Paterson and Palmateer Dominate Trials Event in Big Swell to Progress into 2013 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro Main Event

Locals Jake Paterson and Felicity Palmateer have dominated the Men's and Women's Trial Event today at the 2013 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro to earn their place in the main event field.

Paterson put on a clinic in the last final of the day showing his experience and big-wave riding prowess to record a score of 17.75. The 1998 Margaret River Pro and Pipeline Champion was clearly at ease in the 10 foot swell, picking off the biggest of the sets and showing off his powerful bottom turn to record a best score of 9.40 on his final wave. He will be joined in the Round of 96 by another local in Brett Hardy who scored an upset with his final wave of the heat to move through in second place. Hardy only secured his start in the Trials at the last minute due to the late withdrawal of another competitor.

The other two Men to move through to the main event from the first final were Kiron Jabour of Hawaii and Brazilian Caio Ibelli. Jabour had the highest wave score of the day with a 9.60 in his final, while the teenager Ibelli showed his flair with some great turning manoeuvres on one large right hander. Only twelve months ago Ibelli won the ASP World Junior Title and seems set for big things on the World Tour in the future. His taste will come at the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro this week where he is now drawn to meet fellow Brazilian Jadson Andre in Heat 13 of the Round of 96. He will also face local favourite Taj Burrow in the same heat.

Local WQS surfer Felicity Palmateer won the final spot in the 18 who will contest the Women's World Tour event, which is expected to take precedent over the Men as they start their Round One heats early tomorrow. Palmateer held her nerve in a close final against Mikaela Greene and sisters Laura and Bronte Macaulay. Her experience in the large surf and clever wave selection gave her the edge as she progressed ahead of Laura Macaulay with a total score of 14.00. The challenge now lies ahead for Palmateer who will face reigning World Champion Stephanie Gilmore and French sensation Pauline Ado in her Round One heat.

The first round of the 2013 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro is expected to get under way early Saturday with a positive forecast as the strong swell looks to remain in the 2.5m - 3.0m range with continuing offshore winds. The schedule for Saturday is expected to start with Round One of the Women's World Tour event.