Aca Raculo is the leading local contender for the last remaining wildcard slot for the VOLCOM FIJI PRO surfing event which starts in just under a weeks time.
In the second of three trials events on Saturday May 12th he reigned supreme in the final over Paul Chongsue, his best four waves scoring 8.2, 9.0, 9.9 and a perfect score 10.0 which will give him a huge boast going into the final trials event.
The first trials event winner – Isei Tokovou’s campaign to take out the second event spluttered to a halt when he was knocked out in his first round heat. Isei was sadly out of rhythm with the ocean at his home break and could not find any decent scoring waves. In that heat Paul Chongsue from Kulukulu in Sigatoka was mecurial and relentless, racking up seven scoring waves to Isei’s six – all of which however were in the small to medium range and lacked serious scoring potential. Isei could only come up with a 6.0 and a 3.0 for his two best rides.
Conditions were improved for this second round of the trials, and although the tradewinds were strong, they didn’t dent the quality of the waves more so as the tide dropped and the exposed reef provided protection from the wind chop. Waves were in the 4 – 5 foot range, and increased in size to around 6 foot in the finals –allowing longer connected rides from the top of the reef point.
The most improved surfer of the day was Paul Chongsue who made a close two man semi final against 3rd seed Inia Nakalevu beyond a shodow of a doubt when he paddled into a set wave and slotted himself into a long barrel ride topped off by a critical top to bottom turn in the pocket scoring a 9.5 and sending him straight into the two man final with Aca Raculo. The wave was the highest scoring of the day, until he met King Raculo who stopped his dream run in the 30 minute final, Paul scoring a respectable 14.6 points to Aca’s almost perfect score 19.9 out of 20!
Third was won on a countback by Inia Nakalevu (Momi Village), from Ulai Niunitoga (Nabila Village).
The Fiji Surfing Association has been given the task of selecting a local surfer to join the just announced wildcard winner professional surfer Mitch Coleborn 25 years old of the Sunshine Coast Australia. Both Mitch and the Fijian wildcard will join the top thirty four professional surfers on the planet to contest the US$425,000 prizemoney event the Volcom Fiji Pro. Competition waiting period starts Sunday June 3rd at Tavarua Island off Nadi.
