Aussies riding ‘perfect’ wave
AUSTRALIA’S star-studded five-person team is second after the opening day of action at the inaugural Founders’ Cup of Surfing on what’s been dubbed by officials as the “best man-made wave in history”.
The two-day event at the artificial Surf Ranch in California produced numerous high-scoring rides on day one with Tyler Wright and Mick Fanning among those to crack the nine-point mark.
With 25 of the world’s top surfers in competition, Australia faces a stiff test from the USA, World, Brazil and Europe with only three of the five teams — consisting of three men and two women — progressing to the final. Australia’s total of 75.82 points has them well placed to progress with Wright, Joel Parkinson and captain Stephanie Gilmore all having room to improve on their best scores.
“We still have a lot of room for improvement,” Fanning said. “Parko’s (Joel Parkinson) getting rid of a three, so that’s a few more points there, he just couldn’t connect on the right.
“And we haven’t even seen Steph (Gilmore) dominate on the right yet, so I think she can get into those high 9s when she puts that right together.”
The US lead the way on 80.83 with Kelly Slater, who helped fine-tune the technology to produce the stunning artificial wave, and Carissa Moore among their best.
The World team is third ahead of Brazil and Europe.
With surfing preparing for its Olympic debut in 2020 and a decision on whether natural or man-made waves are used yet to be made, the success of this team event could have a significant bearing on it .