Rip Curl Pro Bells 2011 - Mens RD4 Highlights

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/Australia (Saturday, April 23, 2011); Today at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach the explosive non-elimination Round 4 hit the water and performances went through the roof. The newly implemented non-elimination Round 4 sees the winner progress directly into the Quarter Finals, while 2nd and 3rd battle it out in Round 5.

Mick Fanning (AUS), 29, posted the highest heat total of the entire event in the last heat of the round, a 19.10 (out of a possible 20). Fanning, who's often referred to as the fasted surfer on the ASP World Tour, used every ounce of his speed and power in his ferocious attack at Bells Beach today, advancing directly into the Quarter Finals.

The two times world champ scored an event high wave of 9.93 with a flawless assault in the 4-foot (1.5 metre) offshore Bells bowls. Fanning said for the first time this year he felt in sync while competing. Fanning who defeated Jadson Andre (BRZ) and Michel Bourez (PYF) claimed $5000 for the highest heat score in the Telstra Power Round.

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 30, continued his red-hot run of form in his battle with Owen Wright (AUS), 21, and Adriano De Souza (BRA), 24. Parkinson surfed a smart heat, picking all the best waves and out-surfing his in-form competitors to move thorough to the quarterfinals with a win

Ten-time world champion Kelly Slater (USA) again narrowly advanced over his two opponents CJ Hobgood (USA) and Bede Durbidge (USA). The Floridian yet to find top form at the Rip Curl Pro Bells event.

South African sensation Jordy Smith also advanced into the quarterfinals with a win.

2nd and 3rd places are now relegated into a sudden death matching in round 5, to be held tomorrow.

The mens competition looks set to fnalize tomorrow with an official call at 7am sunday morning.

The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by FORD will be webcast via www.live.ripcurl.com and broadcast live on Fuel TV in Australia and ESPN in Brazil.

Rip Curl Daily Highlights Videos and Heats on Demand videos are uploaded to www.youtube.com/ripcurl throughout the day.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com MANDY MCKINNON: Mandy.mckinnon@bigpond.com +61 (0) 417 079941

HT1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.26, Owen Wright (AUS) 13.84, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 9.14

HT2: Kelly Slater (USA) 13.67, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 12.17, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 11.04

HT3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.27, Chris Davidson (AUS) 13.37, Tiago Pires (PRT) 11.63

HT4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 19.10, Jadson Andre (BRA) 13.17, Michel Bourez (PYF),