HOSSEGOR/SEIGNOSSE, Southwest Coast/France (Saturday, October 4, 2014) - Le Gardian, on the border of Hossegor and Seignosse, delivered eight-to-10 foot waves for the Quiksilver Pro France today as the event completed Round 5 and the opening two heats of the Quarterfinals.

Event No. 9 of 11 on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour, the Quiksilver Pro France holds the dual importance of playing a critical role in the hunt for this season’s world surfing crown as well as existing as a crucial stop for those looking to qualify for next year’s elite tour. 

John John Florence, current ASP World No. 8, proved the form surfer of the day, eliminating reigning three-time ASP World Champion Mick Fanning with a near-perfect 19.90 heat total in this morning’s Round 5 before besting contemporary Kolohe Andino in the Quarterfinals.

“The conditions today look amazing but can be all over the place out there,” Florence said. “I was lucky to find a rhythm in my first heat and seemed to be on all the good ones. Great waves, but you can feel the conditions changing with the onshore wind. My Quarterfinal against Kolohe (Andino) was harder to find scoring waves.”

Josh Kerr, current ASP World No. 13, delivered the upset of the event in the elimination of ratings’ frontrunner Gabriel Medina in their Quarterfinal bout.

“Gabriel (Medina) has had an incredible year and it always pushes your surfing to come up against the No. 1 guy,” Kerr said. “I was fortunate to get him in our Quarterfinal match in Margaret River and to get another one on him today is great for the confidence heading into the last events of the season.”

Kelly Slater, 11-time ASP World Champion and current World No. 2, defeated long-time rival Taj Burrow in this morning’s Round 5 match before watching Medina fall to Kerr in the last heat of the day. Slater will not have opportunity to close the gap between himself and the Brazilian with a result in France.

“With Gabriel (Medina) falling in the Quarters, I have an opportunity to carve a few heats into his current lead,” Slater said. “It’s really on me to make headway now and make it harder for him to clinch in Portugal and hopefully bring it to Pipeline. We have two more days to really pick the eyes out of the swell for the last five heats so hopefully we see some good conditions again before the event finishes.”

Quiksilver Pro France Round 5 Results (1st Advances to Quarterfinals, 2nd Finishes Equal 9th):

• Heat 1: John John Florence (HAW) 19.90 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.16
• Heat 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) 7.34 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 6.93
• Heat 3: Jadson Andre (BRA) 9.23 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 5.33
• Heat 4: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.24 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 5.87

Quiksilver Pro France Quarterfinal Results (1st Advances to Semifinals, 2nd Finishes Equal 5th):

• QF 1: John John Florence (HAW) 16.00 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 9.17
• QF 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) 12.83 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 8.90