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SURFERMAG.COM PROTOUR UPDATE

Egan Keeps Movin' On(Con't)

"When I walked down the beach and the commentator said we'd all won an event here before, it sunk in how hard it'd be," said Powell. "But it's not so much about being against the other competitors as it is ocean, just trying to get your waves. I think we all played our own game. "It's a good feeling," he added, of beating the ratings leader. "I haven't had too many good heats this year, so I'm just stoked to be through."

Shane Dorian (Haw) gained plenty of confidence beating Luke Hitchings (Aus) this afternoon, together eliminating Kalani Robb (Haw) and six-time world champion Kelly Slater (USA) from the Rip Curl Cup. The Hawaiian needs a good result both here at Sunset and then next tournament at Pipeline to re-qualify for the 2003 WCT.

"Feels great," said Dorian. "That was a really difficult heat and wild conditions, so I was just hoping for the best. I thought everyone was doing well except for me, so you really can't tell. "There's a lot of pressure on every heat," he continued. "All the guys are surfing their best and there's either the world title, or people trying to make the cut for next year. Everyone's got a lot on the line, so it makes for exciting surfing and that's what it's all about. I think my chances are as good as anybody's. I've won here at Sunset before and have done really well at Pipeline in the past. I'll just be relying on my experience and try to surf well."

Current #5 Joel Parkinson (Aus) posted the best single score of the day with a 9.25, as well as the highest combined total during the third round. Against fellow Australian Richie Lovett, Greg Emslie (SAfr) and Guilherme Herdy (Brz), the 21 year old made it out of a long tube ride and then powered through a massive cutback to seal his quarterfinal berth. He'll now meet good friend Mick Fanning (Aus), who won both his heats today, as well as Neco Padaratz (Brz) and Lovett once more.

2002 World Qualifying Series (WQS) champion Jake Paterson (Aus) won the final heat of the day, outscoring fellow countrymen Nathan Webster and Kieren Perrow, as well as Renan Rocha (Brz). The West Australian appeared at ease in the challenging surf.

"I surfed the first day of the contest and I've waited a week to surf the last heat today," explained Paterson of the recent lay-days. "I've been hanging to get out there and it was really good. I got a couple of fun waves, so I'm happy. "We outnumber them on tour anyway, so it's just the odds," he added, of 11 Australians making the quarters, ahead of just two Hawaiians. "I'm just putting my head down and going for the Triple Crown. I'm confident and feeling good."

Earlier in the day current #3 Taj Burrow (Aus) had his world title aspirations taken when beaten by Rip Curl Cup wildcard Bruce Irons (Haw) and fellow countryman Michael Campbell. Burrow, who only required a 4.21 during the last five minutes, picked off a ride and executed a vertical re-entry followed by a cutback, but was only rewarded 3.5 from the judges.

Current #4 Michael Lowe's (Aus) title hopes also ended this morning when six-time world champion Kelly Slater (USA-FL) and Pat O'Connell (USA-CA) pushed him into third position. Despite only requiring a 5.31 toward the end and catching two rides, he fell on both - unaware of the score he needed - and was eliminated from the Rip Curl Cup.

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