in a shark tank.

Fanning, while treading water in the tank as he put his diving mask on, had a first hand look into a shark’s gaping jaw as he was “kissed” on the face by a two-metre bull nosed shark as it brushed past him.

Fanning was obviously rattled but at the same time ecstatic about the close call.

“That was truly unbelievable,” frothed out Fanning after leaving the tank. “Did you see that thing! Hopefully I won’t run into one of those in the lineup!”

When asked about surfing back at Bells he appeared much more at ease.

“I always look forward to coming to Bells,” said Fanning. “It’s such a great high-performance wave. I’ve been in Indonesia working a lot on my equipment and have a good quiver of boards that will go well for me out there. I’ve also been working a lot on my strength and endurance since the first event and can’t wait to get going.”

Munro was equally as enthused about getting the first round underway at Bells Beach, as after having plenty of experience at the break, he is eager to tuck another bell trophy under his wing by beating the best of the best.

“The Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach is one of the most prestigious events in the world and I’m back here to have another crack at taking home the Bell for sure,” said Munro. “It’s a hard question to answer regarding whom I’d like to beat in the top 10 the most because I find it satisfying beating anyone. I do find it particularly satisfying when I beat Andy or Kelly.”

Going to press the full draw for round one of the Rip Curl Pro has yet to be finalised but stay tuned to www.aspworldtour.com or www.ripcurl.com/ripcurlpro for all event updates.