BALI PROVES MIXED BAG FOR AUSSIES
ADRIAN Buchan has produced some of his best form of the young World Surf League season to win his elimination heat in Bali yesterday.
The Avoca Beach veteran (14 points) showed no signs of discomfort despite competing in a bulky knee brace as he beat Hawaii’s Seth Moniz (12.50) and fellow Australian Soli Bailey (11.40) to progress to the round of 32 at Keramas.
“It (the knee) feels strong. That was probably the first heat for me this year where I felt like I put in a solid performance,” he said from the beach. “But ... I felt there was room for improvement. I’ve worked really hard to get where I am this season and I’ve got a lot more to give.”
He will be joined by Newcastle’s Ryan Callinan (10.50), who stayed busy in quieter conditions to win his elimination heat against Jesse Mendes (8.43) and Sebastian Zietz (8.40).
Bells Beach semi-finalist Callinan led for the bulk of his heat with throwaway scores as the conditions quietened. But Callinan, who admitted to a serious case of pre-heat nerves, was forced to produce on his final ride when the waves returned, jumping from the elimination position of third to first with a heat-best 5.83 ride.
Bailey’s third place meant an early exit from the WSL’s third leg, with countryman and wildcard Jacob Willcox joining him after a narrow loss in the day’s opening heat.
The 21-year-old wildcard had arrived on a high after finishing fifth at Bells Beach.
But, after a day-one defeat landed him in the sudden death second round, his dream run was ended despite a brave effort in the dying seconds of his heat.
Willcox needed a 5.57point ride to move back in front of Brazil’s Deivid Silva but had to settle for a 4.97 as Japan’s Kanoa Igarashi won the second-round heat.
Monday had produced a full schedule of heats with Julian Wilson, Owen Wright, Mikey Wright, Jack Freestone and Wade Carmichael the Australian men to go straight into the third round.