TEAHUPOO, Tahiti (Thursday, May 8, 2008) Today is the first of an 11-day waiting period for the Billabong Pro Tahiti but the ASP Top 45 and event wildcards will not paddle out for their Round 1 heats today. Contest Director Luke Egan eyed conditions all morning before opting to call things off for the day.
"We had a good look at it and we are opting not to run today, Egan said. I watched it for an hour last night and if it looked like that this morning then I was definitely going to run. Time is on our side with the waiting period so we are going to utilize it fully."
Conditions are forecasted to stay small over the next few days which is good news for at least one surfer defending champion Damien Hobgood (USA). Hobgood suffered an injury freesurfing at Teahupoo a few weeks ago and is still nursing a sore shoulder. The more time he has to heal increases the likelihood he will be able to compete.
Remarkably, its been years since each and every member of the Top 45 have been slated to surf an event injury, personal lives and travel issues often intervene. At this juncture, all elite tour surfers are seeded into the draw. Among them, after spending much of the past two years on the injury list himself, is Timmy Reyes (USA).
"Im definitely back at 100%, Reyes said. I just found my good surfing rhythm within Australia. I felt like I was surfing pretty good over there, I just had a couple of tough breaks but that is what happens when you surf against the worlds top surfers. Im just stoked to be back to 100%, if not better, and I cant wait for the contest to start. Im stoked to be here."
Reyes will meet 2007 ASP Rookie of the Year Jeremy Flores (FRA) and South Africas Travis Logie in Heat 4 of Round 1.
The surfers and event staff enjoyed a traditional Tahitian welcome complete with belly dancing and fire twirling last night. Todays activities will likely include kayaking, fishing, hiking and napping.
Another call on competition status will be made tomorrow, Friday, May 9, at 7am.
The Billabong Pro Tahiti will be webcast LIVE on www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com.
Billabong Pro Tahiti Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Dean Morrison (AUS), Luke Munro (AUS), Daniel Ross (AUS)
Heat 2: Kai Otton (AUS), Leonardo Neves (BRA), Ricky Basnett (ZAF)
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA), Roy Powers (HAW), Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Tim Reyes (USA), Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 5: Andy Irons (HAW), Ben Dunn (AUS), Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 6: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Damien Hobgood (USA), Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 7: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Dayyan Neve (AUS), Chris Ward (USA)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA), C.J. Hobgood (USA), Manoa Drollet (PYF)
Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS), Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Jamie OBrien (HAW)
Heat 10: Taj Burrow (AUS), Tom Whitaker (AUS), Bruno Santos (BRA)
Heat 11: Adrian Buchan (AUS), Jordy Smith (ZAF), Mikael Picon (FRA)
Heat 12: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Jay Thompson (AUS), Heitor Alves (BRA)
Heat 13: Taylor Knox (USA), Kieren Perrow (AUS), Jihad Khodr (BRA)
Heat 14: Luke Stedman (AUS), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA), Michael Campbell (AUS)
Heat 15: Dane Reynolds (USA), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Ben Bourgeois (USA)
Heat 16: Neco Padaratz (BRA), Bruce Irons (HAW), Daniel Wills (AUS)
What's On Tour
Damien Hobgood Hurt
Damien Hobgood was heading into the South Pacific leg of the Dream Tour the defending champ of both the Billabong Pro Tahiti and the Globe Pro Fiji. Now he's not sure whether he'll be able to attend either event. Damo went over the falls freesurfing Teahupoo last week and fractured his shoulder. Several sources are saying he's out of Tahiti for sure, but according to ASP Tour Manager Renato Hickel, Damien is still in the draw and trying to make it - only time will tell. Get more details...
Boost it or Lose it!
Owen Wright was the wildcard who could at the Boost Mobile Surf Sho last weekend. Wright aired his way to victory over the world's best boosters... last year's winner Taj Burrow among them. The Boost Mobile Surf Sho is one of three specialty events on the '08 ASP roster. Check out the hightlights...
Al Hunt's Situation Room – Monday, April 21, 2008
In this week's WQS events local surfers grabbed both first places with South Africa's David Weare taking out the 6 Star Prime Quiksilver Pro in Durban and Frenchman Romain Laulhe the Vendee Surf Pro in France. The win for Weare makes it his 4th career WQS victory but this is for sure the highlight of his career winning a 6 Star Prime and 3000 points pushing him from 164th to 12th on the WQS ratings. For Romain it is his 1st WQS win so for sure he is also extremely happy plus has 1500 points to add to his ratings tally putting him up from 92nd to 44th. Get on the Hunt...
O'Neill Highland Open by Swatch The 6 Star PRIME
O'Neill Highland Open by Swatch will take to the chilly waters of Thurso, Scotland from April 23-30. The action starts tomorrow, but last year's winner, Nathan Hedge, was in the water early this morning acclimatizing to the water chill of the world's northernmost professional surfing contest. For Hedge and many of the 144 competitors arriving in Thurso from all around the world, cold water surfing at 59 degrees north is a radical departure from the norm. Watch them heat things up on the webcast... I am sure that spectators can stay warm if they buy some warm sports clothing online.
Earth Day Every Day
April 22nd might be Earth Day but every day is a good day to get Earthy. Whether you jump on board with the folks at www.surfrider.org, www.seashepherd.org or offset your footprint in your own way, this is just a little reminder to show Mother nature some love.
ROXY WOMENS SURFING FESTIVAL UNDERWAY AT PHILLIP ISLAND
PHILLIP ISLAND, AUSTRALIA (Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008) – The 2008 ASP Womens World Qualifying Series tour kicks off with a bang at Woolamai Beach, Phillip Island, in Southern Australia this morning, with the 6-Star ASP World Qualifying Series Roxy Pro Women's Surfing Festival.
Seventy-two surfers representing nine countries will take part in the highest rated event on the ASP Womens World Qualifying Series tour, which holds a prize money purse of US$ 35, 000 as well as valuable ASP ratings points.
Top seed for the event is ASP World No. 4 Samantha Cornish (AUS) who heads an esteemed line-up of top rated surfers, including World No. 6 Amee Donohoe (AUS), World No. 8 Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) and World No. 9 Rebecca Woods (AUS).
Great 1-meter waves are on offer at Woolamai Beach, which will see all six heats of Round 1 completed. Another call will be made at approximately 10.40 (local time) when organisers decide whether to continue through into Round 2 or send out one of the other divisions.
The Roxy Pro Womens Surfing Festival is the biggest surfing festivals of its kind, showcasing the world's finest boardriders across its seven divisions. The event includes a Pro Junior, Pro Longboard, 20-years-and-under Amateur Longboard and Amateur U18, U16 and U13 divisions.
The event runs from Jan. 21- 27, 2008 and has a 'mobile option' meaning surfers will compete in the best possible surf on offer at any of the surfing beaches around Phillip Island.
/ends
Roxy Pro Women's Surfing Festival 6-Star WQS Round 1 Match-ups:
Heat 1: Kirstie Jones (AUS) vs Jesica Dobson (AUS)
Heat 2: Coco Ho (HAW); Gabi Cope (HAW); Carly Bruce (AUS)
Heat 3: Bijou Busse (AUS); Charlotte Hand (AUS); Tarryn Chudleigh (ZAF)
Heat 4: Alana Blanchard (HAW); Dara Penfold (AUS); Jenny Boggis (AUS)
Heat 5: Wini Paul (NZL); Chelsea Williams (AUS); Faye Zoetmulder (ZAF)
Heat 6: Sayuri Hashimoto (JAP); Ashley Smith (AUS); Lyndsay Noyes (AUS)
FITZGIBBONS WINS 2007 ASP WORLD JUNIOR TITLE CROWN
SYDNEY, Australia (Monday, Jan. 7, 2008) – ASP Australasian Champion Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) may have been one of the smallest competitors in the Billabong World Junior Championships but her performances were by far the biggest; the diminutive was surfer crowned the 2007 ASP World Junior Champion, at Sydney's North Narrabeen Beach today.
Netting the four highest scoring waves and two highest scoring heat totals of the event; Fitzgibbons sunk her teeth into the Final, defeating New Zealand's Page Hareb with a 16.77 (out of a possible 20.00) total heat score to Hareb's 7.84.
"I just can't believe it," Fitzgibbons said sporting an enormous grin and holding a cheque for US$6500. "Everything worked out for me today, I guess it was supposed to happen but it hasn't sunk in yet."
Surfing through four rounds of competition, Fitzgibbons posted over a nine-point ride in every heat, including a 'perfect ten' against Laura Enever (AUS) in the Semifinals; making her the most deserved winner of the event.
"I had a tough 'Semi' against Laura, she put me in a pretty good situation and I needed a good score," Fitzgibbons said. "I thought if the wave comes, it comes but if not, she deserves a good win and I was just stoked to get through that one and was on a high for Final."
Fitzgibbons became the third straight Australian to win the Girls event, following in the footsteps of Jessi Miley-Dyer (2005) and Nicola Atherton (2006). She will now stand shoulder to shoulder with the 2007 elite Women's ASP World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS).
"I'd hoped the Aussies would stay on a good roll at this event," Fitzgibbons said. "Once I'd made the Final it was down to me; I was doing it for the Aussies and I ended up winning."
Hareb's performance marked the best of a Kiwi surfer in the history of this event, her runner-up result earning her US$3400.
"Sally and I had a bit of a paddle battle even before the heat started," Hareb explained. "We went real deep and that wasted a bit of time. Sally just got the waves and I couldn't get in rhythm with the ocean. It just wasn't my day."
Reaching the Semifinals, to finish equal third and take home US$750, were ASP International wildcard Laura Enever (AUS) and Courtney Conlogue (USA).
Pitted as a favourite to win the event, Enever, who hails from North Narrabeen, looked like she had Fitzgibbons beat; posting a near perfect 9.17 in their Semifinal match-up. But, a late drop and some superbly critical surfing from the new World Junior Champion, quickly dissolved Enever's hopes, Fitzgibbons scoring a 'perfect-10' to advance into the Final.
"Sally's such an awesome surfer, I had no doubt that she would be able to get a score like that because she'd been getting nines the whole contest," Enever said. "Even once I'd got my nine, I knew my work wasn't done. It ended up being pretty close so it's not like she smashed me or anything."
Conlogue found herself at the disposal of Hareb in their Semifinal match-up, the New Zealander racking up scores faster than Conologue could position herself, which ultimately cost her heat.
"I'm feeling pretty horrible." Conlogue said. "I really wanted to make the Finals, that was one of my goals but I slipped it and waited a little too long. Whoever wins out here today deserves it, everyone put on a great show."
The girls waited six long days to compete in the business end of competition, Sydney's North Narrabeen beach producing contestable one- to-two meter waves for the final day.
Fitzgibbons will join yesterday's Boy's World Junior champion Pablo Paulino (BRA) at the ASP Awards Banquet on the Gold Coast in February, where they will be awarded their 2007 ASP World Title trophies.
A total field of 48 junior men, 18 junior women plus four wildcards from eight surfing regions, featured in this year's Billabong ASP World
Junior Championships which saw excellent surf at North Narrabeen for all six days of the event.
The event will be broadcast live via the internet on www.billabongpro.com.
For more information log-on to www.aspworldtour.com
The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships are supported by Panasonic, The Association of Surfing Professionals, Von Zipper, The Warringah Shire Council and Surfing NSW.
Billabong World Junior Championships Girls Final Results:
Heat: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.77 def Page Hareb (NZL) 7.84
Billabong World Junior Championships Girls Semifinal Results
Heat 1: Paige Hareb (NZL) 14.17 def Courtney Conlogue (USA) 11.74
Heat 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 15.83 def Laura Enever (AUS) 14.00
Billabong World Junior Championships Girls Quarterfinal Results:
Heat 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 12.50 def Kirby Wright (AUS) 10.74
Heat 2: Paige Hareb (NZL) 13.53 def Nikita Robb (ZAF) 12.67
Heat 3: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 18.60 def Sage Erickson (USA) 13.34
Heat 4: Laura Enever (AUS) 15.50 def Coco Ho (HAW) 12.66
Billabong World Junior Championships Girls Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 10.50 def Leila Hurst (HAW) 5.67
Heat 2: Kirby Wright (AUS) 11.07 def Pauline Ado (FRA) 9.16
Heat 3: Paige Hareb (NZL) 11.00 def Marina Werneck 6.77
Heat 4: Nikita Robb (ZAF) 13.84 def Alessa Cuizon (HAW) 13.34
Heat 5: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 15.60 def Nao Oumaro (JPN) 8.00
Heat 6: Sage Erickson (USA) 14.83 def Lee Ann Curren (FRA) 6.23
Heat 7: Laura Enever (AUS) 15.40 def Airini Mason (NZL) 10.16
Heat 8: Coco Ho (HAW) 16.23 def Bruna Schmitz (BRA) 13.50
GIRLS ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPION TO BE DECIDED TODAY
SYDNEY, Australia (Monday, Jan. 7, 2008) – It's been a long wait for the girls competing in this year's Billabong ASP World Junior Championships but today, the remaining sixteen surfers will have their time to shine, at Sydney's North Narrabeen beach.
The just four rounds of competition remain which will see the 2007 ASP Girls World Junior Champion crowned at approximately 15h30.
Today's competition kicks off with Round 3 and will be followed by the Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Finals.
The winner of the 2007 Billabong ASP World Junior Championships will received US$3500 and will stand shoulder to shoulder with yesterday's Boy's winner Pablo Paulino (BRA) as the 2007 Billabong ASP World Junior Champions.
A total field of 48 junior men, 18 junior women plus four wildcards from eight surfing regions, featured in this year's Billabong ASP World Junior Championships which saw excellent surf at North Narrabeen for all six days of the event.
The event will be broadcast live via the internet on www.billabongpro.com.
For more information log-on to www.aspworldtour.com
The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships are supported by Panasonic, The Association of Surfing Professionals, Von Zipper, The Warringah Shire Council and Surfing NSW.
Billabong World Junior Championships Girls Round 3 Match-ups:
Heat 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) vs Leila Hurst (HAW)
Heat 2: Pauline Ado (FRA) vs Kirby Wright (AUS)
Heat 3: Marina Werneck vs Paige Hareb (NZL)
Heat 4: Nikita Robb (ZAF) vs Alessa Cuizon (HAW)
Heat 5: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs Nao Oumaro (JPN)
Heat 6: Lee Ann Curren (FRA) vs Sage Erickson (USA)
Heat 7: Airini Mason (NZL) vs Laura Enever (AUS)
Heat 8: Bruna Schmitz (BRA) vs Coco Ho (HAW)
PABLO PAULINO WINS SECOND ASP WORLD JUNIOR TITLE
SYDNEY, Australia (Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008) – It's been three years since Pablo Paulino (BRA) has called himself World Junior Champion but at Sydney's North Narrabeen beach today, the 20-year-old surfer made sure he could again shoulder the honour, winning the 2007 edition of the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.
Earning his spot into the main event as an ASP International wildcard, the 2004 ASP World Junior Champion blasted through the last of four rounds of competition, to defeat fellow ASP International Wildcard Hawaii's Tonino Benson; with a 15.00 total heat score (out of a possible 20.00) to Benson's 9.93.
"It's a dream come true to win at Narrabeen again," Paulino said equalling World No. 4 Joel Parkinson's two ASP World Junior Title record. "It was my dream to win it twice and this year was my last shot. I am so happy."
A standout from start to finish, Paulino revealed all the fire and flair of a Brazilian sportsman, putting on show-stopping performances right from the very first round.
"The new school style of surfing is where I feel most comfortable," Paulino explained. "I was doing aerial manoeuvres early in the event but I started to feel the pressure in the Final. I knew I would need the scores against Tonino, so I focussed on power carves instead and it was enough to see me through."
Paulino's achievement not only earned him US$6500 but also a top seed placement into every ASP World Qualifying Series event in 2008, where he hopes to qualify for the elite ASP Men's World Tour.
Runner-up Tonino Benson earned US$3400 and will join Paulino in the Round of 96 on the WQS this year.
Arguably the day's top performer, Benson posted the only perfect 10.00 point ride of the event, tucking into a deep barrel against Australian wildcard Owen Wright in the Quarterfinals. Unfortunately, the young Hawaii could not repeat this performance in the Final.
"I'm happy for Pablo, he's my friend and he deserved the win," Benson said. "I got out of rhythm in the Final and everything seemed to be going his way. I am happy to reach the Finals and just grateful to compete in these amazing waves."
The ocean certainly delivered for the final day of the Boys competition, serving up flawless 1.5- 2-meter waves at North Narrabeen beach today.
Finishing equal third and earning US$ 2,850 were Tanner Gudauskas (USA) and Chris Martin (GLP), both surfers unanimous standouts throughout the event but unlucky not to put it together in the Semifinals.
Semifinal Heat 1 saw a 'see-saw' battle between Benson and 19-year-old Gudauskas (USA), the two surfers raising the stakes on each exchanging ride. Benson ultimately earning him golden ticket into the Final.
"It's a bittersweet feeling," Gudauskas lamented. "You're super bummed that you lost on the one hand and on the other, you're stoked to make the Semi's. It's a good result for me, I learnt so much in every heat and I'll be back for a spot in the Final next year, for sure."
Semifinal Heat 2 just didn't go Chris Martins way. While Paulino pounced on each wave like a brazen predator would its prey, the Caribbean surfer couldn't seem to keep his feet on his board.
"It was a hard heat, I didn't choose the good ones, I lost my priority on bad waves and I kept falling,' Martin said, "but I'm pretty proud to represent my country and place high in this contest."
The Australian surfers suffered a disappointing finish, toppling at the hands of their international rivals with five equal fifth place finishes. Their consistency was however rewarded, the team emerging as the overall ratings leaders, ahead of Europe who finished in second and South America who took third on the point standings.
South African surfer Klee Strachan won the Panasonic Expression Session.
Round two of the Girls division was completed in the late afternoon, Leila Hurst (HAW), Nao Omura (JPN), Coco Ho (HAW) and Alessa Cuizon (HAW) advancing into Round 3.
The Girls division will be completed tomorrow.
A total field of 48 junior men, 18 junior women plus four wildcards from eight surfing regions feature in this year's Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.
The event will be broadcast live via the internet on www.billabongpro.com.
For more information log-on to www.aspworldtour.com
The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships are supported by Panasonic, The Association of Surfing Professionals, Von Zipper, The Warringah Shire Council and Surfing NSW.
RESULTS:
Boys Final Results:
Pablo Paulino (BRA) 15.00 def Tonino Benson (HAW) 9.93
Boys Semifinal Results
Heat 1: Tonino Benson (HAW) 14.50 def Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 13.66
Heat 2: Pablo Paulino (BRA) 16.67 def Charles Martin (GLP) 8.67
Boys Quarterfinal Results:
Heat 1:Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 14.44 def Nicolau Van Rupp (DEU) 8.17
Heat 2: Tonino Benson (HAW) 14.17 def Owen Wright (AUS) 13.06
Heat 3: Pablo Paulino (BRA) 13.17 def Mitchell Coleborn (AUS) 13.00
Heat 4: Charles Martin (GLP) 15.83 def Beau Atchison (AUS) 6.54
Boys Round 4 Match-ups:
Heat 1: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 12.50 def Rudy Palmboom (ZAF) 8.00
Heat 2: Nicolau Von Rupp (DEU) 15.17 def Tatsuya Fukagawa (JPN) 5.00
Heat 3: Tonino Benson (HAW) 17.67 def Romain Cloitre (FRA) 7.37
Heat 4: Owen Wright (AUS) 12.57 def Brandon Jackson (ZAF) 9.00
Heat 5: Pablo Paulino (BRA) 12.24 def Julian Wilson (AUS) 11.67
Heat 6: Mitchel Coleborn (AUS) 11.60 def Jayke Sharpe (AUS) 11.16
Heat 7: Beau Atchison (AUS) 8.66 def Josh Redman (ZAF) 6.90
Heat 8: Charles Martin (GLP) 15.77 def Chris Waring (USA) 9.17
Girls Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Leila Hurst (HAW) 10.33; Nao Omura (JPN) 9.07; Asako Mizuno (JPN) 3.50
Heat 2: Coco Ho (HAW) 16.50; Alessa Cuizon (HAW) 11.80; Tarryn Chudleigh (ZAF) 11.56
CORRECTION: AN ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPION WILL BE CROWNED TODAY
CORRECTION: South Africa has three surfers left in contention. Josh Redman (ZAF) is the third South African surfer, the press release below is the correct version. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
SYDNEY, Australia (Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008) – The Boys division of the 2007 edition of the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships will reach completion today with a new ASP World Junior Boys Champion, crowned by sundown.
Excellent 1.5 to 2-meter waves are on offer at Sydney's North Narrabeen beach this morning; the day's action kicking off with the two remaining heats of the Round 1 of the Girls division, before Round 4 of the Boys division gets underway at 08h30 (local time).
Heats 1- 8 of Round 4 of the Boys division will be completed, with the Girls Round 2 and Boys Quarterfinals on standby thereafter.
Statistically the Australians have the strongest chance of capturing the 2007 ASP World Junior title with a total of five surfers still remaining in the competition. South Africa weigh in with three, the USA two, Europe two, Japan one, Hawaii one and Brazil just one surfer still left in contention.
A total field of 48 junior men, 18 junior women plus four wildcards from eight surfing regions feature in this year's Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.
The event will be broadcast live via the internet on www.billabongpro.com.
For more information log-on to www.aspworldtour.com
The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships are supported by Panasonic, The Association of Surfing Professionals, Von Zipper, The Warringah Shire Council and Surfing NSW.
Billabong World Junior Championship Girls Remaining Round 2 Match-ups:
Heat 5: Bruna Schitz (BRA); Sage Erickson (USA); Nao Omura (JPN)
Heat 6: Airini Mason (NZL); Lee Ann Curren (FRA); Leila Hurst (HAW)
Billabong World Junior Championships Boys Round 4 Match-ups:
Heat 1: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) vs Rudy Palmboom (ZAF)
Heat 2: Tatsuya Fukagawa (JPN) vs Nicolau Von Rupp (DEU)
Heat 3: Tonino Benson (HAW) vs Romain Cloitre (FRA)
Heat 4: Brandon Jackson (ZAF) vs Owen Wright (AUS)
Heat 5: Pablo Paulino (BRA) vs Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 6: Jayke Sharpe (AUS) vs Mitchel Coleborn (AUS)
Heat 7: Beau Atchison (AUS) vs Josh Redman (ZAF)
Heat 8: Charles Martin (GLP) vs Chris Waring (USA)
AN ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPION WILL BE CROWNED TODAY
SYDNEY, Australia (Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008) – The Boys division of the 2007 edition of the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships will reach completion today with a new ASP World Junior Boys Champion, crowned by sundown.
Excellent 1.5 to 2-meter waves are on offer at Sydney's North Narrabeen beach this morning; the day's action kicking off with the two remaining heats of the Round 1 of the Girls division, before Round 4 of the Boys division gets underway at 08h30 (local time).
Heats 1- 8 of Round 4 of the Boys division will be completed, with the Girls Round 2 and Boys Quarterfinals on standby thereafter.
Statistically the Australians have the strongest chance of capturing the 2007 ASP World Junior title with a total of six surfers still remaining in the competition. The USA weighs in with two, South Africa two, Europe two, Japan one, Hawaii one and Brazil just one surfer still left in contention.
A total field of 48 junior men, 18 junior women plus four wildcards from eight surfing regions feature in this year's Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.
The event will be broadcast live via the internet on www.billabongpro.com.
For more information log-on to www.aspworldtour.com
The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships are supported by Panasonic, The Association of Surfing Professionals, Von Zipper, The Warringah Shire Council and Surfing NSW.
Billabong World Junior Championship Girls Remaining Round 2 Match-ups:
Heat 5: Bruna Schitz (BRA); Sage Erickson (USA); Nao Omura (JPN)
Heat 6: Airini Mason (NZL); Lee Ann Curren (FRA); Leila Hurst (HAW)
Billabong World Junior Championships Boys Round 4 Match-ups:
Heat 1: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) vs Rudy Palmboom (ZAF)
Heat 2: Tatsuya Fukagawa (JPN) vs Nicolau Von Rupp (DEU)
Heat 3: Tonino Benson (HAW) vs Romain Cloitre (FRA)
Heat 4: Brandon Jackson (ZAF) vs Owen Wright (AUS)
Heat 5: Pablo Paulino (BRA) vs Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 6: Jayke Sharpe (AUS) vs Mitchel Coleborn (AUS)
Heat 7: Beau Atchison (AUS) vs Josh Redman (AUS)
Heat 8: Charles Martin (GLP) vs Chris Waring (USA)
AUSSIE WILDCARD UNLEASHES THE WRIGHT STUFF TO DEFEAT TOP SEED DE SOUZA
SYDNEY, Australia (Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008) – Australian wildcard Owen Wright obliterated all hopes of a second ASP World Junior title for 2003 World Junior champion Adriano De Souza (BRA), with his sensational Round 3 victory at Sydney's North Narrabeen beach, today.
Competing in monstrous three-meter waves at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships Wright, who earned his spot into the main event by winning the wildcard trials on Wednesday, posted the highest scoring wave of the day, a 9.67 (out of a possible 10.00) for a series of critical turns and a clean barrel ride.
"Adriano was scoring 7.00's and 8.00's and was up on me straight away," Wright said, alluding to de Souza's early heat lead. "I was getting pretty tense but I knew I had nothing to lose. I waited to pick my wave and was lucky to get a high score and advanced through to Round 4."
Wright's performance earned him a 16.50 heat total (out of a possible 20.00) to de Souza's 15.50, in undoubtedly the most exciting heat of the day.
Fellow Australian Beau Atchison produced a dazzling performance five heats later, the fifth Australian seed securing the highest heat total of the entire event, a 17.40 to defeat fellow Aussie Matt Wilkinson (AUS).
"I felt really bad eliminating another Aussie, especially someone I've been surfing with all my life but someone's got to take it out for Australia," Atchison said.
Pablo Paulino (BRA) made up for his fellow countryman's Round 3 elimination; the 2004 ASP World Junior Champion unleashing his usual repertoire of high risk, performance driven surfing, to defeat Tamaroa McComb (PYF) with a 15.83 total heat score.
"I was very disappointed when Adriano lost out," Paulino lamented. "I'd hoped for an all Brazilian Final but I will try to achieve our collective dream of winning a second World Junior title, to match Joel Parkinson (two time winner of the event)."
Nineteen-year-old Julian Wilson (AUS) played a tactically smart heat, his rock solid performance and 15. 55 total heat score, resulting in a thrashing for American surfer Nick Rosza (USA), who was eliminated with just 7.17 points.
"It was really tricky out there," Wilson explained. "It was just a matter of who was going to get the better waves and I guess I was just a little more selective."
The Hawaiian surfers suffered an uncharacteristically poor showing in the double overhead surf; Tonino Benson (Haw) the only advancing surfer of the six competing.
"I think there's a big difference between big reef breaks and big sand bars and that's why the Hawaiians had a bit of trouble today," Benson said. "There are a few waves similar to this where I live; I think that gave me an advantage today."
The South African surfers revealed their proficiency in bigger surf and were responsible for two of the five Hawaiian casualties.
Rudy Palmboom disposed of Clay Marzo (HAW) while Brandon Jackson took down Hawaii's top seed Casey Brown (HAW).
Other surprise upsets included Europe's Romain Cloitire (FRA) who defeated top American surfer Adam Wickwire (USA) and Germany's Nicolau Von Rupp eliminating Mason Ho (HAW).
The large surf saw jet ski assistance in the line-up for the first time in the event's history, towing surfers back out to the back after each ride.
The event was also highlighted by the presence of current World No. 4 Joel Parkinson (AUS) and 1999 ASP World Champion Mark Occhilupo (AUS) who came down to support the juniors.
A total field of 48 junior men, 18 junior women plus four wildcards from eight surfing regions feature in this year's Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.
The event will be broadcast live via the internet on www.billabongpro.com.
For more information log-on to www.aspworldtour.com
Transcribed interviews are available at http://www.aspworldtour.com/2007/notes.asp?rEvent=wjcg07
and audio clips at http://www.aspworldtour.com/2007/audiograb.asp?rEvent=wjca07.
The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships are supported by Panasonic, The Association of Surfing Professionals, Von Zipper, The Warringah Shire Council and Surfing NSW.
Billabong World Junior Championships Boys Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 11.67 def Madison Williams (AUS) 7.80
Heat 2: Rudy Palmboom (ZAF) 11.67 def Clay Marzo (HAW) 3.70
Heat 3: Tatsuya Fukagawa (JPN) 8.17 def Grager Larsen (HAW) 6.74
Heat 4: Nicolau Von Rupp (DEU) 8.67 def Mason Ho (HAW) 8.04
Heat 5: Tonino Benson (HAW) 8.00 def Nobuyuki Osawa (JPN) 6.67
Heat 6: Romain Cloitire (FRA) 9.50 def Adam Wickwire (USA) 8.77
Heat 7: Brandon Jackson (ZAF) 11.17 def Casey Brown (HAW) 10.50
Heat 8: Owen Wright (AUS) 16.50 def Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.50
Heat 9: Pablo Paulino (BRA) 15.83 def Tamarao McComb (PYF) 10.50
Heat 10: Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.33 def Nick Rosza (USA) 7.17
Heat 11: Jayke Sharp (AUS) 11.67 def Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 6.33
Heat 12: Mitchel Coleborn (AUS) 13.00 def Adrien Valero (FRA) 10.83
Heat 13: Beau Atchison (AUS) def 17.40 def Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 13.34
Heat 14: Josh Redman (AUS) 8.93 def Charlie Brown (BRA) 7.74
Heat 15: Charles Martin (GLP) 14.83 def Shu Hagiwara (JPN) 5.20
Heat 16: Chris Waring (USA) 13.33 def Kyle Ramey (HAW) 8.43
Billabong World Junior Championships Boys Round 4 Match-ups:
Heat 1: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) vs Rudy Palmboom (ZAF)
Heat 2: Tatsuya Fukagawa (JPN) vs Nicolau Von Rupp (DEU)
Heat 3: Tonino Benson (HAW) vs Romain Cloitre (FRA)
Heat 4: Brandon Jackson (ZAF) vs Owen Wright (AUS)
Heat 5: Pablo Paulino (BRA) vs Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 6: Jayke Sharpe (AUS) vs Mitchel Coleborn (AUS)
Heat 7: Beau Atchison (AUS) vs Josh Redman (AUS)
Heat 8: Charles Martin (GLP) vs Chris Waring (USA)
NO REST FOR WORLD’S TOP JUNIORS AT NARRABEEN
SYDNEY, Australia (Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008) – There will be no rest for the world's top juniors competing in the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships today, with Round 3 scheduled to hit the water at 08h00 (local time).
All 16 heats of Round 3, of the Boys division, will be completed and will see Round 1 standouts clash with the Round 2 survivors, in a man-on-man format.
The large two-meter surf that has pummelled the east coast over the last week continues to roll into Sydney's North Narrabeen beach today; proving a test of both courage and skill for surfers aged 20 years and younger.
A total field of 48 junior men, 18 junior women plus four wildcards from eight surfing regions feature in this year's Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.
The event will be broadcast live via the internet on www.billabongpro.com.
For more information log-on to www.aspworldtour.com
The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships are supported by Panasonic, The Association of Surfing Professionals, Von Zipper, The Warringah Shire Council and Surfing NSW.
Billabong World Junior Championships Boys Round 3 Match-ups:
Heat 1: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) vs Madison Williams (AUS)
Heat 2: Rudy Palmboom (ZAF) vs Clay Marzo (HAW)
Heat 3: Grager Larsen (HAW) vs Tatsuya Fukagawa (JPN)
Heat 4: Mason Ho (HAW) vs Nicolau Von Rupp
Heat 5: Tonino Benson (HAW) vs Nobuyuki Osawa (JPN)
Heat 6: Romain Cloitire (FRA) vs Adam Wickwire (USA)
Heat 7: Casey Brown (HAW) vs Brandon Jackson (ZAF)
Heat 8: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs Owen Wright (AUS)
Heat 9: Pablo Paulino (BRA) vs Tamarao McComb (PYF)
Heat 10: Nick Rosza (USA) vs Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 11: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) vs Jayke Sharp (AUS)
Heat 12: Mitchel Coleborn (AUS) vs Adrien Valero (FRA)
Heat 13: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs Beau Atchison (AUS)
Heat 14: Josh Redman (AUS) vs Charlie Brown (BRA)
Heat 15: Charles Martin (GLP) vs Shu Hagiwara (JPN)
Heat 16: Chris Waring (USA) vs Kyle Ramey (HAW)
BILLABONG WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS SLAMMED BY SOLID SURF
SYDNEY, Australia (Friday, Jan. 4, 2008) - An increase in swell to two and a half meters saw junior surfers face not only the possibility of elimination but also, raging currents and an exhausting paddle out, on Day 2 of the Billabong World Junior Championships, at Sydney's North Narrabeen beach, today.
Former ASP World Junior Champion and current World No. 28 Adriano de Souza (BRA) set the tone with the day's highest scoring heat, his intimate knowledge of the ASP World Tour format, earning him a 14.00 (out of a possible 20.00) heat total and a spot in Round 3.
De Souza's return to North Narrabeen for the fourth consecutive year is indicative of the calibre of surfer the event attracts. His competitors at North Narrabeen this week, likely to be his rivals on the Men's ASP World Tour in the years to come.
"It's good to see all the guys ripping, they smoked me in the first round," De Souza admitted. "I'm here because these are the best juniors in the world and they're my age. It's my dream to win at Narrabeen again and to earn the same number of titles as Joel Parkinson (the only two time winner of this event)."
The Australians put in another good showing with seven of the eight surfers competing, advancing into Round 3.
Beau Atchison (AUS) and Jayke Sharpe (AUS) made up for their respective Round 1 loses, posting convincing wins over Jatyr Berasluce (EUK) and Cory Arrambide (USA) respectively.
"I felt like and embarrassment yesterday," Atchison admitted, "but it felt really good to do some proper turns out there today and advance through that heat."
Sharp soared home with one of the day's top scoring rides, an 8.33 (out of a possible ten) and looks tough to beat in the upcoming rounds.
Unfortunately things didn't go as smoothly for Heath Joske (AUS) who became the only casualty for Australia, when he was defeated by top South American seed Charlie Brown (BRA).
Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) added to the strong showing from the Brazilian contingent, his affinity for reeling left-handers (left breaking waves) evident when he disposed of South Africa's Casey Grant, scoring an 8.50 (out of ten) off his last wave of the heat.
"It's very important for me to make another round," Dantas said. "This is a good wave and it's very difficult to make it through. I am very happy I took some good waves and I'm to the next round."
Japanese surfer Tatsuya Fukagawa looked supremely comfortable in the overhead surf. The junior World Qualifying Series campaigner locking in two good scoring rides, to finish behind De Souza with the second highest scoring heat total of the day, a 13.56.
Nicolau Van Rupp (DEU) caught the attention of the crowd with his 7.33 ride, the German born surfer who now resides in Portugal, stroking into an inside wave to snatch victory from Hawaii's Torrey Meister by less than a point.
One of Transworld Surf Magazine's 'Top 15 to Watch' Nick Rosza (USA), felt the impact of today's solid swell taking a number of set waves on the head after posting the day's top scoring ride, an 8.67.
"I had to duck dive a pretty big set," Rosza explained after advancing in first place ahead of the only Mexican surfer in the event Angelo Lozano. "I got washed down pretty deep and I almost lost my breath. If you aren't ready to paddle your heart out, it's definitely not for you."
Other surfers advancing through to Round 3 today included Tamaroa McComb (PYF), Rudy Palmboom (ZAF), Josh Redman (ZAF), Shu Hagiwara (JPN), Casey Brown (HAW), Clay Marzo (HAW), Adam Wickwire (USA) and Kyle Ramey (HAW).
Round 2 introduced the first of the elimination rounds with junior surfers competing in an elite ASP World Tour format (including man-on-man heats and priority rules) for the first time in the competition.
All 16 heats of Round 2 were completed; the next call will be at 07h30 tomorrow morning.
Special guests, two time ASP World Junior Champion and current World No. 4 Joel Parkinson (AUS) as well as 1999 ASP World Champion Mark Occhilupo (AUS) will be at North Narrabeen beach tomorrow.
A total field of 48 junior men, 18 junior women plus four wildcards from eight surfing regions feature in this year's Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.
The event will be broadcast live via the internet on www.billabongpro.com.
For more information log-on to www.aspworldtour.com
The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships are supported by Panasonic, The Association of Surfing Professionals, Von Zipper, The Warringah Shire Council and Surfing NSW.
Billabong ASP World Junior Championships Boys Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Adriano De Souza (BRA) 14.00 def Yan Guimares (BRA) 7.50
Heat 2: Tamaroa McComb (PYF) 11.33 def Robson Santos (BRA) 8.50
Heat 3: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA)13.50 def Casey Grant (ZAF) 11.34
Heat 4: Rudy Palmboom (ZAF) 10.84 def Giancarlo Zampieri (BRA) 9.03
Heat 5: Josh Redman (ZAF) 10.26 def Peter- Heifara Tahutini (PYF) 7.66
Heat 6: Nick Rosza (USA) 12.34 def Angelo Lozano (MEX) 7.60
Heat 7: Beau Atchison (AUS) 11.23 def Jatyr Berasluce (EUK) 9.00
Heat 8: Nicolau Von Rupp (DEU) 12.83 def Torrey Meister (HAW) 12.66
Heat 9: Shu Hagiwara (JPN) 11.50 def John John Florence (HAW) 9.03
Heat 10: Casey Brown (HAW) 9.16 def Kento Takahashi (JPN) 8.00
Heat 11: Jayke Sharp (AUS) 11.36 def Cory Arrambide 7.84
Heat 12: Charlie Brown (BRA) 11.43 vs Heath Joske (AUS) 8.17
Heat 13: Tatsuya Fukagawa (JPN) 13.56 vs Klee Strachan (ZAF) 6.70
Heat 14: Clay Marzo (HAW) 7.90 vs Brett Shearer (ZAF) 5.84
Heat 15: Adam Wickwire (USA) 9.84 def Brandon Roberts (ZAF) 8.73
Heat 16: Kyle Ramey (HAW) 11.67 def Keito Matsuoka (JPN) 7.60
Billabong ASP World Junior Championships Girls Remaining Round 1 Match- ups:
Heat 5: Bruna Schitz (BRA); Sage Erickson (USA); Nao Omura (JPN)
Heat 6: Airini Mason (NZL); Lee Ann Curren (FRA); Leila Hurst (HAW)
ROUND 2 UNDERWAY AT NORTH NARRABEEN BEACH
SYDNEY, Australia (Friday, Jan. 4, 2008) – Round 2 of the Boys division will hit the water at approximately 08h00 (local time) and will see the first of the elimination rounds underway at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships, at Sydney's North Narrabeen Beach, this morning.
After an explosive day of Round 1 action yesterday, surfers who finished second or third in their respective Round 1 heats will now have to make their way through man-on-man heats in Round 2; with only the winning surfer advancing into Round 3.
The remaining two heats of the Girls Round 1 are on standby for a possible start later in the day.
A total field of 48 junior men, 18 junior women plus four wildcards from eight surfing regions feature in this year's Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.
The event will be broadcast live via the internet on www.billabongpro.com.
For more information log-on to www.aspworldtour.com
The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships are supported by Panasonic, The Association of Surfing Professionals, Von Zipper, The Warringah Shire Council and Surfing NSW.
Billabong ASP World Junior Championships Boys Round 2 Match- Ups:
Heat 1: Adriano De Souza (BRA) vs Yan Guimares (BRA)
Heat 2: Robson Santos (BRA) vs Tamaroa McComb (PYF)
Heat 3: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) vs Casey Grant (ZAF)
Heat 4: Rudy Pamboom (ZAF) vs Giancarlo Zampieri (BRA)
Heat 5: Josh Redman (ZAF) vs Peter- Heifara Tahutini (PYF)
Heat 6: Nick Rosza (USA) vs Angelo Lozano (MEX)
Heat 7: Jatyr Berasluce (EUK) vs Beau Atchison (AUS)
Heat 8: Torrey Meister (HAW) vs Nicolau Von Rupp (DEU)
Heat 9: John John Florence (HAW) vs Shu Hagiwara (JPN)
Heat 10: Casey Brown (HAW) vs Kento Takahashi (JPN)
Heat 11: Cory Arrambide vs Jayke Sharp (AUS)
Heat 12: Charlie Brown (BRA) vs Heath Joske (AUS)
Heat 13: Tatsuya Fukagawa (JPN) vs Klee Strachan (ZAF)
Heat 14: Clay Marzo (HAW) vs Brett Shearer (ZAF)
Heat 15: Brandon Roberts (ZAF) vs Adam Wickwire (USA)
Heat 16: Kyle Ramey (HAW) vs Keito Matsuoka (JPN)
Billabong ASP World Junior Championships Girls Remaining Round 1 Match- ups:
Heat 5: Bruna Schitz (BRA); Sage Erickson (USA); Nao Omura (JPN)
Heat 6: Airini Mason (NZL); Lee Ann Curren (FRA); Leila Hurst (HAW)
INTERNATIONALS MAKE THEIR MARK AT ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
SYDNEY, Australia (Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008) – A truly international flavor permeated Round 1 of the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships, which got underway at Sydney's North Narrabeen beach, today.
Of the sixteen surfers advancing directly into Round 3, eight world regions were represented including Australia, Brazil, USA, Hawaii, South Africa, Europe, Japan and the Caribbean.
Despite the international mix of heat winners, it was former World Junior Champion Pablo Paulino (BRA) who had the upper hand with the highest individual wave score of the day, a 9.70 (out of a possible ten).
While others chose to 'surf safe' in the bumpy conditions, Paulino pushed the boundaries with new school manoeuvres that earned him a definitive heat win and a spot in Round 3.
"I'm so very happy to win this heat," Paulino said after his win. "It is a dream for me to be back here and I hope to win my second ASP World Junior Title this year.
Paulino posted a 17.00 (out of a possible 20.00) total heat score, leaving his competitors in a combination situation (needing a combination of two scores to catch him). Jaytr Berasaluce (EUK) and Yan Guimaraes (BRA) finished in second and third places respectively.
"I've been training really hard all year and surfing lots of WQS events which has given me a lot of confidence," Paulino continued. "I enjoy the new school style of surfing and will be looking to do more aerial manoeuvres in the upcoming rounds."
The Australians revealed the might behind their 2007 Billabong World Junior campaign, with five of their seven surfers, advancing in first place.
Current ASP Australasia rated No. 2 Julian Wilson (AUS) produced the type of surfing it will take to win at Narrabeen; earning the second highest two wave heat score of the event so far, a 16.17 (out of a possible 20.00) which included an excellent 8.67 (out of 10.00) ride.
"You've just got to do what you've got to do to get through heats, not go out there and show everyone on the beach how good you can surf," Wilson explained. "All the Aussies are super hungry for a win, the other guys have been taking it off us for the last couple of years so we're ready to change that this year."
Top Australian junior WQS surfer Matt Wilkinson secured one of the top scoring heats of the event, his 14.66 point total enough to see him take the next best win for Australia behind Wilson.
Von Zipper Wildcard trial winner Owen Wright (AUS) proved he deserved a spot in the main event, taking down Nick Rosza (USA) and former ASP World Junior Champion Adriano De Souza (BRA), by choosing to play it safe in the bumpy conditions.
"You sort of had to be critical but safe at the same time 'cos there was a lot of cross chop and foamy stuff on the wave," Wright explained. "My boards seemed to go through it pretty well and I'm stoked to be into Round 3.
Madison Williams (AUS) was another Australian to make his mark in Round 1 after earning his spot into the main event in place of Dusty Payne (HAW), who withdrew due to injury this morning.
Williams took down Europe's Nicolau Von Rupp (DEU) and ASP South America ratings leader Charlie Brown (BRA).
Lesser known French surfer Adrian Valero put in a surprise performance, earning the third highest heat total of the day a 15.67, to win his heat over South African's Klee Strachan and Rudy Palmboom.
American Tanner Gudauskas's WQS experience paid off when he was able to dispose of Hawaii's top seed Casey Brown and Giancarlo Zampieri (BRA) while Hawaii's Tonino Benson advanced in first, with an excellent 8.00 ride this morning.
In the Girls division it was ASP Australasian champion Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) who posted a sensational 9.17 ride off her final wave of the heat, to unseat heat leader and local standout Laura Enever (AUS) in the final minutes of their Round 1 clash.
"All the girls were ripping and I didn't really get off to the start I wanted," Fitzgibbons admitted after struggling to post more than average scoring rides for the first half of the heat. "It was tricky out there, I was just lucky to get that good one at the end."
Both Fitzgibbons and Enever advanced into Round 3 while Alessa Cuizon (HAW) was relegated to Round 2.
Local girl and No. 5 on the ASP Australasia ratings Kirby Wright (AUS) followed in her brother Owen Wright's footsteps, by taking a convincing win over international junior standout Nikita Robb (ZAF) during Heat 3 this morning.
Wright posted a solid 8.00 point ride, earning her spot in Round 3 while Robb advanced second place and Asako Mizuno (JPN) finishing third, will have to make her way through Round 2.
Also advancing in first place was European Pro Junior champion Pauline Ado (FRA) and Billabong USA Junior Series Champion Courtney Conologue, who defeated Marina Werneck (BRA) and Paige Hareb (NZL) respectively.
All 16 heats of Round 1 of the Boys division were completed as well as four heats of Round 1 of the Girls division.
A total field of 48 junior men, 18 junior women plus four wildcards from eight surfing regions feature in this year's Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.
The next call will be at 07h30 tomorrow morning.
The event will be broadcast live via the internet on www.billabongpro.com.
For more information log-on to www.aspworldtour.com
The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships are supported by Panasonic, The Association of Surfing Professionals, Von Zipper, The Warringah Shire Council and Surfing NSW.
Billabong World Junior Championships Girls Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Pauline Ado (FRA) 12.50 Marina Werneck (BRA) 8.83 Coco Ho (HAW) 5.97
Heat 2: Courtney Conologue (USA)13.67; Paige Hareb (NZL) 7.93; Tarryn Chudleigh (ZAF) 6.24
Heat 3: Kirby Wright (AUS) 13.17; Nikita Robb (ZAF) 7.67; Asako Mizuno (JPN) 4.93 </b>
Heat 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 15.00; Laura Enever (AUS)14.50; Alessa Cuizon (HAW) 10.10
Billabong World Junior Championships Boys Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Tonino Benson (HAW) 12.77; Shu Hagiwara (JAP) 11.67; Tatsuya Fukagawa (JAP) 10.57;
Heat 2: Madison Williams (AUS) 12.83; Nicolau Von Rupp (DEU) 10.53; Charlie Brown (BRA) 4.07;
Heat 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.17; Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 11.60; Beau Atchison (AUS) 5.60
Heat 4: Charles Martin (GLP) 9.16; Angelo Lozano (MEX) 7.83; Cory Arrambide (USA) 7.33;
Heat 5: Brandon Jackson (ZAF) 8.10; Robson Santos (BRA) 7.17; Jean-Heifara Tahutini (PYF) 6.34
Heat 6: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 13.67; Casey Brown (HAW) 10.40; Giancarlo Zampieri (BRA) 9.16
Heat 7: Mason Ho (HAW) 11.00; Casey Grant (ZAF) 10.04; John John Florence (HAW) 7.00
Heat 8: Owen Wright (AUS) 13.83; Nick Rosza (USA) 13.03; Adriana De Souza (BRA) 11.74
Heat 9: Pablo Paulino (BRA) 17.03; Jatyr Berasaluce (EUK) 7.90; Yan Guinaraes (BRA) 4.54
Heat 10: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.66; Tamaroa McComb (PYF) 6.77; Torrey Meister (HAW) 6.77;
Heat 11: Romain Cloitre (FRA) 12.33; Clay Marzo (HAW) 8.30; Kento Takahashi (JPN) 7.67
Heat 12: Mitchell Coleborn (AUS) 13.33; Jayke Sharp (AUS) 9.34; Brandon Roberts (ZAF) 6.57
Heat 13: Chris Waring (USA) 10.47; Heath Joske (AUS) 8.94; Kyle Ramey (HAW)
Heat 14: Adrien Valero (FRA) 15.67; Klee Strachan (ZAF) 11.64; Rudy Palmboom (ZAF) 10.50
Heat 15: Granger Larsen (HAW) 11.23; Keito Matsuoka (JPN) 7.36; Brett Shearer (ZAF) 4.90
Heat 16: Nobuyuki Osawa (JPN) 9.74; Adam Wickwire (USA) 9.60 ; Josh Redman (ZAF) 6.67
Girls Remaining Round 1 Match- ups:
Heat 5: Bruna Schitz (BRA); Sage Erickson (USA); Nao Omura (JPN)
Heat 6: Airini Mason (NZL); Lee Ann Curren (FRA); Leila Hurst (HAW)
Boys Round 2 Match- Ups:
Heat 1: Adriano De Souza (BRA) vs Yan Guimares (BRA)
Heat 2: Robson Santos (BRA) vs Tamaroa McComb (PYF)
Heat 3: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) vs Casey Grant (ZAF)
Heat 4: Rudy Pamboom (ZAF) vs Giancarlo Zampieri (BRA)
Heat 5: Josh Redman (ZAF) vs Peter- Heifara Tahutini (PYF)
Heat 6: Nick Rosza (USA) vs Angelo Lozano (MEX)
Heat 7: Jatyr Berasluce (EUK) vs Beau Atchison (AUS)
Heat 8: Torrey Meister (HAW) vs Nicolau Von Rupp (DEU)
Heat 9: John John Florence (HAW) vs Shu Hagiwara (JPN)
Heat 10: Casey Brown (HAW) vs Kento Takahashi (JPN)
Heat 11: Cory Arrambide vs Jayke Sharp (AUS)
Heat 12: Charlie Brown (BRA) vs Heath Joske (AUS)
Heat 13: Tatsuya Fukagawa (JPN) vs Klee Strachan (ZAF)
Heat 14: Clay Marzo (HAW) vs Brett Shearer (ZAF)
Heat 15: Brandon Roberts (ZAF) vs Adam Wickwire (USA)
Heat 16: Kyle Ramey (HAW) vs Keito Matsuoka (JPN)
2007 BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS UNDERWAY AT 08h00
SYDNEY, Australia (Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008) – The 2007 Billabong ASP World Junior Championships will kick off in good 1.5 meter waves at Sydney's North Narrabeen beach, this morning.
Organisers have called for an 08h00 (local time) start, which will see four heats of the Girls division completed before Round 1 of the Boys division gets underway at around 10h00.
The Girls division sees a heat draw stacked with future world beaters; French Pro Junior Girls champion Pauline Ado taking on Marina Weneck (BRA) and 2007 Vans Rookie of the Triple Crown Coco Ho (HAW), in the first heat of the day.
All four girls heats look set to reveal world class surfing with World Junior Champion Courtney Conologue (USA) featuring in Heat 2, South African Junior Champion Nikita Robb in Heat 3 and Australia's foremost junior girls Sally Fitzgibbons and Laura Enever set to clash in Heat 4.
The first heat of the Boys division will see Hawaii's Tonino Benson take on Tatsuya Fukagawa (JPN) and Shu Hagiwara (JPN).
Heats will be 30-minutes in length with a maximum of two waves counting towards a surfers overall heat score.
A total field of 48 junior men, 18 junior women plus four wildcards from eight surfing regions, feature in this year's Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.
The event will be broadcast live via the internet on www.billabongpro.com.
For more information log-on to www.aspworldtour.com
The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships are supported by Panasonic, The Association of Surfing Professionals, Von Zipper, The Warringah Shire Council and Surfing NSW.
Billabong ASP World Junior Championships Girls Round 1 Match- Ups:
Heat 1: Pauline Ado (FRA); Marina Werneck (BRA); Coco Ho (HAW)
Heat 2: Courtney Conologue (USA); Paige Hareb (NZL); Tarryn Chudleigh (ZAF)
Heat 3: Nikita Robb (ZAF); Kirby Wright (AUS); Asako Mizuno (JPN)
Heat 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS); Laura Enever (AUS); Alessa Cuizon (HAW)
Heat 5: Bruna Schitz (BRA); Sage Erickson (USA); Nao Omura (JPN)
Heat 6: Airini Mason (NZL); Lee Ann Curren (FRA); Leila Hurst (HAW)
Billabong ASP World Junior Championships Round 1 Match- ups:
Heat 1: Tonino Benson (HAW); Tatsuya Fukagawa (JAP); Shu Hagiwara (JAP)
Heat 2: Dusty Payne (HAW); Charlie Brown (BRA); Nicolau Von Rupp (DEU)
Heat 3: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA); Julian Wilson (AUS); Beau Atchison (AUS)
Heat 4: Charles Martin (GLP); Cory Arrambide (USA); Angelo Lozano (MEX)
Heat 5: Robson Santos (BRA); Brandon Jackson (ZAF); Jean-Heifara Tahutini (PYF)
Heat 6: Tanner Gudauskas (USA); Casey Brown (HAW); Giancarlo Zampieri (BRA)
Heat 7: Mason Ho (HAW); John John Florence (HAW); Casey Grant (ZAF)
Heat 8: Adriana De Souza (BRA); Nick Rosza (USA); Owen Wright (AUS)
Heat 9: Pablo Paulino (BRA); Jatyr Berasaluce (EUK); Yan Guinaraes (BRA)
Heat 10: Matt Wilkinson (AUS); Torrey Meister (HAW); Tamaroa McComb (PYF)
Heat 11: Romain Cloitre (FRA); Clay Marzo (HAW); Kento Takahashi (JPN)
Heat 12: Mitchell Coleborn (AUS); Brandon Roberts (ZAF); Jayke Sharp (AUS)
Heat 13: Chris Waring (USA); Kyle Ramey (HAW); Heath Joske (AUS)
Heat 14: Rudy Palmboom (ZAF); Adrien Valero (FRA); Klee Strachan (ZAF)
Heat 15: Granger Larsen (HAW); Keito Matsuoka (JPN); Brett Shearer (ZAF)
Heat 16: Josh Redman (ZAF); Adam Wickwire (USA); Osawa Nobuyuki (JPN)
EXCELLENT SURF ON TAP FOR 2007 ASP BILLABONG WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
SYDNEY, Australia (Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008) – Perfect 2-meter surf, a select crop of internationally acclaimed junior surfers and two ASP World Junior Titles at stake, will make for sensational surfing when the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships get underway at Sydney's North Narrabeen beach, tomorrow.
The event, now in its tenth year, marks the most important stop on the 2007 ASP International Junior Surfing calendar and will crown the 2007 ASP World Junior Men's and Women's Champions.
Formatted to ASP elite Men's and Women's World Tour specifications, the event holds a ten day window period and will see junior surfers compete in man-on-man heats, using priority rules, just like their ASP World Tour heroes would at top level competition.
Running as a precursor to the main event, the Von Zipper Wildcard Trials culminated today which saw multiple Australian Junior Champion Owen Wright (AUS) and Hawaii's Granger Larsen, advancing through three rounds and 16 surfers, to earn their spots into the main event.
"I was looking at the heat draw before this event and I thought to myself, 'wow I really want to be in that and see what I can do against those guys'," overall winner Wright said, after posting a near perfect 9.00 (out of ten) point ride in the Final. "We've got a great Aussie team this year; I'm stoked to be a part of it and am planning to give it my best shot."
Excellent waves peeled across North Narrabeen beach all morning, thanks to the low pressure system currently off the coast of Queensland, and all indications point to a great week of waves ahead.
"We've had a lot of swell on the whole east coast over the last four days and looking at the forecast, it should last all the way through the first bits of the waiting period," Contest Director and former ASP World Tour campaigner Luke Egan (AUS) confirmed this morning. "The weekend could get a little windy so we're looking to start the event first thing tomorrow morning and run through as many rounds as we can, over the next few days."
The next call will be at 07h30 tomorrow morning for a possible 08h00 start.
First heat in the water sees Hawaiian Tonino Benson take on the Japanese duo of Tatsuya Fukagawa and Shu Hagiwara.
A total field of 48 junior men, 18 junior women plus four wildcards from eight surfing regions will compete for the coveted ASP Billabong World Junior Men's and Women's Titles.
The event will be broadcast live via the internet on www.billabongpro.com.
For more information log-on to www.aspworldtour.com
The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships are supported by Panasonic, The Association of Surfing Professionals, Von Zipper, The Warringah Shire Council and Surfing NSW.
Billabong World Junior Championships Round 1 Match- ups:
Heat 1: Tonino Benson (HAW); Tatsuya Fukagawa (JAP); Shu Hagiwara (JAP)
Heat 2: Dusty Payne (HAW); Charlie Brown (BRA); Nicolau Von Rupp (DEU)
Heat 3: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA); Julian Wilson (AUS); Beau Atchison (AUS)
Heat 4: Charles Martin (GLP); Cory Arrambide (USA); Angelo Lozano (MEX)
Heat 5: Robson Santos (BRA); Brandon Jackson (ZAF); Jean-Heifara Tahutini (PYF)
Heat 6: Tanner Gudauskas (USA); Casey Brown (HAW); Giancarlo Zampieri (BRA)
Heat 7: Mason Ho (HAW); John John Florence (HAW); Casey Grant (ZAF)
Heat 8: Adriana De Souza (BRA); Nick Rosza (USA); Owen Wright (AUS)
Heat 9: Pablo Paulino (BRA); Jatyr Berasaluce (ESP); Yan Guinaraes (BRA)
Heat 10: Matt Wilkinson (AUS); Torrey Meister (HAW); Tamaroa McComb (PYF)
Heat 11: Romain Cloitre (FRA); Clay Marzo (HAW); Kento Takahashi (JPN)
Heat 12: Mitchell Coleborn (AUS); Brandon Roberts (ZAF); Jayke Sharp (AUS)
Heat 13: Chris Waring (USA); Kyle Ramey (HAW); Heath Joske (AUS)
Heat 14: Rudy Palmboom (ZAF); Adrien Valero (FRA); Klee Strachan (ZAF)
Heat 15: Granger Larsen (HAW); Keito Matsuoka (JPN); Brett Shearer (ZAF)
Heat 16: Josh Redman (ZAF); Adam Wickwire (USA); Osawa Nobuyuki (JPN)
VON ZIPPER WILDCARD TRIALS TO KICK OFF WITH A BANG
SYDNEY, Australia (Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008) – A low pressure system off Queensland has whipped up excellent 2-meter surf in time of the Billabong World Junior Championships which kick off at 9 am, with the Von Zipper Wildcard Trials, at Sydney's North Narrabeen this morning.
Sixteen surfers from around the world including Reunion, Indonesia, South Africa, France and Israel will compete for two wildcard slots into the main event, which is expected to get underway with Round 1 tomorrow.
The Von Zipper Wildcard trials will run through three rounds of four-man heats, each heat lasting 30-minutes, with the Final scheduled for Noon.
Three Australians and one South African will take to the water in the first heat of the day; Parrish Byrne (AUS) taking on big wave surfer Laurie Towner (AUS), multiple National Junior champion Owen Wright (Aus) and South African National Junior team member Shaun Joubert.
"This is probably the best forecast we've had for the start of the event and we're excited to get things up and running this morning" Contest Director and former ASP World Tour campaigner Luke Egan said. "The swell should last through the first half of the waiting period so we'll be looking to run straight through the next couple of days and get as much surfing in as we can."
The Billabong World Junior Championships sees a total field of 48 junior men, 18 junior women plus four event wildcards. Surfers will compete in an ASP World Tour format with man-on-man heats and priority rules, similar to those used on the elite ASP Men's and Women's World Tours.
The event will be broadcast live via the internet on www.billabongpro.com
The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships are supported by Panasonic, The Association of Surfing Professionals, Von Zipper, The Warringah Shire Council and Surfing NSW.
Von Zipper Wildcard Trials Match-ups:
Heat 1: Parrish Bryne (AUS); Laurie Towner (AUS); Owen Wright (AUS); Shaun Joubert (ZAF)
Heat 2: Jean Seba Estienne (FRA); Brendan Leckie (AUS); Reuben Levitt (AUS); Ido Ksantini (ISR)
Heat 3: Granger Larsen (HAW); Blake Wilson (AUS); Ashley King (AUS); Yonatan Klein (ISR)
Heat 4: Nick Riley (AUS); Maddison Williams (AUS); Thomas Chamula (REU); Mustafa Jeksen (IDN)
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