Teahupoo Video Diary » Video highlights

THE Billabong Pro Tahiti presented by Air Tahiti Nui, Stop No. 3 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, got underway in solid conditions over the weekend. Day one saw overhead barrels rolling down the reef allowing tube riding specialists to demonstrate their ability to make sections rather than the typical Teahhupoo death drill of drop in, hang on and hope for the best. Click through HERE for video highlights of the first round.

Highest heat total of the day ... Dean Morrison© 2009 - ASP/ CI/ SCHOLTZ via GETTY IMAGES

The most talked about wildcard, former champion Andy Irons, who is on sabbatical from full-time competition this season, a wildcard into the Billabong Pro Tahiti, where the powerful Hawaiian dispatched of Brazilian Jihad Khodr netting an impressive 8.67 out of a possible 10 for a sizzling backhand pit.

Also of note was Marlon Lipke's step-up to form. His bold forehand approach saw the young goofy-footer collect strong scores of a 7.17 and a 7.83, blending excellent wave sense and tube knowledge with aggressive carves and top turns, as he advanced into Round 2.

Lumpy four-foot (1.5 metre) swell and onshore winds replaced the near-perfection of Saturday. The forecast promises to be better over the coming days and event organizers have opted to wait for more favourable conditions.

REMAINING BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 15: Heitor Alves (BRA) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 16: Roy Powers (HAW) vs. Mick Campbell (AUS)

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Phillip MacDonald (AUS)
Heat 2: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Jay Thompson (AUS)
Heat 3: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 4: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Marlon Lipke (DEU)
Heat 5: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 6: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 7: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Heiarii Williams (PYF)
Heat 9: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Andy Irons (HAW)
Heat 10: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. TBA
Heat 11: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Dustin Barca (HAW)
Heat 12: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. TBA
Heat 13: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 14: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. TBA
Heat 15: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 16: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Tim Boal (FRA)

More from the Billabong Pro Tahiti presented by Air Tahiti Nui is available here www.billabongpro.com.

For more information on the ASP, log onto www.aspworldtour.com.

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