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Day2
Hansen Claims The Lot At Rip Curl Pro Presented By Nature Valley
Gisborne's Bobby Hansen took home everything on the final day of the Rip Curl Pro presented by Nature Valley completed at Manu Bay, Raglan today (Saturday 17 March). Hansen won the Open Men's Division which included winning the invite to the Rip Curl Padang Cup in Indonesia, $3000, and about a years supply of Nature Valley Muesli bars. On top of all of this, Hansen also claimed the overall New Zealand Pro Series for 2012.
Hansen secured the win midway through the 25 minute final with an 8.0 point after a series of tight backhand snaps. He backed up the wave with a 7.50 to leave his opponents requiring massive scores, a task too big considering the small conditions. "It's the perfect way to finish the season" said Hansen of his win. "It was average surf in the final but I just got in sync with the two waves I caught and it was a done deal". "Stoked to win the whole series too, it's always been a goal of mine, it wasn't something I was thinking about this year but stoked to do it nonetheless."
Bobby won himself a spot in the Rip Curl Padang Cup in Bali, an invitational event that plays host to the world's best barrel riders. The event has a month long waiting period running from late July through August to ensure the surfers get the best waves possible. "Frothing on Padang, to surf one of the best waves in the world with three other people when it is good will be crazy. I am going to chill in Indo during that time so will definitely be at the event. I was planning on heading up to Bali at around that time anyway" added Hansen. Placing second today was the second of three Gisborne surfers in the final, Blair Stewart, who was the only surfer in the final not to be combo'ed finishing with a 10.80 point heat total. Local ripper Mikey Banks placed third in the final scoring 9.63 points slightly ahead of Maz Quinn in fourth on 9.60.
Jessica Santorik took out the women's final in front of a home crowd. In a difficult final Santorik scored 11.53 points, which was enough to take the win. "It was seriously hard to get going out there" said Santorik. "I don't think I have had a more challenging heat in my life. I mean usually when it is small you can find something but with that wind today it was so hard" she added. Another Raglan local Alexis Poulter placed second in the final after a 6.5 point ride on her last wave pushed her up into second. Ella Williams placed third in the final unable to claim a 'threepeat' of wins on the New Zealand Pro Series. However her third placing was enough for her to secure the New Zealand Series win. Placing fourth in the final was Thandi Tipene.
In the Under 20 Men's Final it was Alex Dive that took the win in a wave starved final. It wasn't until the dying stages of the final that Dive scored a low 2.63 point ride that was enough to put him into first place with a low scoring 8.3 point heat total.
"So stoked to finally get a win, but is was pretty much flat for the whole 25 minutes and it pretty much came down to one wave" said Dive. "I pretty much waited for a wave the whole time 'cos I thought a set was going to come through but nothing came and in the end it was that tiny back up wave that I got that was enough to push me into the lead" added Dive.
Sean Kettle placed second in the final, just missing his second win of summer in the Under 20 Men's Division. Local surfer Ben Poulter was another to play the waiting game in the final which resulted in him catching just the single wave, 6.23, the highest of the final. It left Poulter only needing a 1.34 ride but with only a minute to go, time ran out and he placed third ahead of Johnny Hicks in fourth.
Sean Kettle basically surfed a five minute heat in the GromSearch Final clinching two high scoring waves totalling 15.43 to win a spot at the international final held at the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach this easter. Kettle was sitting in fourth until the last five minutes, catching his best wave with one minute left on the clock to snatch the victory from Adam Grimson. "It was like five minutes to go and I was still combo'd and then I got my seven then that huge sneaker set came through and I got it and got an eight or something" Kettle explained of how the final minutes unfolded. "I didn't know if I was going to get on it on time and I thought Adam might sit on me but luckily Adam got the wave before mine." Kettle described his pending trip to Bells Beach as the "best opportunity I have ever been given." Placing second in the final was Grimson who was pipped in the final seconds of the final scoring 13.43 while Dune Kennings placed third and Elliot Paerata - Reid placed fourth.
Ella Williams held on to the win in the Girls GromSearch Final fending off a strong comeback from Jayda Martin - Fitzharris. Williams got off to a quick start in the final ultimately scoring a 10.67 point heat total to secure the trip to Australia. "This is the first time I have ever won the trip. It is so cool, I can't wait to go over and check out the Rip Curl Pro. I want to perform well in the comp too" said Williams who will juggle the trip to Australia with the long journey to Panama for the World Junior Champs immediately after Australia. Placing second in the final was Jayda Martin - Fitzharris who scored a 6.0, only 0.84 points short of what was required for the win. Sharing the minor placings were the Sansom twins with Gabriela getting the nod over her sister for third with Bianca in fourth.
The Kiwi Surf/Hughes Surfboards 'Boost For Cash' was taken out by Johnny Hicks for a no hands forehand air reverse. The 8 man final saw the best aerial surfers in the country going for broke. In the end though it was down to two surfers, Alex Dives and Johnny Hicks. Alex stomped a shove-it and an air reverse but it was Johnny that answered back with a solid air reverse to take the prize cheque.
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D2 Pics and Results
Day2 Pics and results
OPEN MEN'S QUARTERFINALS
Heat 1
Tim O'Connor (Mnt), 10.77, 1, Mike Banks (Rag), 10.67, 2, Johnny Hicks (Gis), 8.6, 3, Sean Peggs (Tairua), 7.97, 4
Heat 2
Bobby Hansen (Gis), 14, 1, Luke Hughes (Rag), 12.67, 2, Jarred Hancox (Tara), 10.9, 3, Zen Wallis (Piha), 8.8, 4
Heat 3
Chris Malone (Gis), 11.6, 1, Matt Scorringe (Whmata), 10.6, 2, Alex Dive (Mnt), 8.37, 3, Larry Fisher (Rag), 8.27, 4
Heat 4
Maz Quinn (Gis), 13.73, 1, Blair Stewart (Gis), 12.8, 2, Luke Cederman (Rag), 12.2, 3, Matt Hewitt (Mnt), 10.33, 4
OPEN MEN'S SEMIFINALS
Heat 1
Bobby Hansen (Gis), 14.17, 1, Mike Banks (Rag), 11.17, 2, Tim O'Connor (Mnt), 10.1, 3, Luke Hughes (Rag), 9.93, 4
Heat 2
Maz Quinn (Gis), 14.33, 1, Blair Stewart (Gis), 12.5, 2, Matt Scorringe (Whmata), 11.77, 3, Chris Malone (Gis), 9.07, 4
Open Men's Final
Bobby Hansen (Gis), 15.5, 1, Blair Stewart (Gis), 10.8, 2, Mike Banks (Rag), 9.63, 3, Maz Quinn (Gis), 9.60, 4
UNDER 20 MEN'S QUARTERFINALS
Heat 1
Alex Dive (Mnt), 14.07, 1, Sean Kettle (Tara), 10.6, 2, Adam Grimson (Gis), 7.93, 3, Ella Williams (Whmata), 7.83, 4
Heat 2
JC Susan (Mnt), 8.57, 1, Jackson Lynch (Aust), 8.1, 2, Kehu Butler (Arataki), 7.8, 3, Sid West (Gt Barrier), 7.3, 4
Heat 3
Dune Kennings (Whmata), 14.9, 1, Nat Hughes (Rag), 13.2, 2, Elliot Paerata Reid (Piha), 12.6, 3, Joe Moretti (Mimiwhangata), 12.4, 4
Heat 4
Ben Poulter (Rag), 11.4, 1, Johnny Hicks (Gis), 11.03, 2, Josh Taylor (Tau), 6.9, 3, Tane Wallis (Piha), 5.5, 4
UNDER 20 MEN'S SEMIFINALS
Heat 1
Sean Kettle (Tara), 12.17, 1, Alex Dive (Mnt), 11.83, 2, JC Susan (Mnt), 9.03, 3, Jackson Lynch (Aust), 8.13, 4
Heat 2
Johnny Hicks (Gis), 15.83, 1, Ben Poulter (Rag), 13.33, 2, Dune Kennings (Whmata), 10.83, 3, Nat Hughes (Rag), 9.37, 4
UNDER 20 MEN'S FINAL
Alex Dive (Mnt), 8.3, 1, Sean Kettle (Tara), 7.6, 2, Ben Poulter (Rag), 6.27, 3, Johnny Hicks (Gis), 5.33, 4
OPEN WOMEN'S SEMIFINALS
Heat 1
Jessica Santorik (Rag), 12.03, 1, Jasmine Debeer (Gis), 2.17, 4, Bianca Sansom (Auck), 9.9, 3, Gabriella Sansom (Auck), 10.9, 2
Heat 2
Ella Williams (Whmata), 11.83, 1, Mischa Davis (Auck), 9.33, 2, Rosa Thompson (Auck), 6.33, 3
Heat 3
Alexis Poulter (Rag), 10, 1, Thandi Tipene (Tara), 7.93, 2, Marguerite Vujich (Napier), 1, 3
Heat 4
Jayda Martin-Fitzharris (Gis), 12.67, 1, Nicola Colson-Koster (Auck), 10.1, 2, Robyn Turnbull (Mangawhai), 2.67, 3
OPEN WOMEN'S SEMIFINALS
Heat 1
Jessica Santorik (Rag), 8.77, 1, Alexis Poulter (Rag), 5.8, 2, Mischa Davis (Auck), 3.33, 3, Nicola Colson-Koster (Auck), 1.9, 4
Heat 2
Ella Williams (Whmata), 12.5, 1, Thandi Tipene (Tara), 8.17, 2, Jayda Martin-Fitzharris (Gis), 7.43, 3, Gabriella Sansom (Auck), 7.17, 4
OPEN WOMEN'S FINAL
Jessica Santorik (Rag), 11.53, 1, Alexis Poulter (Rag), 9.83, 2, Ella Williams (Whmata), 6.6, 3, Thandi Tipene (Tara), 5.2, 4
GROMSEARCH GIRLS FINAL
Ella Williams (Whmata), 10.67, 1, Jayda Martin-Fitzharris (Gis), 9.83, 2, Gabriela Sansom (Muri), 8.43, 3, Bianca Sansom (Muri), 6.1, 4
GROMSEARCH BOYS FINAL
Sean Kettle (Tara), 15.43, 1, Adam Grimson (Gis), 14, 2, Dune Kennings (Whmata), 13.43, 3, Elliot Paerata-Reid (Piha), 7.3, 4
Day 1
Top Ranked Surfers Mark Up Against Each Other Early At The Rip Curl Pro Presented by Nature Valley
The two top ranked surfers on the New Zealand Pro Series marked up against each other in their first appearance at the Rip Curl Pro presented by Nature Valley held at Manu Bay, Raglan today (Friday 16th March) with Bobby Hansen getting the early advantage over Tim O'Connor, both surfers moving through to the Quarterfinals.
After differing forecasts leading into the event, New Zealand's top surfers enjoyed a clean 2-3ft swell at Manu Bay that pulsed throughout the day keeping competitors frothing. The size was enough to see a massive day of surfing take place with three rounds of the Open Men's Division and a round of the Under 20 Men's Division done and dusted.
Hansen surfed to a 16.90 point heat total in his heat finding the good set waves and going vertical on his backhand. Tim O'Connor was close second scoring 16.13 with the two eliminating Ben Poulter and Ryan Hawker.
"Yeah, we met up pretty early, it is good, I love surfing against Bobby" said number one ranked O'Connor. "It is good for the rivalry, it will be a good race to the finish, so hopefully the best surfer wins" he added.
Timmy O'Connor has been based at Raglan for over four months surfing the famous lefthand points and was stoked to see how good it was today claiming it was "kinda as good as it gets."
The local surfers stormed through the third round led by Luke Hughes who knows the break better than anyone. His sharp big vertical backhand hooks were unrivalled as he went on to win his heat with a 14.07 point heat score.
Likewise Mike Banks surfed three heats to move through to the quarterfinals posting one of the highest single wave scores of the day - 9.45 out of a possible 10 points. Other local lads to move through were luke Cederman, Larry Fisher and Chris Malone.
One of the standout waves of the day went to Sandy Bay surfer Paco Divers who posted a near perfect 9.67 point ride on his first wave of the heat. Unfortunately the rest of the heat did not go his way and in search of a small five point ride, Divers ran out of time and was eliminated from the event.
Gisborne surfer Johnny Hicks continued his good run of form moving though to the quarterfinals of the event with a 15.93 point winning heat total. Hicks has only returned from Australia this week after placing fifth at an ASP Australasia Pro Junior event at Newcastle. Prior to that result he was the form surfer at the last stop of the New Zealand Pro Series held at his home break of Gisborne winning the Under 20 Division which he was due to contest early this evening.
Conditions are expected to hold for much of Saturday which may allow for the event to be completed in the first two scheduled days.
The Kiwi Surf/Hughes Surfboards 'Boost For Cash' will take place on Saturday. This will be an expression session in which New Zealand's best aerialists will use jet ski assistance to perform one big move to walk away with $500. See how you too, can win a brand new Hughes surfboard by picking your preferred winner of the expression session.
The Rip Curl Pro will include the Saturday night gathering at the YOT Club thanks to Stoke Beer and Jagermeister as well as the highly popular Sunday Session again at the YOT Club after the finals have been contested.
The Rip Curl Pro is a six star rated event with $12,500 in prizes on offer.
See below for results from day one of the Rip Curl Pro presented by Nature Valley.
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D1 Pics and Results
Day 1 Results and Pics
OPEN MEN'S ROUND ONE
Heat 1
Nat Hughes (Rag), 12.83, 1, Nick Ngau Chun (Piha), 8.17, 2, Mac Christie (Mnt), 6.2, 3, Levi Stewart (Waihi Bch), 4.7, 4
Heat 2
Mike Banks (Rag), 15, 1, Nick Hardie (Rag), 10.5, 2, Dillon Tarrant (Rag), 7.25, 3
Heat 3
William Cooper (Tau), 10.17, 1, JC Susan (Mnt), 8.67, 2, Ella Williams (Whmata), 6.67, 3, Vinicius De Oliveira Leite (Auck), 4.33, 4
Heat 4
Bachelor Tipene (Tara), 12.33, 1, Zennor Wernham (Rag), 9.33, 2, Peri Matenga (Mt), 3.4, 3
Heat 5
Todd Doyle (Mnt), 10.2, 1, Sean Kettle (Tara), 8.77, 2, Travis McCoy (Mnt), 6, 3, Josh Kettle (Tara), 4.67, 4
Heat 6
Sid West (Gt Barrier), 9.5, 1, Simon Deken (Tara), 9.17, 2, Corey Asplin (Rag), 6.8, 3, Rowan Aish (Muriwai), 6.07, 4
Heat 7
Luke Cederman (Rag), 15.67, 1, Josh Taylor (Mnt), 7.87, 2, Geoff Hutchison (Rag), 6.13, 3, Aaron Wilton-Jones (Mnt), 3.73, 4
Heat 8
Paco Divers (Sandy Bay), 11.4, 1, Morehu Roberts (Rag), 11.2, 2, Rian Byod (Auck), 5.77, 3, Patxi Scott Arrieta (Sandy Bay), 5.73, 4
OPEN MEN'S ROUND TWO
Heat 1
Nick Hardie (Rag), 10.33, 1, Tim Thompson (Auck), 9.6, 2, Nat Hughes (Rag), 8.1, 3, Deane Hishon (Rag), 7.37, 4
Heat 2
Mike Banks (Rag), 12.7, 1, Johnny Hicks (Gis), 11.9, 2, Paul Moretti (Mimiwhangata), 7.6, 3, Nick Ngau Chun (Piha), 6.33, 4
Heat 3
Sean Peggs (Tairua), 14.07, 1, Ben Poulter (Rag), 12.43, 2, Zennor Wernham (Rag), 12.2, 3, William Cooper (Tau), 7.4, 4
Heat 4
Bobby Hansen (Gis), 15.83, 1, Dune Kennings (Whmata), 12.33, 2, JC Susan (Mnt), 10.77, 3, Bachelor Tipene (Tara), 9.1, 4
Heat 5
Simon Deken (Tara), 12.7, 1, Matt Hewitt (Mnt), 11.8, 2, Todd Doyle (Mnt), 11.5, 3, Matt Hishon (Rag), 8.33, 4
Heat 6
Alex Dive (Mnt), 18.23, 1, Sid West (Gt Barrier), 13.17, 2, Sean Kettle (Tara), 12.73, 3, Waretini Wano (Piha), 7.2, 4
Heat 7
Luke Cederman (Rag), 15.4, 1, Elliot Paerata Reid (Piha), 14.03, 2, Morehu Roberts (Rag), 12.53, 3, Rick Lasch (Piha), 10.77, 4
Heat 8
Tyler Anderson (Tara), 15, 1, Buck Woods (Gis), 14.7, 2, Paco Divers (Sandy Bay), 14.7, 3, Josh Taylor (Mnt), 8.83, 4
OPEN MEN'S ROUND THREE
Heat 1
Johnny Hicks (Gis), 15.93, 1, Jarred Hancox (Tara), 14.2, 2, Ben Kennings (Whmata), 11.17, 3, Nick Hardie (Rag), 7.83, 4
Heat 2
Mike Banks (Rag), 16.3, 1, Zen Wallis (Piha), 9.37, 2, Adam Grimson (Gis), 9.37, 3, Tim Thompson (Auck), 6.4, 4
Heat 3
Luke Hughes (Rag), 14.07, 1, Sean Peggs (Tairua), 12.73, 2, Keone Campbell (Tara), 12.27, 3, Dune Kennings (Whmata), 11.73, 4
Heat 4
Bobby Hansen (Gis), 16.9, 1, Tim O'Connor (Mnt), 16.13, 2, Ben Poulter (Rag), 13.3, 3, Ryan Hawker (Piha), 13.1, 4
Heat 5
Larry Fisher (Rag), 12.67, 1, Maz Quinn (Gis), 10, 2, Sid West (Gt Barrier), 7.93, 3, Simon Deken (Tara), 4.57, 4
Heat 6
Alex Dive (Mnt), 14, 1, Matt Hewitt (Mnt), 12.07, 2, Tane Wallis (Piha), 8.87, 3, Leon Santorik (Rag), 8.07, 4
Heat 7
Luke Cederman (Rag), 13.5, 1, Chris Malone (Gis), 9.37, 2, Joe Moretti (Mimiwhangata), 8.87, 3, Buck Woods (Gis), 8.77, 4
Heat 8
Blair Stewart (Gis), 13.47, 1, Matt Scorringe (Whmata), 12.37, 2, Elliot Paerata Reid (Piha), 10.77, 3, Tyler Anderson (Tara), 9.4, 4
Complete event write ups, results, surfer ratings and images from the event can be viewed at Surfing New Zealand.
General
The final event of the New Zealand Pro Series for summer is heading to Raglan this weekend (16-18 March) with the Rip Curl Pro presented by Nature Valley willing some good conditions to prevail for the season finale.
The Rip Curl Pro presented by Nature Valley will play host to New Zealand’s best surfers and with the waves at Manu Bay being such a draw card, the field of surfers is expected to be the finest to compete this summer.
Not only will the surfers be competing for a slice of big prize purse, but the winner of the Open Men’s Division also wins a trip to Indonesia and the chance to compete in the Rip Curl Padang Padang Cup, an exclusive invitational that plays host to some of the best tube riders in the world. The Padang Cup has a month long waiting period and is held at Bali’s infamous Padang Padang, and as the catch phrase goes….. “it’s on when it’s on”
Morehu Roberts is the only New Zealand surfer to have competed in the event after winning the 2010 Rip Curl Pro at Manu Bay. That year the Padang Cup was cancelled due to lack of waves but Morehu was given a second chance to compete at the event in 2011 unfortunately exiting in the first round.
Current New Zealand ratings leader Tim O’Connor won the most recent event of the New Zealand Pro Series held at Gisborne leap frogging Bobby Hansen for the number one ranking. Both surfers are expected to put up a strong challenge at Raglan to claim the Series title. O’Connor has based himself at Raglan all summer and may well have the upper hand.
Competition will come from all directions though with Maz Quinn back in the mix after missing two of the three events so far this summer. Raglan’s own Luke Cederman has returned to New Zealand and is a likely starter in the event. If he gets on a roll, he could be lethal with his powerful forehand attack. Likewise Leon Santorik on his backhand will be eager to successfully compete in the waves he grew up surfing.
It will be touch and go whether a handful of of New Zealand’s top surfers will be able to compete at the event with the likes of Billy Stairmand, Jay Quinn, Richard Christie and Matt Hewitt all competing at a WQS event in Australia this week.
The Open Women’s Division has a new look about it with four of the top five ranked surfers being juniors. Only current New Zealand Champion Thandi Tipene, 25, is giving the young girls a run for their money. 17-year-old Rip Curl surfer Ella Williams leads the women’s ratings after winning the last two events on the NZ series. Again it may be a local surfer that pushes through for a big result and that could easily come from Jessica Santorik or Alexis Poulter given their local knowledge of the Raglan line up.
In the Under 20 Men’s Division see’s front runners Sean Kettle and Tane Wallis ready to defend their positions on the NZ ratings. Kettle has been on fire this summer and has a sharp backhand and Wallis is no slouch and knows exactly what he has to do to push for his first win of the year after placing second and third at the first two events.
With several of the top Under 20 surfers in New Zealand having missed some of the events this year, the likes of Johnny Hicks, Alex Dive and Ben Poulter will be out to upset proceedings and grab an event win before returning to international duties in Australia and beyond at the end of the month.
The Rip Curl Pro also plays host to the Rip Curl GromSearch final. The finals spots were taken by the top four boys and girls on the 2011 New Zealand Grommet Series ratings. The winners of each division get a ticket to Australia to compete at the international final held at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach over easter. This years finalist include nZ’s top young groms Dune Kennings, Elliot Paerata – Reid, Adam Grimson and Sean Kettle for the boys and Jayda Martin – Fitzharris, Ella Williams, Ella Spiers and Dayna Story for the girls.
On top of tall of this, Kiwi Surf Magazine and Hughes Surfboards have teamed up this year to bring the Kiwi Surf/Hughes Surfboards ‘Boost For Cash.’ This will be an expression session in which New Zealand’s best aerialists will use jet ski assistance to perform one big move to walk away with $500. See how you too, can win a brand new Hughes surfboard by picking your preferred winner of the expression session.
The Rip Curl Pro will include the Saturday night gathering at the YOT Club thanks to Stoke Beer and Jagermeister and will be backed up with a Sunday Session again at the YOT Club after the finals have been contested.
The Rip Curl Pro is a six star rated event with $12,500 in prizes on offer.
See below for the top surfers on the New Zealand Pro Series after three of four events. For full ratings go to the Surfing New Zealand website.
Open Men’s Division
1, Tim O'Connor (Mnt)
2, Bobby Hansen (Gis)
3, Larry Fisher (Rag)
4, Chris Malone (Gis)
5, Zen Wallis (Piha)
6, Billy Stairmand (Rag)
7, Dune Kennings (Whmata)
8, Ben Kennings (Whmata)
9, Mike Banks (Rag)
10, Matt Scorringe (Whmata)
Open Women’s Division
1, Ella Williams (Whmata)
2, Thandi Tipene (Tara)
3, Jayda Martin-Fitzharris (Gis)
4, Grace Spiers (Whmata)
5, Jasmine Smith (Gis)
Under 20 Men’s Division
1, Sean Kettle (Tara)
2, Tane Wallis (Piha)
3, Dune Kennings (Whmata)
4, Waretini Wano (Piha)
5, Adam Grimson (Gis)
Event Hotline
The Surfing New Zealand event hotline is 0211134506. This will be updated daily at with venues, divisions contested and conditions.
Sponsors
Generous support from Rip Curl, Nature Valley, Stoke & Jagermeister, Kiwi Surf, Hughes Surfboards, Point Boardriders and Surfing New Zealand has made this event possible.