ASP NEWS...
The United States' Shea Lopez, a former member of the elite Foster's ASP World Tour, was to steal the show in the last heat of the Round of 24 by nailing a combination score of 17.93, and easing his way through to the Round of 12. Other notable combination scores and qualifications into the next round were secured by Australian Jay Thompson (15.83), South African wonderkid Jordy Smith ( 15.50) and Jarrad Howse ( 15.16).
The fourth and final heat of the Round of 12 saw some of the best surfing of the whole day courtesy of the USA's Shea Lopez and Asher Nolan. Considered by many to be somewhat of a dark horse in the contest, Nolan pulled into some tight barrels and executed a number of clean maneuvers, earning him a highest wave score of 9.50 and highest combined score of 18.00. Speaking after his heat win, the Floridian said: "Ah man...we had perfect rights out there just now, and a couple of really good barrels. I haven't had that much fun in a heat in a long time. It's great being here - - the waves are so good and the place is just beautiful."