Highlights at the Corona Extra Pro Surf Circuit
MONDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2008
A pristine day greeted contestants and spectators alike as the rising sun cast shadows on the beach and a waning moon set over clean 2-3' waves at the world famous Playa Domes, in the infamous surf-town of Rincon, Puerto Rico, for the 13th edition of the Corona Extra Pro Surf Circuit, and second event of the season. The Corona events are the most prestigious in the region, having a proven track record of well run contests in quality waves, and this event has attracted a record 78 surfers from dozens of countries to compete for their share of the $15,000 purse. Coppertone Sport has thrown in an extra $500 for the highest heat total on both the men's and women's side, just to make every heat that much more interesting. Round # 1 of the men's draw hit the water at 7:30am, and even if it wasn't the conditions we all dream about, the waves provided ample opportunity for the surfers to display their talent and entertain the enthusiastic crowd. The small waves didn't dampen the spirits of the spectators; the beach was packed and the Coronas were flowing. They've been crowning champs here for forty years, and Rincon is affectionately known as the Capital of Surfing in Puerto Rico. The people love their surfing and they come out in droves to support it.
Round # 1 highlights included a return to the Corona Circuit by former 2-time Corona Champ and current ISA World Masters Champ, Juan Ashton, who captured his world title at this very beach one year ago. Score one for the heavyweights, but the lightweights definitely had a slight edge and youngsters like Roger Torres, surfing in his first Corona event, relished the moment to the crowd's delight and a memorable heat win. Californian Travis Mellam put on a display of vertical surfing, while Florida boy Tommy Grooms created his own flow, smoothly connecting sections in favor of the dreaded fish stomp. Leif Engstrom pulled off the most impressive move of the round, with a last minute air that earned him 6.67 from the judges to narrowly edge out an in-form Wesley Toth.
The contest rolled right into Round # 2, which featured 3 man heats, with the top two advancing. By mid-morning, the wind had come on and with the tide filling in, wave selection proved critical. Round # 1 standouts Tommy Grooms, Juan Ashton, Leif Engstrom, and Travis Mellem continued their winning ways, but the loudest cheers were reserved for Eric Torres who picked off one of the nicest waves of the day, a wave anyone would be stoked to catch, and streaked all the way across the point fitting in eight solid turns and racking up the highest single wave score of the entire day with an impressive 8.33.
Now it was the ladies turn, as Round # 1 of the women's took to the water. Some friendly clouds came in to provide some much needed relief from the blistering sun and calmed the wind down enough to improve the wave conditions. Quincy Davis racked up the wave count, applying her patented snapback at will, easily taking the first heat. Middles event champ Anastasia Ashley quickly got down to business in heat # 2 with some fine rail work, sending a message to the rest of the competitors that she's not content with just one Corona title and is gunning for another. Lil' local Liza Caban, Jasset Umbel, and Jenny Quan once again showed the depth of talent in women's surfing and all advanced to meet the seeded surfers in Round # 2.
It was then on to Round # 3 of the men's where the survivors of the morning's rounds come up against the seeded surfers, with the winners not only advancing, but also cashing a check. It's not hard to see why these guys are seeded when right off the bat, Gabriel Escudero got in contention for the Coppertone cash with the highest heat score of the day with his 14.17 in heat # 1. He unleashed on an unsuspecting right and whacked it with authority again and again, finishing with an upside-down rebound that was rewarded with an 8. In heat # 2, Johnny Craft got down, got funky, and got back up again to handily take the heat from the seeded surfers. His all in green, color-coordinated board, baggies, and jersey looked a bit like Green Lightning. In heat # 3, Eric Torres kept up his fine form and will cash his first Corona check, advancing with a heat win. Tommy Bursian did the sickest roundhouse of the day, burying the rail like an undertaker. The day ended midway through the round, in a stacked, heat # 4. This heat was action packed and the waves had definitely started showing more promise. The four locals battled it out in a royal slug-fest like Rock'em Sock'em Robots. Wilfredo "Control" Deliz scored the only tube of the day and carved powerfully, while Miguel Diaz landed a silky smooth pop-shove-it-air-reverse maneuver only to be overcome by an inspired Juan Ashton and a solid showing by Pablo Diaz.
To check out the entire heat draw, as well as an itinerary for the event, please go to www.apspr.net.
Source:
www.surfline.com
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