CAPBRETON, France (Thursday, May 28, 2009) – The latest episode of the 2009 exclusive documentary by Daz is ON AIR with a full retrospective of the ASP Top 45 European members at the Billabong Pro Tahiti, Stop No. 3 of the ASP World Tour. Aranburu’s fantastic run to the Semifinals for his career best result, Bourez’s unpexpected early loss under pressure in front of his home crowd… No mentioning Flores, Picon, Pires, Boal and Marlon Lipke’s first heat win this year against fellow rookie Drew Courtney…

The Billabong Pro Tahiti seen through the eyes of the biggest ever European contingent on tour comes to you with beautiful footage from French Polynesia. Crystal clear waters, barrels and unbeatable sunsets enable you to share a piece of life on the ASP Dream Tour. Check it out now…

EUROFORCE WORLD TOUR 2008/2009 BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Webisode 1
2008 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Review – February 21, 2009 – ON AIR
2009 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Show – March 14, 2009 – ON AIR

Webisode 2
2008 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Review – April 1, 2009 – ON AIR
2009 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach (Aus) Show – April 21, 2009 – ON AIR

Webisode 3
2008 Billabong Pro Tahiti Review – May 2, 2009 – ON AIR
2009 Billabong Pro Tahiti Show – May 23, 2009 – ON AIR

Webisode 4
2008 Globe Pro Fiji Review – June 20, 2009 –
Webisode 5
2008 Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro Review – October 12, 2009
2009 Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro Show – July 8, 2009

Webisode 6
2008 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Review – July 2, 2009
2009 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Show – July 22, 2009

Webisode 7
2008 Rip Curl Pro Search Somewhere Review – August 10, 2009

Webisode 8
2008 Boost Mobile Pro of Surf Review – September 6, 2009
2009 Hurley Pro Show – September 22, 2009

Webisode 9
2008 Quiksilver Pro France Review – September 16, 2009
2009 Quiksilver Pro France Show – October 7, 2009

Webisode 10
2008 Billabong Pro Mundaka Review – September 28, 2009
2009 Billabong Pro Mundaka Show – October 20, 2009

Webisode 11
2009 Rip Curl Pro Search Somewhere Show – November 1, 2009

Webisode 12
2008 Billabong Pipeline Masters Review – November 21, 2009
2009 Billabong Pipeline Masters Show – December 23, 2009

2009 ASP WORLD TOUR SCHEDULE
Feb. 28 to Mar. 11 – Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Queensland (Australia) – Joel Parkinson
April 7 to 18 – Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Victoria (Australia) – Joel Parkinson
May 9 to 20 – Billabong Pro Tahiti, Teahupoo – Bobby Martinez
June 27 to July 5 – Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro (Brazil)
July 9 to 19 – Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay (South Africa)
Sept. 13 to 19 – Hurley Pro, California (USA)
Oct. 23 to 4 – Quiksilver Pro France, South West Coast (France)
Oct. 5 to 17 – Billabong Pro Mundaka, Euskadi (Spanish Basque Country)
Oct. 19 to 28 – Rip Curl Pro Search Somewhere
Dec. 8 to 20 – Billabong Pipeline Masters, Oahu (Hawaii)

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Sunday, May 24, 2009) – Stop No. 3 of 10 on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour had an exciting finish to competition after several lay-days and saw California talent Bobby Martinez (Santa Barbara, CA), 26, take top honors for the second time at the Billabong Pro Tahiti when he surfed a near-flawless 18.46 out of 20 heat against fellow finalist Taj Burrow (Yallingup, AUS), 30, to claim the win.

Martinez proved to be unstoppable throughout the event’s entirety, topping an amazing crop of talent on the way to his fourth elite ASP World Tour victory by utilizing his impressive forehand barrel riding skills to oust the competition.

“I feel great and a bit emotional,” Martinez said. “I feel wonderful. I waited for the good ones out there and just got lucky. There weren’t too many waves and I was lucky enough to get a couple of good ones and not fall. Things just seemed to work out for me today. I really don’t know what to say. It feels really special.”

In addition to defeating several of the world’s finest competitive surfers including three-time ASP World Champion Andy Irons (Hanalei, HI), 30, event dark horse Aritz Aranburu (Zarautz, EUK), 23, and current ASP World No. 5 Adriano de Souza (Guaruja Sao Paulo, BRA), 22, Martinez managed to achieve the feat on borrowed equipment after breaking all of his personal boards.

“I actually borrowed a board from Alain Riou (local Tahitian surfer),” Martinez said. “He rides Darren Handley shapes and the board was the same dimensions and pretty much the same board I ride. It was great to find that as yesterday, I was a bit skeptical about today in terms of the conditions and my equipment, but everything worked out perfectly.”

Martinez now sits in seventh overall on the ASP World Tour after his Billabong Pro Tahiti victory.

Taylor Knox (Carlsbad, CA), 38, donated his best performance of the year when he ousted current ASP World No. 1 Joel Parkinson (Coolangatta, AUS), 27, on the way to a fifth place finish. Knox jumped out to an early lead before solidifying the win with a second solid score to defeat the Australian talent and the solid result launches him in to the No. 10 position overall amongst the world’s finest.

“It was one of those heats where we were jockeying for position,” Knox said. “I got a 6 and then it went flat. Joel (Parkinson) was tired of waiting and used his priority on a wave that didn’t offer much. Then that really good one came through and I was in position for it. I really thought there were going to be more waves in that heat and that I’d need more than a 6 in my score line, but that’s the way it worked out. I won my heat so I’m stoked and will go home happy now.”

C.J. Hobgood (Melbourne, FL), 29, who is a constant threat at the Billabong Pro Tahiti, was one to watch again this year when he worked through to a fifth place finish. Hobgood’s dominating forehand barrel riding skills helped him earn a victory at Teahupoo in the past, and he was a standout again at this year’s event.

“I look forward to coming here every year and Tahiti is definitely one of my favorite stops on tour,” Hobgood said. “I’ve had a pretty good start to the year, but it’s going to take a lot to catch Joel (Parkinson) at this point. I’m hoping for a good result here.”

CURRENT ASP WORLD TOUR TOP 10:
1 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 3000 points
2 – Taj Burrow (AUS) 2318 points
3 – Mick Fanning (AUS) 2208 points
4 – C.J. Hobgood (USA) 2196 points
5 – Adriano de Souza (BRA) 2174 points
6 – Jordy Smith (ZAF) 2076 points
7 – Bobby Martinez (USA) 2025 points
8 – Tom Whitaker (AUS) 1932 points
9 – Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 1886 points
10 – Kieren Perrow (AUS) 1742 points
10 – Taylor Knox (USA) 1742 points
10 – Damien Hobgood (USA) 1742 points

CAPBRETON, France (Wednesday, May 20, 2009) – Aritz Aranburu (Zarauz, EUK), 23, flew the Basque flag up to the Semifinals of the Billabong Pro Tahiti at Teahupoo last night, the young man making his way through to the Semifinals of the prestigious event after an exceptional run that saw him best 2008 ASP Rookie of the Year Dane Reynolds (California, USA), 23, nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (Florida, USA), 37, former event champion Damien Hobgood (Florida, USA), 29, and experienced ASP Dream Tour competitor Tom Whitaker (New South Wales, AUS), 29.

“I’ve had a tough draw throughout the event, but that’s what has kept me motivated,” Aranburu said. “Coming up against the best guys out there, you need to lift your ability. Beating Kelly (Slater) for me is one of the biggest achievements I’ve ever had. I’ve been looking up to him for so long, and just being on tour with him is an honor. To beat him is a major achievement for me.”

Aranburu, whose equal 3rd place finish at the barrelling world famous lefthander of Teahupoo marks his career’s best result, found his rhythm in the Tahitian warm waters defeating some of the world’s best surfers en route to the Semifinals where he was stopped by Bobby Martinez (California, USA), 26, who was to win the 2009 Billabong Pro Tahiti over Taj Burrow (Western Australia, AUS), 30, in the final heat of the event.

“Bobby (Martinez) is one of the best out there,” Aranburu said. “I had one good one, but he got two good ones, and that was it. It’s my best result ever and I am stoked.”

For his second year only amongst the ASP Top 45 elite contingent, Aranburu eventually reached his goal by making the final-four of an ASP World Tour event, the Basque surfer coming from a brilliant Pro Junior and World Qualifying Series (WQS) career. After a rookie season in 2008 where he suffered several knee and ankle injuries and an equal 9th place finish in the Billabong Pipeline Masters in the final event of the year, Aranburu was awarded a wildcard by his peers to get a second chance after failing to requalify for the ASP World Tour. His Semifinal berth last night puts Aranburu back on track, his result rocketing him to No. 19 on the ASP ratings.

“I have lots of confidence going into the next events,” Aranburu said. “I just want to go home and train and try new boards for Brazil and J-Bay. The biggest thing for me is to know that if I can do it once, I can do it twice.”

Aranburu is the fourth European surfer ever to make the Semifinals of an ASP World Tour event after Jeremy Flores (Capbreton/New Caledonia, FRA), 21, Tiago Pires (Ericeira, PRT), 27 and Miky Picon (Capbreton, FRA), 30, respectively made their way to the same stage on the Gold Coast, at Trestles, in Bali and in Brazil in the last couple of years. Aranburu’s performance is also another step in the rise of European surfing as one of the world’s best surfing nations, an improvement that has seen the number of representatives grow from one in 2007 to seven in 2009.

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Tuesday, May 19, 2009) – The Billabong Pro Tahiti presented by Air Tahiti Nui, event No. 3 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, has called competition on today, with a champion being crowned by day’s end, conditions permitting.

This morning’s surf is running in the three-to-five foot (1- 1.5 metre) range and the opening heats of the day will hit the water at 8:30am.

“We have clear skies and similar sized surf to yesterday and we’ll get competition underway at 8:30am,” Luke Egan, Billabong Pro Tahiti Contest Director, said. “We’re planning on completing the event today, but will monitor the conditions throughout the day to ensure the athletes are run in the best possible surf.”

Yesterday saw the surprise eliminations of reigning nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 37, and current ASP World No. 1 Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, at the hands of Aritz Aranburu (EUK), 23, and Taylor Knox (USA), 38, respectively.

Still remaining in the event are past Billabong Pro Tahiti winners Damien Hobgood (USA), 29, and Bobby Martinez (USA), 26, as well as former ASP World Champions Mick Fanning (AUS), 27, Andy Irons (HAW), 30, and C.J. Hobgood (USA), 29 – both Irons and Hobgood are also past winners at Teahupoo, with Fanning a former runner-up.

First up this morning, former three-time ASP World Champion and event wildcard Irons will take on Martinez in Heat 5 of Round 3 at the Billabong Pro Tahiti.

Surfline, official forecasters for the Billabong Pro Tahiti, are calling for a larger SE groundswell to fill in throughout the day as well as some new SW swell building through today and tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 3 RESULTS:
Heat 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 15.50 def. Jay Thompson (AUS) 6.17
Heat 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) 12.04 def. Kieren Perrow (AUS) 9.40
Heat 3: Mick Campbell (AUS) 15.07 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 8.50
Heat 4: Taylor Knox (USA) 15.46 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 5.57

REMAINING BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 5: Andy Irons (HAW) vs. Bobby Martinez (USA)
Heat 6: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Heat 7: Aritz Aranburu (EUK) vs. Damien Hobgood (USA)
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Tom Whitaker (AUS)

UPCOMING BILLABONG PRO TAHITI QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:
QF 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Taj Burrow (AUS)
QF 2: Mick Campbell (AUS) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)
QF 3: TBA
QF 4: TBA

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Tuesday, May 19, 2009) – Bobby Martinez (USA), 26, has taken out the Billabong Pro Tahiti presented by Air Tahiti Nui, defeating fellow Finalist Taj Burrow (AUS), 30, in clean three-to-five foot (1.5 metre) waves at Teahupoo.

Event No. 3 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Tahiti survived a marathon waiting period, culminating on the second-to-last available day in improving conditions that peaked for a climactic Final.

Martinez surfed a near-flawless heat, opening up with an impressive 8.73 out of a possible 10 before putting his opponent in a combination situation with a Houdini-esque 9.73 out of a possible 10. Netting the highest heat total of the event, an 18.46 out of a possible 20, Martinez claimed his second Billabong Pro Tahiti and fourth elite tour win, establishing himself as one of the premier tube-riders in the world.

“I feel great and a bit emotional,” Martinez said. “I feel wonderful. I waited for the good ones out there and just got lucky. There weren’t too many waves and I was lucky enough to get a couple of good ones and not fall. Things just seemed to work out for me today. I really don’t know what to say. It feels really special.”

The form surfer of the event, Martinez surfed the majority of his heats on borrowed equipment, having broken most of his surfboards early in the waiting period.

“I actually borrowed a board from Alain Riou (local Tahitian surfer),” Martinez said. “He rides Darren Handley shapes and the board was the same dimensions and pretty much the same board I ride. It was great to find that as yesterday, I was a bit skeptical about today in terms of the conditions and my equipment, but everything worked out perfectly.”

Martinez, who is without a major sponsor at the moment, has rocketed himself from 19th to 7th on the ASP World Tour ratings with today’s win, putting him in excellent position for the remainder of the year.

“I’m not thinking about money right now, but rather I’m thinking about the feelings I have,” Martinez said. “I didn’t start surfing to make money. I started for me, and to win today, you cannot put a price on the feelings I have. I’m really going to let it sink it and enjoy it. It’s a great result, but it’s a long year and anything can happen. Joel (Parkinson) has a great lead, and now that this event is over, my focus goes to the next one.”

Burrow’s efforts in the Final were nothing short of spectacular, collecting an 8.17, a 7.93 and a 7.33, but they were not enough to overtake the Martinez stranglehold on the event.

“I definitely had fun but it was tricky against Bobby (Martinez),” Burrow said. “He had a dream heat. The conditions looked pretty good for your forehand because the judges like seeing you pump on your forehand in the barrel. On your backhand, you just have to park it in the pit and you can’t do much, but Bobby did everything he had to out there and deserved the win. I still had a fun Final, but hard to enjoy out there because I was in a combination situation the whole time.”

Burrow now moves into the No. 2 position on the ASP World Tour ratings, setting the Western Australian up well as he eyes up the next events.

“I’ve had two keepers in terms of results and I’m hungry,” Burrow said. “I’m still kicking and I’m looking to win. The next few events, I feel really strong at and I’m going to do whatever it takes to win. I’m stoked to get a result at Teahupoo, I haven’t done well here in a few years so it sets me up really well for the rest of the year.”

Aritz Aranburu (EUK), 23, former ASP World No. 39, was the “Cinderella Story” at the Billabong Pro Tahiti. Having failed to advance through a heat in the opening two events of the season, the Basque Country’s first ever ASP World Tour competitor stormed past Californian sensation Dane Reynolds (USA), 23, former event winner Damien Hobgood (USA), 29, Australian veteran Tom Whitaker, 29, and reigning nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 37, en route to a Semifinals berth.

“I’ve had a tough draw throughout the event, but that’s what has kept me motivated,” Aranburu said. “Coming up against the best guys out there, you need to lift your ability. Beating Kelly (Slater) for me is one of the biggest achievements I’ve ever had. I’ve been looking up to him for so long, and just being on tour with him is an honor. To beat him is a major achievement for me.”

The career-best result was halted at the hands of eventual winner Martinez during one of the most exciting heats of the event. Despite coming up short to Martinez (15.23 to the Californian’s 17.17), Aranburu’s equal 3rd place finish boosts the European to 19th on the ASP World Tour ratings.

“Bobby (Martinez) is one of the best out there,” Aranburu said. “I had one good one, but he got two good ones, and that was it. It’s my best result ever and I am stoked. I have lots of confidence going into the next events. I just want to go home and train and try new boards for Brazil and J-Bay. The biggest thing for me is to know that if I can do it once, I can do it twice.”

Michael Campbell (AUS), 35, opened his final day affair with a close win over fellow ASP Dream Tour veteran Taylor Knox (USA), 38, in the Quarterfinals, but the goofy-footer’s precision forehand approach wasn’t enough to overtake a rampaging Burrow in the Semifinals.

“It felt like I was a bit out of rhythm in the Semifinal,” Campbell said. “I wasn’t able to capitalize on the waves I got and Taj (Burrow) posted a couple of really strong scores mid-heat that left me wanting.”

Although falling short of a Finals berth, the journeyman competitor’s equal 3rd place finish boosts him from 29th to 16th on the ASP World Tour ratings.

“This is going to do a lot for my cause,” Campbell said. “I’ve had average results this year and last year too, so a third is pretty special for me. All of the heats have been hard and sometimes the luck goes your way. I’ve had a bit of luck this time around, but I’ve also spent some time here and I know it pretty well. Stoked to get a result and looking forward to the next one.”

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, suffered an unfortunate Round 3 loss at the Billabong Pro Tahiti, but after two event wins to open the season up, the Gold Coaster remains the frontrunner on this year’s ASP World Tour ratings.

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Bobby Martinez (USA) 18.46
2 – Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.10

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.86 def. Michael Campbell (AUS) 10.00
SF 2: Bobby Martinez (USA) 17.17 def. Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 15.23

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.33 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 14.06
QF 2: Mick Campbell (AUS) 12.84 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 10.17
QF 3: Bobby Martinez (USA) 15.93 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.67
QF 4: Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 11.66 def. Tom Whitaker (AUS) 10.66

REMAINING BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 3 RESULTS:
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) 13.17 def. Andy Irons (HAW) 10.16
Heat 6: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.57 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 8.67
Heat 7: Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 12.56 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 9.16
Heat 8: Tom Whitaker (AUS) 9.43 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 9.40

CURRENT ASP WORLD TOUR TOP 10:
1 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 3000 points
2 – Taj Burrow (AUS) 2318 points
3 – Mick Fanning (AUS) 2208 points
4 – C.J. Hobgood (USA) 2196 points
5 – Adriano de Souza (BRA) 2174 points
6 – Jordy Smith (ZAF) 2076 points
7 – Bobby Martinez (USA) 2025 points
8 – Tom Whitaker (AUS) 1932 points
9 – Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 1886 points
10 – Kieren Perrow (AUS) 1742 points
10 – Taylor Knox (USA) 1742 points
10 – Damien Hobgood (USA) 1742 points

CAPBRETON, France (Tuesday, May 19, 2009) – Basque surfer Aritz Aranburu (Zarauz, EUK), 23, caused the upset of Round 2 at the Billabong Pro Tahiti last night by eliminating nine-time and reigning ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (Florida, USA), 37, in Round 2 of competition. Aranburu, who found his rhythm in the three to four foot (1 to 1.2 meter) waves breaking over the infamous sharp reef of Teahupoo, not only defeated Slater but also posted an impressive 17.27 point heat score (out of a possible 20), the highest total of the day, to finalize his exceptional performance.

“Kelly (Slater) is the best competitor and the best surfer in the world and I was just trying to stay focused out there so I could get my own waves,” Aranburu said. “Once I got that first score I almost felt more pressure because I was surfing against Kelly and I know what he can do with his priority. I just tried to put the pressure off and luckily I got a second good score and it worked out.”

By besting Slater, Aranburu follows the footsteps of fellow European surfers Jeremy Flores (Capbreton/New Caledonia, FRA), 21, who defeated Slater on his first year among the ASP Top 45 at the same venue of Teahupoo in the Quarterfinals of the 2007 edition, and Tiago Pires (Ericeira, PRT), 27, who took the best over Slater in Bali last year.

Aranburu, a former ASP European Junior top competitor who qualified for the ASP World Tour in 2007, had not made it through to Round 3 of any event since the season started in February and was looking to eventually break the bad roll, something he achieved in style at Teahupoo nailing a near perfect 9.77 point ride (out of a possible 10) in the first minutes of his encounter with Slater, the best single wave score of the Billabong Pro Tahiti thus far.

“I was lucky to get that first wave,” Aranburu said. “I paddled deep because I knew I was going to need a big score against Kelly (Slater) and when I was paddling into it, I thought I was going to fall, but I made it, so I’m happy.”

The 23-year-old Basque surfer and Zarauz resident will now face other event favorite Damien Hobgood (Florida, USA), 29, in Round 3, another tough test for the young man who is slowly confirming his ability in lefthand reef barrels, a talent that emerged last year in Fiji and at the Billabong Pipeline Masters where he placed equal 9th wrapping up his rookie year with a promising run.

Other European surfer still in contention for the prestigious Tahitian crown was ASP Top 45 rookie Tim Boal (Anglet, FRA), 25, the French representative facing experienced elite surfer Tom Whitaker (AUS) in the last encounter of Round 2 where the lack of wave and a smart wave choice from the Australian top seed saw Boal exit the event with an unusual low heat result of 4.50 points. Boal still takes another equal 17th place finish.

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Monday, May 18, 2009) – Following four consecutive lay days, the Billabong Pro Tahiti presented by Air Tahiti Nui roared back to life this morning, with the world’s best surfers tackling the three-to-four foot (1 – 1.5 metre) waves on offer at Teahupoo.

Stop No. 3 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Tahiti saw perennial favorites C.J. Hobgood (USA), 29, Taj Burrow (AUS), 30, and Michael Campbell (AUS), 35, advance through to the Quarterfinals alongside Taylor Knox (USA), 38, current ASP World No. 14 and longest-serving competitor on the ASP Dream Tour, who eliminated current ASP World No. 1 Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, from competition this afternoon with a staggering 9.03 out of a possible 10 single-wave score in the final heat of the day.

“It was one of those heats where we were jockeying for position in the beginning,” Knox said. “I got a 6 and then it went flat. Joel (Parkinson) was tired of waiting and used his priority on a wave that didn’t offer much. Then that really good one came through and I was in position for it. I really thought there were going to be more waves in that heat and that I’d need more than a 6 in my score line, but that’s the way it worked out. I won my heat so I’m stoked and will go home happy now.”

While this afternoon’s four Round 3 heats laid the groundwork for some intense Quarterfinal match-ups, it was this morning’s completion of Round 2 that provided some of the day’s most dramatic upsets and exciting action.

Aritz Aranburu (EUK), 23, current ASP World No. 39, caused the upset of the event, eliminating reigning nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 37, in Round 2 of the Billabong Pro Tahiti. For Aranburu, it would mark his first heat win of the 2009 ASP World Tour season; the young Basque surfer putting up an impressive 17.27 heat total to Slater’s 15.00.

“Kelly (Slater) is the best competitor and the best surfer in the world and I was just trying to stay focused out there so I could get my own waves,” Aranburu said. “Once I got that first score I almost felt more pressure because I was surfing against Kelly and I know what he can do with his priority. I just tried to put the pressure off and luckily I got a second good score and it worked out.”

The win was no easy feat as the pair locked in the highest-scoring heat of the event, but Aranburu’s near-perfect 9.77 out of a possible 10, for an extremely deep backhand barrel in the opening minutes of the bout, assisted the European in his landmark victory.

“I was lucky to get that first wave,” Aranburu said. “I paddled deep because I knew I was going to need a big score against Kelly (Slater) and when I was paddling into it, I thought I was going to fall, but I made it, so I’m happy.”

Aranburu will now face current ASP World No. 9 Damien Hobgood (USA), 29, in Round 3 of the Billabong Pro Tahiti when competition resumes.

For Slater, today’s disappointing result marks his third, consecutive equal 17th place finish in 2009, leaving many to ponder the iconic Floridian’s state of mind in regards to his campaign for an unprecedented 10th ASP World Title.

“That may have just given me an excuse for a big, long vacation,” Slater said. “I don’t know yet. It’s really decision time for me. With that many 17ths, you’re really hard-pressed to win an ASP World Title. I’m not here to just make up the numbers, but I don’t want to fall off the map either – I guess I kind of have though. Numbers-wise, I’m still within the possibility of getting in late in the year, but I don’t know. I guess I have a lot on my mind.”

Slater has yet to confirm if he will attend Stop No. 4 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro in Brazil, from June 27 to July 5, 2009.

While Aranburu’s historic win provided the highlight for the day, Round 2 had plenty of dramatic action to offer.

Mick Fanning (AUS), 27, former ASP World Champion (2007) and current ASP World No. 2, pulled out a buzzer-beating heat win during his Round 2 bout with compatriot Ben Dunn (AUS), 23. Requiring an above-average score with time running out, Fanning got to his feet just prior to the heat-ending horn and proceeded to pig-dog his way to an excellent 9.17 out of a possible 10 to secure an exciting, come-from-behind victory.

“It’s pretty hard out there,” Fanning said. “We were fighting for 3’s until the end. I tried to get a few little ones at the beginning and tried to find the barrel – there just weren’t many out there. I was just praying one would come up, and one did and you just have to surf and hold on. I heard the five’ on the countdown paddling in and I just hung on and got through.”

Fanning will face fellow Australian Tom Whitaker, 29, in Round 3 when the Billabong Pro Tahiti recommences.

Jordy Smith (ZAF), 21, current ASP World No. 3, suffered an injury during the morning’s warm-up session when he landed on his hindquarters on the reef, but that didn’t stop the prodigious South African from posting the day’s second highest heat total (a 16.33 out of a possible 20) en route to his Round 2 victory over Heitor Alves (BRA), 27.

“I took a fall earlier while warming up and luckily it wasn’t anything serious,” Smith said. “It wasn’t affecting me in my heat luckily, but I saw that Heitor (Alves) got off to a good start and I didn’t watch it too much before I went out. I didn’t think there were many barrels out there, but I was able to find one. It’s tough out there. It’s not an epic day, but there are good waves and Luke (Egan) is doing a great job with the calls.”

Andy Irons (HAW), 30, former three-time ASP World Champion and past winner of the Billabong Pro Tahiti (2002), is currently on sabbatical from full-time competition, but accepted a wildcard to compete in the Billabong Pro Tahiti. The Hawaiian continued his sensational roll through Round 2 today, displaying his characteristic, preternatural backhand tube sense en route to victory.

“Competing again is a bit like riding a bike, but it’s a little scary,” Irons said. “I’m a little rusty, putting the jersey back on and getting a feel for things. If we had waves like this anywhere else, I’d be stoked, but when you think of Teahupoo, you think of eight-to-10-foot barrels. So it’s different, but there are still fun waves.”

Irons caused a major upset today in the elimination of 2008 ASP World Runner-Up Bede Durbidge (AUS), 26, from Billabong Pro Tahiti competition during Round 2.

“Bede (Durbidge) is a tough draw,” Irons said. “He’s fit and strong and last year’s World No. 2 and he’s no slouch. He’s a cool guy and I have a lot of respect for him. He is having a bit of a bad run at the moment, but I’m sure he’ll turn that around. It’s unfortunate that there was a bit of a lull during that heat, but I was able to get a couple of waves and I’m stoked to get through. Thanks to Billabong for letting me surf in the event.”

Irons will tackle an in-form Bobby Martinez (USA), 26, in Round 3 of the Billabong Pro Tahiti in the opening heat of the day when action resumes.

REMAINING BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 7: Taylor Knox (USA) 11.50 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 10.63
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.26 def. Heiarii Williams (PYF) 9.67
Heat 9: Andy Irons (HAW) 13.16 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 12.00
Heat 10: Bobby Martinez (USA) 9.17 def. Dayyan Neve (AUS) 7.94
Heat 11: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 11.67 def. Dustin Barca (HAW) 8.80
Heat 12: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 16.33 def. Heitor Alves (BRA) 14.34
Heat 13: Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 17.27 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 15.00
Heat 14: Damien Hobgood (USA) 16.06 def. Dean Morrison (AUS) 9.00
Heat 15: Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.84 def. Ben Dunn (AUS) 11.43
Heat 16: Tom Whitaker (AUS) 14.16 def. Tim Boal (FRA) 4.50

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 3 RESULTS:
Heat 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 15.50 def. Jay Thompson (AUS) 6.17
Heat 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) 12.04 def. Kieren Perrow (AUS) 9.40
Heat 3: Mick Campbell (AUS) 15.07 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 8.50
Heat 4: Taylor Knox (USA) 15.46 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 5.57

REMAINING BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 5: Andy Irons (HAW) vs. Bobby Martinez (USA)
Heat 6: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Heat 7: Aritz Aranburu (EUK) vs. Damien Hobgood (USA)
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Tom Whitaker (AUS)

UPCOMING BILLABONG PRO TAHITI QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:
QF 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Taj Burrow (AUS)
QF 2: Mick Campbell (AUS) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)
QF 3: TBA
QF 4: TBA

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Monday, May 18, 2009) – The Billabong Pro Tahiti, event No. 3 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, is set to recommence at 9am this morning, with improved two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves breaking at Teahupoo.

Having completed Round 1 and the opening six heats of Round 2, the Billabong Pro Tahiti has since survived four lay days, but this morning’s improved conditions have prompted the event’s recommencement with the remaining Round 2 heats up first, with event organizers hopeful to complete half of Round 3.

“We’re getting down to the business end of the waiting period and conditions this morning appear to be improving,” Luke Egan, Billabong Pro Tahiti Contest Director, said. “We’ll be getting underway at 9am and we’re hoping to knock through the remainder of Round 2 with Round 3 on standby. Should conditions hold, we’re hoping to complete half of Round 3 by day’s end.”

Surfline, official forecasters for the Billabong Pro Tahiti, are calling for a moderate SW swell to increase throughout the day.

Up first this morning will be Taylor Knox (USA), 27, against Kai Otton (AUS), 29, in Heat 7 of Round 2.

REMAINING BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 7: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Heiarii Williams (PYF)
Heat 9: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Andy Irons (HAW)
Heat 10: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 11: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Dustin Barca (HAW)
Heat 12: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Heitor Alves (BRA)
Heat 13: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 14: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Dean Morrison (AUS)
Heat 15: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 16: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Tim Boal (FRA)

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Sunday, May 17, 2009)- Stop No. 3 of 10 on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour has been utilizing its lengthy waiting period to hold out for improved conditions for the world’s finest surfers at the Billabong Pro Tahiti. After over one week of competition the event has only seen the completion of Round 1 as well as the first eight heats of Round 2, with former ASP World Champion and former event champion C.J. Hobgood (Melbourne, FL), 29, leading the charge on the American front.

Hobgood was a standout in Round 2 action, defeating Phillip Macdonald (Cronulla, AUS), 30, from competition in tough conditions when he issued a 14.50 out of 20 point heat total to advance through to Round 3. The talented barrel-rider continues to show that the left-hand-barrels on offer at Teahupoo suit his style, as he is a perennial standout at the Billabong Pro Tahiti.

“Phil (MacDonald) and I had a free surf before and it was sunny and we got some fun ones then when we started the heat, the squall hit us,” Hobgood said. “He (MacDonald) sat there waiting for a wave that never came and I notched up some backup scores. You never want to win heat like that. It was unfortunate for him, but at the end of the day, that’s professional surfing sometimes.”

Since Hobgood is currently sitting in the No. 5 position overall on the ASP World Tour the talented goofy-footer could potentially make a bigger dent in his 2009 ratings with an impressive finish at the Billabong Pro Tahiti.

“I look forward to coming here every year and Tahiti is definitely one of my favorite stops on tour,” Hobgood said. “I’ve had a pretty good start to the year, but it’s going to take a lot to catch Joel (Parkinson) at this point. I’m hoping for a good result here.”

Hobgood will take on Jay Thompson (AUS), 25, in Round 3 when competition resumes.

Tim Reyes (Huntington Beach, CA), 26, was the only other American surfer to tackle the challenging Round 2 conditions on offer and fell to Australian Kieren Perrow (Byron Bay, AUS), 32, earning a 17th place finish overall.

Taylor Knox (Carlsbad, CA), 38, will open up his Billabong Pro campaign when he tackles Kai Otton (Sydney, AUS), 29, when competition resumes. Nine-time and defending ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (Cocoa Beach, FL), 37, Santa Barbara talent Bobby Martinez (Santa Barbara, CA), 26, and Damien Hobgood (Satellite Beach, FL), 29, still await their Round 2 heats as well.

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Sunday, May 17, 2009) – The Billabong Pro Tahiti presented by Air Tahiti Nui, stop No. 3 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, has been called off again with only small, one-to-three foot (0.5 metre) waves and onshore winds on offer today at Teahupoo.

While event organizers went on hold for the majority of the day, optimal conditions never manifested and the Billabong Pro Tahiti entered into its fourth consecutive lay day.

“It’s disappointing again out here today and we’ve decided to call competition off again,” Luke Egan, Billabong Pro Tahiti Contest Director, said. “We’re monitoring some surf that is projected to come in tomorrow and Tuesday so we’ll be back tomorrow morning to make another call.”

REMAINING BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 7: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Heiarii Williams (PYF)
Heat 9: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Andy Irons (HAW)
Heat 10: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 11: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Dustin Barca (HAW)
Heat 12: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Heitor Alves (BRA)
Heat 13: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 14: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Dean Morrison (AUS)
Heat 15: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 16: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Tim Boal (FRA)