In a sensational day of competition in the Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Lennox Head surfer Owen Wright eliminated Tweed Heads hero and current ASP No 3, Mick Fanning, in Round 5 of competition.
Earlier in the day at Supertubos, ASP No 2 Kelly Slater suffered a shock elimination in Round 3 at the hands of Brazilian Raoni Monterio, significantly hindering his run for the 2012 ASP World Title.
Coolangatta’s Joel Parkinson, current ASP No 1, is now well placed to take the competition after posting a win over compatriots Adrian Buchan, from the central coast, and Tweed Heads’ Josh Kerr, but he still has to face lethal Hawaiian rookie John John Florence in tomorrow’s quarterfinals.
Wright will take on Coolum’s Julian Wilson in quarterfinal 3 when competition resumes. Wilson also secured a perfect 10-point ride yesterday with a heaving barrel ride.