| Challenging conditions in round 2 of Lacanau Pro |
| Thursday, 14 August 2008 09:08 |
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The second day of the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star Sooruz Lacanau Pro witnessed some tough action today with Heats 1 to 20 of Round 2 being completed in messy solid four to six foot (1.2 to 2 meter) waves at Lacanau. The challenging conditions made it hard for competitors to post big scores but fourty men still managed to secure a ticket for Round 3 and join the event top seeds starting tomorrow. From recent event winner Wiggoly Dantas (BRA) to favorite and ASP World Tour member Tiago Pires (PRT), including Sam Page (AUS) and former Dream Tour surfer Jarrad Howse (AUS), most of today’s big names were able to get away with at least a second place in their respective battles, enough to make it through to the next encounters. Tiago Pires (PRT), 26, a rookie on this year’s ASP World Tour, was much awaited for his start in the Lacanau Pro and paddled out in Heat 3 to try and get the pressure off him. Pires, who just came back from Indonesia where he placed equal 3rd, was in good form and ended up winning the 4-man battle with solid surfing. "It was so hard out there, I am glad to get away with a win", Pires said. "The current and the waves were really tricky and it was a struggle to remain in position and find some good enough rides." Pires, who is currently rated No. 27 on the ASP World Tour, will face Californian and ASP WQS Top 10 member Brett Simpson (USA) in Round 3 for an expected exciting heat. Wiggoly Dantas (BRA), 18, who won the ASP WQS 5-Star in England last Sunday, came close to an elimination in the opening heat of the day but managed to catch a last-minute ride and advance through to Round 3, remaining in contention for a possible second consecutive event victory. "It was pretty hard out there and I just had one good wave", Dantas said. "I was relaxed enough still and I waited patiently for that last wave to come and it was enough so I am stoked." Dantas, who is now seen as the No. 1 giant killer after his impressive run in Newquay, will once again be a threat to all top seeded surfers in Round 3. "I am having a bit of trouble with my ears at the moment, I have an infection I believe but I am still feeling well and fit", Dantas said. "I am not thinking of any ratings or pressure, I just want to have fun and keep improving against all these excellent sirfers." Dantas will surf in Heat 2 of Round 3 against former elite member Gabe Kling (USA) and one of France’s best hopes Tim Boal (FRA) to try and secure another good result. The International contingent led by Australian Luke Campbell (AUS), Hawaiian Joel Centeio (HAW) and Gilmar Silva (BRA), kept up the good work finding some of the day’s best scores. Luke Campbell (AUS), 22, usually at ease in solid waves, put on a strong performance to win Heat 2 and advance with a 14.43 point heat tally (out of a possible 20) including an excellent 9.00 point ride (out of a possible 10). "I can’t believe I managed to score a 9.00 point ride out there, it was so hard to find a good wave and it was very difficult to find the right position as well", Campbell said. "It was bigger today and it was kind of slippery and bumpy with this wind but I made it so I just hope for tomorrow to be a bit easier." Campbell, who has the second best wave score of the event thus far, will be confident in the forecast decreasing conditions for Round 3. Also confident in today’s bigger waves was Hawaii’s Joel Centeio (HAW) who managed to best ASP Top 45 surfer Ben Dunn (AUS) and defeat Russell Winter (GBR) and Ryan Campbell (AUS). Centeio, who made the Quarterfinals in Lacanau last year in the same conditions, looked comfortable on the solid six foot sections rising in the messy ocean and posted an 8.00 point ride with a 6.53 back up wave to finish Heat 12 ahead. "I had very good surfers in my heat so I am pretty stoked to get through to it", Centeio said. "I had a lot of fun out there actually because I like challenging conditions and some pretty solid waves came through during my heat." Centeio will have another tough battle in Round 3 as he will face reigning ASP European Junior champion Romain Cloitre (REU) and Brazilian powerhouse and ASP Top 45 campaigner Leonardo Neves (BRA) in Heat 12. Also advancing today were European top surfers Romain Laulhe (FRA), Eric Rebiere (FRA) and Ruben Gonzalez (PRT), young gun and ASP World Junior No. 3 Charles Martin (GLP) producing some consistent surf to defeat Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF), James Wood (AUS) and Jose Maria Cabrera (CNY) to reach Round 3. Abdel El Harim (MAR), only Moroccan surfer among the ASP World Qulaifying Series, came up with a good result as well, winning Heat 15 ahead of other regional star Hodei Collazo (EUK). "I can’t believe I won the heat", El Harim said. "It thought I was 4th so it was a big surprise for me when I got back to the beach marshall. It is my third time in Lacanau but the first one I manage to get through a round so it is already a good confidence boost." The Sooruz Lacanau Pro is webcast LIVE at www.aspeurope.com ROUND 2 RESULTS REMAINING ROUND 2 HEATS UPCOMING ROUND 3 HEATS
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