Quiksilver Tony Hawk Show - A Monumental Success!
On the 20th and 21st of November, skateboarding came to the Grand Palais. Thanks to Quiksilver, one of the most iconic cultural and historic sites of Paris welcomed for the first time ever, Tony Hawk, the global icon of skateboarding, accompanied by the world’s best vert ramp specialists. Together, they put on a show that will go down in skateboarding history.
On the biggest vert ramp ever built in Europe beneath the vast glass ceiling of the Grand Palais, Tony Hawk, Andy MacDonald, Sandro Dias, Jean Postec, Kevin Staab, Jesse Fritsch, Sergie Ventura and Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins sent shivers down the spines of the 5500 privileged spectators lucky enough to be there.
The evening began with a parade of 30 boardsports stars ranging from Robby Naish to Kelly Slater. Names included Travis Rice, Torah Bright, Candide Thovex, Jérémy Florès, Mathieu Crépel, Serge Vitelli, Mark Richards, Tom Carroll, Lisa Andersen and Robert Tériitéhau. This gala evening included one of the best shows of vert ramp skating ever seen in the world thanks to Tony Hawk and his friends. The highlights included the famous 900° from ‘the birdman’ - a trademark move which Tony Hawk first completed at the X-Games. The action climaxed with the first Mctwist 540° ever completed by a female on a ramp this size by Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins. Landing the historic move she was triumphantly lifted up by her peers and congratulated by Kelly Slater.
The evening was rounded up by a live concert by Dead by Sunrise, the new band formed by Chester Bennington, the voice of Linkin Park, and a DJ set by Mix Master Mike, the Beastie Boys DJ.
During the two days of November 20th and 21st, the public attended a street skating competition held on a street course proportional to the spectacular dimensions of the Grand Palais. They also watched live creations from urban artist André. Live concerts from Tha Thrickaz, Dead Rock Machine and the electro sounds of Bob Sinclar, ignited the atmosphere inside the Grand Palais on Friday night.
Joan Duru Claims Maiden ASP European WQS Title after Final event in Lanzarote
Joan Duru (Ondres, FRA), 20, has won the 2009 ASP European WQS title at Lanzarote after closest follower and only title contender Gony Zubizarreta (Vigo, ESP) was eliminated from the Islas Canarias Santa Pro on Lanzarote island in spectacular surf conditions of the Quarterfinals.
Joan Duru, despite an equal 25th place that did not make the Frenchman better his overall regional ratings’ points total, claims his maiden regional title after an exceptional year of performances and results that puts him in position to qualify for next year’s ASP World Tour at this stage.
“It’s great to get the title after such a year,” Duru said. “I am super happy to add it to my career and hopefully things keep going the same way until the end of the year for me.”
Duru, who opened his spectacular season with a win at the ASP WQS 4-Star Protest Vendee Pro in April, peaked with his career best win in the ASP WQS 6-Star Sooruz Lacanau Pro becoming the second French ever to win a major event in France, twenty-seven years after Thierry Fernandez (Lacanau, FRA).
“It was amazing to win that event in front of the French crowds and with all my family and friends around,” Duru said. “It was a great moment for me and it was really special out there.”
Considered a world class surfer by many, Joan Duru not only made big impressions at all events in Europe but managed to secure a series of solid results that have rocket him to a promising No. 9 rank on the current ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings.
At 20 years of age only, the former ASP European Junior champion (2006) has been following the footsteps of European leading surfers Jeremy Flores (FRA) and Michael Picon (FRA) amongst others, the goofyfooter building a custom-made mix of explosive progressive maneuvers and massive powerhouse turns.
With two major events coming-up on the world famous North Shore of Oahu in the Hawaiian archipelago, Joan Duru will head next to Haleiwa and Sunset where he will try and seal the deal for next year’s ASP World Tour, his dream.
Since the ASP European WQS Tour ratings include all events sanctioned by ASP Europe from 1-Star to 6-Star Prime, every tour winner has been a qualifier for the Elite ASP Top 45 at the end of each season. Joan Duru is on his way…
2009 ASP EUROPEAN WQS BEST RESULTS
1st, ASP WQS 4-Star Protest Vendee Pro
9th, ASP WQS 6-Star Estoril Quiksilver Pro
3rd, ASP WQS 6-Star Prime O’Neill CWC Scotland by Swatch
5th, ASP WQS 5-Star Relentless Boardmasters
1st, ASP WQS 6-Star Sooruz Lacanau Pro
5th, ASP WQS 5-Star Movistar Ferrolterra Pantin Classic
Credit Photo: Ricardo Bravo
Quiksilver lifts the veil on the Tony Hawk Show concert event
On Saturday 21 November, 22.30, during the Quiksilver Tony Hawk Show, the vault of the Grand Palais will vibrate to the great sound of Dead By Sunrise.
For the first time in Europe since the release of their first album, Chester Bennington’s new group (Linkin Park’s front man) will appear in the heart of Paris, in an exceptional setting with, as a backdrop, the biggest skate ramp in Europe and the legendary Tony Hawk.
Also to be displayed:
At the end of the concert event, the best DJ on the international scene, the Beastie Boys’ DJ: Mix Master Mike.
As well as…
An exceptional musical programme: live concerts and DJ sets will set the rhythm for the two days of open doors devoted to exhibitions, live “made in André” painting, demos and street contests…
More infos on www.quiksilverlive.com
Jeremy Flores Gives Update on Ankle Injury
Jeremy Flores (Capbreton/New Caledonia, FRA), 21, has pulled out of the last couple of events of the ASP World Tour stopping his 2009 season right after the Quiksilver Pro France. Suffering from an ankle injury, the best French and European surfer ever will not compete in any other event this year, and is currently running from one doctor to another.
ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) champion in 2006, ASP Rookie of the Year in 2007 and ISA World Champion in 2009, Flores has already broken all records of France’s and Europe’s surfing history, at 21-years-old only. With a bright future ahead, the youngest surfer ever to qualify for the elite ASP Top 45 (at 18, in 2007) sends a few words and an update about his situation.
“I have a few different injuries all affecting one of my ankles. I have a small fracture and the ligament I hurt more than a year ago in Bali hasn’t healed yet… I’ve been meeting with a lot of doctors and surgeons all specialized in sports and the French Surfing Federation’s medical team is also helping out... I won't be competing again if I'm not at 100% for sure..."
Check the Interview on quiksilver-europe.com/tv
Soon
Imagine...
The greatest skateboarder in history, the biggest skate ramp in europe
An historic venue in Paris, an international music line up, an urban trends art exhibition
Quiksilver Tony Hawk Show
Paris - Grand Palais - 20th & 21st November 2009
More info on quiksilverlive.com
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