ASP Season Off and Running: Red Bull Riders Looking Sharp
As the 2008 ASP season got underway all eyes were on Mick Fanning...and the reigning world champ didn't disappoint. With blistering performance after blistering performance, Mick's looking more in form than ever. And while he finished in the runner-up slot to 8-time world champ Kelly Slater, he demonstrated that over the long haul, he's going to be damn hard to beat. Don't think so? Well, consider this: Last year Mick had the highest winning percentage on tour, and over the past year and a half he's only failed to make the quarterfinals or better once. Plus he's getting married in a couple weeks, and once he gets the big day behind him it's going to be full-steam ahead.But Mick wasn't the only one with something to prove. Andy Irons is back and better than ever. The three-time world champ his fitter, more focused and more ready to do battle than he has been in some years. His boards are looking good, he's chiseled, lean, mean and ready to be a world title winning machine once again. He fell to Kelly Slater in their quarterfinal duel, but if it's any consolation there weren't too many waves to be had out there and Kelly snagged the best ones.
And then there's brother Bruce Irons, who still exhibits a freakish
free surfing ability. If the waves get good this year in Tahiti, Fiji
or Hawaii, he's going to be a force to be reckon with. Bruce's major
drawback is that if the waves are big enough to kill you he gets bored.
But put the hard-charging Hawaiian in some juice and it's game over.
This year the Gold Coast didn't exactly deliver the below-sea-level
barrels that it's become renowned for, which may be part of the reason
Bruce made an early exit this year.
Then there's the supporting cast of Adriano De Souza, Ben Dunn, and Tiago Pieres. Adriano's looking fit, flexible and hungry. He's stepped up his game in the off season and is anxious to show the world he's a viable contender. Ben Dunn is back for his second year on tour, and by making Round Four proved that he's steadily maturing into a serious threat. The tactics are there, the polish is in place, all he needs now is a break-out performance and it's game on. Then there's tour rookie Tiago Pieres, waving the flag for Portugal. Again, give the man a chance in some quality surf and he's dangerous.
And on the women's side of the draw what else can you say about Sofia? He's schooled the best women in the world and looks intent on making run at another title this year.
There's two weeks until Bells gets underway. Some surfers are heading to Bali for a little rest and relaxation, others are chasing swell around Oz, but when the crew reassembles down in Torquay you can expect to see the fireworks fly once again.
Then there's the supporting cast of Adriano De Souza, Ben Dunn, and Tiago Pieres. Adriano's looking fit, flexible and hungry. He's stepped up his game in the off season and is anxious to show the world he's a viable contender. Ben Dunn is back for his second year on tour, and by making Round Four proved that he's steadily maturing into a serious threat. The tactics are there, the polish is in place, all he needs now is a break-out performance and it's game on. Then there's tour rookie Tiago Pieres, waving the flag for Portugal. Again, give the man a chance in some quality surf and he's dangerous.
And on the women's side of the draw what else can you say about Sofia? He's schooled the best women in the world and looks intent on making run at another title this year.
There's two weeks until Bells gets underway. Some surfers are heading to Bali for a little rest and relaxation, others are chasing swell around Oz, but when the crew reassembles down in Torquay you can expect to see the fireworks fly once again.
i think u are a good sufer but when you go out there you need to own that water. cuz nobody can take that away from you and one day you need to teach me how to surff call me 1850-533-0778 my name is nancy
love you
BYE