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RIP CURL PRO BELLS: DAY THREE
Top Guns Soar in Perfect Surf as Round Three Closes

By: ASP Press Release
April 17, 2006

West Australia’s Taj Burrow was the man of the moment at the Rip Curl Pro after he put on a phenomenal performance at Bells Beach today. The second event on the Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour was held in spectacular one to two metre (three to six feet) waves at Bells Beach in Victoria, Australia and Burrow had the huge crowd in attendance on their feet for the full 30 minutes of his heat.

After an ankle injury hampered Burrow’s end of season run in 2005, he has returned in 2006 with enthusiasm to burn. He began the year with a second placing to Kelly Slater (USA) in the first event of the tour and noted there that in 2006 he is extremely focused and hungry for the world crown. His focus was highly evident when he entered the water in heat 11 as he shut the door on Chris Ward (USA) and posted the highest total score of the day – an 18.17 out of 20.

Burrow likened the conditions to the time he finished runner-up to Joel Parkinson (AUS) in 2004. “It’s great to be at the Bells Beach Bowl,” said Burrow. “I’m loving it and I’m stoked with that heat for sure. The waves are really similar to the ones I had in the final with Joel Parkinson a couple of years ago. The place gives everyone a plenty of chances to grab the ones they need and paint a clear picture for the judges.”

Burrow also indicated that he had shifted his mindset a little and is taking his heat strategy much more seriously. "I’ve made some subtle changes to my mindset,” said Burrow. “I’m trying to surf more confident. I’ve always tried to surf as if I’m free surfing, but I feel like I can do that a little bit better now, I’m just more relaxed.”

Following hot on the heels of Burrow was fellow Australian and good mate Mick Fanning (AUS) who logged in the second highest score of the day – a 17.96.

Fanning was razor sharp through his lightening quick turns and having won the event five years ago, he looked extremely in tune with his equipment and the waves. "After the first event on the Gold Coast here in Australia, where I only got a couple of decent scores, I really wanted to work on my consistency,” said Fanning.

“And everything felt good out there today. I got the waves and did what I had to do."
~ Mick Fanning

Fanning was also inspired by the standard of surfing from his peers and the quality of the famed Bells Beach waves. "I got pretty excited watching Taj the other day,” said Fanning. “And then he went mad again today. It’s always good to have someone like that a couple of heats before you so you can get really psyched. Conditions haven’t been this good since 2001 when I won so hopefully I can keep going and win the bell at the end!"

Not far from the frontrunners were Andy Irons (HAW) and Kelly Slater (USA) who between the two of them have 10 Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour crowns. Slater, seven and Irons three. Both have won the Rip Curl Pro, with Irons claiming the win in 2003 and 2004.

Story courtesy of Surfline.com