Billabong Pro Tahiti Called Off For Today

Billabong Pro Tahiti Called Off For Today
By: Press Release

ASP/ CI/ SCHOLTZ via GETTY IMAGES - Although on sabbatical from full-time competition this season, Irons once again donned the singlet for the Billabong Pro Tahiti and will face Bede Durbidge (AUS), 26, when Round 2 commences.

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Monday, May 11, 2009) — Following a holding pattern this morning, event organizers at the Billabong Pro Tahiti presented by Air Tahiti Nui called competition off for the day with only onshore two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves on offer at Teahupoo today.

Event No. 3 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Tahiti saw the opening 14 heats of Round 1 completed on Saturday, and with swell forecast for the coming days, event organizers are confident competition could be back on soon."

"We went on hold for the morning to see if the swell would jump and the wind would turn but it hasn't with only small, onshore waves out there today," Perry Hatchett, ASP World Tour Head Judge, said. "We're expecting a new swell to fill in over the coming days with better winds so we're hoping to be running again soon."

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 6:30am to assess conditions for a possible 7:30am start.

When competition resumes, Heitor Alves (BRA), 27, will battle 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie Michel Bourez (PYF), 23, in Heat 15 of Round 1.

Surfline, official forecasters for the Billabong Pro Tahiti, are calling for a favorable WSW swell to fill in over the coming days.

Highlights from Day 1's Billabong Pro Tahiti presented by Air Tahiti Nui are available at www.billabongpro.com

Check out the full story on www.aspworldtour.com