Nat Young wasted no time in picking up where he left off in the NIke 6.0 Pro Junior when he posted a 9.4 — the day's highest score. Surfing down toward "Machado's Peak," the 17-year-old upstart from Santa Cruz went right and opened up with three vertical hacks. "Definitely liked the rights out there today," said Young. "They're a little bowlier and offer more potential."
Young will now surf against the big boys in the Round of 96, with Damien Hobgood, Sunny Garcia and Tonino Benson filling out his heat. With 100K on the line, you can be sure that the veterans won't go easy on the rookies. "I don't care who I have to paddle over," 2000 world champ Sunny Garcia said. "I'm gonna do everything I can to win this contest."
Other success stories today included fellow up-and-comer Evan Geiselman, who nailed an air reverse for a big win. His older brother, Eric, also came up with a victory, while World Junior Champ Kai Barger marched on with a first-place scalp.
Perhaps South African standout Travis Logie summed up the day best after cracking a left three times for a win. "This place just makes you excited to perform," he said. "It's one of the closest things we have to a stadium."
Tomorrow will finish up the Round of 144 and begin the Round of 96. This is where the top seeds lie in waiting, including nine-time world champ Kelly Slater, three-time world champ Andy Irons and 2007 world champ Mick Fanning. In other words, there's a whole lot of star power about to shine at the Hurley US Open of Surfing.
Stay tuned for regular video updates right here at the Pier.
Stay tuned for more extensive coverage of the US Open of Surfing on www.hurley.com and www.usopenofsurfing.com.
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For full results from today's action, go to: www.usopenofsurfing.com/LIVE.
