Joan Duru finished 2nd at Rip Curl Pro Zarautz, WQS 5 Stars

Joan Duru made his best result of the season with his second place, behind Tim Boal. Aritz Aranburu and Michel Bourez finished 3rd.

At ninteen years of age, Duru confirmed his status of most promissing French surfer of the moment by getting a runner-up finish in the event, his best result to date.
"I am happy with that finish but there was not enough waves during the final and I did not surf my best," Duru said. "To get a second in a 5-Star event is great and it is another step on the WQS."
Duru, who has had a consistent first year on the WQS with several big results inlcuding a 5th in the US Open of Surfing and a 9th in the Rip Curl Pro Hossegor/Seignosse, secured 1750 points and remains a favorite within the rising European contingent.
"I am having a good time and a few results so far so I am definitely focused on qualifying," Duru said. "The few big results I got gave me confidence and I defeated some of the best surfers so I hope I am on the right path."

Cuurent ASP World Tour member and defending champion Aritz Aranburu (Zarautz, EUK) failed to reach a second consecutive final at his home break despite the massive support from the Basque crowd. Aranburu, who suffered a serious knee injury at the beginning of the year that kept him away from competition for three months, still showed he was back in a promissing form and will surf in the next ASP World Tour event in France confidently.
"I was not supposed to be here so I am stoked to make it to the semis at home," Aranburu said. "I was really hoping for a second consecutive title but I will take that 3rd, which is pretty good in a 5-Star event. I am stoked for Tim (Boal), Joan (Duru) and Michel (Bourez), we all had a good time and to all make the semis is great."
Aranburu, who clinches his best result of the year, left the water cheered by all Basque fans and is looking forward to seeing his home event grow.
"The event has been growing fast and well and we have had good waves," Aranburu said. "It pleases me a lot to see that Zarautz can become an important stop on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS). I am stoked with the week and I feel very well. My injury is definitely behind now."

Michel Bourez (Tahiti, PYF), 22, placed 3rd in the Rip Curl Pro Zarautz losing to Boal in a high performance battle. Bourez, who secured a second excellent result after his runner-up finish in Pantin, came up with the same powerful and progressive surfing he showed all week but was disappointed with his tactics.
"I was not patient enough and I thought the set waves would not make any difference," Bourez said. "I got lots of waves but Tim (Boal) chose the better ones. I knew it could turn this way if I had to surf against him because he has been smart in all his heats today. I should have been more relaxed."
Bourez seals the European leg with excellent results and will is back on track for a possible 2009 ASP World Tour qualification. The Tahitian charger will be a serious contender in the upcoming reefbreaks in Lanzarote in October.
"To get two big results in a row is what I needed to keep any qualification hope alive," Bourez said. "I would have prefered to win this one but it is a great confidence boost and the upcoming locations in Lanzarote and Hawaii usually suit my surfing well."

Michel and Joan will attend the next ASP World Tour event taking place in France as a wildcard.

Final :
Heat: Tim Boal (FRA) 16.34 pts Def. Joan Duru (FRA) 10.87 pts

Semifinals
Heat 1: Tim Boal (FRA) 15.17 pts Def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 13.66 pts
Heat 2: Joan Duru (FRA) 15.33 pts Def. Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 12.60 pts