Ben Bourgeois was eliminated in round 2 at the Billabong Pro held at Mundaka Spain Thursday by Hawaiian Fred Patacchia (left), who is all smiles after his win.  

Mundaka, one of the world’s best lefthand breaks, redeemed itself Thursday. The at-times fickle river-mouth spit out enough four to five foot waves to host 20 heats of ASP World Tour action in just seven hours thanks to the ASP Dual Heat format which allows for overlapping heats.

Fred Patacchia of Hawaii displayed his tube-riding prowess again today. Patacchia finished runner-up to Bruce Irons (HAW) in barreling waves in Indonesia earlier this year. He earned a 9.5 in his Round 2 heat today as he beat Bourgeois 16.83 to 9.74.

“To tell you the truth, I haven’t really felt like I’ve been surfing that great, so pulling in and going straight is easy,” Patacchia said of the high scoring ride. “I was hoping we’d go out there and get a few barrels and we have. Mundaka is doing its thing.”

Patacchia surfed again Thursday in Round 3, beating fellow Hawaiian Roy Powers.  Round three will be concluded on Friday, and will feature Kelly Slater who can capture this year’s world title by winning his heat.

As for Bourgeois, he is currently out of the top 27, who automatically requalify for the ASP in 2009.  He will need to win a few heats to climb the ranks, and has just two contests left to do so.  His next chance will be October 28 when the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro starts in Brazil.  The ‘08 season then wraps up in December with the Billabong Pipeline Masters.

- Jesse Jones

Information and photo provided by ASP