hellwoman
01-30-2007, 02:18 AM
Surfers feel Teahupoo's wrath
May 16, 2005
ONE surfer landed on a jet ski, another was dragged across the deadly reef while a former victim finally conquered the world's most dangerous wave.
Just a typical day at Tahiti's Teahupoo lefthand reef break.
In thrilling round two action at the Billabong Pro, international surfers provided the highlights while half a dozen Aussies slipped into round three unscathed.WCT ratings leader Trent Munro won his heat, as did Danny Wills, Lee Winkler, Tom Whitaker, Mark Occhilupo and Dean Morrison.
But all the talk was about American Damien Hobgood who landed on a rescue jet ski.Having emerged from a 2m barrel Hobgood launched off the back of the wave, but in mid-air realised he was headed for either a jet ski or a boat full of photographers.
His landing made a sickening thud as his hip and thigh hit the fibreglass hull of Brock Little's jet ski.
But the 25-year-old simply slid off and paddled back to the lineup to defeat Liam McNamara and move into round three.
"I had plenty of time to react. It was a decision to either hit the boat or hit the ski," said Hobgood.
"I took the ski option because its smaller and a little more forgiving thing to hit."
South African Greg Emslie also had a terrifying experience, wiping out on his first wave and getting washed across the razor-sharp reef into the lagoon.It was a similar incident to that which almost claimed Brazilian Neco Padaratz's life five years ago.Padaratz had vowed never to surf Teahupoo again after his brush with death, but finally overcame his fear and today scored the contest's first perfect 10 to oust Gold Coast rookie Bede Durbidge.
American Cory Lopez also impressed the judges, posting one of the highest heat scores in ASP history with a 19.63 in disposing of Sydney's Toby Martin.
"It's perfect out there, and you've just got to know which ones to pick, and luckily I picked a couple of good ones," said Lopez.Twelve Australians will take to the water tomorrow for round three with Morrison drawn to face Michael Lowe in the only all Aussie heat.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15305532-23218,00.html
May 16, 2005
ONE surfer landed on a jet ski, another was dragged across the deadly reef while a former victim finally conquered the world's most dangerous wave.
Just a typical day at Tahiti's Teahupoo lefthand reef break.
In thrilling round two action at the Billabong Pro, international surfers provided the highlights while half a dozen Aussies slipped into round three unscathed.WCT ratings leader Trent Munro won his heat, as did Danny Wills, Lee Winkler, Tom Whitaker, Mark Occhilupo and Dean Morrison.
But all the talk was about American Damien Hobgood who landed on a rescue jet ski.Having emerged from a 2m barrel Hobgood launched off the back of the wave, but in mid-air realised he was headed for either a jet ski or a boat full of photographers.
His landing made a sickening thud as his hip and thigh hit the fibreglass hull of Brock Little's jet ski.
But the 25-year-old simply slid off and paddled back to the lineup to defeat Liam McNamara and move into round three.
"I had plenty of time to react. It was a decision to either hit the boat or hit the ski," said Hobgood.
"I took the ski option because its smaller and a little more forgiving thing to hit."
South African Greg Emslie also had a terrifying experience, wiping out on his first wave and getting washed across the razor-sharp reef into the lagoon.It was a similar incident to that which almost claimed Brazilian Neco Padaratz's life five years ago.Padaratz had vowed never to surf Teahupoo again after his brush with death, but finally overcame his fear and today scored the contest's first perfect 10 to oust Gold Coast rookie Bede Durbidge.
American Cory Lopez also impressed the judges, posting one of the highest heat scores in ASP history with a 19.63 in disposing of Sydney's Toby Martin.
"It's perfect out there, and you've just got to know which ones to pick, and luckily I picked a couple of good ones," said Lopez.Twelve Australians will take to the water tomorrow for round three with Morrison drawn to face Michael Lowe in the only all Aussie heat.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15305532-23218,00.html