2003 BILLABONG PRO JBAY: Slaters Slays 'Em
Burrow appeared destined for a finals appearance after his earlier showings, but against Hobgood in the second semifinal he suffered a bizarre twist of fate. Having collected an early lead with a 7.67 ride, the West Australian saw what he believed to be a huge shark's fin and immediately exited the water. After being assured by announcers the fin actually belonged to a whale, he slowly made it way back into the lineup with 12-minutes remaining. Despite only requiring a 6.33, Burrow was visibly rattled from the experience and never found his form again.
"I'm sure I saw a shark's fin which scared the crap out of me," explained Burrows. "The fin was as big as my board, but a perfect triangle and thick. There was no way it was a whale or a dolphin... it was the biggest thing and I was just freaking' out and headed straight in. I went back out eventually and only needed a small score, but I dead set couldn't even surf. I was so shaken up.
"I'm so frustrated, he continued. "I could have got a 6.33... I'm devastated and wish I never even saw it. Oh well, Damien had the guts to stay out there, but he didn't see it (laughs)."
Finishing equal fifth today in the Billabong Pro were Danny Wills (Aus), 2001 world champ CJ Hobgood (FL, USA), Shea Lopez (FL, USA) and Dean Morrison (Gold Coast, Aus).
South African wildcard Sean Holmes' (Wilderness) giant killing run was ultimately stopped by Knox in round four, where he placed equal 9th overall.
A Foster's Expression Session was held prior to the final with a handful of the world's best, as well as women's five-time world champion Layne Beachley (Manly, Aus) who had flown into Jeffreys Bay for the ASP mid-year meetings.
Mick Fanning (Gold Coast, Aus) collected US$2,000 for the best maneuver following a forehand carving 360 reverse, while 2001 world champ CJ Hobgood (FL, USA) picked up US$1,000 for the best wave.
Live streaming footage, scores and commentary were available on www.billabongpro.com or www.aspworldtour.com.
Official 2003 Billabong Pro Results - 1st Kelly Slater (USA) 18.36 - US$30,000
- 2nd Damien Hobgood (USA) 15.83 - US$16,000
Semifinals (1st>Final; 2nd=3rd receives US$10,000) - SF1: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.57 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 11.07
- SF2: Damien Hobgood (USA) 14.0 def. Taj Burrow (Aus) 9.0
Quarterfinals (1st>Semifinals; 2nd=5th receives US$8,000) - QF1: Kelly Slater (USA) 18.44 def. Danny Wills (Aus) 13.74
- QF2: Taylor Knox (USA) 14.1 def. CJ Hobgood (USA) 13.33
- QF3: Taj Burrow (Aus) 16.9 def. Shea Lopez (USA) 15.1
- QF4: Damien Hobgood (USA) 14.17 def. Dean Morrison (Aus) 13.54
Round Four (1st>Quarterfinals; 2nd=9th receives US$5,000) - H1: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.84 def. Mark Occhilupo (Aus) 16.5
- H2: Danny Wills (Aus) 16.17 def. Kieren Perrow (Aus) 15.83
- H3: CJ Hobgood (USA) 16.84 def. Luke Egan (Aus) 16.4
- H4: Taylor Knox (USA) 12.83 def. Sean Holmes (SAfr) 12.33
- H5: Shea Lopez (USA) 13.83 def. Joel Parkinson (Aus) 9.6
- H6: Taj Burrow (Aus) 15.43 def. Guilherme Herdy (Brz) 10.67
- H7: Damien Hobgood (USA) 16.17 def. Tom Whitaker (Aus) 14.57
- H8: Dean Morrison (Aus) 15.0 def. Armando Daltro (Brz) 12.07
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