Bourez Scores Big in ASP WQS 6-Star Rio Surf International in Brazil
Michel Bourez (Tahiti, PYF) got a step closer to qualifying for the 2009 ASP World Tour today adding a valuable result to his ASP World Qualifying Series points' total after placing 3rd in the Rio Surf Pro International pres. by Oakley.
Bourez was defeated in the Semifinals by experienced competitor and former ASP World Tour member Greg Emslie (ZAF) in a wave-starved heat where he was not able to score more than an usually low 9.83 point heat tally (out of a possible 20).
Bourez, who had a tough time last August in Europe making it through one heat only in three events, has been on an exceptional roll since the month of September and repeated his excellent performance once again in Brazil today with his semifinal berth.
"It is a big result for me and these points will put me in a better position for the ratings' race," Bourez said. "I still wanted more because I know I had the opportunity to make the final but I just didn't find the best waves."
Bourez, who jumps from No. 14 to No. 8 on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings thanks to the 1875 points' reward for his run in Brazil, will land in the Canarian archipelago for the upcoming ASP WQS 6-Star Prime Santa Surf Pro on the island of Lanzarote with great confidence.
"I am out of the "danger zone" and flying out to the Canary Islands with a more confidence," Bourez said. "I hope I can get a couple more good results and secure more points for my ASP World Tour qualification."
In four events, including the Quiksilver Pro France where he accomplished one of the best performances of his career defeating ASP World Tour No. 3 and 4 Bede Durbidge (AUS) and Joel Parkinson (AUS), Bourez has placed 2nd in the ASP WQS 5-Star Movistar Pantin Classic and 3rd in the ASP WQS 5-Star Rip Curl Pro Zarautz, now adding an equal 3rd to his quest.
The Tahitian charger, former 2006 ASP European Champion, finished best European in the event.
Kelly Slater wins unprecented ninth ASP World Surfing Championship
Quiksilver congratulates team-rider Kelly Slater (Cocoa Beach, Florida) on winning his ninth world surfing championship today in Mundaka, Spain. Dominating five of the season's first eight contests, Slater accrued enough points to clinch the 2008 title with two scheduled Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Tour contests yet to be surfed. Slater's ninth world championship comes 16 years after his first, in 1992, and is his third championship title following a three-year foray into semi-retirement.
Slater's win today solidifies what some say is his best season yet in an eighteen-year career, and reaffirms his unequivocal status as the most prolific surfer of all time.
On what his surfing means to him and others Slater remarked, "The rewards have paid off for a lot of work and commitment to surfing my whole life. I'm stoked, I just try to do the best I can with what I've got."
After winning the 2008 season opener at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Slater built momentum over the next six contests, winning 32 of 35 heats surfed going into the Quiksilver Pro France last week, where he placed second. He arrived at Mundaka on Sunday as the presumptive 2008 World Champion, and needed only a ninth place finish to clinch a ninth world title.
About his 2008 season Kelly said "I had a great year, and it's nice to be rewarded like this. But besides that it felt like a great year. A lot of good things have happened up to this point on the tour."
Reflecting on winning the title again at Mundaka, Slater said "It's freezing, but a lot of people showed up to see today, so thanks to everyone who is here. Thanks for being here and being a part of this. It's magic. We have surf and my year is complete."
In 2006, he earned his eighth world title at this same Spanish surf spot. Observers at the time felt it would be his last. But as he was carried today up the rocky Basque country shoreline by friends and cheered by throngs of Spanish supporters on the cliffs above, it was clear that Slater is better than ever.
Asked if he's going to continue surfing Slater said, "Always, surfing is a constant challenge. I'm sure when I'm eighty I'll think I'll be getting better. It is just my life and it never ends."
Slater ascended to surfing's top-spot in the early 1990s, ushering the old guard out with a rare competitive spirit and a never before seen style. He won the world title a record six times between 1992 and 1998. In 2005, seven years after his previous title, Slater made an incredible comeback to win a highly emotional seventh world title in Brazil. Still Slater showed no signs of slowing down. In 2006, Kelly handily won his eighth world title and continued competing, pushing his records further from the reach of second best.
"Kelly Slater is an extraordinary human being, physically and mentally. His talent and accomplishments are unmatched in surfing and perhaps in the history of sports" says Bob McKnight, Quiksilver President, Chairman and CEO.
The nine-time World Champion's victory lap promises to be as action-packed as his 2008 season. This fall, Slater is releasing his second book; a collection of rare interviews and unpublished photos, titled "For the Love" (Chronicle Press). He'll also continue to work on "The Ultimate Wave", a 3D IMAX feature film due out fall 2009. And as surfing's biggest icon and greatest ambassador, Slater will continue to promote a cleaner, safer planet through The Kelly Slater Foundation (www.kellyslaterfoundation.org). Although he'll likely continue visiting the world's best surf spots, he may also catch a few waves at his homes in Florida, Hawaii and on Australia's Gold Coast.
Maxime Huscenot (Fra) has won the ASP European Pro Junior Tour and the prestigious King Of The Groms Final within the space of a week.
At only 16 years old, Maxime is the youngest ever surfer to win the ASP European Pro Junior Title. His domination of his age category continues and he looks set for great things. He has qualified for three world-class events, giving Maxime a global stage on which to shine: The World Juniors in Narrabeen, Australia and the trials events of next year's ASP World Tour events at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast and the Quiksilver Pro France.
The KOTG is one of the most prestigious events a 16 year old can win in the surfing world. He did so in incredible style on his home waves against the best international competition. His victory came directly after the Quiksilver Pro France event. Maxime was behind the pace in the final needing a combination of scores to beat top Australian Matt Banting. However, Maxime remained patient. He waited for his own two waves capable of giving him the combination of scores, surfed to his utmost and regained 1st place. Where others would have given up, he did the job regardless of obstacles in much the same way his idol Kelly Slater has done time and time again. Maxime shows mature confidence and total belief in his ability; qualities that are rarely found in a youngster but essentially found in a champion.
Maxime has seemingly been taking notes from the best, as his unique training this year has allowed him to travel with the Elite Quiksilver team. At J-Bay he lived in the Team House with Kelly, Jeremy and Dane. At Trestles he watched the event from the competitors' area and even sat next to Kelly during the Surfer Poll awards
His main focus now is the final year of Internet schooling he must complete in order to graduate. He will also find time for trips to Hawaii, Australia and of course the big league events he is scheduled to surf in next year.
Young Gun Maxime is growing in stature, power and skill. What has been a great week for Maxime is surely going to become an even greater year.
Maxime Huscenot wins the King of the Groms
The world's elite U16 surfers have had the honour of closing the 7th edition of the Quiksilver Pro France 2008. For the first time, the sole French stage of the ASP World Tour hosted the world final of the King of the Groms. Following a worldwide qualifying tour, sixteen surfers aged 16 and under came together in the Landes region of south-west France to compete for the much sought-after title of King of the Groms. The Reunionese Maxime Huscenot, dominant throughout the series, showed formidable cool-headedness in this extremely tight final, which he won in the dying seconds. Neck and neck with Kolohe Andino (USA), the French surfer won by the finest of margins, by 17.17 points to the American's 17.16. "It was a great final, not easy to win, the level was very high" explained Maxime after his series. In addition to the title, the surfer from Reunion will also have the privilege of competing in the trials for two legs of next season's ASP World Tour: the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast 2009 and the Quiksilver Pro France 2009. He will have the immense privilege of rubbing shoulders with the world's very best surfers. Eight-times World Surfing Champion Kelly Slater and 2007 Rookie of the Year Jérémy Florès, warmly congratulated the winner and all of the competitors, whose progress they followed with interest. "Amongst you, are no doubt those who will succeed us in the future..." declared the most successful surfer of all time, with a knowing smile.
Winner of a stage of the Pro Junior ASP tour (Santa Pro Junior – Spain) last June, and victorious at the unofficial World Championships in his age category, Maxime is certainly blazing an incredible trail this year.
Watched by prestigious older surfers like Miky Picon, Jérémy Florès or Dany Wills, all previous winners of this top junior surfing contest and now members of the world's elite club, the King of the Groms finalists enjoyed excellent conditions at the Spot des Estagnots in Seignosse, and the same infrastructure as the pros (judges, live webcast). Thanks to perfect and consistent waves, the Landes beach break proved a formidable hunting ground for the next generation of international surfers.
The other French contender, Dimitri Ouvré, who qualified at the European final in Capbreton last August, was not as successful as Maxime Huscenot, being knocked out in the second round of the competition.
This 2008 edition of the Quiksilver King of the Groms therefore ends on a triumphant note for one young Frenchman, Maxime Huscenot, a worthy successor to Jérémy Florès and the Euroforce.
Quiksilver King of the Groms Final 2008 - Results
1/ Maxime Huscenot (Fra)
2/ Kolohe Andino (USA)
3/ Matt Banting (Aus)
4/ Alex Dive (Nz)
Adrian Buchan wins the Quiksilver Pro France
Adrian Buchan (Avoca, Australia) won the Quiksilver Pro France presented by Orange today over 8-time ASP world champion Kelly Slater (Cocoa Beach, USA) in a thrilling and closely fought final. Buchan's win, the first WCT victory of his career, took away Slater's chance at clinching an unprecedented 9th world title at this event. Slater moves on to the next event in Mundaka, Spainwhere he needs only a 9th place finish to win the title. His 2nd place result, coming on the heels of 5 tour wins this year, pushed him even farther ahead of his closest rivals, Taj Burrow (Yallingup, Australia) and Bede Durbidge (Currumbin, Australia.) Brazil's Adriano De Souza (Guaruja, Brazil) and American Damien Hobgood (Satellite Beach, USA) finished in equal 3rd. De Souza's result rocketed him to 3rd in the world and equaled his career best result. Hobgood's finish helped him improve upon what has been an injury marred season. Rookie Dane Reynolds (Ventura, USA) whose explosive surfing stood out throughout the event, took a solid 5th place. He beat world #2 Taj Burrow in Round 4 and moved to the lead in the race for rookie of the year honors. Tahitian wildcard, Michel Bourez (Papara, French Polynesia), also made the quarterfinals and was very impressive in every heat he surfed. The waves remained in the 1-2 meterrange and the weather was ideal at LesEstagnotBeachin Hossegor and the world's best surfers put on quite a show during the four days of competition.
The ASP World Tour moves on next week to Mundaka, Spainand all eyes will again be on Kelly Slater in his quest for world title #9
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