Aranburu will be joined by Travis Logie and Cory Lopez in round four of the SriLankan Pro today. The Basque boy is lined up against Brazil’s Rodrigo Dornelles and early charger Pat Gudauskas in the final 24. The competition has seen some pretty electric surfing, so check out the highlights video and official ASP press release below…

PASTA POINT, Maldives (Thursday, June 10, 2009) – Veteran ASP World Tour surfers Cory Lopez (USA) and Travis Logie (South Africa) conquered the windswept conditions as the final 24 surfers were decided at the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star PRIME rated Sri Lankan Airlines Pro in the Maldives today.

Today’s strong cross-shore winds rendered the waves extremely conducive to high-performance surfing and excellent scores were plentiful throughout the day with the pointbreak wave providing multiple powerful sections for surfers to perform big manuevers.

Cory Lopez, (USA/Florida), lead the experienced surfers charge as the 32-year-old progressed in second place in the opening Round 3 heat behind fellow USA surfer Pat Gudauskas (Cal).

“I’m feeling good after that heat and now I’m into the final 24 surfers in this event and it is starting to get exciting,” Lopez said. “I’ve had 18 months away from full-time competition, but just maybe I’m looking at requalification. I’ve already entered the upcoming five major ASP WQS events and I’ll assess my situation as I go.”

Travis Logie (South Africa) was full of excitement after his impressive heat win today, where he comprehensively defeated Jadson Andre (Brazil) who advanced in 2nd place.

The 30-year-old Durban-based surfer has struggled with injury over the past two years, but is now fit and focused on requalifying on the ASP World Tour.

“It’s been a tough two seasons for me with a knee injury but I’m back now fully fit, stronger than ever, surfing better than ever and ready to get back to the highest level,” Logie said. “These are fantastic waves even with the strong winds and I’m really looking forward to my coming heats.”

At the other end of the scale, exciting, emerging star Owen Wright (AUS) won through to the final 24, displaying his typical progressive surfing style.

In contrast to last year when Hawaiian surfers dominated, many were eliminated today. However, Tonino Benson (Kailua/Hawaii) dominated his heat posting the events top scoring ride of a 9.43 and the events top heat tally to date of 17.10.

Late in the day, Jean Da Silva (BRA) and Leigh Sedley (AUS) both won their heats and with solid swells pulsing on dusk the scene is set for some fantastic surfing tomorrow.

Follow this event LIVE at www.srilankanairlinespro.com

Round 4 draw when event resumes tomorrow:
Heat 1: Pat Gudauskas (USA), Aritz Aranburu (EUK), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 2: Cory Lopez (USA), Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), Tonino Benson (HAW)
Heat 3: Yadin Nichol (AUS), Travis Logie (ZAF), Shaun Gossman (AUS)
Heat 4: Romaine Cloitre (FRA), Jadson Andre (BRA), Brian Toth (PRI)
Heat 5: Heitor Alves (BRA), Owen Wright (AUS), Bernardo Miranda (BRA)
Heat 6: Blake Thornton (AUS), Miguel Pupo (BRA), Daniel Ross (AUS)
Heat 7: Austin Ware (USA), Jean da Silva (BRA), Jonathon Gonzales (CNY)
Heat 8: Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Drew Courtney (AUS), Leigh Sedley (AUS)