Will Jack Robo make it?
With 62 events to choose from, the Qualifying Series can be a balancing act. Even more so for surfers who straddle the QS and the CT.
Jack Robinson isn't on the CT though he's competed at the Margaret River Pro for the last four years. As the highest rated local, Jack was again granted a wildcard slot this year.
Problem is, Jack only found out about it two days ago and he was in Chile competing in a QS3,000 comp. Once again he's ticking off every major QS in the race for CT qualification.
"It's a balancing act..."
Jack scored a Quarter-final finish in Chile, nabbed 1,260 points - his third best result of the year which bumped him up to fifth on the QS - and he had two days to make it back from La Punta, Iquique, in Chile to Main Break, Margs, for his round one heat.
24 hours ago he let organisers know via Instagram they should keep the porch light on:
"Something is coming...."
7 hours ago the next message of hope was issued:
"Thank you WSL, let’s do it. Just got to New Zealand. I am 1 flight away from Home, looks like we got waves on the way..."
And with the wonders of the internet we can even see where old Jack is currently located:
There he is!
Midway across the Tasman with, what?, four more hours to go and a three hour drive. Call it seven hours travelling time.
Jack is in Heat 6, so his heat will paddle out approximately three hours after the Men's start running. But fortunately for him KP has sent the Women out first.
Will Jack make it...?
Stay tuned...
Comments
Haha. Love the inflight location. Wozzle can email half hourly updates. Im sure they can use his find my iphone or equivalent when in the car.
When I saw the article headline I figured he had a tough Rd 1 draw :-)
Getting closer..
Look at all the planes heading to indo .....lol Insta crowds.
He's crazy for leaving Chile Iquique.
Some of the heaviest waves on the planet right there.!
Bummer for Jack......
Hobart stopover. Interesting.
I don't think he'll make it if they keep surfing continuously throughout the today.
Plane lands in Perth at 2:00 pm
How longs the drive to Marg's?
3 hours or so. Gotta get his bags and get out of the airport too.
Nah that was just a fly over..
Such a good flight to enjoy airborne refreshments.
Maybe the best ?
He might be staggering across the tarmac.
Ill tell you it's a looong flight from Chile to Aus......15
Aus to Chile 17.....
Gruelling.
I was thinking of the flight West to Perth.
Drinking Chile to Perth is Boony level consumption.
Love Chile, powerful points and lots of delicious seaweed to munch on while you're out there.
No he won't make the seeding round, thought I read somewhere he's going straight into the elimination round, if that's the case then yes
Lanky, update your profile photo.
Volcom have a Chopper organised to fly Jack to comp..
Surfers are so environmentally conscious, eh?
Wouldn't surprise me Undo but with 7mins to go in Ht 4 and he's in Ht 6, not possible.
He’s got forty minutes.
Thought I read somewhere he's going straight into the elimination round. Given the current conditions, forecast and that he's flown all night, if that's the case then it would suit him much better.
I wanna see the Volcom chopper (surely they have one stickered up, ready to go?) drop him straight into the lineup direct from Perth, like a Navy Seal operative.
Now THAT would get some mainstream exposure for the WSL.
Sure would, just to top it you would need the mid air transfer as the flight is diverted towards MR. Just back home from the point, turning around now to await Black Hawk Volcom
There you go, commentary just said into the elimination round
Why only two days notice?
I think it was tied in with Mikey Wright pulling out.
He should of called Luke Skywalker Wyllie.
whats the young lady in the photo trying to do to him?
reckon he flies up front?
Nup, by the seat of his pants Goof.
That's how these pro's roll.
They pick up some decent frequent flyer miles and cash in their points when they can, taking the upgrade from time to time
2 days notice? After last year's ballz up I had no doubt all year he would be competing.
Very surprising indeed. Certainly a chopper drop into the line up would have been the most worthy entrance for young Jack.
I for one am very happy to see Maggie's on this year.
Up there Jack !!!! Make em piss!!!
Harsh when you had him on your Fantasy team. Clearly the WSL knew he was a good chance not to make it :(
That heat at box yesterday was,
worth a replay again !