"SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Nov. 4, 2012. Day 4 - round 2&3
Matt Wilkinson (AUS), 24, former O'Neill Coldwater Classic winner (2010), caused a significant upset this morning, eliminating ASP WCT No. 4 John John Florence (HAW), 19, in Round 2 of competition, ending the young Hawaiian's run for the 2012 ASP World Title. Wilkinson's victory came at the hands of a dominant backhand performance, where the talented goofy-footer claimed one of the day's highest scores of a 9.20 for a seamless combination of turns.
Wilkinson will face off against Owen Wright (AUS), 22, when O'Neill Coldwater Classic competition resumes.
Jadson Andre (BRA), 22, issued the upset of the day, eliminating current ASP WCT No. 3 Mick Fanning (AUS), 31, in Round 2 of competition. Andre was in need of a 7-point ride in the dying moments of his heat and combined a furious combination of backhand blasts to narrowly edge out the two-time ASP World Champion, significantly hampering Fanning's ASP World Title run.
Andre was unable to surpass veteran Australian Taj Burrow (AUS), 34, in their Round 3 affair however, taking an equal 13th place finish at the O'Neill Coldwater Classic.
Raoni Monteiro (BRA), 30, contributed to the Brazilian storm of upsets today, eliminating ASP WCT sophomore Julian Wilson (AUS), 23, in Round 2 before taking down Jordy Smith (ZAF), 24, in Round 3.
Gabriel Medina (BRA), 18, relied on his aerial game while hunting the lefthanders at Steamer Lane to best veteran Taylor Knox (USA), 41, in an intense Round 3 battle of power versus progression. In need of a solid score in the dying minutes, Medina launched a massive full-rotation aerial, earning a 9.53 for the ride and a spot in Round 4.
Travis Logie (ZAF), 33, was another goofy-footer to put on a backhand clinic at Steamer Lane today, besting fellow right-foot-forward surfer Adrian Buchan (AUS), 30, to advance to Round 4 in a hard-fought heat.
While Fanning and Florence fell early, current ASP poll leader Joel Parkinson (AUS), 31, and 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 40, were victorious today, intensifying the race for the 2012 crown.