Sábado 24 de Diciembre 2005

World Junior Championships
Narrabeen Beach-Sydney-Australia, 31 December 2005–8 January 2006

  The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) premier Junior event
   Juniors to rock down under in World Junior Championships
   While the big boy and girl pro surfing tourers have headed home for a well-deserved Christmas break after all tours (both at World Championship Tour level and World Qualifying Series level) concluded in Hawaii, the future stars of the sport are headed “Down Under” to compete in the coveted Billabong World Junior Championships.

Held at Narrabeen, a world class beach break in Sydney, Australia from 31 December 2005, the event will host the best junior (under 21 years of age) surfers both male and female from North America, South America, Hawaii, Europe, Asia, South Africa and Australasia.

On the men’s front, 48 surfers will do battle while on the women’s two from each region plus a wildcard (18 in total) will compete in a draw identical to that of the ASP Women’s World Tour.

The World Junior Championship is seen as the most prestigious junior event in the world and has given rise to some of the world’s biggest surfing super stars including three-time ASP Men’s World Tour winner Andy Irons (HAW) and former ratings number two, Joel Parkinson (AUS).

Brazilians have also been a dominant force at the World Juniors in recent years with Pablo Paulino (BRA) claiming victory this time last year while Adriana De Souza claimed a win in 2003. De Souza just recently qualified for the 2006 ASP Men’s World Tour. Another Brazilian in Pedro Henrique took the trophy back in 2000. He too has now qualified to surf against the ASP’s finest next year.

Professional surfing legend Luke Egan (AUS), who recently officially retired from competition after 21 years on tour, will assume the role of contest director.

Junior World Championships Honour Roll

1998: Andy Irons

1999: Joel Parkinson

2000: Pedro Henrique (Brazil)

2001: Joel Parkinson

2002: Non Event

2003: Adriano De Souza
2004: Pablo Paulino

   ASP

Domingo 18 de Diciembre 2005

Andy Irons wins Pipeline Masters
Pipeline, 8-20 December

   Andy Irons (HAW) had a day to remember today when he claimed victory in the Pipeline Masters and the coveted Triple Crown Of Surfing.

   For Irons it was a fantastic ending to an amazing year and a tremendous finishing reward after relinquishing his ASP Men’s World Tour crown to Kelly Slater (USA) back in Brazil.

   Finishing behind Irons was Mick Fanning (AUS), Bruce Irons (HAW) and Kalani Chapman (HAW).

   Irons never looked like losing the final. Despite Fanning getting off to an early lead he looked solid and at home in the somewhat tricky conditions. Half way through the final he dropped into a freak set and scored a perfect 10 after he slipped inside two deep tube rides and finished with a massive but unsuccessful flying air.

   “The wave came off the reef and doubled up a bit,” said Irons. “I pulled in behind the section and came through it then managed to get back in another little barrel. I then tried a flying air and landed on the reef. It was one of the only waves in the final that came in clean.”

   Irons then held onto first place until the final hooter as his brother Bruce and Fanning desperately attempted to real him in. Chapman meanwhile struggled to find quality waves, but proved all event that he certainly has the skill to match it with the world’s best.

   Irons was extremely happy and looked almost relieved that the year was over. For him it has been a roller coaster ride as he did his utmost to stay in the title race right up to Brazil. To win today was obviously satisfying for him.

   “This definitely has made it a lot easier that’s for sure,” said Irons of not retaining his world crown. “I was one heat away from bringing it to Pipe in Brazil and now I’ve got in the back of my mind a lot of what ifs. But I really wanted to do well here in the Triple Crown and Pipe and I achieved my goal.

   “It’s such a great event. I was also stoked to get to surf with my brother out there in the final. This was like a world title in itself. Everyone knows about it through the news and magazines. There’s so much hype around the Hawaiian events. To do well here means a lot and it’s almost a world title so I’m over the moon.”

   Fanning and Bruce Irons were obviously hoping to claim a Pipe victory here today but like Andy they seemed relaxed and content after good seasons this year. Fanning will finish in third place on the ASP Men’s World Tour Ratings while Bruce Irons will finish in ninth.

   The Irons brother’s duels are always exciting and the crowd weren’t disappointed.

   “I’m stoked with the third, sure I would have liked to win but I’m happy to get this trophy and end the year on a high. I’m just looking forward to having a really good holiday,” said Bruce.

   Fanning meanwhile was just enjoying the moment and like the others was looking forward to the post event celebrations.

   “It was good to have three mates in the final,” said Fanning. “I was a bit pissed when Andy got that 10 but what can you do… Between Andy and Bruce they pretty much dominate Pipe. It was great to finish the year in a final. It’s just a little more cash to party with tonight!”

   For Kalani Chapman it was a dream come true. The Pipeline local made it all the way through from the Rip Curl Code STL Trials and certainly made an impact when mixing it with the best of the best. It was a great learning experience for him and no doubt he’ll be back bigger and better next year.

   “I’m just really stoked to surf with them and against them,” he said referring to the top 45. “It’s always been a dream to surf in this event and it’s been a gnarly contest right from the start, even from the trials. I’m tired but it’s mad to be here right now. I learned a lot from this – everything from positioning myself in the water to managing time in a heat. I’m a lot more confident for next time.”

   While the finalists will be celebrating till the early hours of tomorrow morning, none will be celebrating harder that Sunny Garcia (HAW) and Luke Egan (AUS) who both ended their sterling pro surfing careers after being eliminated in semi-final two.

   Both have been on the tour since 1986 and 21 years later they were bracketed to surf their last ever heat together in some tremendous waves at Pipe.

   “It was really cool to surf in the semis with Sunny in my last heat,” said Egan while on stage with good friend Garcia. “But not only that, to be mixing it with the young guys here, well I’m just really stoked with this old guy’s effort [pointing to Sunny] and my effort.”

   “For me it’s pretty much the same,” said Garcia “It’s insane! Luke and I started off on the tour together way back in 1986. I met him in 1984 in an event in Japan and we’ve been good friends ever since. What better way to end my career than to surf here today with my best friend… and losing to the future of Hawaiian surfing [laughs as he looked at Bruce and Andy] I just couldn’t picture going out any other way.”

   They join Shane Beschen (USA), Lee Winkler (AUS), Renan Rocha (BRA), Kalani Robb (HAW) and Tim Curren (USA) on the retiree list.

Winning the best tube prize in the Expression Session was Makua Rothman (HAW) with Miles Padaca (HAW) coming in in second.

   Final results:

1. Andy Irons (HAW) 17.33

2. Mick Fanning (AUS) 12.33

3. Bruce Irons (HAW) 11.33

4. Kalani Chapman 6.37

   The Triple Crown of Surfing ratings top five finished as follows:

1. Andy Irons (HAW)

2. Mick Fanning (AUS)

3. Pancho Sullivan (HAW)

4. Jake Paterson (AUS)

5. Sunny Garcia (HAW)

   With the Pipeline Masters now over, the ratings on the  ASP Men’s World Tour have been finalised.

   The top 10 finished as follows:

1. Kelly Slater (USA)                        7962

2. Andy Irons (HAW)               7860

3. Mick Fanning (AUS)                6650

4. Damien Hobgood (USA)                6148

5. Phillip MacDonald (AUS)        6060

6. Trent Munro (AUS)                5748

7. Taj Burrow (AUS)                        5512

8. Nathan Hedge (AUS)                5426

9. Bruce Irons (HAW)                       5294

10. CJ Hobgood (USA)                5248
   ASP

Sábado 17 de Diciembre 2005

Chelsea Geeorgeson is 2005 ASP Women’s World Champion

   Chelsea Georgeson achieved the ultimate trifecta today to become the only athlete in the history of women’s surfing to win the Billabong Pro Maui, the Triple Crown of Surfing and the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT) title in one fail swoop. Her earnings today alone eclipsed $US20,000.

   Defeating Jacqueline Silva (BRA) in solid eight foot (two and a half meter) waves in the final at Honolua Bay this afternoon, the 22-year-old from Tweed Heads, NSW, Australia cemented her status as female surfing’s new superstar.

   “I’m so happy. It’s been one of the best days of my life and to have all of my friends and family here is just amazing!” Georgeson said after winning the event and subsequently, the Triple Crown title – the honor bestowed upon the surfer who places highest overall in the three Triple Crown events held in Hawaii in November and December.

   Georgeson, who is also the defending Pro Maui champion, succeeded her best friend and the only competitior capable of challenging her for the world title, Sofia Mulanovich (PER), as the ASP Women’s World Champion today. The crown changed hands when reigning world champ Mulanovich fell to a last minute charge from Silva and was eliminated in the quarterfinals. Catching a wave with 28 seconds left in the heat,  Silva garnered a score that put her three tenths of a point ahead of Mulanovich, earning her a semifinal showing and Georgeson a world title.

   “I couldn’t believe Jacqueline got that last wave. I wasn’t really expecting it!” said Georgeson in disbelief when the upset occurred and her title was secured. 

   “I knew Sof was surfing so good and I thought it was going to come down to the final for sure. I was just thinking, ‘Oh whatever, if she gets through that’s sick (great) and if not that’s good too,’ It’s been a really good year for both of us but it ended up a bit better for me!” Georgeson said.

   We kept saying to each other, ‘Keep going, keep going let’s take it all the way through to the end,’ because it would have been a really good end to the year if we both got through to the final. It would have been that much more exciting but it would’ve been really nerve racking too.”

   Mulanovich, who ended former world champion Layne Beachley’s six year stranglehold on the title last year, surfed a tough defending title campaign and led the ASP ratings until the second to last event of the year.  The Peruvian was gracious in defeat.

   “I’m stoked for Chels. I tried not to think about it, but I thought about it a lot after Haleiwa and I was kind of prepared for it. I’m just stoked for her that she made it because she’s the most amazing surfer ever and she deserves this a lot,” Mulanovich said.

   Several scenarios hinged on second-place Pro Maui finisher Jacqueline Silva’s surfing today.  In addition to defeating Mulanovich and cementing Georgeson’s world title win, her fate in the final meant that Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) retained the tenth and final WCT qualifying spot for the 2006 ASP Women’s World Tour. Had Silva won the final, she would have bumped Bevilacqua from the number 10 spot to qualify via the WCT instead of using her World Qualifying Series (WQS) result. Melanie Bartels (HAW) would have then been next in line to qualify from the WQS.

   Current WCT competitors who did not qualify for the 2006 ASP Women’s World Tour include Maria Tita Tavares (BRA), Melanie Bartels (HAW) and Laurina McGrath (AUS). Tavares has been a staple on the Women’s World Tour for the past seven years and usually enjoys great success on the WQS as well. Unfortunately, because the 30-year-old is now sponsorless, she could not afford to contest both tours this year and was unable to use the WQS as a safety net. Bartels and McGrath, who have competed on the WCT for the past two years, tried to cover their tracks on the ‘QS too, but occupying the two spots just below the cutoff on that tour, narrowly missed requalification. All three surfers will be eager to regain their spots in 2007 and will do their best to earn them via the WQS next year.

   Though Heather Clark (ZAF) did not requalify via her WCT or WQS results, she was awarded the 2006 ASP Wildcard and will be on tour again next year. Both Clark and McGrath had applied for the wildcard citing injuries, but strong cases from both parties heralded a decision from the ASP Board of Directors to give the wildcard to the highest placing surfer in this event. Joining the 2006 Women’s World Championship Tour roster from the qualifying series will be Silvana Lima (BRA), Jessica Miley-Dyer (AUS) and Julia Christian (USA).

FINAL: 1st = 1200 ratings points and US$10,000, 2nd = 972 ratings points and US$6,000

Chelsea Georgeson (AUS) Jacqueline Silva (BRA)

SEMIFINALS: 1st advances to FINAL, 2nd finishes equal 3rd and receives US$4,250

H1: Chelsea Georgeson (AUS) 11.50 def. Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) 11.25

H2: Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 14.75 def. Heather Clark (AUS) 14.25

QUARTERFINALS: 1st advances to SEMIFINALS, 2nd finishes equal 5th and receives US$3,500

H1: Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) 16.00 def. Maria Tita Tavares (BRA) 8.00

H2: Chelsea Georgeson (AUS) 14.90 def. Trudy Todd (AUS) 11.50

H3: Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 12.80 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 12.50

H4: Heather Clark (AUS) 12.75 def. Laurina McGrath (AUS) 11.25

ROUND THREE: 1st advances to QUARTERFINALS, 2nd finishes equal 9th and receives US$2,750

Heat 1: Maria Tita Tavares (BRA) 11.75 def. Megan Abubo (HAW) 7.10
Heat 2: Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) 12.75 def. Serena Brooke (AUS) 9.65

Heat 3: Trudy Todd (AUS) 10.10 def. Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 7.75

Heat 4: Chelsea Georgeson (AUS) 11.50 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 6.90

Heat 5: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 13.75 def. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 12.00

Heat 6: Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 13.25 def. Samantha Cornish (AUS) 7.75

Heat 7: Laurina McGrath (AUS) 14.75 Keala Kennelly (HAW) 14.50

Heat 8: Heather Clark (AUS) 15.45 def. Rochelle Ballard (HAW) 12.75

   FINAL 2005 ASP WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR RATINGS

1. Chelsea Georgeson (AUS)        7080 points

2. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 6012 points

3. Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS)        4704 points

4. Megan Abubo (HAW)               4614points

5. Layne Beachley (AUS)        4308 points

6. Trudy Todd (AUS)                4128 points

7. Rochelle Ballard (HAW)        4104 points

8. Keala Kennelly (HAW)        3876 points

9. Samantha Cornish (AUS)        3786 points

10. Claire Bevilacqua (AUS)        3720 points

11. Jacqueline Silva (BRA)         3708 points

12. Serena Brooke (AUS)        3324 points

13. Rebecca Woods (AUS)        3312 points

14. Laurina McGrath (AUS)        3100 points

15. Heather Clark (ZAF)         3108 points

16. Maria Tita Tavares (BRA)        2622 points

17. Melanie Bartels (HAW)        2340 points

   TRIPLE CROWN OF SURFING RESULTS

1. Chelsea Georgeson (AUS)        2838 points and $US10,000

2. Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS)        2712 points

3. Claire Bevilacqua (AUS)        1986 points

4. Jacqueline Silva                        1692 points
5. Megan Abubo (HAW)            1566 points

   ASP

Miércoles 9 de Noviembre 2005

SLATER wins an unprecedented seventh ASP Men’s World Tour Crown during WCT Festival, Brazil

   Spectators on the beach and those watching the live webcast from the Nova Schin Festival presented by Billabong witnessed one of the most phenomenal acts in surfing and sporting history today when Kelly Slater from Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA claimed an incredible seventh ASP Men’s World Tour crown.
   Despite being eliminated in round four of today’s event, by stable-mate Travis Logie (ZAF), all things fell into place for Slater when his only rival for the title, Andy Irons (HAW) was eliminated by Nathan Hedge (AUS) in the quarter finals. In order to keep the title race alive going into Hawaii – with Slater’s early elimination – Irons had to finish at least third in this event.
   After a shaky start to the Nova Schin Festival, Slater looked to be back to his best in round three where he defeated wildcard Guilherme Ferriera (BRA) but in the heat against Logie he stalled, falling on a few occasions and perhaps making some wrong decisions regarding wave choice.
   After the heat he admitted being an emotional ball of knots as he felt huge disappointment in himself plus an overwhelming anxiousness. He was about to jump into a car and leave the beach as he couldn’t bear to watch how the Irons/Hedge affair would unfold.
   Good friend CJ Hobgood (USA) then talked Slater into returning to watch and with all eyes upon the soon to be champion he joked and looked at ease for the masses of cameras focussed on him recording his reaction.
In the dying stages of the Irons/Hedge encounter he zipped his jacket over his head as the anticipation became unbearable. But as soon as it was confirmed that Irons was eliminated Slater threw his arms in the air and cheered long and hard in tune with the massive crowd who were present to support him.

   It was a fantastic year for the 33-year-old as after getting off to a slow start on the first two events on this year’s calendar, he came back with a victory in Tahiti scoring the first perfect 20 out of 20 total in the final.
   He claimed that it took him until that victory to revamp his title ambition after narrowly losing his crown in 2003 when Irons came from behind in the last event of the tour at Pipeline.
   In 2005 he has claimed four event victories in Tahiti, Fiji, California and South Africa. His battles with Irons in two finals – in Jeffreys Bay where Slater was victor and in Japan where Irons won the silverware – have been noted as being some of the best surfing finals of all time.
Slater was in the box seat in the last event in France and could have potentially wrapped up the title there. But Irons win in that event held off Slater’s celebrations until today here in Brazil.
   Slater’s Stats:
   In winning his seventh ASP Men’s World Tour crown Slater has broken his own record of six titles.
   He won his first title here in Brazil at Rio de Janeiro in 1992. He then lost the following year to Derek Ho (HAW) but reclaimed his crown in 1994 and held onto it with a firm grip until 1998 – seven years ago.
   Slater left the tour before the start of the 1999 season to go into semi-retirement until 2001. He is the only surfer in the history of the sport who did not have to return to the World Championship Tour through qualification on the second tier World Qualifying Series. Each tour event granted him a wildcard so he could return in 2001.
   Slater was the youngest to claim the title at 20 years of age and is now the oldest champion at 33 years of age. He takes the oldest record from Mark Occhilupo (AUS) who also claimed a title in 1999 when he was also 33. He beats Occhilupo because he was born in the month of February. Occhilupo was born in June.
   Kelly Slater is the highest prizemoney winner in the history of the sport now having amassed an amazing $US1,303,105.
The only record Slater is yet to smash is the most number of competition victories held by Tom Curren (USA). Curren has 33 event victories while Slater has 31.
   The following quotes were recorded directly after he claimed his crown.
His immediate reaction:
   “I’m feeling pretty good. I’ve just been through a complete emotional roller coaster from being really sad thinking of my dad [who passed away in 2002] to being really happy after talking to my family and just thinking about the whole big thing. I really need a little time alone just to sit and dwell on everything I think. I’m just super relieved it’s over. It was an amazing year. Andy didn’t really get in gear until the end of the year and I knew at some point he was going to make a rush and really didn’t expect him to go out early here. I thought he was going to win. I’m feeling for Andy at the moment.”
   On returning to compete on the ASP Men’s World Tour in 2006:

   “I probably won’t make that decision until Bells in April next year. I will definitely surf the first event of the year on the Gold Coast no matter what. As to whether I continue and surf all the events… If I surf Bells, if I go to Tahiti and Fiji it is very likely that I will continue as I love those events and won last year. I just don’t know at this point. I will see when I get there. I’m not too worried about that now.”
   On his feelings after his defeat to Travis Logie in the Nova Schin Festival Brazil:
   “I was going to leave the beach. We were packing the car and my friends were putting the boards on the roof. Then CJ Hobgood looked at me and said, ‘You know what? It is better that this is happening, this should go to Hawaii. It is better for surfing. It’s better for everyone to see it come down to the last event – it just makes sense.’ I instantly relaxed about it. I thought to myself that I should stick around to watch Nathan and Andy’s heat and if I win today I should be at the beach. It was the right thing. I had a really good feeling. Then Nathan Hedge looked at me and said, ‘I am going to win this heat, it’s going to end today.’ I thought to myself, there’s a man with confidence, and I was pumped up and totally relaxed at the same time. Then he went out and did his thing and beat Andy. Hedgey and I need to sit down and have a talk. [laughs] He thought I was hating him these past four months and he goes to me, ‘We’re friends again now aren’t we?’”
   On his head space:
   “I have to sit back and dwell on it all for a while. It’s all hit me right now. I need to assess how I feel as a person as opposed to just winning. Prior to today I wasn’t just thinking about the next contest, I was thinking about the rest of my life and where I can improve in other parts of it. It all has me pumped up and humbled all at the same time. In some ways I just want to build a house, surf a lot, play golf, travel, play music and have more time for my personal life. That may happen, that might be my next year.”
   On him smashing records:
   “I don’t know about the records just yet. Again I need time to sit back and think about things. I would love to win Pipe and finish off on a win after having such a great year. Potentially I can still catch Tom Curren’s record for event victories next year if that is the case. I didn’t win a whole event during last year and this year I came up and won four. I could easily go next year and not win one again or I could win a few so we will see how my mind is and how determined I am on tour next year.”
   On the anxiety he felt at the end of the Irons/Hedge heat that resulted in his zipping up his jacket and hiding:
   “I was pretending I was playing poker and I didn’t want anyone to see my poker face. I was hiding! Trying to contain the excitement, the nervousness… the anxiety!”
   On 2005 being the best year of his life:
   “In a lot of ways I feel like my life is getting better and this just really capped off the back half of my career in a great way.”

   ASP

Miércoles 9 de Noviembre 2005

Brazil WCT Festival
Event #10 on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Men's World Tour
Hobgood claims victory in the Brazil WCT Festival
Imbituba-Santa Catarina-Folorianapolis-Brazil, October 31-9 November

   It was a memorable day in surfing history today as Damien Hobgood (USA) defeated Victor Ribas (BRA) in front of an extremely vocal crowd at the Brazil WCT Festival.
   Surfing in one metre (three foot) waves at Imbituba, Santa Catarina, Brazil, Hobgood stole a wave in the dying seconds of the final to claim the victory in the event, the 10th on the ASP Men’s World Tour career.
   Coming from behind and knowing he only needed a small score – a 3.3 out of 10 – Hobgood grabbed a smaller inside wave in the dying stages of the final and punched out two quick turns to score a 4.13 in what was a nail biting finish for both competitors and spectators alike.
   It was a slow start in the 35 minute encounter with neither surfer really able to catch any quality waves until Hobgood scored an 8.17 with seven minutes to go. He then had to wait patiently until those dying seconds for his last score as the ocean went flat.
   Ribas meanwhile had locked away some average scores of 5.17 and 5.33 and had the full backing of the incredibly passionate crowd. Each time Ribas stroked into waves they roared loudly, jumped up and down and hooted.
   It was Hobgood’s second final appearance in a row – he finished second behind Andy Irons (HAW) in France – and he knew he had an inside running here today due to what he claimed was divine intervention.
  "It was one of those contests where I wasn’t really surfing that well but the Lord was telling me that this was my contest,” said Hobgood. “I’d be in a heat and the waves would be bad and then a bomb would just come to me! I started off slow and gained momentum throughout the event. I’m super stoked with the win.”
    Hobgood acknowledged that it was a slow final and that he didn’t really dominate as he would have liked but in scratching into his final wave of the event he knew he had played the right hand, but given the vocal nature of the crowd he didn’t want to go overboard in showing his excitement as he didn’t want the crowd to get out of control.
   “I certainly didn’t command the heat,” said Hobgood. “I couldn’t hear clearly but I thought they said I needed a 3.0 or something [which was correct] and I paddled for that last wave. I thought it wasn’t that good but I went for it because I thought it would be my last hurrah. I took off late but managed to get in front of the section and I knew if I could do two good turns I’d get the score. As soon as I finished I knew I’d got the score and if I was anywhere else in the world I would have claimed it but I didn’t want get the crowd going too crazy so I just cut out.”
   Hobgood went on to site that he was trying emulate Joel Parkinson’s (AUS) new found drive. After taking time off since the event in Japan back in September, Parkinson was “frothing like a grommet” being incredibly excited every time he hit the water for a heat.
   “I was trying to draw energy from Joel Parkinson,” said Hobgood. “He was so amped to be back in the water after his injury I was trying to be like him and charge out there and just really enjoy competing.”
   Ribas, in having the backing of the locals was in excellent form in the lead up to the final. He was unfortunate in that the set waves were few and far between. His two average scoring rides were just below par of Hobgood’s excellent wave and a smaller one.
   “I couldn’t hear very well out there and I didn’t know he needed only a 3.3,” said Ribas. “I did my best and I tried to make all the manoeuvres on the waves but unfortunately he only needed that small score and he did make it. But I’m so proud that I have represented my country well. I always hope to do well for them.”
   Through this second place today and his third placing in France, Ribas is now in a solid position on the ratings after looking very shaky all year previously. Originally he hadn’t qualified for the 2005 ASP Men’s World Tour but due to the retirment of Pat O’Connell (USA) at the start of this year Ribas scored a start and is now cemented for a return in 2006.
   “I have to thank Pat O’Connell for retiring as that was how I made it into the top 45 this year,” said Ribas. “I was so stoked to be back this year and to have some big results. At Trestles this year Pat was driving the jetski in the surf and I thanked him for everything, for helping me get here on the WCT. I am very stoked to be here and have the crowd behind me. I didn’t win but for me it was like a win in front of this crowd.”
   Finishing in equal third place was Nathan Hedge (AUS) who had an interesting day in that he contributed to the world title race by defeating Andy Irons in the quarter-finals. Irons needed to finish at least third here to keep the title race alive going into the next event at Pipeline Hawaii and Hedge blasted to victory scoring the highest heat score of the event.
   His dream run came to an end in the semi-finals, however, as he went down fighting to Ribas. He was held back by some long lulls and couldn’t find the big scores.
   “I felt as though I hadn’t even really hit my straps yet in the event so I was a bit disappointed that the waves didn’t come in that heat, said Hedge. “But that’s surfing you know. You just have to take the good with the bad. Victor is really hard to beat in these conditions as he only needs half a wave and he’ll catch it. That was my second best result of the year and it came at a good time of the year. It’ll keep me in the top 10 so now just bring on Pipe!”
   Equalling Hedge was another Brazilian hot shot in Raoni Monteiro. Up until this event and the World Qualifying Series event held last week, he was looking like bowing out of the elite tour for lack of quality results.
   Monteiro is a promising youngster and will certainly be a serious challenger in future as in an earlier round he landed one of the biggest aerial reverse manoeuvres of the event. In his semifinal against Hobgood, Monteiro, like Hedge was hampered by the long breaks between set waves. He was however pleased with his performance.
   “It was hard out there. He got a good one to start and I think that was the best wave of the heat,” said Monteiro. “I had a small wave then I couldn’t really come back. This is the first podium I’ve made so far so I’m really happy to get this far. It was an important event for me because I needed a good result and I think now I’m in 30th on the WCT and now in 18th on the WQS. If I do well when I get to Hawaii then I’m back in.”
   Results:
   Round 3

Heat 11: Nathan Hedge (AUS) 14.67 def Pedro Henrique (BRA) 12.63

Heat 12: Jake Paterson (AUS) 11.50  def Guilherme Herdy (BRA) 7.03

Heat 13: Phil MacDonald (AUS) 11.50 def Flavio Costa (BRA) 8.93

Heat 14: Victor Ribas (BRA) 15.00 def Tim Reyes (USA) 9.00

Heat 15: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.50 def Yuri Sodre (BRA) 6.83

Heat 16: Fred Patacchia (HAW) 14.67 def Renan Rocha (BRA) 12.93
   Round 4

Heat 1: Kirk Flintoff (AUS) 17.55 def C.J. Hobgood (USA) 13.77

Heat 2: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 16.33 def Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.70

Heat 3: Damien Hobgood (USA) 14.53 def Cory Lopez (USA) 12.07

Heat 4: Travis Logie (ZAF) 14.07 def Kelly Slater (USA) 13.66

Heat 5: Andy Irons (HAW) 17.10 def Bede Durbridge (AUS) 11.67

Heat 6: Nathan Hedge (AUS) 15.27 def Jake Paterson (AUS) 13.43

Heat 7: Victor Ribas (BRA) 14.26 def Phillip MacDonald (AUS) 13.50

Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.50 def Frederick Patacchia Jr (HAW) 11.64
   Quarter Finals

Heat 1: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 12.00 def Kirk Flintoff (AUS) 7.46

Heat 2: Damian Hobgood (USA) 13.27 def Travis Logie (ZAF) 10.83

Heat 3: Nathan Hedge (AUS) 17.70 def Andy Irons (USA) 16.80

Heat 4: Victor Ribas (BRA) 14.33 def Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.70
   Semi Finals

Heat 1: Damian Hobgood (USA) 14.23 def Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 8.70

Heat 2: Victor Ribas (BRA) 12.63 def Nathan Hedge (AUS) 10.67
   Final

Heat 1: Damian Hobgood (USA) 12.30 def Victor Ribas (BRA) 11.50
   Ratings post Brazil
1. Kelly Slater (USA) 7896

2. Andy Irons (HAW) 7260

3. Phil MacDonald (AUS) 6060

4. Mick Fanning (AUS) 6028

5. Damien Hobgood (USA) 5826

6. Trent Munro (AUS) 5618

7. Taj Burrow (AUS) 5512

8. CJ Hobgood (USA) 5248

9. Nathan Hedge (AUS) 5236

10. Cory Lopez (USA) 4960

   ASP

Domingo 9 de Octubre 2005

Women WCT Pro Malibu
Trudy Todd wins the Malibu Pro after top seeds bow out early
Surfrider Beach-Malibu-California, 1-9 October

   Australian Trudy Todd, a 13-year tour veteran who hasn’t relished an event victory for over five years, overcame Samantha Cornish (AUS) to win the Malibu Pro in epic four to six foot (one to two meter) surf today. Todd, who jumped from equal 13th to 7th on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) world ratings with the win, announced earlier in the season that this will be her last year competing on the World Championship Tour (WCT).
   “I said to the girls, ‘you know, I really want to go out winning a contest and being on top instead of getting kicked off the tour and looking like a kook,’ so I guess I did that,” joked Todd.

   “My last win was in Maui in 1999 - back when I was in my prime,” she continued.  “I broke my back in 2000 and have had cancer twice in the last six years, so I’m retiring because my health is good and I really want to get married, have kids and have a life other than the tour.”
   Though many expected to see another showdown between close friends and ratings leaders Sofia Mulanovich (PER) and Chelsea Georgeson (AUS), fans lining the shore of Surfrider Beach were treated to a slightly different best friend battle.
   “Sam and I are best friends and travel buddies. She’s a ripper and I’ve known her since she was a young girl so I was like, ‘Let’s just go out there and surf. We’ve got great waves, I’m retiring, and I’ve finally got a final with you,” explained Todd.
   The girls did just that, but it would ultimately be Todd who came out on top.
   “Obviously I’m disappointed I didn’t win, but second is a really good result,” conceded Cornish. “I had such an awesome day surfing perfect Malibu waves that I’m overwhelmed.  I’m just stoked that one of my good friends won. I haven’t seen Trudy win one since I started on the ‘CT and she’s going to retire at the end of the year so I’m stoked to see her win. I’m disappointed but I’m glad to see it was one of my good mates.”

   Cornish squashed defending Malibu Pro champion Megan Abubo’s chances of a repeat win in the semis, just one heat after flattening number one rated surfer Mulanovich’s hopes of furthering her ratings lead in the quarterfinals. Mulanovich’s loss to Cornish came as quite a surprise after the Peruvian’s survived her heat against wildcard Stephanie Gilmore (AUS). Many thought that if she were to be beaten early, Gilmore would have been the girl to do it.

   Also shockingly eliminated in the quarterfinals were Georgeson and six times world champion Layne Beachley (AUS). Both surfers were hoping to narrow world title rating points gaps here in Malibu.

   “It’s not the best way to finish the contest, but I guess if I want to win a world title, it is good that Layne and Sofia both bowed out at the same time,” said Georgeson.  “I’m just bummed that I blew it because I had a really good opportunity to get ahead of both of those girls, but there are two contests left and hopefully I can pull something together then and get a good result. I’m stoked though, we have to wait until Hawaii now.”
   Beachley expressed similar sentiments. Despite posting today’s best heat score of a 17.5 (out of a possible 20 points), she was unable to beat an in-form Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS).

   “It opened the door for me to catch them, and my frustration lies with the fact that I’ve been surfing the best, getting the best scores and I just didn’t get another wave,” said Beachley. “It was a really slow heat.  I’m bitterly disappointed because if I got through that heat and into the final, I would’ve been a serious contender for the world title.”
   Today’s somewhat surprising results leave the 2005 world title race up in the air, with Mulanovich, Georgeson, Abubo and Beachley still mathematically capable of ending the year as number one. For Beachley to capture a seventh world title and for Abubo to win her first, the girls would need to win the final two events of the year with Mulanovich and Georgeson eliminated before the quarterfinals in both events. Even if Mulanovich wins the next event held in Haleiwa Beach, Hawaii from November 12-24, as long as Georgeson makes the semifinal, the race will run through to the final event of the year at Honolua Bay, Maui, from December 8-19.
   In true Hollywood fashion, a Celebrity Surf Bout was also held today. Much to the delight of the beach full of fans, over a dozen television, film and music personalities took to Malibu Point to raise awareness for the Heal the Bay foundation, an environmental awareness organization. Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, NYPD Blue’s Ricky Schroeder and Andrew Keegan of Ten Things I Hate About You were among those in attendance.
   ASP Ratings after Stop #7 on the Women’s World Championship Tour

1. Sofia Mulanovich 5820 point

2. Chelsea Georgeson 5592 points

3. Megan Abubo 4320 points

4. Layne Beachley 4308 points

5. Rochelle Ballard 3924 points

6. Melanie Redman-Carr 3912 points

7. Trudy Todd 3756 points

8. Samantha Cornish 3708 points

9. Keala Kennelly 3696 points

10. Rebecca Woods 3312 points

11. Jacqueline Silva 3096 points

12. Serena Brooke 2952 points

13. Claire Bevilacqua 2929 points

14. Laurina McGrath 2736 points

15. Heather Clark 2352        points

16. Maria Tita Tavares 1812 points

17. Melanie Bartels 1800 points

18. Pauline Menczer 540 points

   FINAL RESULTS

Trudy Todd (AUS) 15.00 def. Samantha Cornish (AUS) 13.50

    SEMIFINAL RESULTS

Heat 1: Samantha Cornish (AUS) 15.75 def. Megan Abubo 9.00

Heat 2: Trudy Todd (AUS) 14.25 def. Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) 12.60

   QUARTERFINAL RESULTS

Heat 1: Megan Abubo (HAW) 12.50 def. Keala Kennelly (HAW) 9.50

Heat 2: Samantha Cornish (AUS) 16.00 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 13.35

Heat 3: Trudy Todd (AUS) 12.75 def. Chelsea Georgeson (AUS) 10.75

Heat 4: Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) 14.75 def. Layne Beachley (AUS) 7.50

   ROUND THREE RESULTS

Heat 1: Megan Abubo (HAW) 13.25 def. Heather Clark (ZAF) 10.00

Heat 2: Keala Kennelly (HAW) 13.25 def. Serena Brooke (AUS) 9.50

Heat 3: Samantha Cornish (AUS) 14.50 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 12.75

Heat 4: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 15.00 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 14.75

Heat 5: Chelsea Georgeson (AUS) 15.25 def. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 9.25

Heat 6: Trudy Todd (AUS) 14.00 def. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 11.65 

Heat 7: Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) 12.50 def. Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 5.50

Heat 8: Layne Beachley (AUS) 17.50 def. Maria Tita Tavares (BRA) 7.75
   ASP

Miércoles 5 de Octubre 2005

News FFS

   Le Surf Français terni par une triste nouvelle
   Le surf français s'est endeuillé samedi soir de l'un de ses grands espoirs. Nous apprenons avec grande tristesse que le Bigouden Gauthier Hamon, 18 ans, nous a quitté sur la plage du Minou près de Brest à l'issue d'une épreuve de surf par équipes.

   En ces jours douloureux nous pensons tous à toi et à tes proches.

   Championnats du Monde de Surf Junior ISA: Retour de Jeremy Flores en equipe de France
   Classée 6ème en 2004 à Tahiti grâce notamment à une magnifique 3ème place obtenue par le jeune sociétaire de l’Hossegor Surf Club Joan Duru, l’équipe de France sera renforcée cette année par le retour surprise de Jérémy Florès qui après deux années d’abstinence, a souhaité reprendre du service et réintégrer l’Equipe de France « j’ai une sincère volonté de m’engager au sein du groupe France en harmonie avec l’encadrement de la Fédération Française de Surf et bien entendu mes camarades d’Equipe ». Jérémy a démontré une réelle motivation et volonté de s’intégrer dans l’Equipe, dans le respect de l’encadrement et du jugement. En outre, son niveau de surf lui permet d’être un des plus sérieux prétendant au titre mondial dans la catégorie junior.

   Les Sables D’Olonne accueillent la derniere etape de la Coupe de France de Surf
   Annulée pour manque de conditions lors du week-end du 7 et 8 Mai, la Coupe de France de surf des Sables est reportée le week-end prochain à Tanchet beach. Cette année encore, l’Olonna Surf Club remet le couvert et accueille la crème du surf Français pour l’ultime étape du circuit Coupe de France de Surf 2005. Elle se déroulera sur deux jours, avec des séries de hauts niveaux. Les meilleurs seront présents, tels que les jeunes sportifs du Pôle France et de la Section Sportive des Sables d’Olonne, les challengers locaux et aussi Xavier et Stéphane Jambou (champion de France Master 2004). Le top 30 Français fera lui aussi parler la poudre avec la présence des popstars telles qu’Arthur « Moustache » Bourbon (hot local des soirées sablaises), La Jonquille, Vincent Duvignac…

   Andy Irons victorieux du WCT Pro France 2005 pour la 3eme fois consecutive
   Les français sont passés à coté de l'exploi t lors de ce troisième tour du WCT Pro France 2005, dans de solides conditions sur la plage de La Nord. En effet, Patrick Beven, Micky Picon et Jérémy Florès ont causé quelques belles frayeurs aux prétendants au titre mondial, dans des vagues dépassant les trois mètres. Andy Irons quand à lui, après avoir éliminé son frère en quart de finale, Taj Burrow en demie, se retrouve en finale face à l'américain Damien Hobgood, tombeur de Kelly Slater et de Victor Ribas. Cette finale s'est déroulée dans de belles vagues de 2 mètres, devant un public venu en masse sur la plage de La Nord à Hossegor.

   Victoire surprise lors de la derniere etape de le Coupe de France de Bodysurf
   Le 24 Septembre 2005 a eu lieu à la Plage de la Gravière Nord, la dernière étape de la Coupe de France de Bodysurf. Nul ne voyait bien qui pouvait contester à David Dubes la victoire lui qui avait permis de dominer le Championnat de France et la première étape d’Anglet. Mais mathématiquement, Matias Hegoas, Patrice Grieumard et Alexandre Lagahe, finalistes de la précédente épreuve, tout comme Maxime Majerus et Mateuz Panko po uvaient encore prétendre à la victoire. Plus d’un vingtaine de compétiteurs se sont présentés pour disputer cette dernière épreuve. Contre toute attente, David Dubes et Patrice Grieumard  se faisaient sortir en demi finale. Alexandre Lagahe avec aplomb, remportait la finale et gagnait du même coup l’épreuve d’une courte tête.

   Une belle demie finale d’Eric Rebiere au WQS 4* de Liencres
   Le spot Liencres, qui depuis le début de semaine n'était pas gâté en vagues, a finalement été béni de très jolies conditions sur le WQS pro 4*. Des vagues consistantes et bien rangées d'un mètre cinquante ont fourni de l'action digne d'un WCT. Nos Français ont montré une grande forme avec la qualification pour les 1/8 de finales de Miky Picon, Frédo Robin, Eric Rebière, Patrick Beven, Nathan Hèle... . Boal et Florès ne sont pas passés malgré une note quasi parfaite de 9,27 pour Jérémy.

   Le pole France passe a la television
   Jeudi 22 Septembre dernier, la chaîne de télévision nationale France 2 a diffusé un reportage de plusieurs minutes consacré au pôle France de Biarritz, lors du Journal Télévisé de 13h00, puis de 20h00, au sujet de la rentrée scolaire des élèves du pôle France de Surf.

   Jardin de Recif, sur les traces des premiers surfeurs tahitiens – ouvrage de Nolwenn Roussel
   Tahiti, île de l'océan Pacifique..., ça vous intéresse ?

   Aujourd'hui, le surf y est très populaire. Dans le monde entier, l'île est connue pour la qualité de ses vagues et de ses surfeurs. Parmi les jeunes générations, on ne rêve que de surfer le fameux tube de Teahupo'o ! Mais saviez-vous qu'au XVIIIe siècle déjà, ce drôle de sport avait été observé dans les eaux tahitiennes? Plongez avec nous dans la richesse de ces histoires longtemps restées enfouies dans les mémoires locales. Plusieurs témoignages d'explorateurs et de légendes nous décrivent les débuts prometteurs du surf dans cette région!.

   FFS

Viernes 30 de Septiembre 2005

WCT Pro France
Irons wins his third WCT Pro France and keeps 2005 world title hopes alive
La Graviere-Hossegor-France, 23 September-2 October

   Showing the form of a true champion and with his fists punching the air, Andy Irons kept his ASP Men’s World Tour crown hopes alive by claiming victory in the WCT Pro France.
   Taking place in two to 2.5 metre (six to eight foot) conditions at La Graviere, and with the early elimination of Kelly Slater (USA) in the quarter finals, Irons put the pedal to metal to defeat Damien Hobgood (USA) in the 35 minute battle royale, defeating him 17.00 out of 20 to 12.83.
   Irons went straight to work from the onset of the final, notching up small scores but really drove it home after 12 minutes, scoring a 7.67 on a strong left breaking wave. Hobgood meanwhile had yet to catch a wave.
   Irons then paddled straight back into the lineup and launched into a huge backhand attack hitting the lip numerous times to notch up a 9.33. Hobgood was still yet to score and was well and truly behind the eight ball.
   Hobgood tried to peg Irons back with a 7.50 for a deep tube with 19 minutes remaining but it was too late as the Irons stagecoach had run away.
   “I love this event!” shouted Irons who danced on the podium while tipping Foster’s all over the huge crowd gathered in front. “I can’t believe that I’ve won here again. I want to move here! I love the people I love the food and I love the waves! I’m just so stoked and Kelly is going to have to wait to pop the champagne cork for a little longer.”
   Irons paid tribute to the thousands of fans who lined the beach and cheered him every step of the way and was pleased with the tactic he used to defeat Hobgood who he knew would be looking for the tube.
   “The French are such diehard fans,” he said. “They were on the beach when it was raining. It was such a unique vibe and it really pumps you up to get a really good score. I saw it was a little crumbly out there and I knew that Damien would be looking for the barrel and luckily he only got that one. On my waves I just did as many turns as I could and it paid off. Bring on Brazil!”
   Hobgood, who was the form surfer going into the final was obviously disappointed with his finals performance and was unavailable for comment.
   It was a tremendous day of surfing all round as conditions early morning were nothing short of perfect at La Nord, located 500 hundred metres south of the finals stage at La Graviere, with organisers opting to move to La Graviere after round four.
   In his earlier round four heat, Irons defeated Mark Occhilupo (AUS) in what was a truly memorable showdown. With both scoring deep tube after deep tube, Irons claimed that he will remember that heat as his favourite of all time.
   Occhilupo even invited Irons to catch a wave with him after the heat and they “high-fived” as they rode to the shore.
   Although hanging on by his fingertips, Irons is still in the running for his fourth ASP Men’s World Tour Crown and another situation like today in the next event will see Irons breathing down Slater’s neck come the grand finale at Pipeline, Hawaii.
   Heading through the WCT Pro France finishing gates in equal third place was tour stalwart Victor Ribas (BRA) and Australian Taj Burrow.
   For Ribas, it was his best result for the year and a much needed placing that will move him up the ratings and help him maintain his place on the ASP Men’s World Tour. The flyweight Brazilian was very proud of his result and will gain extra confidence for the next event in front of his fellow countrymen.
   “The conditions were very tough out there,” said the quietly spoken Ribas. “It was very different at high tide with the wind and it was very bumpy. Unfortunately I couldn’t find the good waves today but I’m very happy to be up there with all the good surfers like Damien and Andy. I’m stoked with my third placing because it will help me a lot. Surfing is my life and not to be on the WCT would be devastating for me. Everybody is going to be stoked in Brazil for sure and I can’t wait to get there to surf in front of all the support.”
   Taj Burrow, who scored his second event third placing in succession, was disappointed as expected, but like Ribas is eager to get to Brazil as he won there last year. In losing to Irons he struggled to find quality waves and was washed around by the current and the backwash. He also admitted that his tactics may have been wrong.
   “It was so big and thick and back washy out there,” said Burrow. “It was so hard to control your board. I didn’t even see Andy out there at all and then I heard from the announcers that he had a big score. I was just trying to jag a few lefts like I did in my last heat but it was just so hard to stay on my board. I’m still happy with the result but obviously I would have loved to be in the final. I’ve got some momentum going into Brazil and hopefully I can win there again like last year.”
   As stated the day was truly memorable with some of the deepest tubes ridden since Fiji and Tahiti earlier this year.
   The ratings have now changed somewhat after the mixed results this week with Phil Macdonald (AUS) now jumping into third on 5870 points behind Slater, 7896 and Irons 7128, with Mick Fanning (AUS) 5838 and Trent Munro (AUS) 5618, now in fourth and fifth.
   Twins CJ, 4873 points, and Damien Hobgood 4851, now sit in seventh and eight, while Nathan Hedge (AUS) 4770, and Cory Lopez (USA) 4770, are sitting in equal ninth to make up the top 10.
   Results round four:
Heat 1: Victor Ribas (BRA) 13.93 def Dane Reynolds (USA) 13.50
Heat 2: Phil MacDonald (AUS) 14.66 def Luke Egan (AUS) 13.34
Heat 3: Damien Hobgood (USA) 16.83 def Luke Stedman (AUS) 10.24
Heat 4: Kelly Slater (USA) 14.00 def Paulo Moura (BRA) 7.27
Heat 5: Andy Irons (HAW) 18.73 def Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 16.77
Heat 6: Bruce Irons (HAW) 16.73 def Cory Lopez (USA) 6.07
Heat 7: Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.33 def Peterson Rosa (BRA) 13.00
Heat 8: Nathan Hedge (AUS) 12.67 def Jake Paterson (AUS) 12.33
   Results quarter finals:
Quarter final 1: Ribas 10.50 def Macdonald 10.10
Quarter final 2: Hobgood 18.00 def Slater 13.50
Quarter final 3: Andy Irons 15.83 def Bruce Irons 11.00
Quarter final 4: Burrow 15.17 def Hedge 8.50
   Results semi finals:
Semi final 1: Hobgood 10.57 def Ribas 8.70
Semi final 2: Irons 15.67 def Burrow 11.00
   Final
Irons 17.00 def Hobgood 12.83.
   ASP

Miércoles 28 de Septiembre 2005

Women WCT Pro Malibu
Event #7 on the Women's Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Championship Tour 
Surfrider Beach-Malibu-California, 1-9 October

   After a lengthy hiatus from World Championship Tour (WCT) competition, the world's best women surfers are readying themselves for competition and stop number seven on the Women's Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) world tour: the WCT Malibu Pro, held Oct. 1-9, 2005.
   Mounting anticipation from both surfing and celebrity circles surround the second annual WCT Malibu Pro which, due to it's strategic locale, will feature both world-class women surfers and Hollywood's wave-riding elite as they contest one of the world's most historic point breaks at Malibu, California's infamous Surfrider Beach.
   The Malibu Pro is mainland America's only female stand-alone WCT event and in its second year, with a solid swell on the horizon, is set to provide the perfect viewing platform for all of the ensuing action.
   As the seventh of nine stops on the 2005 tour, the girls' performance at the Malibu Pro plays a pivotal role in both re-qualification for the WCT and this year's world title race. Reigning world champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER), current world number two Chelsea Georgeson (AUS), six-time world champion Layne Beachley (AUS) and 2004 world title runner-up Rochelle Ballard (HAW) are the only women still in contention for the crown. Each will be eager to increase her odds by winning in Malibu.
   Intertwined with the Malibu Pro is highly anticipated Celebrity Surf Bout. The landmark event was originally scheduled to run at Malibu on October 1, but officials eager to showcase Hollywood's hottest surfers in the best waves possible, have moved the date to the following Saturday - October 8 from 1pm-3pm. America's highest profile actors and musicians will battle it out in a tag team surf event that will crown Hollywood's hottest celebrity surfers. The beach is open to the public and contest officials are expecting thousands of spectators to converge on Surfrider Beach to watch their favorite celebrities go head-to-head.
   Prior to the main event and Celebrity Surf Bout, event organizers will run the Footwear Trials at neighboring beach Leo Carrillo on September 30. The winner of the trials competition will win wildcard entry into the WCT Malibu Pro.
   Among the trialists vying for main event entry will be Hawaiian teenager and shark attack survivor Bethany Hamilton. The 15-year-old, who lost her arm in a horrific shark attack two years ago, will compete in the Footwear Trials and captain one of the Celebrity Surf Bout teams. She will also attend the official Press Conference at the Malibu Inn this Friday, joining fellow teenage phenomenon Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), reigning and current world number one Sofia Mulanovich, reigning Malibu Pro champion Megan Abubo (HAW), Brazilian Jacqueline Silva and local Californian Julia Christian.
   Despite the ability to run and finish the entire contest in two days, the Malibu Pro boasts a nine-day waiting period that will allow contest officials to watch conditions and hold the competition in the best possible waves on offer during the days allotted. With a very promising southern hemisphere swell forecasted to hit the Californian coastline late next week, Rip Curl and the ASP are confident that America's most historic wave will turn on at the right time. Check out the schedule below and stay tuned for updates!.

   Melissa Buckley. ASP

Martes 27 de Septiembre 2005

Luke Egan announces retirement from competition

   After 21 years of competing on the tour, Egan has announced that he will hang up his singlet at the end of this year and will take a marketing position within the surf industry.
   Egan has finished consistently at the top end of the ratings throughout his career, with the highlight being his number two placing in 2000. Commentators have even stated that he is perhaps the greatest surfer never to have won a world title.
   “I’m retiring from competition after the last event this year at Pipeline. I’m going to work with my sponsor in the marketing department,” said Egan. “When the job opportunity came up, I just thought it was the right time to do something else. I’ll be based in Australia but will get to go to Teahupoo and a few other stops on the tour. At the beginning of this year I’d made up my mind that I would start looking around and well… it all just fell into place. I’m still fit and am still really enjoying my surfing but it’s time to go and freesurf with my friends.”
   With Egan’s announcement comes the news that numerous others will step down from the ASP Men’s World Tour at the end of this year. Retirees will include Mark Occhilupo (AUS), Sunny Garcia (HAW), Shane Beschen (USA), Renan Rocha (BRA) and maybe Peterson Rosa (BRA), who posted the highest score of the round in Hossegor today’s event.
   ASP

Domingo 25 de Septiembre 2005

WCT Pro France
WCT Pro France underway in clean conditions
La Graviere-Hossegor-France, 23 September-2 October

   With a strong offshore wind blowing against smooth one meter (three foot) waves at La Graviere, Hossegor, organisers of the WCT Pro France have opted to complete the remaining heats of round one and will potentially go into round two.
   Due to poor wave and wind conditions yesterday, the event, the ninth on the ASP Men’s World Tour, was put on hold, but today it will take advantage of the swell offerings and will continue.

   The event will kick off at 8.30am local time.
   The remaining round one heats will include:

Heat 13: Fred Patacchia Jnr (HAW) versus Bede Durbudge (AUS) versus Luke Stedman (AUS)

Heat 14: Tom Whitaker (AUS) versus Chris Ward (USA) versus Raoni Monteiro (BRA)

Heat 15: Jake Paterson (AUS) versus Kalani Robb (HAW) versus Tim Reyes (USA)

Heat 16: Daniel Wills (AUS) versus Victor Ribas (BRA) versus Greg Emslie (ZAF).

   WCT Pro France Round Two to head out in incredible conditions

   Organisers of the WCT Pro France presented have put the event on hold but will send surfers out for round two at midday local time.
   The swell has built throughout the day and competitors in the ninth event of the ASP Men’s World Tour will be looking at contesting in incredible two metre (six to eight foot) waves at La Graviere, Hossegor, fanned by a light offshore breeze.
   Surfing fans can expect some deep tube riding when competition resumes as the beach break is mimicking Hawaii’s infamous Pipeline and it is expected that the excellent run of swell will continue for the next few days.
   The round two matchups could invariably have influence on the world title race as contenders Mick Fanning (AUS) and Trent Munro (AUS) will be hoping for wins so as to keep their title hopes alive.

   Fanning will compete against wildcard Jeremy Flores (REU) in heat one of round two and Munro will take on former ASP Men’s World Tour competitor, now wildcard Maz Quinn (NZ) in heat two.

   ASP

Miércoles 21 de Septiembre 2005

News FFS

   Resultats du l´etape ETB Bodyboard Show
   Cette étape du circuit européen de bodyboard a marqué la domination espagnole chez les opens et les ladies. Une fois de plus, Marina Taylor s’impose sur une épreuve ETB. Et une nouvelle fois, Héloïse Bourroux termine à la troisième place, ce qui devrait lui permettre de garder la tête du classement ETB 2005. Chez les hommes quelques minutes après Marina Taylor, David Perez et Christian Perez prenaient en main la finale franco espagnole pour finir tous les deux aux premières places, David en tête. Cédric Dufaure et Mathieu Desaphie quant à eux n'ont rien pu faire mais terminent tout de même aux 3ème et 4ème positions. En revanche, cette étape française n’a pas porté bonheur à Pierre Louis Costes et Amaury Laverhne éliminés rapidement.

   Les Français au top en Bodyboard
   Les compétitions ETB et IBA de l’été ont joué en faveur des bodyboarders français. Héloïse Bourroux en tête, porte le bodyboard frenchie à la plus haute place européenne. Après ses podiums consécutifs au Portugal, en Espagne et à Bb Show elle pointe donc à la première place du classement ETB 2005 et à la seconde du classement international. De bonnes nouvelles également chez les hommes avec la 8ème place mondiale pour le jeune Pierre Louis Costes et la potentielle troisième place au classement ETB de Cédric Dufaurre, après son bon résultat de Royan.

   La caravane du WCT s’arrete dans les Landes

   Unique manche européenne du Championnat du Monde de Surf Masculin WCT 2005, du 23 Septembre au 2 Octobre dans le Sud-Ouest de la France. Les 45 meilleurs surfeurs du monde sont attendus sur les meilleurs spots des Landes et du Pays Basque pour disputer la 9ème des 11 épreuves du tour professionnel d’élite 2005, dotée de 270000$. Plus que jamais, l’attention se portera sur les deux grandes stars du circuit : Andy Irons (Hawaii), triple Champion du Monde, vainqueur des deux dernières éditions du WCT Pro France et Kelly Slater (USA), en quête d’un 7ème sacre mondial. Ce dernier est l’actuel leader du classement WCT avant les épreuves au Japon, en Californie et en France.

   Bientot les Championnats d’Europe au Portugal
   Lors des derniers Championnats d’Europe de 2004 l’équipe de France a effectué un parcours exemplaire, en restant soudée, attentive, rigoureuse et ambitieuse. Elle signe donc ainsi le meilleur résultat jamais obtenu dans un Championnat d’Europe espoir. La France a ainsi terminé par équipe en première position, en remportant six des huit finales auxquelles elle participait, devant le Portugal et la Grande Bretagne. Cette année avec un effectif de grande qualité, elle part au Portugal avec une motivation et une rage de vaincre à toute épreuve, dans le but de revenir de nouveau avec le titre tant convoité.

   Derniere etape de la Coupe de France de Bodysurf a Hossegor

   Le Samedi 24 Septembre 2005 à la plage de la Nord à Hossegor, organise la Bodysurf Challenge, ultime étape de la Coupe de France de bodysurf. L’ étape d’Hossegor sera décisive et donnera la possibilité au vainqueur de l’épreuve de gagner le billet AR pour Hawaii aux fins de participer à la Pipeline Bodysurf Classic? Qui représentera la France à cette compétition mythique du North Shore?

   Classement Federal et Coupe de France de Surf Tandem 2005
   Après les diverses étapes de la Coupe de France, le Biarritz Surf Festival et les Championnats de France d’Anglet, le classement officiel fédéral de surf tandem est édité. On y retrouve dans les premières places les couples habituels et favoris, tels que Rico et Sarah, Alban et Marie ou Arnaud et Sonia.
   FFS

Lunes 19 de Septiembre 2005

WCT Pro France
Event #9 on the  Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Men's World Tour
Reynolds and Picon receive WCT Pro France Wildcards
ASP World Title Battle Set To Continue In Europe
Hossegor-France, 23 September-2 October

   Dane Reynolds (USA) and Miky Picon (France) will receive wildcards into the WCT Pro France, the ninth event on the ASP Men’s World Tour, where they will take on the world’s top 45 surfers.
   As a wildcard, Reynolds has been creating havoc with the world’s best surfers as he takes his freesurfing approach to competition, pulling out his trademark, high risk aerial manoeuvres which gain big points under the new ASP judging criteria which rewards creative surfing.
   And Picon, who is currently ranked number eight on the second-tier ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS), the highest-rated European with a good chance of qualifying for next year’s WCT, has the advantage of local knowledge at the famous Hossegor beachbreaks.
   Another wildcard will be awarded to the winner of the Trials, which are due to be held in Hossegor, France, on Wednesday 21 September, surf-permitting.
   The Trials competitors will include Jeremy Flores (France), Marlon Lipke (Germany), Alain Riou (Tahiti) and Brazil’s Wiggolly Dantas, who recently won the King of the Groms, an international competition for under-16 surfers.
   Event organizers have also selected the two main podium sites for the $US270,000 WCT Pro France, which has a competition window from Friday 23 September to Sunday 2 October, 2005, and is a critical event for the world title race.
   The podiums are set up at La Graviere and La Nord, two classic breaks in the South-West French town of Hossegor, with a backup site at Lafitenia, St Jean de Luz, if the swell gets huge. Last year La Nord delivered perfect three to four metre (eight to 12 foot) surf for the final day of the WCT Pro.

With four wins this year, six-time world champion Kelly Slater is currently leading the ratings by more than 1,000 points ahead of three-time and current world champion Andy Irons (7,574 points – 6,528). Both have won in France but Irons is the defending event champion, having won the past two WCT Pro France titles, and making the finals three years in a row.
   “I’m looking forward to France,” Irons said. “France has been really good to me the past three years, I’ve been in the final every year, so I’m really looking forward to going back there and hopefully get a good result.”
   After his win at the WCT California Pro this week, Slater is also keen to get to France: “It's always been a good event for me at Hossegor and I really love the waves there,” said Slater. “It's an event where we always tend to get great barreling waves. It's always interesting competing there as guys who you think you've got the wood on sometimes come back at you with huge scores. A couple of years ago, Shea Lopez opened the heat against me with a 9.8. He was surfing on his backside and that day they weren't doing so well, so you always have to be aware of what the other guy is doing.
   “I hear the sandbars at the locations are pumping right now too so I really can't wait to get there. We've had a lot of storms off the east coast of the US this year and they normally head up north and cross the Atlantic. Ophelia is looking like doing that now so that should serve up some good swell for the opening rounds. With nearly every event on the tour scoring epic waves this year it's like every event has to try to live up to the last one.".

   ASP

Lunes 19 de Septiembre 2005

Men's World Tour Title Race Scenario

   Dear Friends,
   Here is the entire story of the Men's World Tour title race with Slater's victory yesterday:
   If Kelly gets a 1st in France then he can wrap up the title there.

   Even if Andy was to get 2nd in France and 1st in Brazil and Pipe he would be 36 points short.

   So Kelly can win in France.
   Other possibilities are Kelly must beat Andy by at least one place in France in either 2nd and Andy with a 3rd or less or Kelly with a 3rd and Andy with a 5th or less.

   So all up three possibilities but basically Kelly need to beat Andy by one place and if he does must get a 1st,2nd or 3rd as any lower places will not help Kelly.
   Mick Fanning's situation:

   Mick needs three wins as long as Kelly gets 9th or worse at two of the events but if Kelly beats Mick in 1,2,3 or 5th by one place in France then Mick is out of the running.
   Of course Phil Mac and Trent Munro could win all three and Kelly get nothing better than a 17th in all three events and they would overtake him.

   So there are still four guys mathematically that can beat Kelly.

   Two basically no chance, one a maybe and the other a possibility.
   Regards,
   Renato Hickel , WCT Tour Manager

Lunes 19 de Septiembre 2005

WCT Pro California
Slater holds off Macdonald to win
Trestles-California, September 13-18

   Putting on a clinical display of surfing in the excellent one metre (three foot) plus conditions on offer, Kelly Slater (USA) held off a strong challenge from Aussie Phil MacDonald to claim victory in the WCT Pro Of Surf.
   The win at Trestles, located just south of San Clemente in Southern California, was his fourth on this year’s ASP Men’s World Tour and will serve to increase his lead on the tour rankings.
   Going into the final Macdonald was adamant he wouldn’t let Slater get away with an easy win and dominated for much of the 35-minute duel. Opening with some powerful frontside turns he notched up a 6.83 out of 10 then followed through with an 8.17 soon after. Slater meanwhile had a low scorer and sat patiently waiting for a wave that would deliver him the 8.67 he required to reel in MacDonald.
   While MacDonald was sitting with priority, Slater managed to snavel a smaller inside wave with less than five minutes to go and in typical Slater form he went berserk executing a large floater manoeuvre, an aerial and then completed the ride with a lay-back snap. For the wave he scored a 9.07 and victory.
   “I was thinking before that wave about how fresh I was feeling and at that point I knew it was going to come down to one ride,” said Slater. “I knew how long it would take to paddle back out and there was just enough time left for me to circle and get another one if need be, but luckily I didn’t need it.
   “It’s pretty amazing,” Slater continued. ”The last three finals I’ve been in have been decided in the last five minutes – I got Andy in the last 30 seconds in South Africa, he got me in the last five minutes in Japan and now this today. It makes it exciting for everyone watching.”
   At 33 years of age, Slater is in the box seat for an incredible seventh world crown and at this stage of his career he is arguably finding his best form ever and is confident he can go on with the job of claiming the crown.
   “It’s all about where your mind’s at,” said Slater. “It’s a spiritual thing. It’s all about how you approach things. When things are stagnant in my life, the worse I surf and the more I enjoy things, the better I surf and I feel more in tune with everything. It’s even fun when you lose! As far as the ratings go, it’s a great position to be in. I was hoping to at least maintain my current lead over Andy but this was a huge bonus today and it feels great to have four wins this year.”
   MacDonald, who was unlucky not to get a wave in the dying stages of the heat, will take pride in securing his second runner-up tag this season. His current rating of fifth is his best standing ever and a win for him surely must be around the corner.
   “With three minutes to go I was just praying that the ocean would go flat,” MacDonald said. “And then a wave came through that didn’t look even remotely like an 8.5 so I didn’t even budge. Kelly went it and him being him… well he turned it into the score he needed. It’s a good result and at least I’m making finals. It was good for the crowd and I know I’ll get one eventually.
   “To be in the top five you have to be able to beat anyone,” said MacDonald. “It’s not rocket science. You have to beat the best to be the best. Kelly’s surfing amazing this year and I’m just stoked I stuck it to him and nearly pulled it off. France is in another week so hopefully I can go one better there.”
   In the earlier semi finals Slater brought down Taj Burrow (AUS) while MacDonald disposed of Mick Fanning (AUS). Both were obviously disappointed, as throughout the event they had showed some amazing form.
   Burrow was eager to bring down Slater but was shown the exit door when he failed to find a wave that would deliver him the score he required. Despite his loss he was happy to take the equal third place. He also joked about there not being a Slater/Irons return match-up in the final.
   “I’ve definitely seen enough of Kelly and Andy in finals,” laughed Burrow. “I’m pretty bummed at the moment though. I’m just disappointed that I didn’t get the chance to get the score I needed to beat him. I sat there with priority for so long and that’s something I don’t normally do as I’m pretty impatient. The wave just didn’t come. Full credit to Kelly though. His run has been really amazing but I wish I was the one to bring him down.”
   Fanning, who is sitting in third on the rankings, was hoping to make the final and also end Slater’s run. Beating Slater in the final today would have been a huge boost for his confidence and would have placed him with an inside running for the Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour crown.
   He was most disappointed since his loss to MacDonald came down to needing one wave and the luck just didn’t go his way.
   “It’s all a little bit disappointing at the moment,” said Fanning. “It all came down to one wave. There’s not much you can do when the luck doesn’t go your way. There was a lull in the semi and it’s been off and on like that all day. I just needed to make that heat and I would’ve liked to have beaten Kelly in the final.”
   MacDonald was also responsible for defeating Andy Irons (HAW) in the quarter-finals but luckily for Irons the top five slots on the ratings will not change and he is still well in contention going into the next stop on the ASP Men’s World Tour, the WCT Pro France.
   Although, if Slater were to win the next event he will sew up his title run and even if he scores bottom points in the last two events in Brazil and Hawaii his lead will be unassailable.

   Results:
   Round four:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 17.57 def Jake Paterson (AUS) 14.27

Heat 2: Trent Munro (AUS) 16.00 def Taylor Knox (USA) 15.50

Heat 3: Kalani Robb (HAW) 11.17 def Tim Reyes (USA) 11.00

Heat 4: Kelly Slater (USA) receives walk through due to Troy Brooks (AUS) injury

Heat 5: Andy Irons (HAW) 16.84 def Richard Lovett (AUS) 10.33

Heat 6: Phil Macdonald (AUS) 14.17 def Greg Emslie (ZAF) 12.87

Heat 7: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.00 def Paulo Moura (BRA) 7.66

Heat 8: CJ Hobgood (USA) 17.00 def Victor Ribas (BRA) 15.07

   Quarter-finals:
Quarter final 1: Burrow 15.83 def Munro 14.93

Quarter final 2: Slater 17.10 def Robb 11.67

Quarter final 3: Macdonald 15.44 def Irons 15.34

Quarter final 4: Fanning 16.03 def Hobgood 15.17

   Semi finals:
Semi final 1: Slater 17.40 def Burrow 12.84

Semi final 2: Macdonald 16.07 def Fanning 15.17
   Final

Slater 15.40 def Macdonald 15.00

   ASP

Miércoles 7 de Septiembre 2005

News FFS

   Picon et Sarran bientôt en WCT?
   La Française Caroline Sarran garde de sérieux espoirs de qualification pour le WCT féminin en 2006. Elle a signé le week-end dernier à Huntington Beach une très belle 5e place qui la maintient à la 9e place du classement WQS. Elle doit maintenant attendre les 3 derniers WCT de la saison pour connaitre son destin. Après Marie-Pierre Abgrall en 2002, Caroline prouve que le surf féminin Français est digne de rivaliser avec l'élite mondiale. Affaire à suivre très attentivement. Rendez-vous le 19 décembre pour le dénouement.
   En ce qui concerne Micky Picon, il est actuellement 10 ème du classement WQS et a déjà un pied dans le circuit WCT 2006. Il aura peut être le second si ses résulatats s'avèrent être satisfaisants après l'ultime épreuve d'Hawaï.

   Un Guadeloupéen vainqueur du Pro Junior d'Hossegor
   Une très bonne saison 2005 se dessine pour Arthur Bourbon. Après sa seconde place aux Championnats de France, c'est la victoire qui lui sourit lors du pro junior d'Hossegor.
   En effet, lors de la première demi-finale la surprise vient donc d'Arthur, qui aux côtés d'un Jérémy Florès en pleine forme, arrache la seconde place pour accéder à la finale. 
   Ce n'est que dans les 10 dernières minutes de cette finale que la course poursu ite s'est accélérée, le guadeloupéen réussissant à revenir au score grâce à de bons enchainements. Puis 5 minutes avant la fin de la série, encore bien placé au large, Bourbon a trouvé la vague qui allait lui offrir la victoire. C'est donc la première grosse victoire de ce jeune du pôle France qui avait souvent été abonné aux places d'honneur.

   Le tour européen de Bodyboard bientôt à Royan
   Après avoir connu un brillant succès lors du déroulement des championnats de France de surf organisés en Octob re 2004, le Surf Club Royan~Pays Royannais a été choisi par la Fédération Européenne de Bodyboard pour accueillir la dernière étape du circuit professionnel européen. Cette étape se déroulera du 16 au 19 septembre 2005 et réunira les meilleurs bodyboarders européens dans deux catégories: open et ladies. La mobilité du site de compétition permet de choisir les meilleures vagues afin que la compétition se déroule au mieux. Un site principal situé au Phare de la Coubre regroupera les différents sponsors et un écran géant avec un accès direct pour les spectateurs.

   La commission Handisurf au colloque national "Sport et Handicap"
   Nous avons le plaisir de vous informer de la participation de la Commission Handisurf FFS au colloque "sports et handicaps" : LE DEFI DE L'INTEGRATION. Cet événement de déroulera au CREPS de Bourges les mardi  4 et mercredi 5 octobre 2005. La présence sur site de la Commission Handisurf FFS sera assurée par Cédric Borderon (responsable de la communication) et Beniat Perisse (coordination de l’a ctivité).
   FFS

Martes 6 de Septiembre 2005

WCT Pro California
Wildcard trialists named for WCT Pro of Surf
California, September 13-18

   Event #8 on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Men's World Tour .
   Today announced the names of the trialists invited to compete for coveted wildcard entry into the California Pro, the only WCT event held on mainland USA. The stacked roster features 12 surfers; among them a multiple world champion, several former Men’s World Championship Tour (WCT) surfers and the industry’s top emerging talent, each eager to vie for the three wildcard spots into the California Pro held at Lower Trestles.
   For the first time in the event’s four-year history, the first hour of competition has been set aside to run three, 20-minute heats that will determine the event wildcards. Set to commence at 8:00 a.m. on September 13, the winner of each four-man heat will advance into the main event.
   The heat draw is as follows:
-Heat 1: Rob Machado (USA), Makua Rothman (HAW), Tom Curren (USA), Ian Walsh (HAW)
-Heat 2: Jamie O’Brien (HAW), Shane Dorian (HAW), Bobby Martinez (USA), Nathan Webster (AUS)
-Heat 3: Dane Reynolds (USA), Beau Emerton (AUS), Clay Marzo (HAW), Pat O’Connell (USA)

   This is also the first time that a World Championship Tour (WCT) event has offered a trials spot to an NSSA Open Men’s Winner, which Clay Marzo became in a dominating performance at Lower Trestles this past June.
   “These twelve competitors comprise one of the most talented, hungry and decorated collection of competitors ever to take on a sudden death trials event for a WCT wildcard spot,” said Mark Fewell.
   “From world champ Tom Curren, former world title runner up Rob Machado, all-around legend Shane Dorian, proven local performer Pat O, and the hot young crop of Jamie, Dane and Clay, every one of these guys will be on fire to take a spot.  Literally any one of these competitors could win. Match the talent with the sudden death format and the incredibly high performance waves of Trestles and you are going to see surfing that will blow minds.”

   ASP

Lunes 5 de Septiembre 2005

ASP WQS 6* Ericeira Pro
Local Tiago Pires Wins WQS Pro
Ribeira d’Ilhas-Ericeira-Portugal, August 29th to September 4th

   Local surfer Tiago Pires pulled off the win of his life this afternoon by winning the 2005 Ericira Pro, a men's ASP 6 star World Qualifying Series (WQS) event. In an emotion charged final, Pires held on to take the US$15,000 winner's cheque. Competition relocated north along the reef break of Ribeira D'Ilhas to “A Pontinha” where quarter-finals and semis were run before returning to the main site for the final of this US$125,000 contest. The huge crowd did not mind having to move back from the cliffs to watch their hero claim victory.

   Good quality 2-3ft waves with occasional bigger sets were on offer for the final session of the day at both sites. Relocating to avoid the high tide problems allowed a complete non-stop day of competitive surfing.
   Tiago Pires stood up to the pressure and bought home the bacon in front of a huge crowd at the spot he grew up surfing. Getting off to a very slow start, Pires held his composure to answer the challenge thrown down by his opponent, Brazilian Pedro Henrique. The lead constantly changed until with only minutes left Pires caught “the bomb”, tore it to shreds to receive an 8.90 and an unassailable lead to the wild cheers of his fans.

   “I don't have enough words to describe my feelings at the moment,” began Pires. “I think I haven't touched the ground yet. I'm really really happy. I couldn't imagine a better feeling. I was nervous in the final and everyone was here to support me,” he continued. “I was feeling a bit tired already. I just started to think to myself that I already had second place so why be nervous. I just pulled myself together and did my best. I was pushing my surfing a lot to be powerful and throw a lot of water and in the end it paid off. Pedro is a very fast surfer. He's small and light and technical. It was hard because I knew he could have made the score. He is dangerous in these types of waves, so my eye was on him the whole time.”

   Young Brazilian Pedro Henrique showed no signs of remorse with his second place finish. One of the fastest surfers seen here this week the little goofy-footer has shown signs of world class surfing. A true gentleman, Henrique was happy to have made a good show in the 30-minute final. “It was Tiago's day,” said an ever smiling Henrique. “He found the last wave and it was amazing. I saw the wave and thought 'Oh, no!' (laughs). But I'm stoked. It is my best result this year – yet. I hope I have more big results. I'm so happy and just stoked to be here. I'm trying hard to be better. I have many things to improve, like in big waves and to do big turns with big boards. I am training a lot and I hope I get a lot better (laughs even harder).”
   Equal third went to Bobby Martinez (USA) and Sean Moody (HAW). The Hawaiian held a great second semi-final against Henrique. Taking the lead back off his opponent but not having priority, he could do little but watch as Henrique destroyed a long right which bowled up to perfection with only 30-seconds on the clock to score a 9.50, the single highest score of the final day. Despite the shock loss, Moody was philosophical and generally pleased with his third place. “I can't complain, because it's been a long day so it's nice to be done”, said Moody. “I would have liked to have made the final but it doesn't always go your way. We actually got better waves than I expected, I mean it was pretty good out there. They were some of the better waves I've surfed all trip.” ”He is surfing really well,” said Moody about Henrique. “I thought I had him at the end. I got that 7.33 and he needed about a 6.0 and then that perfect line came through and he got that 9.5, so more power to him. He's doing well."

   Martinez put up a great fight against Pires but was never a real threat in their semi-final match up. The Californian was in great form going into the clash and answered the challenge laying down strong turns on his backhand. Never throwing in the towel, Martinez was pleased with both his performance and his overall result. “I'm really excited still,” stated Martinez. “I would have liked to have made it but I'm really happy (laughs). I was just coming here to make a couple of heats and it turned out really good. I hope so,” said Martinez about his WQS rating. “That's what I was trying to do. I'd be really happy to consolidate my ratings.”

   Young Frenchman Tim Boal surfed brilliantly the entire week to eventually be eliminated by Martinez. Despite losing, Boal has gained a lot of experience in this WQS event. Finishing equal fifth, Boal leads a long list of Europeans that done well at the event, including Miky Picon (FRA) and Eneko Acero (EUK), who both finished in ninth place. “It's a good result for me,” began Boal. “It will better my ratings a lot, I think, so it's good. I hope I can keep the rhythm going in the next couple of contests. It's good to surf man-on-man heats and I was pretty happy about the first one, but I made a couple of mistakes in the second one. I'm happy. I've learnt a couple of things and maybe I can use them next time.”

   Fábio Gouveia (BRA) finished fifth, losing to Henrique. With no previous results in Europe this year and a recent illness, Gouveia was very pleased with his performance. “There weren't that many waves so I was trying to get any that came,” explained a smiling Gouveia. “My legs are sore,” he went on to say. “It's such a long wave and my fitness isn't good. I was sick before coming down here. It's my first result in Europe this year, as in the rest I lost in the first heat, so I'm stoked to do at least one good.”
   Beatriz Lopes Chaves

Lunes 5 de Septiembre 2005

WCT Pro Japan
Irons beats archrival Slater in epic WCT Pro Japan finale
Malibu Beach-Chiba, 31 August–7 September

   Andy Irons (HAW) claimed revenge today for his last minute loss to Kelly Slater (USA) in South Africa in July, when he beat Slater in epic 2-2.5 metre (six-to-eight foot) waves in the WCT Pro Japan to claim his first victory of the season.
   In what many believe to be one of the best finals ever seen on the ASP Men’s World Tour, three-time tour champion Irons really saved his best till last, peaking just at the right time to leave six time tour champion, Slater needing two excellent rides to overtake him.
   Irons posted a 9.5 early and then remained quiet as Slater came back to post two quality rides, an 8.83 and a 9.23. Then with less than six minutes remaining, Irons launched into an incredible wave that allowed him to get deep inside a tube followed by a very critical frontside floater as the wave shut down in front of him.
   The huge rain-soaked crowd erupted as Irons pumped both fists in the air and from there Slater had no comeback, even returning to the beach early. Irons was predictably ecstatic and was thankful his tactics paid off.
   “I was so stoked to get to the finals again,” he said. “Peaking in the final was just the way it happened. I changed boards at the right time – the tide started to come in and the waves started to get better and better.
   “I’m just stoked to win one finally. There was a lot of pressure out there as Kelly got those two good rides. I was a bit stressed, but I knew I had that one good score locked away and all I needed to do was back it up. I had to be patient and knew I needed to do something good and I was just waiting for the opportunity. Luckily it all fell into place.”
   Despite today’s loss in the final, Slater was smiling knowing that he still has a firm grip on the title race.
   This result however slightly tightens the gap between Irons and Slater on the ASP Men’s World Tour ratings with Slater out in front on 6374 points and Irons on 5796. But with Mick Fanning (AUS) and Trent Munro (AUS) being eliminated in the quarter-finals and round four respectively, the race for the world crown is slowly being narrowed to today’s finalists. Fanning now sits in third on 4962 points and Munro has been pushed back to fourth on 4886.
   “It may have been one wave in one heat but by him winning he gained 178 points on me and if I’d won I would have moved ahead about the same,” said an analytical Slater. “In the next event we’re going to come up against some pretty high standard wildcards like Rob Machado (USA) and Dane Reynolds (USA) so there’s not going to be any ‘walk throughs’ for either of us.
   “I’m happy to have three wins so far,” Slater continued. “Last year I didn’t have any but this year I’ve been able to drag that will-to-win out again. Now is the time to determine whether or not it will be a two-horse race for the title. If Andy gets ahead of the pack it will be, but if he falls between Fanning and Munro then they could step it up – and it will all be back for the taking. Trestles will tell all.”
   As predicted early, Australian Toby Martin did prove to be a thorn in the side of the tour frontrunners especially as he knocked out Fanning in the quarter-finals plus ousted Hawaiian free surfing maestro, Bruce Irons, and prior to that, 2001 ASP Men’s World Tour champ, CJ Hobgood (USA).
   Taking an equal third place after being eliminated by Kelly Slater in semi one, it was Martin’s best World Championship Tour (WCT) result and it was especially pleasing for him as he’d suffered some nasty setbacks early in the season due to injury.
   “I’m absolutely over the moon,” said Martin. “If I knew I was going to come over and get a third I would have been doing cartwheels on the plane all the way here. A few things went wrong in my wave selection in the semi and you can’t let Kelly get anything because he can turn a potential five point ride into an eight pretty quickly. He found the better waves today and I didn’t. But I’ll take a lot of confidence away from this event and I can’t wait to get to Trestles to give them hell.”
   Fellow Australian Tommy Whitaker was another to cause some headaches ousting Munro in round four and then former world number two Taj Burrow in the quarters.
   Whitaker, who has struggled to find consistency since taking a third place in the opening event of the tour, the WQS Pro in Queensland, Australia, was disappointed not to make the final but took solace in the fact that he’d lost to the eventual event winner.
   “I’m stoked to get to a semi-final here in Japan,” said Whitaker. “There’s no shame in being beaten by Andy and I’ll just keep plugging away and will hopefully get him next time.”
   Other highlights of what was a memorable day all round included Troy Brooks’ quarter-final finish after defeating tour veteran and two-time ASP Men’s World Tour champion, Sunny Garcia in round four.
   Taking it right to the sometimes-intimidating Garcia, Brooks’ put on a courageous display, scoring some deep tuberides, despite having damaged ribs.
   Also demanding attention was the round four match-up of Slater and Mark Occhilupo (AUS). Unfortunately, Occhilupo was forced out of what could be his last event in Japan due to poor wave selection. At the heat’s end he showed tremendous sportsmanship in racing straight up to Slater to congratulate him and wish him all the best.
   The ASP Men’s World Tour now moves to California, USA for the Boost Mobile Pro. That event is scheduled to run from September 13 to 18.
   Results round four:
Heat 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) 14.50 def Travis Logie (ZAF) 13.66

Heat 2: Toby Martin (AUS) 11.17 def Bruce Irons (HAW) 9.00

Heat 3: Phil MacDonald (AUS) 12.33 def Paulo Moura (BRA) 9.93

Heat 4: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.16 def Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 10.67

Heat 5: Andy Irons (HAW) 13.10 def Taylor Knox (USA) 10.00

Heat 6: Troy Brooks (AUS) 15.67 def Sunny Garcia (HAW) 12.50

Heat 7: Tom Whitaker (AUS) 15.34 def Trent Munro (AUS) 13.60

Heat 8: Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.34 def Dean Morrison (AUS) 10.90
   Results Quarter-finals:
Quarter final 1: Martin 14.90 def Fanning 11.50

Quarter final 2: Slater 13.83 def MacDonald 13.33

Quarter final 3: Irons 17.10 def Brooks 15.10

Quarter final 4: Whitaker 14.66 def Burrow 10.00
   Results Semi-finals:
Semi final 1: Slater 19.54 def Martin 13.27

Semi final 2: Irons 17.66 def Whitaker 8.84
   Final:
Irons 19.43 def Slater 18.06

   WCT Pro California, USA. 13-18 September

   WCT Pro France. 23 September–2 October
   ASP

Miércoles 24 de Agosto 2005

ASP WQS 6* Ericeira Pro
World’s Top Surfers head to WQS Pro
Ribeira d’Ilhas-Ericeira-Portugal, August 29th to September 4th

   The best surfers in the world will return to world famous Ribeira d’Ilhas point to compete at WQS Pro, a 6 star event, that will debut in August 29th. Being this year’s 24th tour stop, and offering a total of 125.000 dollars, several top surfers already confirmed their presence.
   After some years with no contest running, the WQS Pro once again marks the end of the European leg, ad it is the 5th consecutive high rated event in European waves, and one of the last opportunities for some surfers to be sure of guarantying a position in 2006 world tour (World Championship Tour - WCT).
   The choice of Ribeira d’Ilhas is not by random, this beautiful beach at Ericeira was stage for the first surf event in Portugal, and also the venue for the first ever world surf event in Portuguese waves, this event was run by visionary Pedro Martins Simões and at the time Boundi was already a sponsor. Since then all the major surfers and top performers have been to Ericeira to compete at this event, and has had several huge moments in surfing history, so Ribeira d’Ilhas is a natural choice.
   One of the major contenders for the win is sentimental crowd favourite Tiago Pires, local surfer who has developed his skills in Ericeira’s waves throughout the years, he became the best Portuguese surfer ever, with given credits in international events, and has the goal of getting in the WCT.
   Tiago belongs will have at his side, Basque surfer Hodei Collazo that won last year’s Pro Junior event, held also at Ribeira d’Ilhas, plus Ruben Gonzalez, the Portuguese National Champion, and 2005 European number 3. Ruben and Hodei are two of the wildcards, or so to say invited by organizers to compete in a more advanced round, which makes there life easier in getting points.
   A 3rd wildcard will be chosen from trials that will take place Sunday 28th in the afternoon.
   All attention is focused at Ribeira d’Ilhas where the WQS Pro will take place from August 29th to September 4th - a crucial event for those who aspire to be in 2006 WCT.
   This event makes part of a huge Surf Festival, which also includes the Pro Junior stating this Friday and giving points for the European Junior rankings, the Girls a big meeting for ladies who love wave riding, also a music festival – Sapo Surf Bits, that ends the summer festivals season, and finally Jack McCoy Surf Film Festival with the new Taj Burrow’s film “Fair Bits”.
   Beatriz Lopes Chaves

Martes 23 de Agosto 2005

WCT Pro Japan
Ratings battle resumes at WCT pro Japan
Hebara Beach, 31 August–7 September

   Event #7 of the Association of SurfinG Professionals (ASP) Men’s World Tour  

   Prizemoney: US$270,000

   Tuesday 23 August 2005. Sydney, Australia The surfing world is focused on the resumption of the battle of the big guns when the WCT Pro Japan starts next week.
   After three wins from six ASP World Championship Tour (WCT) events this year, six-time world champion Kelly Slater (Florida, USA) is leading the ratings with 5,342 points – 746 points ahead of current world champion Andy Irons (Hawaii, USA, 4,596 points) as he shoots for an unprecedented seventh world title.
   Australians are holding down the next three rankings with Trent Munro (Scotts Head, NSW, 4,286 points) in third, Mick Fanning (Tweed Heads, NSW, 4,230 points) fourth and Joel Parkinson (Coolangatta, Qld, 3,732 points) fifth. In his rookie year, Hawaiian Fred Patacchia is in sixth place with 3,628 points. Fanning has won two WCT events this year, and Munro has taken out the other one.
   Slater, who is in his best form since his return to the tour in 2002 after a three-year break following his string of titles, said he was excited about going to Japan to try to get another good result: “I am in a strong place right now and if I can better my nearest couple of guys I would then be in a really solid place for the remainder (of the tour),” he said.
   The US$270,000 WCT Pro Japan is the seventh of 11 events on this year’s ASP Men’s World Tour and a win carries 1,200 points and US$30,000 prizemoney. A surfer’s best eight results will count towards his final ranking.
   The tour is entering its most grueling leg of the year with three back-to-back events in different countries – the WCT Pro Japan, the Boost Mobile Pro (at Trestles, California, USA), and the WCT Pro France. ASP President Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew said these three events will have a huge bearing on the title race.
   “To my mind, Chiba in Japan offers no distinct advantage to anyone,” Bartholomew said. “If the swell is small to medium, the break at Hebara offers a shifting peak, with some sets favouring the left, and some swell directions favouring the right. It is a matter of linking the various sections so as to maximize scoring potential.”
   Bartholomew said in these conditions the tour surfers who shine on beachbreaks will be very dangerous: “This brings into play the entire Brazilian contingent and aerial specialists such as Cory Lopez plus CJ and Damien Hobgood. The top guys have to be on their game or they can get clobbered by guys who have mastered small beachbreaks, such as Tim Curran and even the Japanese wildcards,” he said.
   Top Japanese surfer Masatoshi “Mar” Ohno has already been awarded a wildcard, along with American sensation Dane Reynolds. Further top-level Japanese surfers will come into the main event from the WCT Japan Trials, which will be held at Hebara Beach on Tuesday 30 August.
   Kelly Slater, for one, said Mar Ohno shouldn’t be underestimated: “He has the wildcard again and can be dangerous if he loosens up and just surfs,” Slater said. “It’ll be interesting to see if he gets on a roll and gives a real run like he did against Andy Irons in Niijima two years ago.”
   Last year the WCT Pro Japan window was moved into the typhoon season in September and the event scored a classic 2-2.5 metre (six to eight foot) swell.
   Bartholomew said that if a typhoon swell again delivers its payload, the reefbreak of Malibu will see the big boys dominating affairs.
   “This is a world class wave offering a long bowling ride with barrel sections, so one would assume J-Bay form would hold true. I do think, of all events on the Men’s World Tour, the WCT Pro Japan is wide open, it really depends on what's served up in the waiting period and who is on the wave magnet program.”
   Three-time world champion Andy Irons has yet to post a win this year, even though he’s made two man-on-man finals.
   “Two finals is a pretty good start to the first half of the year. It would have been nice to get a first but I’ll take second all year if that’s what it takes,” Irons said.

   “With these next three contests, guys like Mick (Fanning) can do really well in Japan and Trestles and he’s already won two himself, so I can see him being a major threat. And Parko (Joel Parkinson) finally rid himself of his ninth place curse when he made the quarters [in event #6 at Jeffreys Bay] and once that guy gets on a roll he’s a major threat always. Between those two and with Kelly being on a freakshow roll right now, those three guys are going to be the ones to look at.”

   Boost Mobile Pro California, USA. 13-18 September

   WCT Pro France. 23 September–2 October
   ASP

Viernes 19 de Agosto 2005

Hossegor, France
Les bourdaines chosen as home base for first ever super series
Super Series WQS (August 22-28)
Pro Junior 2 star (August 19-21)
European GromSearch Final (August 21)

   After keeping a close eye on various sand banks along France's famed Hossegor Beach, event organisers for this year's WQS Pro Super Series have announced that Les Bourdaines will be home base for the World Qualifying Series (WQS) event.
   The site infrastructure (judges tower, onsite offices, webcast station, surfer area, etc) has been erected at Les Bourdaines, which officials believe will offer the best conditions with a swell forecasted to arrive for this weekend.
   The first scheduled event will be a 2 star Pro Junior for competitors under the age of 21. Competition will begin Friday morning at 8am (local Hossegor time, GMT +1) at Les Bourdaines.
   Running in support of the Pro Junior, will host the Regional Final of the European GromSearch Series. GromSearch is a global iniative, with Australia, Indonesia, Brazil and the USA all running regional series this year.
   The boy and girl winners of the European GromSearch Final will be flown to Bells Beach, Australia next year to represent Europe at the International GromSearch Final during the Pro WCT.

   The Super Series competition will kick off on Monday, August 22 and has a six day waiting period (August 22-28), allowing 144 of the world's best surfers to wage war at Les Bourdaines and contest for the first ever Super Series title.
   The $US150,000 event is a unique joint creation by pro surfing's governing board, the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP). It is a licenced World Qualifying Series (WQS) event, boasting a format that mixes WQS and WCT competition into the one tournament.
   Competitors include notables such as Brazilian competition hounds Peterson Rosa, Paulo Moura, Raoni Monteiro, Marcelo Nunes and Victor Ribas; Australians Troy Brooks, Darren O'Rafferty, Toby Martin, Luke Stedman, Ben Dunn, Adrian Buchan and Jarrad Howse; South Africans Travis Logie and Greg Emslie; European competitors Eric Rebiere, Russell Winter, Micky Picon and Eneko Acero; plus Hawaiians Jamie O'Brien, Kekoa Bacalso and Roy Powers.

August 19 to 21: Pro Junior 2 star (ages under 21)

August 20: Beach Party, Hossegor

August 21: European GromSearch Final (ages 16 & Under)

August 22 to 28: Pro Super Series WQS

August 24: pro team instore signing, Hossegor

August 26: Sunset Party (Live music by Tom Curren, Gwayav', Three and a Quarter; free screening of surfing film Inner Visions.

August 28: Super Series Closing Party

August 19 to 28: Exposition Vague and Coastal - Surfrider Foundation
   ASP

Miércoles 17 de Agosto 2005

News FFS

   3 Juniors français en tête du classement ASP europeen
   Et oui s’en est la preuve, il y a réellement de grands espoirs dans le surf français.
   Les petits jeunes franchies se surpassent et fracassent les compétitions Pro-Junior ASP.
   Au regard du classement junior ASP européen, la chose est flagrante…
les trois premières places sont occupées par Johan Duru (2408 pts), leader actuel, suivit de très prêt par Romain Lauhlé (2362 pts) et Romain Cloitre (2106 pts).
   Un constat vraiment remarquable: 12 français dans les 19 premières places de ce classement ASP Européen.

   Lacanau Pro: c’est reparti pour la plus ancienne epreuve du Continent
   24 séries, 96 surfeurs à l'eau, 25° à l'ombre, 26ème année de compétition et une envie commune: partager ces 11 jours de compète du Lacanau Pro, étape incontournable du circuit mondial de surf professionnel sur le site de Lacanau en Gironde.
   15 août 2005, les premiers pas du Lacanau Pro: le 1er tour du Lacanau Pro a commencé sur des vagues timides mais avec un vent offshore idéal. Les séries s'enchaînent et les riders tentent des manœuvres qui scorent. Tim Boal, français d'adoption et le jeune basque Hodei Collazo entre autres, se jettent à l'eau et se qualifient pour le 2 éme tour de la compétition, où ils retrouvent notamment Romain Cloitre, Patrick Beven et Eric Rebière, les français favoris du circuit

   WQS Pro Anglet: Flores en pleine forme
   Pour les débuts de la campagne française ASP, Jérémy Florès frappe très fort.
   Sur une vague qu’il connaît bien, il a réussi à pratiquer un surf détendu sans complexe ni pression, face aux meilleurs riders mondiaux du tour professionnel WQS.
   En effet, la jeunesse paie puisqu’il réussit à se hisser jusqu’aux quarts de finales, arrêté par le japonais Izuni Tanaka, premier rider du soleil levant à se qualifier aussi loin lors d’une épreuve WQS.
   Jérémy à quand même éliminé successivement le sud africain Jordie Smith, l’australien Drew Courtney, son pote le français Eric Rebière, ou encore l’autre sud af’ Daniel Redman.

   WQS Pro Hossegor: inauguration du nouveau format de competition ASP
   Le meilleur beachbreak de la planète inaugure le nouveau format de compétition ASP Super Series.
   Pour sa 19ème édition, l’incontournable WQS Pro accueillera la première et unique épreuve Super Series du circuit ASP 2005. Plus qu’une simple compétition, il s’agira d’un réel happening sur la scène surf internationale.
Hossegor est fier d’inaugurer cette année ce nouveau format de compétition Asp et en profite pour créer l’événement majeur de la saison estivale. Le Super Series est un format hybride entre WQS(3) et WCT(4) , il correspond à une épreuve «upgradée» autant en terme de points que de prize money. En effet, le nombre de surfers inscrits se limite à 144 (contre 240 en WQS 6 stars) et le prize money est de 150 000 $ (contre 125 000 $ pour un WQS 6 stars). Le WQS Pro garantit le show avec des finalistes «man to man»: par souci de compréhension et pour favoriser le spectacle, la compétition se déroule dans un format di t «un contre un» à partir des quarts de finale.

   La Misscup a la Chambre D’Amour a Anglet
   Le artenaire officiel du Ondines Challenge de 1996 à 2002 (première compétition 100% Filles),  a décidé en 2003 de reprendre intégralement le concept pour le remodeler à son image …

   La MissCup fête donc cette année ses 3 ans d’existence.  C'est d’organiser, une nouvelle fois, cette compétition (unique en son genre) sur le spot mythique de la Chambre d’Amour d’Anglet.
   Unique, car du 24 au 28 août 2005, les meilleures glisseuses européennes ont rendez-vous avec le surfboard, le longboard et le bodyboard pour vous offrir un spectacle des plus sympathique.

   Coupe de France de Longboard
   Dimanche prochain, se déroule sur la côte landaise, la troisième étape de la Coupe de France de Longboard.
   En effet, les plages de Vieux Boucau sont prêtes à accueillir une étape supplémentaire de ces deux Coupes de France: surf tandem et longboard.
   Dans un contexte estival en manque de grosses vagues, l’ensemble des riders auront peut être la chance d’évoluer dans de bonnes conditions. Les prévisions de houle sont bonnes et cette nouvelle épreuve sera plus consistante que Lacanau et Royan qui se sont déroulées sur de petites vagues.

   Surf Insertion toujours en action
   Surf Insertion n’est pas en reste!
   Cette association rattachée à la FFS met en place nombre d’action en faveur de l’accessibilité des de 10-20 à la pratique d’une activité sportive en l’occurrence le surf.
   C'est une expérience de 8 années qui permet de proposer aujourd'hui de l'information et de la formation aux métiers du sport, de l'animation et des métiers de la mer. C'est aussi le jumelage de l'activité surf à des actions d'éco-citoyenneté.
   Puisque la vague est prise pour pratiquer, il est important que les jeunes soient plus sensibilisés, informés et agissent pour le respect de notre environnement.
   Surf Insertion", c'est plus de 4 500 jeunes qui pratiquent le surf du mois de mars à la fin novembre, entre 5 et 10 séances chacun. En 2004 c'est 5 tonnes de déchets sortis par ces jeunes, sur les parkings, les dunes, les réserves naturelles ainsi que sur leurs quartiers. C'est également plus de 2 500 jeunes qui ont été sensibilisés au respect de cet environnement et aussi initiés aux métiers de la mer tels que la réparation de planche de surf, la pêche en bord de mer, le passage des premiers secours.
   FFS