BELLS BEACH, Victoria/Australia (Wednesday, April 20, 2011) -- The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford Ranger, the second stop on the 2011 ASP World Title season, with Round 1 underway in pumping four-to-six foot (1.5 to 2 metre waves) at the iconic break of Bells Beach.
World no.13 Adam Melling (Lennox Head, Aus) opened quickly with a 7.33 score to put Josh Kerr (Gold Coast, Aus) and world no.2 Taj Burrow (W.A.) on the back foot from his opening ride in the second heat of round one..
The 26 year-old then used his final ride a 7.17 to secure victory and a round three berth.
Kerr and Burrow relegated into the sudden death round two heats. A late challenge, by Kerr not enough for victory and an in-form Burrow failing to capitalize on his opening maneuvers to finish third.
Melling said the match-up was always going to be tough one.
Melling added that it was great to see classic Bells conditions for the opening round of the Rip Curl Pro.
Former two time world champion Mick Fanning enjoyed a strong opening round win to advance directly into round three - vision to be included in main feed later today.
Up later this morning will be ten time world champion Kelly Slater (USA) and former event champion Joel Parkinson (Aus).
The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by FORD will be webcast LIVE via live.ripcurl.com and broadcast live on Fuel TV in Australia and ESPN in Brazil.
The Rip Curl Women's Pro Bells Beach presented Ford Fiesta is on standby today and will open up with Chelsea Hedges (AUS), 27, Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 27, and Rebecca Woods (BRA), 26, in Heat 1 of Round 1 when competition commences.
