MONDAY, MAY 12, 2014 Barra Da Tijuca Brasil
Michel Bourez opened up first in the Final, blasting a 7.17 for a series of three powerful backhand turns. Kolohe Andino would catch a series of waves, his best coming in at a 5.00 for two backhand snaps. Bourez was more selective in his approach, notching a 6.67 on his second ride.
In need of an 8.84, Andino would hunt down the righthand ramps on offer at Barra Da Tijuca, but the Californian was unable to complete any attempts.
Bourez held on for the win, taking his second victory of the 2014 ASP WCT season, moving to No. 4 on the rankings.
Semifinals
SF 1: Kolohe Andino (USA) 14.73 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 14.17
Eleven-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater and California prodigy Kolohe Andino opened up the men’s Semifinals, with Andino getting the best of an opening exchange over Slater by a score of 6.83 to 6.50.
Andino stayed busy on the lefts, belting a two-turn combination for a 6.10, but Slater answered with a left of his own, overtaking the lead with a 7.67.
The underdog unleashed his aerial game next, launching an air-reverse into the flats, for a 7.60 and a spot in his first career final.
SF 2: Michel Bourez (PYF) 15.30 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 12.33
After mastering tube maneuvers in the Quarterfinals, Taj Burrow and Michel Bourez were forced to adopt new game plans as changing conditions transitioned the game from barrels to rail work.
Burrow was quick to adapt, throwing his tremendous frame against a left-breaking lip for a 7.00 keeper and backed it up with a 5.33 for similar proficiency on a righthander.
Bourez stole the heat momentum when he scored on back-to-back waves, including the heat’s first aerial and an execution of a quick barrel ride with a high vertical snap close. The aerial matched Burrow’s early rail success and the barrel ride earned him an excellent 8.70. Bourez advanced to the Finals by finishing strong against the high-ranking Aussie.
