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Parko, Dane & The Quiksilver Pro France Heat Draw
By Col Bernasconi | 25 September 2012 |
 Joel Parkinson, France, 2011. Pic: ASP/Cestari Let’s take a quick look at Joel Parkinson's quest for a maiden (crazy we know) ASP World Championship Tour Title. The powerful natural-footer who is sitting second on the ratings (behind arch rival Mick Fanning), is fit as a fire truck and appears to be having a damn good time on tour. Parko was the form surfer at both Teahupo’o and Trestles but failed to crack the second place hoodoo that’s haunting him like a bad tribal tattoo [right, Gerr?] Parko has four ASP World Title runner-up placing’s and already three event second placing’s this year alone! Parko would be hating getting out of the family car second at present, let alone losing a man-on-man heat. Still, he’s firmly in the running and would be excited about the chance to chase down Mick at this next event. With Kelly Slater now in a vastly improved position, thanks to his 50th World Championship Tour event victory at the Hurley Pro, Trestles, it’s game on as per the script for these frontrunners. Well, if there’s any bigger test for Mr Second right now it’s his first round heat in France. Trainspotters take note that the ASP event recluse and greatest free surfer on the planet Dane Reynolds is indeed a wildcard. Sure, it’s a no-loser-round, but if you want to be the best, it’s always good to beat the best. Parko will be primed to put that heat to bed you can be sure of it. If Dane can surf his French heats half as well as he does in Kai Neville’s latest opus Dear Suburbia then expect to see him in the quarters or better. Holy Mother of God!
Dane Reynolds, France, 2011. PIc: ASP/Cestari QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE, ROUND 1 HEAT DRAW: Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS), Kai Otton (AUS), Taylor Knox (USA)Heat 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Damien Hobgood (USA), Jadson Andre (BRA) Heat 3: John John Florence (HAW), Miguel Pupo (BRA), Patrick Gudauskas (USA) Heat 4: Kelly Slater (USA), Tiago Pires (PRT), Dusty Payne (HAW) Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Bede Durbidge (AUS), Dane Reynolds (USA) Heat 6: Mick Fanning (AUS), Travis Logie (ZAF), Trials Winner Heat 7: Josh Kerr (AUS), Alejo Muniz (BRA), Kolohe Andino (USA) Heat 8: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Brett Simpson (USA), Raoni Moneiro (BRA) Heat 9: Owen Wright (AUS), Michel Bourez (PYF), Yadin Nicol (AUS) Heat 10: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Heitor Alves (BRA), Matt Wilkinson (AUS) Heat 11: Julian Wilson (AUS), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Adam Melling (AUS) Heat 12: Gabriel Medina (BRA), C.J. Hobgood (USA), Kieren Perrow (AUS) CURRENT ASP WCT TOP 5 (After Hurley Pro at Trestles): 1. Mick Fanning (AUS) 41,250 pts 2. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 39,700 pts 3. Kelly Slater (USA) 35,450 pts 4. John John Florence (HAW) 32,650 pts 5. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 30,650 pts |
