Four of the eight quarter-finalists revealed at Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast

The competition field at the opening stop on the 2013 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Championship Tour, Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, trimmed down even further as the remaining heats of Round 3 and all the heats of Round 4 got completed at Snapper Rocks in Queensland, Australia, on Monday, March 11.

The surfing conditions prevailing at the primary event site were ideal for the elite surfers to put their exquisite surfing skills on display.

There was plenty of reason for them to push themselves hard, as earning an early lead in the campaign for the coveted ASP World Title can possible shape their performance for the entire season.

Round 3 of the competition featured a couple of surprises, as Australia’s Owen Wright and South Africa’s Jordy Smith got eliminated from the competition. Wright was unable to hold his own against America’s Dane Reynolds, whereas Smith bowed out to an in-form Australian surfer Matt Wilkinson.

Wilkinson had been great touch since the start of the event, though his progress was finally halted as he came across the 12-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater, who managed to relegate him and his Australian compatriot Bede Durbidge to the fifth round in the process of securing his place in the quarter-finals.

“It was an exciting heat and both Bede (Durbidge) and Wilko (Matt Wilkinson) were surfing really well,” Slater said. “It’s fortunate when it’s a non-elimination heat and guys are surfing so well – no one gets eliminated. The level has been really, really high here today and it’s a good start to the year. Hopefully we can get some waves at Kirra either tomorrow or Wednesday and finish in some barrels.”

Australia’s Taj Burrow, Julian Wilson and Mick Fanning also advanced to the quarter-final stage of the competition after finishing on top in their respective Round 4 heats.

With Round 4 revealing half the line-up for the quarter-finals, the remaining line-up would be revealed after the completion of Round 5.

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Posted by Muhammad Qasim Hassan on Mar 12 2013. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.