Newsletter join now Keep in touch with all the latest surf news, green scene and partner info by joining the Drift weekly update. SIGN UP NOW
What are we made of? Drift Magazine is made from ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free) FSC Certified pulp and low VOC vegetable inks. Studio power by Ecotricity and delivery made using Biopower V100 waste oil.
Frenchman carries European dreams during final rounds
by George Mojo
26/03/2008:// Frenchman Jeremy Flores carries European hopes during the final rounds of the Rip Curl Pro in Australia.
Flores booked a place in round four of the World Championship Tour contest with a great performance to defeat Kieren Perrow in perfect 3ft waves.
The victory will earn the Gaulle a match against American Bobby Martinez for a place in the last eight.
Flores, who qualified with a low 12.73 heat score (out of possible 20), was under pressure until the last seconds of the heat against Perrow.
"I am glad I made this heat because it was a very close one," said Flores. "I made a few mistakes and I know Kieren got the best waves but I was lucky he fell a few times. I felt a lot of pressure in the end because he only needed a four point ride to take the lead."
Flores, who has been coming to Bells Beach since he was 13, never surfed such perfect and small conditions in the past here, and needed time to get in rhythm.
"I felt a bit lost during the heat because I had never surfed Bells Beach in such conditions," he said. "I have been coming here for years but I only surfed in very small waves, or on-shore big waves as in Round 1 of the Rip Curl Pro."
Flores, who lost in Round three last year, wanted to better this result and already secures an equal 9th finish at least. He will now prepare for his next encounter at Bells.
"I lost in Round three last year so getting to Round four is already a good result," said Flores. "I will surf against Bobby Martinez and he is one of the best right now, but I am feeling good. I surfed one of the boards I surfed in Jeffrey's Bay last year and I think it is the right option for this perfect small Bells Beach."
Flores is the last of three Europeans still hoping to ring the bell of the Rip Curl Pro.
"It has been a bit difficult for Miky Picon and Tiago Pires so far," he said. "Miky bested Andy Irons in Round 1 at Snapper Rocks in the first event so it is positive for his confidence and I am sure he will surf well in the next events on the lefthand barrels."
"Tiago has been surfing unreal but is a bit under pressure in his heats. I have no doubt he will come back for good in the next events because he likes big waves and barrels," added Flores.
Top seeds took control of the ASP World Qualfying Series 6-Star Buondi Billabong Pro Portugal posting big scores and impressive performances in the good three to four foot waves on offer at Ribeira d’Ilhas
Briton Russell Winter's run in the Buondi Billabong Pro in Portugal came to an abrupt end when the Cornishman finished last in his second round heat
The upcoming Boost Mobile Pro presented by Hurley may be the closest thing eight-time ASP World Champion and ratings leader Kelly Slater (USA) has to a home court advantage on the ASP World Tour
Home advantage saw Lee Ann Curren claim top spot in Rip Curl Pro Junior Mademoiselle at Les Bourdaines in Seignosse
The August Bank Holiday weekend saw a hive of activity at the inaugural Quiksilver Skins invitation competition, one of the most innovative contest formats to grace the circuit
Champions tell the story of their success step by step
Skype us
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Surf art 
Surf environment