Riptide Magazine

A Kat Loose in the Canaries - Fronton Pro - Day Two

Last Updated on Friday, 09 December 2011 10:00

Eder Luciano boosting a roll, scooping hard, and bro-ing down with Portugal's Gastao Entrudo. Eder was definitely one of the standouts from round two.
All Photos & Text // Andy Lawrence Photography - Less Than A Second.

With the forecast for the waiting period looking unpredictable, the call was made to run the remainder of the leaderboard rounds with the hope of securing some epic waves for the round of 16 onwards. It seemed a dubious one watching heats 7 and 8 of round 2, with the blustery wind making for junky conditions and most competitors balking at the decision. Fast forward half an hour and peeps were literally frothing at the bit to hit the water. The wind swung, the tide dropped and Fronton put on one hell of a party for the 32 competitors remaining.

Highlight of the day for this spectator was Ryan Hardy bringing the crowd to their feet with an insane barrel to flip for a perfect ten. Getting up DK, he pointed to the stands as the wave petered out, issuing a warning to his fellow title contenders. Hack ain’t going down without a fight!

Jeff and Pierre also made their intentions clear as the leaderboard round drew to a close with Jeff putting on a classic aerial display and PLC going for broke with a roll right in front of the rocks. Looks like it’s going to go down to the wire!

A quick wrap up of other highlights from what was an extremely long and action packed day… Big boosts were once again the key to qualifying and highlight humans included Eder Luciano, Mitch Rawlins, Dave Winchester, Amaury Laverhne, Jase Finlay and Elliot Morales. Speaking of Elliot, he created some controversy late in the day deliberately committing an interference in the dying moments of his heat in an attempt to see fellow countryman Yeray Martinez through to the next round. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough and Yeray finished in 17th. Andy Lester continued his dream run from the trials through to the round of 16, while GT’s hopes of another title faded despite putting on powerful performances in all three heats. Dallas Singer muscled his way through landing one of the biggest airs to flats I’ve seen in a long time, an especially fine effort after losing a fin and finishing 4th in his 2nd round bout.

Unpredictability aside, it looks as though the round of 16 may well run tomorrow on either side of the high tide, so keep your eyes on ibaworldtour.com and be sure to check back here for more blog action tomorrow.

Hasta manana Riptide peeps!

Diego Cabrera, super speed backdoor line.


Young Venuzualean Sergio Alonso pulls in for the media.


Jeff Hubb tweaking one of many.


RT photog Ruben Grimon settles in for the long day in scenic Galdar.


Wildcard Jase Finlay showing his new board sponsor off.


Midday grandstand crew lapping up the insane riding on display


Mitch lining up the bowl on his way to a round of 16 showdown with Ryan.


Beeps flipping on the shallow left for the crowd.


Dallas at the top of a very long elevator drop down.


Hardy… enough said!


Jared Houston locks in one of the last barrels of the day, and the leaderboard round.


The fellas checking the final standings, and the showdowns to come…

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Yesterday's IBA video:

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The critical World Title & 2012 Tour scenarios:
By not making it out of the leaderboard heats, Tamega can no longer win the World Title.

Also, in what was a very eventful day at the Fronton Pro:
- Hardy was the only rider to win all three heats, including a perfect 10, after which he got up DK and saluted the crowd.
- Dallas needed to get out of the leaderboard heats to make next year's tour. In his second heat he lost a fin and bombed. Needing to win his third heat, he busted and landed two massive airs and we'll see him in 2012.
- Novy didn't make it out of the leaderboard heats. He now waits to see if Diego Cabrera can make it through to the semi finals - which will knock Novy out of next years tour.

- Should PLC and Hardy lose in the next round: Jeff Hubbard will be crowned World Champion!

Critical match-ups In Round 4:
Ryan vs Mitch
Hubb vs Finlay
PLC vs Morales.