14 September 2012, Patong Beach-Phuket: Many prayers were answered today as the sun came out and the waves pumped non-stop on Day Three of the Quiksilver Open Phuket Thailand, where not only did Rounds 2 and 3 as well as the Quarterfinals of the ASC and ISC Men’s Open division get completed, the DC Tour skate and BMX crews got to put on their long-awaited demo’s on the beachside sidewalk.
And to top off a very full day, 5-time ASP World Women’s Champion Stephanie Gilmore helped to open the new Quiksilver Women’s store in the Jungceylon Mall, then after a fashion show with Thailand’s top models took questions from the media and signed posters for her Thai fans. “This is my first time to Thailand and I’m really having a great time,” she said. “I’m so happy to be able to come here and represent Quiksilver, and meet so many. Thanks so much for having me here!”
After an early morning rain shower the sun made a most welcome appearance, and soon the beach was crowded with tourists, surfing fans and competitors. The swell had bumped up overnight to a solid 3-4 foot, giving the Men’s Open competitors the largest and most powerful surf in the history of the event, and though it was a workout the surfers had the fans on the beach cheering with big maneuver as well as wipeouts.
Getting the highest single wave score and combined heat score of the day was 2011 Coca-Cola ISC Champion Marlon Gerber, scoring 8 points (out of a possible 10) for a perfectly executed aerial and 13.9 points (out of a possible 20) for his heat total. Lee Wilson, Mega Semadhi and current ASC Open champion Raditya Rondi all put on impressive aerial surfing displays as well.
With Rondi making it though into the semifinals today and Tipi Jabrik bowing out in the Round 3, Rondi will be crowned 2012 ASC Open Champion tomorrow night, even if he fails to make the final. For the semifinals tomorrow it is an all-Indonesian affair, with Raditya Rondi, Wayan Susiana, Darmayasa, and Marlon Gerber in Semifinal 1, and Pepen Hendrik, Darmaputra Tonyo, Mega Semadhi, and Lee Wilson in Semifinal 2.
The biggest cheers for a local Thai surfer went to young Pancho Schneider, who won his Round 1 heat, got second in Round 2, and only failed to advance in Round 3 because he faced some major talent in the form of past Indonesian champions Lee Wilson (INA) and Pepen Hendrik. He was all smiles back on the beach as his friends and family clapped and cheered him for his outstanding effort.
Tomorrow’s final day action will start early around 8 am, as there are semifinals and finals to be run in the Grommet Division, Women’s Division, Longboard Division, Master’s Division and Men’s Open Division, as well as expression sessions by World Champion Stephanie Gilmore and free surfing talent Ry Craike, surf lessons, and much more.
Don’t miss this exciting conclusion to a great event, with a massive beach party, awards presentation for the Quiksilver Open Phuket Thailand, and the crowning of the 2012 Asian Surfing Champions.
Yesterday’s action
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