Video Highlight Day 4
As the O'Neill Cold Water Classic 2011 moved towards its closing stages, four quarterfinalists were decided as contest organisers once again took full advantage of the event's mobile format.
Willan Cardoso, local boy Nat Young, Nic Muscroft and Josh Kerr all made it through the non-elimination heat straight into the quarterfinals at Waddell Creek before the event was called off for the day as the swell died off.
But it was Josh Kerr who made sure that all eyes we be firmly fixed on him for the rest of this competition. The Australian posted both the highest heat and wave scores of the day in a high-pressure heat against both Jordy Smith and Tiago Pires in the non-elimination round to advance into the quarterfinals.
"I was thinking that, all three of us guys are World Tour guys and I'm into the Quarters now, and I think the way it works is that I'll have Jordy (Smith) in my next heat and that's going to be tough. I'm going to get a good night's sleep and try and get psyched up for that," said Josh following his victory.
But Josh's performance wasn't the only talk on the beach. At the start of the day local surfer Nat Young took out one of the event favourites the in-form Julian Wilson in front of supportive crowds at Steamer Lane.
He then followed this up with a victory in the 4th round to take him straight into the quarters.
"Getting in to the Quarters and skipping that round is nice," said Nat. "It'll be good to take a break and not have to surf again today. I'm stoked to make it to the Quarters, but I want to keep going in this event."
The Cold Water Classic Series rankings and the $50,000 prize money was also causing quite a stir on the beach. Still in the lead, but out of the O'Neill CWC Santa Cruz is Brent Dorrington.
However, had Adam Melling made it into the quarterfinals today he would have taken the lead in the series rankings, but would still have faced competition from Willian Cardoso, Tom Whitaker and Miguel Pupo, all still in the running.
Instead, Adam finished second behind Nic Muscroft so the suspense for Brent Dorrington continues into another day.
On this fourth day of competition in sunny Santa Cruz, another morning start at Steamer Lane for heats 5 – 8 of round three, was once again followed up by a northerly move up the coast to the sunning yet challenging beach break of Waddell Creek to finish off the round as well as round 4.