2003 Boost Mobile Pro at Lowers

Parkinson later eliminated Reynolds in the day's final clash, though it proved a tough battle. The young Californian wildcard displayed a confident act along with his gifted surfing, and left few doubting he's got a future in WCT events down the line.

Last year's champ Luke Egan. (C)

Local wildcard and former world #2 Shane Beschen (now living in Hawaii) proved a danger man in the Boost Mobile Pro presented by Quiksilver. Having slipped off the WCT ranks in 2001, he's already fought his way back through the World Qualifying Series (WQS) this year and today overcame Paulo Moura (Brz) and current ratings #3 Kieren Perrow (Byron Bay, Aus). The respected aerialist landed two big boosts on one righthander, as well as a huge method-air on an earlier left. Not only did he advance directly into round three, but is also in contention for one of the wildcard spots for 'The Snapple Best Damn Airshow' on Monday the 8th.

"I've had a lot of pressure on myself all year to make the 'CT and now I'm pretty much done with that job, so it feels like a huge weight off my shoulders," said Beschen. "I'm more relaxed and just want to go nuts out there now (laughs).

"I want a wildcard into 'The Snapple Best Damn Airshow', so I knew I had to bust some airs then," he continued. "I love Trestles and it's by far one of the most high performance waves in the world. My focus for this event is to get a 10. I've never gotten one without being tubed, but I know it's possible out here."

Defending Boost Mobile Pro winner Luke Egan (Gold Coast, Aus) dominated his heat against Brazilian Peterson Rosa and fellow Australian Tom Whitaker. The powerful goofy footer waited patiently for the superior set waves and opted for the righthanders, as he did in 2002, securing bigger scores with strong backhand turns.

"I always look for the lefts when I free surf out here, so it's a heavy discipline for me to wait and go right," admitted Egan. "I think the rights suit my backhand, and thankfully I managed to pick some good ones. I'm feeling really fit at the moment as I just came off a two week trip in the Mentawai's, so all I've been doing is surfing six-hours a day. There's a long way to go, and I've got to put my result last year out of mind. That's history and I've got to make the present become good history."

World #5 Mick Fanning (Gold Coast, Aus) also gained attention with his surfing, earning the day's highest single score of 9.43 and a combined total of 17.5-points. The 22-year-old defeated Shane Powell (Avoca, Aus) and Tim Curran (Oxnard, CA, USA) with a series of fast forehand carves.

"It's good to be back at Trestles as it's such a fun wave," began Fanning. "It's a gnarly event as everyone comes here and just goes mental. You've got to really step it up, so it should be a good one to watch."

WCT newcomer Luke Stedman was another winner this morning, defeating world #4 Taj Burrow and fellow Australian Phil MacDonald. Despite being equal last on the current ratings, the Sydney surfer displayed his steadily increasing confidence.

(c)Chris Smith

"When you're competing against guys like Taj, who can easily post high scores on anything, you've really got to make sure you do as much as possible," explained Stedman. "It's insane to be here at Lowers and have contestable waves. It feels like I can actually showcase my talent and actually have a go. That's what surfing is all about."

Boost Mobile Pro presented by Quiksilver Round One (1st>Rnd3; 2nd&3rd>Rnd2)

• H1: Dean Morrison (Aus) 13.5; Guilherme Herdy (Brz) 12.43; Shane Dorian (Haw) 10.0
• H2: Luke Egan (Aus) 16.34; Peterson Rosa (Brz) 14.57; Tom Whittaker (Aus) 9.17

• H4: Michael Campbell (Aus) 14.34; Cory Lopez (USA) 14.17; Toby Martin (Aus) 11.76
• H5: Luke Stedman (Aus) 16.24; Taj Burrow (Aus) 9.67; Phil MacDonald (Aus) 6.67

• H6: Mick Fanning (Aus) 17.5; Shane Powell (Aus) 14.67; Tim Curran (USA) 14.07

• H7: Shane Beschen (USA) 16.07; Paulo Moura (Brz) 15.33; Kieren Perrow (Aus) 13.07
• H8: Jake Paterson (Aus) 16.07; Andy Irons (Haw) 15.83; Rob Machado (USA) 10.5
• H9: Neco Padaratz (Brz) 16.33; Joel Parkinson (Aus) 16.2; Dane Reynolds (USA) 14.07
• H10: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.67; Bruce Irons (Haw) 17.06; Pat O'Connell (USA) 12.73
• H11: Nathan Hedge (Aus) 14.43; Michael Lowe (Aus) 13.67; Beau Emerton (Aus)
• H12: Mark Occhilupo (Aus) 16.74; Armando Daltro (Brz) 14.83; N Webster(Aus)8.66
• H13: Richard Lovett (Aus) 13.76; Danilo Costa (Brz) 13.5; Daniel Wills (Aus) 12.93
• H14: Shea Lopez (USA) 16.73; Luke Hitchings (Aus) 15.47; Chris Davidson (Aus) 14.63
• H15: Taylor Knox (USA) 17.83; Flavio Padaratz (Brz) 15.83; Lee Winkler (Aus) 11.7
• H16: Victor Ribas (Brz) 15.9; Darren O'Rafferty (Aus) 14.6; Kalani Robb (Haw) 5.77
• H3: Trent Munro (Aus) 14.23; Damien Hobgood (USA) 13.1; Fabio Gouveia (Brz) 11.6

Round Two (1st>Rnd3; 2nd=33, receives US$3,000)

• H1: Andy Irons (Haw) 14.6 def. Rob Machado (USA) 13.93
• H2: Joel Parkinson (Aus) 13.97 def. Dane Reynolds (USA) 12.5