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Frenchman carries European dreams during final rounds
by George Mojo
26/03/2008:// Frenchman Jeremy Flores carries European hopes during the final rounds of the Rip Curl Pro in Australia.
Flores booked a place in round four of the World Championship Tour contest with a great performance to defeat Kieren Perrow in perfect 3ft waves.
The victory will earn the Gaulle a match against American Bobby Martinez for a place in the last eight.
Flores, who qualified with a low 12.73 heat score (out of possible 20), was under pressure until the last seconds of the heat against Perrow.
"I am glad I made this heat because it was a very close one," said Flores. "I made a few mistakes and I know Kieren got the best waves but I was lucky he fell a few times. I felt a lot of pressure in the end because he only needed a four point ride to take the lead."
Flores, who has been coming to Bells Beach since he was 13, never surfed such perfect and small conditions in the past here, and needed time to get in rhythm.
"I felt a bit lost during the heat because I had never surfed Bells Beach in such conditions," he said. "I have been coming here for years but I only surfed in very small waves, or on-shore big waves as in Round 1 of the Rip Curl Pro."
Flores, who lost in Round three last year, wanted to better this result and already secures an equal 9th finish at least. He will now prepare for his next encounter at Bells.
"I lost in Round three last year so getting to Round four is already a good result," said Flores. "I will surf against Bobby Martinez and he is one of the best right now, but I am feeling good. I surfed one of the boards I surfed in Jeffrey's Bay last year and I think it is the right option for this perfect small Bells Beach."
Flores is the last of three Europeans still hoping to ring the bell of the Rip Curl Pro.
"It has been a bit difficult for Miky Picon and Tiago Pires so far," he said. "Miky bested Andy Irons in Round 1 at Snapper Rocks in the first event so it is positive for his confidence and I am sure he will surf well in the next events on the lefthand barrels."
"Tiago has been surfing unreal but is a bit under pressure in his heats. I have no doubt he will come back for good in the next events because he likes big waves and barrels," added Flores.
[Carissa Moore (in yellow) receiving the winner's prize]
[The number of high-rated Australian surf competitions are set to increase]
[Pablo Gutierrez winner of the Superbock Pro]
Hawaiian Carissa Moore won the Roxy Pro Junior surfing in her first ever contest in France
ASP International has announce the inception of their fourth regional branch, ASP Australasia
Twenty-six-year-old Pablo Guitierrez took top honours in the Superbock Pro in Portugal after defeating fellow Portugeuse surfer Eduardo Fernandes in the final
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