| Nat Young shows off in the O’Neill Cold Water Classic Canada |
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| Thursday, 29 October 2009 09:28 |
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Competition returned to Cox Bay for the fourth day of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star O’Neill Cold Water Classic Canada and surfers took to the water in good four-to-five foot (1.5 metre) waves at the nation’s first professional surfing event. The improved conditions allowed for an exciting day of action with some big scores on the fourth day of competition. Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA), 18, grabbed the highest single wave score of the event, a 9.77 out of 10, with jaw-ping backside surfing on a long Tofino righthander. Despite posting the near perfect score, the Santa Cruz talent was nearly eliminated from the action packed heat with all surfers blasting amazing scores throughout the hard-fought battle and Young eventually advanced in second behind Kevin Sullivan (Lahaina, HI), 22. “That was a pretty gnarly heat,” Young said. “I got that one (the 9.77) and I thought I had it wrapped up, I thought ‘alright, I made that heat.’ Then Kevin (Sullivan) and Dion (Atkinson) both got two good waves. I couldn’t see their waves, but I heard the scores were nines and that I had been pushed to third, I was so frustrated. I couldn’t believe that I could get that good of a score and not make the heat.” With only seconds remaining in the heat, Young managed to find a clean lefthander which allowed him to advance through to the Round of 48 over Dion Atkinson (Seaford, AUS), 23. “Luckily that one came and I kind of surfed it conservatively,” Young said. “I knew I could get the 4.93 that I needed on the wave, I just wanted to ride it to the beach. I didn’t do anything great, but I got a couple of turns in. I’m really stoked. I would have been bummed to come here and lose first round.” Sullivan, who was a standout in his opening round heat, continued to shine in today’s O’Neill Cold Water Classic Canada competition, donating an impressive forehand performance on two clean right-handers to take an the impressive win by ping a 9.60 and a 6.10 into his score line. “I heard that Nat Young ped that nine and I knew I wanted to get at least an 8,” Sullivan said. “I knew the wave I got was a good one, but then when I heard that I got a 9.60 I was stoked.” Sullivan is trying to build momentum after suffering two injuries over the last year which has kept him from surfing for several months. The Hawaiian is currently surfing in his first event since the injury and the results have been a confidence builder after a long break from competition. “It’s been really hard for me over the last year because of injuries,” Sullivan said. “I had to pull out of Haleiwa because I got a high ankle sprain. After it healed I had an okay result at the Maldives, but then I broke my foot again in Bali. I’ve been out of the water for seven months this year, so to make two heats at a 6-Star, I’m so psyched.” Adam Robertson (Victoria, AUS), 27, was another standout today, ping the day’s highest heat total, a 16.33 out of 20, while advancing through to the Round of 48 in the opening heat of the day. “When I first got here I knew that it was a little bit hard because the waves don’t break out the back,” Robertson said “You have to make sure to pick the right one that will break through to the inside where you can get your big turns off because it’s much more steep.” The Australian has just fully recovered from a severe knee injury and was not sure if he’d be healthy for the O’Neill Cold Water Classic Canada. Due to a dedicated training regiment Robertson seems to be back in form and showed no sign of weakness while dominating his heat today. “For me it’s more of a relief because I spent two months out of the water,” Robertson said. “I hurt my knee pretty bad and it’s been a lot of hard work and a lot of training to get my body right to try and come back to this event. About three weeks ago I didn’t even think I’d be coming to this event, so I’m relieved and I’m happy to be here and to make it through, but it’s only one heat and I’ve got to string a bunch together.” Robertson is also using his comfort in the cold water due to his upbringing in near the chilly waters of Victoria, Australia to his advantage in Canada. The O’Neill Cold Water Classic is set to continue tomorrow with Heat 3 of the Round of 48 and event organizers will meet at 7:30am to make the call for the day. For event highlights including video, photos and live scores log on to www.oneill.com/cwc/canada For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com or www.aspnorthamerica.org O’Neill Cold Water Classic Canada Round of 48 Results: O’Neill Cold Water Classic Canada Round of 96 Results:
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