Taj Burrow (AUS), 32, will take on Dusty Payne (HAW), 21, in the opening heat of Round 3 at the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico.
Credit:© ASP / CESTARI

SOMEWHERE, Porta Del Sol/Puerto Rico (Friday, November 5, 2010) – The Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico has been called back on this morning, with Round 3 commencing at 10:30am in clean three-to-four foot (1.5 metre) waves at the primary site in Porta Del Sol.

Event No. 9 of 10 on the 2010 ASP World Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico holds the very real possibility of crowning the 2010 ASP World Champion today, with Kelly Slater (USA), 32, and Jordy Smith (ZAF), 22, the two remaining contenders.

“We have one of the cleanest mornings we’ve seen out here and good surf so we’ll be recommencing competition at 10:30am,” Rich Porta, ASP International Head Judge, said. “We’ve been waiting for the tide to begin dropping as it was a bit inconsistent, but it’s looking really contestable at the moment and we’re aiming to complete Round 3, with Round 4 on standby.”

For Slater to clinch his historic 10th ASP Crown at the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico, the following scenarios must occur:

- If Slater finishes Equal 3rd or better, he clinches the 2010 ASP World Title.
- If Slater finishes Equal 5th or Equal 9th, Smith must win the event to send the ASP World Title Race to Hawaii.
- If Slater finishes Equal 13th or Equal 25th, Smith must finish Equal 3rd or better to send the ASP World Title Race to Hawaii.
- Essentially, if Smith fails to finish higher than Equal 5th, Slater claims the 2010 ASP World Title.

Slater faces wildcard and trials winner Dylan Graves (PRI), 24, in Round 3 while Smith takes on Gabe Kling (USA), 30.

The Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico is coming off two days of suspended competition following the tragic passing of former three-time ASP World Champion and current ASP World Tour competitor, Andy Irons (HAW), 32, on Tuesday.

Up first this morning will be Taj Burrow (AUS), 32, up against rookie Dusty Payne (HAW), 21.

The Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico will be webcast LIVE via http://live.ripcurl.com

The Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico will be televised LIVE in Australia on FUEL TV. For more information, check out www.foxsports.com.au/fueltv

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH PUERTO RICO ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1:Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Dusty Payne (USA)
Heat 2:C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)
Heat 3:Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Heat 4:Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 5:Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Bobby Martinez (USA)
Heat 6:Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Dylan Graves (PRI)
Heat 7:Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 8:Chris Davidson (AUS) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 9:Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 10:Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Dan Ross (AUS)
Heat 11:Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 12:Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)