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Simon
Alexander reports....
Andy
Irons is well focused ahead of the contest renowned for its heavy
surf conditions.
"I
love it there," said Irons. Waves are so good. Food's good.
People are nice. I am really looking forward to it."
"The
best thing I like about "Chopes" is surfing the contest.
Probably the best waves on tour and just having one other guy out.
It's awesome especially if it's pretty good size. I just love it,"
he added.
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| Teahupoo
Reef … Not for the faint hearted. |
The
WCT now in its sixth year has seen the level of surfing at the feared
break increase dramatically and Irons is not underestimating his
competition or the wave.
"Everyone
charges out there now," he said. "It's gotten to a point
where a guy who you think would never catch a wave out there is
going for sets. A lot of people have come a long way surfing that
wave. People are definitely taking a lot of risks out there to get
some good barrels.
"The
wave could kill you at the same time, so it's pretty sketchy. I
try and make calculated risks and not get myself into situations
I can't get out of. It's a pretty perfect wave if you make it to
the bottom and then get going - unless it's a west wall - you just
have to look for the right waves," he added.
Six
times world and defending champion Kelly Slater returned to the
WCT winning circle following a three year absence, when he defeated
Taj Burrow in the final last year.
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| American
Kelly Slater tucking in to a big Teahupoo beast during last
year's contest. Picture courtesy ASP.
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Slater
who managed the win while competing with two broken toes ironically
enjoyed his previous victory at Teahupoo in 2000.
The
32-year-old Floridian claimed the rating lead from Irons with the
win and then challenged for the 2003 ASP world title until the final
heat at Pipeline last year.
Corey
Lopez (USA) and Mark Occhilupo (Aus) are also previous Teahupoo
champions.
The
water patrol features some of the most experienced watermen in the
world who are responsible for the surfer's safety plucking the competitors
from the impact zone when required. Local legends and Teahupoo specialists
patrol the line-up under the leadership of former top pro surfer
Vetea David.
Article
first published: 28th April 2004
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