“There wasn’t many good waves,” Campbell said after losing to Williams. “I gave Ross one that I wasn’t sure was going to be good, but he ended up with a 7.0, so that’s the way it went.”
“It never should have happened,” responded Campbell when asked about yesterday’s spectacle. He also signed a declaration apologizing to the ASP, contest sponsors and organizers, media, and most importantly, the people of Hossegor who witnessed the unprofessional act of sportsmanship.
Current world number one-and-two, Sunny Garcia and Luke Egan both won their fourth round heats today. Garcia advanced past Brazilian Armando Daltro, while Egan disposed of fellow Aussie Luke Hitchings to move into tomorrow’s quarter-finals.
Kalani Robb (Haw) also advanced to the quarter-finals, putting an end to event giant killer Toby Martin’s (Aus) run. Martin was unfortunate to have cut his foot yesterday whilst free-surfing, but the determined surfer still put on a great show against the Hawaiian today with staples holding the gash together. [IMAGE 2]Robb, currently rated equal 29th with Williams, has only reached the quarter-finals once before during 2000, so this result at Hossegor is sure to be one of his best this year.
“Toby had a cut on his foot but he still got some good scores, so I was lucky to find my 8.50,” said Robb afterward. “This is a good result already for me, but I want to win this event.”
Fabio Gouveia (Brz) then stopped Ben Bourgeois’ (USA) dream event, after the World Championship Tour (WCT) rookie had eliminated Rob Machado (USA) yesterday. Gouveia, currently rated 34th, was very pleased to have reached the final rounds of an event for the first time this year.
“My first wave was good but I couldn’t hear the scores,” Gouveia said afterward. “I only heard in the last minute that Ben was needing a good score. I advanced, so I’m stoked. My best result so far, I hope I do better next round.”
The Hossegor Rip Curl Pro women’s semi-finals and grand final are set to surf later today if conditions co-operate. A press release will follow. [IMAGE 3]Official Results of Hossegor Rip Curl Pro Day Six
Men’s Round Four
Heat 1: CJ Hobgood (USA) 17.50 def. P Canning (SAfr) 13.00
Heat 2: K Robb (Haw) 23.00 def. T Martin (Aus) 20.75
Heat 3: T Knox (USA) 20.00 def. S Dorian (Haw) 11.40
Heat 4: S Garcia (Haw) 20.15 def. A Daltro (Brz) 19.10
Heat 5: L Egan (Aus) 20.45 def. L Hitchings (Aus) 14.35
Heat 6: F Gouveia (Brz) 19.40 def. B Bourgeois (USA) 15.55
Heat 7: R Williams (Haw) 18.55 def. M Campbell (Aus) 17.30
Heat 8: S Lopez (USA) 22.20 def. R Winter (UK) 14.00
