Stars fall in the opening day of 2014 Margaret River Pro


The first round of the 2014 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro has been completed with a few upsets, in offshore three-to-five foot conditions at Main Break.

Local hero Taj Burrow, Hawaiian Fred Patacchia and Californian Brett Simpson would exchange a series of low scores throughout the majority of their quiet affair, leaving the door open for any competitor to steal a coveted Round 1 win.

While the heat would remain absent of any big scores, Burrow would find a rhythm in the final minutes, logging two mid-range rides on Margaret River's righthanders for the win.

Trials winner and past ASP WCT competitor Yadin Nicol would put together a dominant performance to open his campaign, lighting up the rights of Main Break to secure a commanding win over 11-time world champion Kelly Slater and Bed Durbidge.

While the previous heat was plagued by inconsistent waves, Julian Wilson put together one of the heats of the day, detonating an 8.50 and 7.50 with an impressive forehand display on the Margaret River rights.
Wilson managed to log the highest heat total of the morning, but was incredibly patient, riding only three waves throughout his 30 minute affair.

One of the most highly-anticipated match-ups was on display with form Brazilians Adriano de Souza and Jadson Andre taking on a returning-to-form Owen Wright.

The afternoon onshore crumble made wave selection and adaptability paramount for the bout and Andre's speed, flow and explosiveness were apparent in his opening round approach with the young Brazilian took the heat win advancing through to Round 3.

The final heat of the round turned out to be a barn-burner with the aerial vanguard of surfing's next generation doing battle.

Gabriel Medina, former event winner John John Florence and Californian wunderkind Kolohe Andino all took to the Margaret River righthanders with power, punch and bite.

Florence opened up the affair with a monster forehand rotation to take an early lead. However, Medina answered back with a huge helicopter backhand aerial transitioning into a series of powerful turns.

A late assault from Florence and Andino proved not enough to overtake the Brazilian and they'll battle it out in their respective Round 2 heats.

2014 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro | Round 1 Results:

Heat 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 12.23, Nat Young (USA) 8.77, Aritz Aranburu (ESP) 8.23
Heat 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.33, Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 10.70, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 6.26
Heat 3: Taj Burrow (AUS) 10.77, Brett Simpson (USA) 9.50, Fred Patacchia (HAW) 7.60
Heat 4: Adam Melling (AUS) 13.17, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 10.83, Mitch Coleborn (AUS) 9.30
Heat 5: Yadin Nicol (AUS) 15.23, Kelly Slater (USA) 11.87, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 10.37
Heat 6: Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.17, Nathan Hedge (AUS) 9.43, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 7.57
Heat 7: Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.00, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 11.53, Dion Atkinson (AUS) 9.17
Heat 8: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.57, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 11.06, Travis Logie (ZAF) 8.90
Heat 9: Josh Kerr (AUS) 10.50, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 4.83, Alejo Muniz (BRA)
Heat 10: Jadson Andre (BRA) 14.50, Owen Wright (AUS) 11.26, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 9.86
Heat 11: Kai Otton (AUS) 13.40, Mitch Crews (AUS) 12.83, Michel Bourez (PYF) 11.10
Heat 12: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.40, John John Florence (HAW) 14.67, Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.96

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