WORLD champion Joel Parkinson was eliminated in the earliest round of the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro yesterday, capping off a day of upsets for WCT surfing stars.
Women’s world champion Stephanie Gilmore had earlier been pipped by Perth’s young Felicity Palmateer, before Margaret River’s Jacob Willcox showed up WCT star Adriano De Souza.
Palmateer had been the one to claim the remaining Women’s spot in the Pro through winning Trials on Friday. Her win against Gilmore means the champion will have to fight her way through round 2 today while Palmateer enjoys her safe skip to round 3.
"I was pretty tired from the Trials as it was just so big and I got pounded a few times," said Palmateer at her post-heat press conference.
"It was pretty daunting to surf against Steph as I have always looked up to her. But when you are out there you kind of put that aside and think you have nothing to lose.
“I feel really happy.”
However she downplayed her excitement “because I know there’s still lots to go,” she said.
“It is just an awesome chance for me to be surfing against the best girls in the world at my home break.”
Willlcox scored an impressive 11.67 points against De Souza’s 9.77 and will also jump to round 3.
The fifteen-year-old thanked Surfing WA for his wildcard entry into the event.
The biggest shock of the day was saved for the end when Parkinson was called for an interference late in his heat.
He subsequently lost to Jay Thompson’s set of eights, Dion Atkinson and Margaret River’s Brett Hardy.
Video recordings show Parkinson appearing to drop in on Atkinson’s wave.
Parkinson was clearly disappointed with his early exit but put it down to the difficult nature of surfing in an ASP Prime event.
"It happens," he said to reporters with a shrug.
In a press conference earlier, he had spoken of the event’s testing surf.
“Margaret’s is a challenging wave,” he said.
“You could be in your best form in your life but you still get out there and are challenged by the ocean.”
The remaining heats of the Men's Round of 96 are expected to be completed today after the Women’s second round. Local favourite Taj Burrow will be first up, facing Brazil’s Jadson Andre and Caio Ibelli as well as Lincoln Taylor from North Stradbrook Island, Queensland.
See www.margaretriverpro for more results.
