With those those whores of melancholy Mumford and Sons drifting over the line-up and the sun yet to burn through the haze hanging in the mountains it seemed the scene had been pre-set for brave but tragic endings.
Sure enough early doors Drew Courtney, Neco Padaratz and Tanner Gudauskas all failed in their bids to maintain a charge to safety. Their year on the tour is over.
Veteran, Mick Campbell admitted to feeling nervous before his crucial heat against Adam Melling. The tour's popular stalwart however surfed his nuts off only to fall to what some saw as a generous wave score for Melling in the final seconds.
When asked if he'd been over-scored Melling said that it was down to the judges and to be fair they did have a better view than us. Mick probably will not attempt to requalify so if it was a final curtain call you can't fault the gladiatorial manner of his exit.
You'd want him in your shield wall ... Mick Campbell on a morning bomb
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