Rip Curl GromSearch Jan Juc crowns champs

Rip Curl GromSearch
Presented by Telstra

Surfing Australia
Jan Juc, Victoria Australia
4 - 7 October 2012

New South Wales & Queensland surfers take top honors

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 6 October, 2012 : - - The Rip Curl GromSearch presented by Telstra finished off school holidays for more than 100 competitors with a hard-fought finals day in cold and blustery conditions on Victoria’s Surf Coast. Ultimately it was the interstate invasion that won the day with all divisions won by visitors, including Jackson Baker (Merewether, NSW) and Laura Poncini (Moffat Beach, Qld) taking the title in the premier under-16 men's and women's divisions.

In a supreme display of confidence under pressure, Baker nailed the highest scoring wave of the whole event in the closing minutes of his final. He was awarded 9.67 (out of 10) for a series of critical turns on a wave that broke from right out the back all the way to the shore. “I knew I needed a score and knew that was the wave that could get me there,” Baker said. “My Grandad passed away while I was at this event as an 11-year-old and I really wanted to do my best in his honour, so I’m really happy that the wave came and I could get the score.”

His score relegated Jeames Young (Yamba, NSW) into second place with the Victorian trio of Tristan Forras, Cody Robinson and Joe Van Dijk following. The girls’ final was equally as tense with Poncini locking in an 8.00-point ride at the start of the heat but then falling behind to an in-form Zoe Clarke (Jan Juc, VIC). Poncini was then searching for a second wave until the dying moments when she took back the lead, and secured the win in the final few minutes.

“It was close, Zoe has been ripping and she took the lead, I’m just happy that I got that second wave,” Poncini said. Despite not securing an individual title the Victorian contingent put in a solid performance on a super cold day that had spectators searching for their warmest gear, and interstate competitors opting for booties, hoods and even gloves.

Jan Juc locals Forras, Clarke and Robinson led the charge with Van Dijk (Phillip Island, VIC), but all just couldn’t get the wave required to take the lead when it counted at the final siren. The Five:am Rising Star for the best up and coming talent went to Sandon Whittaker (Avoca, NSW) for a great event. He received the award ahead of Jaleesa Vincent (Coolum, Qld) and Mickey Robinson (Jan Juc).

The Telstra Performance award went to Joe Van Dijk for his outstanding performance in making the final in two divisions. Tristan Forras was nominated as the runner-up. The Rip Curl Standout Surfer award went to Isabella Nichols (Coolum, Qld) for her outstanding surfing throughout the entire event. She won the award just ahead of Ellie Frances (Middleton, SA), Mikey McDonagh (Lennox Head, NSW) and Xavier Huxtable (Jan Juc, VIC)

The highest scoring wave of the event was held by Harry Bryant (Noosa, Qld) until the final wave of the boys’ 16 and under division when Jackson Baker got his screamer. But with Baker winning the event, the Penny Skateboards Highest Score was awarded to Bryant for the incredible wave that netted him a 9.60 on the first day of competition.

The Rip Curl GromSearch series is presented by Telstra, with five:am Organic Yoghurt. Event partners Penny Skateboards, Polaroid cameras and DHD surfboards provide support and ASL magazine is the online media partner.

Under-16 boys
1 - Jackson Baker (Merewether, NSW)
2 - Jeames Young (Yamba, NSW)
3 - Tristan Forras (Jan Juc, VIC)
4 – Cody Robinson (Jan Juc, VIC)
5 – Joe Van Dijk (Phillip Island VIC)

Under-16 Girls
1 - Laura Poncini (Moffat Beach, QLD)
2 - Zoe Clarke (Jan Juc VIC)
3 - Cali McDonagh (Lennox Head, NSW)
4 – Isabella Nichols (Coolum, QLD)

Under-14 Boys
1 - Darcy Crump (Avalon, NSW)
2 - Joe Van Dijk (Phillip Ialand, VIC)
3 - Mickey Robinson (Jan Juc, VIC)
4 - Harley Ross-Webster (North Curl Curl, NSW)

Under-14 Girls
1 - Laura Poncini (Moffat Beach, QLD)
2 - Lucy Callister (Palm Beach, QLD)
3 - Jaleesa Vincent (Coolum, QLD)
4 - Paris Whittaker (Cronulla, NSW)

Under-12 Boys
1 - Dexter Muskens (Kirra, QLD)
2 - Sandon Whittaker (Avoca, BSW)
3 - Billy Harrison (Barwon Heads, VIC)
4 – Mikey McDonagh (Lennox Head, NSW)

Under-12 Girls
1 - Kiara Meredith (Illawarra, NSW)
2 - Piper Harrison (Barwon Heads, VIC)
3 – Isabella Cook
4 – India Robinson 

www.ripcurl.com.au
www.surfingaustralia.com/nsw
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Source: Surfing Australia

Author: The Editors

Tags: Rip Curl GromSearch, Surfing Australia, Rip Curl, Jan Juc

Events: Surfersvillage