| Final waves of the ASP World Junior Championships |
| Friday, 15 January 2010 11:00 |
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Although conditions declined into the one-to-two foot (0.5 metre) range today, the world’s best junior surfers continued to push the boundaries of high-performance surfing as the men’s Quarterfinalists and women’s Semifinalists were determined at North Narrabeen for the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships fueled by Monster Energy. Jadson Andre (BRA), 19, 2010 ASP Dream Tour rookie and last year’s event runner-up, took no prisoners in the challenging conditions this afternoon, sticking several high-velocity aerials to post an 18.70 out of a possible 20 in the most emphatic win of the day. “The waves are very similar to where I live in Brazil so I guess I am used to surfing them,” Andre said. “I have an amazing board under my feet and it is working very well out here. I didn’t start out too well in this event, but I am hoping to keep building momentum as the contest goes on.” Andre will take on sole remaining Australian competitor Stuart Kennedy (AUS), 20, in Quarterfinal 2 when competition resumes. Maxime Huscenot (REU), 17, shocked the world this afternoon when he took down event favorite Owen Wright (AUS), 19, with an impressive command of the small afternoon righthanders. While Wright struggled to find a rhythm in the diminutive lefthanders, Huscenot bombarded the rights on his forehand to post 14.74 out of a possible 20 and move into the Quarterfinals. “Owen (Wright) is the best junior surfer in the world so I feel very fortunate to get past him,” Huscenot said. “I feel like I am surfing really well and I am so stoked to pull it off. I figured that he is a better surfer than me right now so I had to be on the better waves. I was lucky to get good righthanders and get the win.” Huscenot battles Nat Young (USA), 18, when Billabong ASP World Juniors competition recommences. Clay Marzo (HAW), 20, long touted as one of the planet’s most exciting free surfers, continued to punish the Narrabeen lefthanders with his patented fin-free assault today, besting Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), 20, in their Round 4 bout to keep his ASP World Junior Title campaign alive. “The waves are tough, small and inconsistent but I was lucky to get a couple in the ning there,” Marzo said. “I’m having fun and I’m working on improving in smaller waves.” Marzo takes on South American prodigy Gabriel Medina (BRA), 16, in Quarterfinal 1 when competition resumes. The women’s division of the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships fueled by Monster Energy bashed through four heats of competition this morning, narrowing it down to the final four competitors who will be vying for the prestigious ASP World Junior Title. Laura Enever (AUS), 18, enjoying the local support of the rabid North Narrabeen surf fans, edged past compatriot Felicity Palmateer (AUS), 17, to keep her ASP World Junior Title hopes alive. “I was very lucky out there as Felicity (Palmateer) could have gotten the score on the last wave,” Enever said. “Fortunately she didn’t and I was able to get through another one. It’s great having all my family and friends coming down to support me and it definitely gets me motivated to take it home for everyone.” Enever will face Joanne Defay (FRA), 15, in Semifinal 1 when competition resumes. Pauline Ado (FRA), 18, reigning ASP World Junior Champion, posted a stunning come-from-behind win this morning over event favorite Courtney Conlogue (USA), 17, in the final Quarterfinal bout for the women. Conlogue jumped out to an early lead “The waves were very challenging out there and Courtney (Conlogue) was surfing very well,” Ado said. “I couldn’t find a wave at the ning but was then able to find two set waves and put up some better scores. I’m very happy to advance and hoping the waves improve.” Ado will take on Alessa Cuizon (HAW), 16, in Semifinal 2 when the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships fueled by Monster Energy resumes. Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow at 6:30am tomorrow to assess conditions for a possible 7am start. Highlights from the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships fueled by Monster Energy will be available via www.billabongpro.com For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS SEMIFINAL MATCH-UPS (Women): BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS REMAINING ROUND 3 RESULTS (Men): BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUND 4 RESULTS (Men): BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS (Men):
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