| Local star Tiago Pires is through to Round 2 in the 2009 Estoril Coast Pro |
| Wednesday, 22 April 2009 09:32 |
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The Estoril Quiksilver Pro 2009, an Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star Men’s rated event, kicked-off today in Portugal with Round 1 and four heats of Round 2 being held in consistent wind-blown three to four foot (1 to 1.2 meter) waves at Guincho, back-up venue of the 2009 edition running until Sunday, April 26, 2009. The first day of competition witnessed world class action with ASP World Tour rookies Tim Boal (FRA) and Marlon Lipke (DEU) and Portuguese favourite Tiago Pires (PRT) taking control of proceedings with style. Tim Boal (Anglet, FRA), 25, who had to surf in Round 1 due to entering late in the event, came-up with impressive carves and vertical committed maneuvers to easily lead and win Heat 10 against outsiders Dillon Perillo (USA), Nuno Telmo (PRT) and Ricardo Lange (DEU). Boal, who is currently rated No. 24 in the world, was surfing his first ASP WQS of the year and looked very comfortable during the 25-minute battle scoring an excellent 17.27 point result (out of a possible 20), enough to join fellow top seeds in Round 2 tomorrow. “The waves were fun and I felt pretty relaxed out there,” Boal said. “The wind didn’t affect the conditions too much and things went pretty well for me. I broke my leash halfway through the heat but still managed to get a second good ride so I am pretty happy with that start.” Boal, who has been travelling through Australia and Tahiti for a couple of months since the start of the ASP World Tour in February, decided to drive down to Portugal and enter the ASP WQS 6-Star event a few days ago only. “I needed to test a few new boards and the weather and waves in France were not that good,” Boal said. “I saw there were some available spots in the event and now I am here so hopefully I can get a result before heading back to Trestles next week then Tahiti for the ASP World Tour.” Boal will meet with Californian big wave legend Peter Mel (USA), France’s rising star Vincent Duvignac (FRA) and Dale Lovelock (AUS). Dream Tour surfers’ domination was confirmed by fellow rookie Marlon Lipke (Faro, PRT), 24, the German surfer netting a 16.23 point score (out of a possible 20) finishing his run with an 8.50 point ride (out of a possible 10) to secure his Round 2 ticket. Lipke, who has had a tough start for his rookie season with two last-place results in Australia, unleashed his powerful attack to get out of Round 1 and get on with his Estoril Quiksilver Pro campaign. “The waves were definitely contestable and we surfed at a good time of the day with the right tide,” Lipke said. “It was a good day and there had been lots of good scores before my heat so I was relaxed and just looked for the better waves. It’s a great feeling to surf in an event in Portugal after all that travel in the past two months.” Lipke, who will travel to California next week and join Boal and the rest of the European Dream Tour contingent in Tahiti after that, is a former winner in the Estoril Quiksilver Pro (2007) and will be looking to better his equal 5th place finish from last year this week. “I have no pressure and I really enjoying the bit of time in Portugal while I can,” Lipke said. “I am surfing here with nothing to lose and I am having a good time surfing a WQS event with this state of mind. Compared to last year when every heat could make a difference, it is really pleasant to paddle out here relaxed with absolutely no pressure.” Last but not least Dream Tour surfer to compete today was Portugal’s star Tiago Pires (PRT) who opened Round 2 with a solid win pleasing his fans and sponsors for his return to Portugal. Pires, who bested American Will Tant (USA) in Heat 1 finishing with a 13.34 heat result, left the water relieved. “I am happy to get that heat out of the way today,” Pires said. You never want to lose first round so that is done and I am relieved. It is the first time we have a WQS event at this time of the year at home, in between ASP World Tour events and it’s a good training for me. I have my family on the beach and it is a pleasure for me show up here and share some time with the supporting crowd and for my sponsors.” With Round 1 favorites confirming their status, low seeds had to push their level further to try and impress the ASP judging panel in order to advance and secure another surf when Round 2 resumes. ASP Grade-2 Estoril B! Pro Junior runner-up Joachim Guichard (DNK) was one of today’s leaders the 18-year-old Danish surfer residing in Portugal going over the significant 15.00 point mark in Heat 7, a solid win that rocketed him through to Round 2 where he will now face longtime ASP WQS campaigners and former ASP European Champions Patrick Beven (Biarritz, FRA) and Justin Mujica (Estoril, PRT). ESTORIL QUIKSILVER PRO ROUND 1 RESULTS ESTORIL QUIKSILVER PRO ROUND 2 HEATS
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