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COOLANGATTA,
Australia (Sunday, Mar. 4, 2007) –Three-time Foster’s ASP World Champion
Andy Irons (HAW) was eliminated by Quiksilver Pro wildcard Jake Paterson (AUS)
in Round 2 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Samsung at Snapper Rocks
today, Sunday, Mar. 4, 2007. 
Paterson,
who announced his retirement at the end of 2006 after a decorated 17 years on
tour, was given a wildcard into the event and without the pressure of tour ratings
points being on the line, rose to the occasion putting on a phenomenal display
of power surfing. 
“I couldn’t have asked for a better way to wrap up my career, not
that it’s completely over or anything, but this was a dream heat today,”
Paterson said. “I was pretty disappointed with my first round performance
so I really wanted to make sure that I got a couple of good waves. Andy couldn’t
put a foot right and everything that came to me was a dream – it was meant
to be I guess.”
Spurred
on by unbridled patriotism, Paterson left Irons needing a combination of two good
scoring rides to advance into Round 3. Irons, realizing that
he could not catch up exited the water with two minutes left in the heat. 
“Andy
and I have had a huge rivalry over the years so it was good that I got one up
on him,” Paterson said. “My goal was to hopefully knock out one of the
title contenders early on – aside from one of the Australians – I want
to see Australia bring home the title, so I hope I helped out the boys a little
bit.” 
Unfortunately
for Paterson, if he wants to advance out of Round 3, it will be at the expense
of fellow Australian and title-hope Mick Fanning. They will meet in Heat 9 of
the next round. 
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