The O'Neill Coldwater Classic, Stop No. 9 of 10 on the ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), completed Rounds 3 and 4 today, with the ASP World Title Race and requalification campaigns heating up at Steamer Lane.
Joel Parkinson (AUS), 31, current frontrunner for the ASP World Title, moved one step closer to achieving his goal of winning the O'Neill Coldwater Classic. Parkinson was selective in his slow Round 4 heat, but his cautious wave choice allowed the Australian to notch the day's highest score of 9.50 for a powerful combination of turns, aiding in his advancement to the Quarterfinals.
Parkinson, a three-time ASP World Runner-Up, is within striking distance of his maiden elite crown and knows big results in the last two events will be crucial in finishing atop the ASP WCT Rankings.
Jeremy Flores (FRA), 24, was another natural-footer to find success in today's challenging conditions. Like Parkinson, the Frenchman also started strong with a powerful forehand attack on his opening wave, notching an excellent 9.37 for the ride to hold off Tahitian powerhouse Michel Bourez (PYF), 27, and Kelly Slater (USA), 40, to earn his Quarterfinals berth.
Taj Burrow (AUS), 34, looked sharp in his Round 4 bout. Combining an array of turns with airs, he advanced directly to the Quarterfinals over high-flying Brazilian Gabriel Medina (BRA), 18, and dangerous goofy-footer Travis Logie (ZAF), 33.
Burrow, current No. 7 on the ASP WCT, finished equal 13th in both France and Portugal and the progressive Australian feels his Round 4 success could be the rebound towards a strong result at the O'Neill Coldwater Classic.
Matt Wilkinson (AUS), 24, former O'Neill Coldwater Classic winner (2010), was electric on his backhand today, taking top honors in both Rounds 3 and 4 to earn his best result of the season. Wilkinson, current No. 30 on the ASP WCT, was in need of a major result to remain among the ASP Top 34 for 2013 and his advancement to the Quarterfinals will vault him to a more stable position on the rankings.