Quiksilver King of the Groms

KOTG World Final
Bourdaines à Seignosse France
23 September - 4 October 2009

Live Coverage  |  Results/Photos/Videos etc

Medina scores two perfect 10s on his way to victory     > en francais ci dessous

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 29 September, 2009 : - - The last day of the Quiksilver Pro France saw 15-year-old Brazilian wonder kid, Gabriel Medina winning the Quiksilver World King Of the Groms Finals in historic style.  Medina scored a maximum possible 20-point combined heat score in the final in an unbelievable display of surfing talent. 

The two perfect 10-point scores were given by the judges, which rewarded Medina’s incredible technical ability.  Few surfers in the world today can boast such a repertoire of aerial manoeuvres, even fewer can perform this level of surfing heat after heat in a competition environment.   Medina combined two or more aerial reverses, aerial 360’s or ‘superman’ manoeuvres on the same wave, all day long. 

Having scored another 10-point ride in his first quarterfinal heat of the day his intention was clear.  It would seem the unassuming Medina would be the man to beat, and the man to take home the prestigious prize of Wild Card entries into the ASP World Tour events of the Quiksilver Gold Coast and the Quiksilver Pro France in 2010.

The day started well for 15-year-old Gabriel Medina.  With the sun shining and clean 4ft (1.5m) conditions his first quarterfinal heat was one of the standout heats of the entire event, scoring a 19.67 total for two waves.  His back-up wave of a 9.67 early in the heat was a huge aerial reverse followed up on the end section with an aerial 360. 

Gabriel Medina : photo Chauche/Quiksilver

Of the 3 judges, two gave him the maximum 10 points and the third 9 points, which averaged the wave at a 9.67.  His highest scoring wave did actually top this impressive score and rightly so.  He scored a perfect 10 for surfing a set wave perfectly, one huge aerial led into a big top turn and Gabriel ended it with an even bigger aerial, which the judges could not fault. 

To add to this, Medina got barrelled pulled a very technical ‘Superman’ aerial and various other air 360’s.  The crowd appreciated it more than his rival the Portuguese surfer Vasco Ribeiro, who despite some great surfing in the earlier rounds could not match the finesse of the young Brazilian.

Progressing from the other quarterfinals were surfers Davey Brand (ZAF) who overcame Ian Gentils (HAW).  Caio Ibelli pulled an air 360 on his last scoring wave to take down a favourite Evan Geiselman (USA).  In the last quarterfinal local favourite Ramzi Boukhlam (MOR) could not find the earlier rhythm and Matt Banting the strong Australian deserved the last semifinal slot. 

The semifinals were a close run affair.  First up Davey Brand had to face the in-form favourite Medina.  Despite pulling an innovative aerial, which scored a 6.63 and a big reverse 360, which posted him a 7 points, Medina had taken control early in the heat.  He posted a 9.77 and finished the heat with an 8.5.  Medina’s lowest combined heat score during the whole event was an impressive 17.76. 

Caio Ibelli & Medina : photo Chauche/Quiksilver

With these statistics he could easily compete with the big boys on the ASP World Tour.  Having already won a 6-Star WQS it’s easy to see where his future lies.

The second semifinal was not so clean cut.  The lead went back and forth until the bitter end.  Caio Ibelli held the lead, Matt Banning replied, only to see Ibelli finally stamp authority on proceedings with an 8.43-point wave, which rewarded a showcase aerial.  In the dying seconds Banting, needing a 7.44, took a set wave, smashed turns down the line and ‘claimed’ it hoping to secure a place in the final. 

The judges deliberated, but gave him a 7.1, allowing the second Brazilian to enter the final.  Matt, gracious in defeat, commented after the final, “It was unbelievable, I want to go home to train harder, the two ten-point rides were incredible, I’m really inspired.”

 The Quiksilver Pro France seemed to save the best till last, as did Gabriel Medina himself.  With plenty of set waves and a 35-minute final Caio and Gabriel put on a showcase display for the crowd.  By now though Medina was in full flow and would today be unstoppable.  He started the final with a 7.5 for an air reverse and then took an overhead set left, which allowed a huge floater and another air reverse, netting him 9.7 points. 

Matt Banting : photo Rabejac/Quiksilver

If he thought he was having the best day of his life then with 6 minutes to go he unleashed a combination of an aerial reverse, a huge turn and then hit a launch ramp at the end of the wave and boosted a huge final aerial, to add a perfect 10 point ride to his score card.   With the crowd and Medina himself in a euphoric mood, it seemed he had reached dizzy heights until he soared higher still with his third 10-point ride of the day.  He was applauded by the judges after launching a superman aerial and an air 360 on the same wave. 

Both Brazilians enjoyed the occasion.  Despite his own fantastic performances throughout the event, Ibelli could not match Medina in the final.  Both surfers shook hands and shared a wave in, joining hands and punching the sky in a heartfelt display of mutual respect and sportsmanship after the final horn sounded.  The crowd carried his countryman to the stage and the prize giving.  Caio said “It was difficult to find what I was looking for out there, but it’s a great result for Gabriel.”

Medina thanked Quiksilver and the event organisers saying, “The waves are amazing, I’m so happy with my 20 points.  I thought about my mother on the other side of the ocean and she prayed for me.  I love the contest and I love France.” 

The two Brazilian finalists Gabriel Medina and Caio Ibelli put on a display of futuristic surfing that has to be the highest level ever seen from 15 year-olds.  Today was a fantastic day for surfing and its fanatical spectators.  

Those who witnessed such a display and stood on the beach in wonder will never forget what they saw.  Looking at the larger picture of global surfing, is this a first 20-point heat score for pure technical surfing, without perfect tube rides?  Can Medina take his surfing onto the Dream Tour and compete with the barrel masters for a world title?

Time will tell, but for today the Brazilian youngster Gabriel Medina literally flew into the history books and showed the world exactly where the future of surfing is going.

www.quiksilver-europe.com
http://quiksilverlive.com/king09

francais

Gabriel Medina (Bra) King of the Groms 2009

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 29 September, 2009 : - -  Ce fut une finale historique, une journée qui restera dans les annales. A l'occasion de la Finale Internationale du King of The Groms 2009 (16 ans et moins) qui se tenait aujourd'hui à Seignosse, en conclusion du Quiksilver Pro France, le jeune brésilien Gabriel Medina a remporté le titre de "King of the Groms" avec la note parfaite de 20/20.

A part un certain Kelly Slater, rares sont ceux qui, avant lui, ont décroché deux 10/10 dans la même série face à un jury professionnel ASP. Medina, lui, l'a fait en finale du tournoi junior le plus relevé du monde, face à son compatriote Caio Ibelli (12.73 pts).

« Les vagues étaient magnifiques, je suis très heureux d’avoir eu un score de 20 pts. Pendant la finale, j’ai beaucoup pensé à ma mère qui priait pour moi de l’autre côté de l’océan. » Confiait Gabriel après sa victoire.

C’est une journée époustouflante qui s’est déroulée sur le spot des Bourdaines cette après-midi. La star de la journée, Gabriel Medina, n’a pas attendu les finales pour réaliser des exploits. En quart de finale, face à Vasco Ribeiro (Prt), le phénomène brésilien et vainqueur de l’épreuve, Gabriel Medina a décroché une vague à 10 pts.

Des scores parfaits (10 pts sur 10 pts possibles) obtenus à chaque fois avec deux manœuvres aériennes. L’exploit est de taille puisque d’habitude seul le « tube » permet d’obtenir la note suprême. A 15 ans, le surfeur brésilien a impressionné de maturité dans son surf. Toujours très doux et propre dans la réalisation de ses manœuvres, Gabriel Medina n’a pas laissé l’ombre d’un espoir à ses adversaires.

Sur toute la compétition sa meilleure note est un 20 pts et sa moins bonne… 17.76 pts. Mais le prodige brésilien n’en est pas à son premier succès cette année. En juillet dernier, Gabriel remportait un WQS 6* chez lui au Brésil. Cette récente victoire ajoutée à celle d’aujourd’hui en disent long sur le devenir de ce jeune surfeur de 15 ans.

Aujourd’hui, au-delà du score suprême, le roi des groms 2009 gagne également sa wild card pour le Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast 2010 et le Quiksilver Pro France 2010. Comme Maxime Huscenot l’an passé, Gabriel remporte le prix le plus précieux : se mesurer aux grands noms du surf.

Le premier français Ramzi Boukhiam, s’incline en quart de finale face à l’australien Matt Banting. Le vainqueur de la finale européenne à Zarautz n’a pas eu la « bombe » qu’il attendait. Si Matt Banting a choisi d’assurer dès le début de la série avec des bonnes vagues, Ramzi a pris l’option du large pour attraper la vague parfaite, mais celle-ci n’est pas venue.

C’est la deuxième année consécutive que la finale internationale du plus grand rendez-vous de surf des 16 ans et moins se déroule pendant la manche française du circuit ASP World Tour. Les jeunes prodiges présents dans les landes, ont gagné leur sélection pour cette finale lors d’épreuves qualificatives qui se sont déroulées pendant l’année dans les quatre coins du monde.

Finale
Gabriel Medina (Bra) 20 pts bat Caio Ibelli (Bra) 12.73 pts

Demi-Finales
Heat 1 : Gabriel Medina (Bra) 18.27 pts bat David Brand (Zaf) 13.63 pts
Heat 2 : Caio Ibelli (Bra) 14.60 pts bat Matt Banting (Aus) 14.27 pts

Quarts de finale
Heat 1 : David Brand (Zaf) 13.84 pts bat Ian Gentils (Haw) 12.67 pts
Heat 2 : Gabriel Medina (Bra) 19.67 pts bat Vasco Ribeiro (Prt) 9.90 pts
Heat 3: Caio Ibelli (Bra) 16.83 pts bat Evan Geiselman (Usa) 16.27 pts
Heat 4: Matt Banting (Aus) 14.60 pts bat Ramzi Boukhiam (Fra) 7.57 pts

Round 3
Heat 1: Davey Brand (Zaf) 17.10 pts – Vasco Ribeiro (Prt) 14.40 pts – Yan Keoni (Pyf) 12.70 pts
Heat 2: Gabriel Medina (Bre) 19.73 pts – Ian Gentils (Haw) 10.87 pts – Jake Sylvester (Aus) 9.53 pts
Heat 3: Evan Geiselman (Usa) 15.67 pts – Ramzi Boukhiam (Fra) 13.50 pts – Sandi Slamet (Bali) 7.73 pts
Heat 4: Matt Banting (Aus) 15.46 pts – Caio Ibelli (Bra) 15.16 pts – Andrew Jacobson (Usa) 9.84 pts

Round 2 – Repêchages
Heat 1 : Yan Keoni (Pyf) 13.54 pts – Ian Gentils (Haw) 13.50 pts – Yuta Tsukamoto (Jap) 7.90 pts – Tom Neushwanger (Fra) 6.67 pts
Heat 2 : Andrew Jacobson (Usa) 13.26 pts – Sandi Slamet (Bali) 11.34 pts – Ben Poulter (Nz) 10.90 pts – Hugo Robin (Fra) 10.37 pts

www.quiksilver-europe.com
http://quiksilverlive.com/king09

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