| Jesse Adam takes Diggers Beach |
| Sunday, 17 February 2008 14:09 |
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Nineteen-year-old Jesse Adam (Merewether, Newcastle, NSW) planted an ambush attack on Australia’s finest junior surfers to capture his first ever pro junior victory at the Billabong Pro Junior Series- Coffs Harbour, at Diggers Beach today. Putting an end to his series of average results on the ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series, Adam astonished spectators by taking down ASP Australasia No. 2 rated surfer Julian Wilson (Sunshine Coast, QLD) in the Semifinals and followed up with an astounding victory over ratings leader Stuart Kennedy (Lennox Head, NSW) in the Final. “I am so stoked,” beamed Adam. “Julian and Stu are really good friends of mine, but Stu’s been dominant all year and everyone knows that Julian’s one of the most respected junior surfers in the world; so to take them both down- there can be no better way to win a contest!” Defeating the best of the best, Adam’s flawless performance in the Final included a near perfect 9.25 (out of a possible ten) ride which he backed up with an 8.20, leaving Kennedy chasing a near perfect 9.54 score. “Stu’s had a few nines this contest alone so I wasn’t counting him out,” Adam said. “I just sat praying that no quality waves would come through at the end of the heat and it all worked out for me.” Adam’s victory marks the second out of five event wins from a Newcastle surfer this year, indicating a possible resurgence from the Newcastle contingent. “There’ve been lots of good Newcastle surfers but no one’s been able to come through and do really well in the contest scene,” Adam explained. “This latest drive has three or four guys from Merewether pushing each other hard and it is showing. I hope it keeps coming together for us.” A favourite going into the Final, Kennedy emerged visibly disappointed and somewhat stunned at his defeat. “I was a bit surprised when he (Jesse Adam) beat Julian in the Semi’s,” Kennedy said. “I guess today he really proved that anyone’s beatable if you keep your head on.” Kennedy’s runner-up result marks his third of five Finals this year, and has extended his lead over his closest rival Julian Wilson on the ASP Australasia ratings. “My objective was to beat Julian and keep my ratings lead at this event,” Kennedy said. “I’m stoked I was able to keep on a good roll with the five events despite being sick.” Local surfer Heathe Joske (Valla Beach, Coffs Harbour Region, NSW) did his hometown proud by reaching the Semifinals where he was narrowly defeated by Kennedy; Joske’s16.65 heat score (out of 20.00) topped by Kennedy’s 16.75. In one of the most nail- biting heats of the event - that saw the lead change hands a number of times - Joske posted an unbelievable near perfect 9.00 ride that proved not enough to keep Kennedy, who surfed home with an 8.00 and an 8.75, at bay. Julian Wilson joined Joske for an equal third place finish, the Queenslander not able to match Adam’s unprecedented form. Wilson’s pair of six point rides was toppled by Adam’s 6.50 and 7.25 off the better waves of the heat. The Billabong Pro Junior Series – Coffs Harbour saw great waves in the one meter range and superb performances from junior surfers throughout the four day event. Source: Surfing Australia |
