Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach -- Men Day 3 Highlights

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/Australia (Thursday, April 5, 2012) -- The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford Ranger, the second stop on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour, enjoyed another full day of action with the world's best surfers lighting up the clean four-to-six foot (1.5 -- 2 metre) waves on offer at Bells Beach.

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 30, defending Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach winner, proved the most dominant surfer of the day, posting the day's high 18.94 out of a possible 20 for an electric performance in the Bells Bowl. Parkinson's unmatched speed, power and wave affinity proved enough to eliminate an on-fire Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), 30.

Regarded as one of the best surfers to ever take on Bells Beach, Parkinson was awarded the prestigious Rip Curl Pro Gold Pass today, joining a short but illustrious field of stalwart Bells surfers as the youngest recipient ever.

With projections indicating a potential finish in classic and solid conditions tomorrow, Parkinson's afternoon Round 4 win will serve him well as he advances directly to the Quarterfinals.

Kelly Slater (USA), 40, reigning 11-time ASP World Champion and four-time Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach winner, posted an incredible Round 3 win this morning over local wildcard Nic Muscroft (AUS), 29. After suffering a broken board mid-heat, Slater required an excellent score with the clock winding down. Stroking into a wave with seconds left, the iconic Floridian wrenched a number of solid outside turns before punctuating with a massive air reverse on the final section.

Michael Peterson (AUS), winner of the first three events at Bells Beach and an icon of Australian surfing, tragically passed away last week and Rip Curl have dedicated this year's event to his memory. The added importance of this year's Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach is not lost on Slater. Slater would go onto crush his Round 4 heat with an 18.50 heat total this afternoon, advancing directly to the Quarterfinals.

Not to be outdone by Parkinson and Slater, Mick Fanning (AUS), 30, two-time ASP World Champion and former Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach winner (2001), was in sizzling form throughout both his Round 3 and 4 heats, posting an 18.46 and an 18.20, firmly cementing himself as the form surfer of the day.

A perennial threat for the ASP World Title himself, Fanning was guarded when commenting on today's Round 3 ousting of current ASP frontrunner Taj Burrow (AUS), 33, at the hands of Kai Otton (AUS), 32.

Following the completion of the men's Round 3 and 4, the Rip Curl Women's Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford Fiesta saw the girls smash up the solid waves on offer at the Bells Bowl for the non-elimination Round 3.

Malia Manuel (HAW), 18, 2012 ASP Women's World Championship Tour rookie, was explosive in this afternoon's Round 3 bout, besting current ASP Women's World No. 1 Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 24, with the round high 18.30 out of a possible 20 and advance directly to the Quarterfinals.

Carissa Moore (HAW), 19, reigning ASP Women's World Champion and last year's event runner-up, was another solid performer this afternoon, racking up an excellent 17.94 out of a possible 20 en route to the Quarterfinals.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com