Billabong Pro Tahiti Back ON

Pictured: Mick Fanning (AUS), 27, former ASP World Champion and current ASP World No. 2, scored a sensational come-from-behind victory in Round 2 against compatriot Ben Dunn (AUS), 23. Fanning will face Tom Whitaker (AUS), 29, in Round 3 when Billabong Pro Tahiti competition resumes. Credit: © ASP/ CI/ SCHOLTZ via GETTY IMAGES

TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Tuesday, May 19, 2009) – The Billabong Pro Tahiti presented by Air Tahiti Nui, event No. 3 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, has called competition on today, with a champion being crowned by day’s end, conditions permitting.

This morning’s surf is running in the three-to-five foot (1- 1.5 metre) range and the opening heats of the day will hit the water at 8:30am.

Yesterday saw the surprise eliminations of reigning nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 37, and current ASP World No. 1 Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, at the hands of Aritz Aranburu (EUK), 23, and Taylor Knox (USA), 38, respectively.

Still remaining in the event are past Billabong Pro Tahiti winners Damien Hobgood (USA), 29, and Bobby Martinez (USA), 26, as well as former ASP World Champions Mick Fanning (AUS), 27, Andy Irons (HAW), 30, and C.J. Hobgood (USA), 29 – both Irons and Hobgood are also past winners at Teahupoo, with Fanning a former runner-up.

“We have clear skies and similar sized surf to yesterday and we’ll get competition underway at 8:30am,” Luke Egan, Billabong Pro Tahiti Contest Director, said. “We’re planning on completing the event today, but will monitor the conditions throughout the day to ensure the athletes are run in the best possible surf.”

First up this morning, former three-time ASP World Champion and event wildcard Irons will take on Martinez in Heat 5 of Round 3 at the Billabong Pro Tahiti.

We have a great selection of billabong hooded tops and billabong shirts in our store - take a look.

Surfline, official forecasters for the Billabong Pro Tahiti, are calling for a larger SE groundswell to fill in throughout the day as well as some new SW swell building through today and tomorrow.

Today’s Billabong Pro Tahiti presented by Air Tahiti Nui will be webcast LIVE via www.billabongpro.com beginning at 8:30am.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

Yesterday’s Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 3 Results:

Heat 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 15.50 def. Jay Thompson (AUS) 6.17
Heat 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) 12.04 def. Kieren Perrow (AUS) 9.40
Heat 3: Mick Campbell (AUS) 15.07 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 8.50
Heat 4: Taylor Knox (USA) 15.46 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 5.57

Remaining Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 3 Match-ups:

Heat 5: Andy Irons (HAW) vs. Bobby Martinez (USA)
Heat 6: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Heat 7: Aritz Aranburu (EUK) vs. Damien Hobgood (USA)
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Tom Whitaker (AUS)

Upcoming Billabong Pro Tahiti Quarterfinal Match-ups:

QF 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Taj Burrow (AUS)
QF 2: Mick Campbell (AUS) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)
QF 3: TBA
QF 4: TBA