It’s been a while since we’ve covered news surrounding the 2013 ASP World Tour here on our blog. Now that the Billabong Pro Teahupoo wrapped up in the beautiful French Polynesia islands, we figured there’s no better time than now to get our visitors up to date with the ASP World Tour. If you happened to miss the event, keep reading for a breakdown of what happened, who won, and how it affects the standings. With only four events left in the ASP World Tour, it’s make or break time for many of these professional surfers.
While most reporters and media news outlets have been talking about Jordy Smith and Kelly Slater throughout the ASP World Tour, it was none other than the 30-year old Australian-borne surfer Adrian ‘Ace’ Buchan who came away with a first place win at the Billabong Pro Teahupoo. Ace began his professional surfing at an early age, but unfortunately he was forced to place his dreams on hold after suffering from an ankle injury in 2006. In 2008, however, Ace was back to the game, coming away with an impressive 6th place finish at the ASP World Tour.
During the final round of the Billabong Pro Teahupoo, Ace went up against Kelly Slater in a neck-to-neck battle for first place. During a post-surf interview, Ace said, “Had to plow through some big names today. Every time I paddled out, I told myself that I only had to catch two waves. That was my mantra through each heat and it worked out well for me.” Although Slater ended up with a second place finish at the Billabong Pro Teahupoo, he’s still sitting comfortably with a first place standing in the ASP World Tour rankings.
You might be surprised to learn that Billabong Pro Teahupoo is recognized as being one of the world’s heaviest ‘big wave’ competitions, which is due in part to the fact that Teahupoo is the only natural below-sea-level wave break known to man. Since its founding in 1999, there have been five recorded deaths at the the Billabong Pro Teahupoo. The thought of serious injury or death was certainly looming in the back of the ASP competitors’ minds, but it didn’t stop them from tackling the monster waves of the the French Polynesia islands. Even first place winner, Ace, stated that he was knocked down wish so much force that he believed to have dislocated his shoulder. Fortunately for him, his shoulder was fine and Ace continued to push through the event.