World Tour numbers trimmed

TAHITIAN wildcard Manoa Drollet has caused the biggest upset at the Billabong Pro Tahiti, eliminating world No.1 Jordy Smith of South Africa in the third round.

On an historic day that saw 12 surfers, including Coolangatta’s Dean Morrison, lose their spot on the World Tour, Drollet utilised his intimate knowledge of the Teahupoo break and picked off the better set of waves to control his heat yesterday.

“He (Smith) was sitting on priority and he only needed a small wave at one point,” Drollet said. “He waited forever and he didn’t catch anything. I have a good knowledge here. I’ve been doing water patrol so I’ve been watching the event and analysing the guy’s strategies a lot.

“I managed to get scores and get back in the lead there towards the end. I was expecting Jordy (Smith) to come back with a nine at any time.”

Immediately following Smith’s ousting, nine-time past champion Kelly Slater scored a sensational come-from-behind victory to overtake dangerous wildcard Heiarii Williams. With his round three victory, Slater moves from No.3 to No.2 in the hunt for the 2010 ASP world title.

Morrison was among the 12 surfers without a spot on tour after yesterday’s competition. Australians Kieren Perrow, Tom Whitaker and Jay “Bottle” Thompson were others to bow out. The tour is being permanently streamlined from 44 competitors to 34 this year.

But Australian Adam Melling is safe and continued to exhibit his maturity, dominating his round three clash with fellow rookie Dusty Payne of Hawaii.The 25-year-old world No.19 posted the highest single-wave score of the event, a 9.80 out of a possible 10, en route to his emphatic win. “It was good to get on a roll out there,” Melling said.

“A couple of wider ones opened up for me.”

Reigning world champion Mick Fanning will take on wildcard Tamaroa McComb today.