Billabong Pro-Teen 2006

ASP Australasia Pro Junior
Burleigh Heads, QLD
7 - 12 February 2006

www.billabong.com.au

Sunshine Coast surfer Julian Wilson Breaks Thru for Maiden Win
Surprise Gold Coast Performer Brendan Leckie Runner-up

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 12 February, 2006 : - - (Duranbah Beach, Gold Coast): Sunshine Coast surfer Julian Wilson broke through for his maiden victory in the Billabong Pro-Teen Series today convincingly defeating unheralded Brendan Leckie in the 30 minute decider at Duranbah Beach, Gold Coast. 

Wilson dropped the bridesmaid tag in no uncertain terms, opening quickly with three solid scoring rides to leave his 17 year-old opponent in need of a two wave scoring combination within the first five minutes.  In clean one metre waves Wilson showcased his surfing spontaneity with a perfectly executed 360 air reverse on his 3rd ride that awarded him the highest wave score of the final, an 8.83. 

Extending his lead throughout the decider, the naturally gifted 17 year-old has been a clear stand-out over the 2006 ASP Australasian Junior circuit having clocked up a fifth and two equal third placing’s in the three previous events.  Securing the win, Wilson also claimed the ASP Australasian ratings lead from Angourie’s Laurie Towner who was eliminated by Leckie on Saturday. 

 “I’ve had a good start to the year with some high placing’s but it feels great to have a win,” said Wilson just after the final.  “For sure, it was my tactics to get to get a couple of scoring waves quickly.  I thought the wind might have come up and it could have gotten really bad out there but then I would have had those scores.” 

“Anyway it was great to surf the final against Leckie.” It was the young surfing guns who dominated the 6 day tournament that commenced in the point-break waves of Burleigh Heads before relocating to the peaks of D-bah for the final three days of competition. 

Palm Beach surfer Leckie finally realised his full potential this week with the break through performance of the tournament.  Despite being soundly beaten by a rampaging Wilson in the penultimate final, Leckie, who had previously never reached the top end of a pro junior event took down event favourite Towner (Angourie, NSW) and the high-profile former amateur world junior champion James Wood (Lennox Head, NSW) on his way to the final and overall second position. 

“Stoked,” said Leckie.  “I just got beaten by one of the best 17 year-old surfers in the world.  That’s nothing to be ashamed of.  I am just so proud I got to the final.  It’s my best result ever.” 

Leckie who possesses an obvious unique ability and style, has struggled over the past two years to progress through more than one or two heats in any junior event.  Rated 36 leading into the Billabong Pro-Teen, Leckie gained confidence from strong early heat wins at Burleigh Heads before moving on to the beach break of Duranbah and surging towards the final and his best ever result.  

The fluid natural footer who spends the majority of his days surfing the long winding walls of Currumbin Alley jumped over 20 places to 14th on the ASP junior ratings leading into next weeks Billabong Pro-Teen at Wollongong. 

Final Scores – Wilson 17.10 to Leckie’s 12.90. 

Manly surfer Sam Page enjoyed a return to form after a slow start this season finishing equal 3rd overall after being eliminated by Leckie in the semi-final.  Wilson defeated fellow Sunshine Coast surfer Dean Iezzi (Perigian Beach) in their semi-final.  Iezzi posting his career best result with his equal 3rd placing in a pro-junior. 

On Saturday Gold Coast based Kiwi surfer Airini Mason (Bilinga) emerged as the dominating force on this years ASP Australasian Junior Circuit clinching her third win of the season with her Billabong Pro-Teen Series victory at Duranbah.  

In the clean one metre plus waves, 16 year-old Mason defeated French prodigy, 14 year-old Pauline Ado in Australia’s first-ever all-international junior girls final that showcased the incredible depth of global talent currently in the young female ranks.

The fast, stylish and smooth Mason dominated the one-sided final with surf savvy and better wave selection to now hold a near 2000 points ratings lead ahead of her nearest rival Nicola Atherton (Bronte) after just four events.  

Palm Beach’s Joel Nantes took out the Panasonic expression session just prior to the junior men’s final winning a digital still camera for a radical “Passion Pop” aerial.   The Panasonic expression sessions have become an integral part of the Billabong Pro-Teen series where top rated competitors who have been eliminated from the event surf a 20 minute heat, trying huge futuristic moves for Panasonic prizes. 

Earlier in the event, Alex Chacon (Manly) pocketed $1000 cash courtesy of Kustom shoes for a clinically performed 360 degree aerial manoeuvre, which secured him the best Kustomised Manoeuvre.  Kustom Shoes have pledged $1000 cash at each Billabong Pro-Teen series event to the surfer who pulls the most innovative move throughout the competition.   

The Billabong Pro-Teen Series Wollongong event commences this Wednesday, February 15th.

The Billabong Pro-Teen Burleigh Heads is the first of the five event Pro-Teen Series which comprises the ASP Australasian Junior Circuit and offers the series winner a prestigious wildcard slot into the trials of the Billallabong Pro World Championship Tour event in Tahiti. (May 4th-16th) The Pro-Teen series also offers 60,000 dollars in prize money and is effectively the back bone of the Australasian Junior Surfing Circuit.

The Billabong Pro-Teen Series for 2006 is supported by Panasonic, Vodafone, Coca-Cola, UV Triplegard, Clearasil, Kustom, Von Zipper, Tracks and Palmers Surf.

Previous reports:
# 1 : Billabong Pro-Teen Gold Coast gears up for Tuesday
# 2 : Billabong Pro-Teen 2006 kicks off at Burleigh Heads
# 3 : Billabong Pro-Teen / Sth Africans fire up at the Point
# 4 : Matt Wilkinson ejected at Billabong Pro Teen event..
# 5 : Locals impress at Billabong Pro-Teen on the Goldie
# 6 : Airini Mason wins Billabong Pro Teen on Gold coast

Billabong Pro Teen Series Dates and Locations

Feb 7-12                 Billabong Pro-Teen Series Gold Coast
Feb 15-19               Billabong Pro-Teen Series Wollongong
Mar 16-19               Billabong Pro-Teen Series Raglan NZ
Mar 29-Apr 2          Wild Surf Co/Billabong Pro-Teen Series Newcastle
Sep 27-Oct 1          Billabong Pro-teen Bells Beach

www.billabong.com

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Mandy McKinnon
mandy.mckinnon@bigpond.com 

Simon Barratt
sbarratt@billabong.com.au 

Steve Robertson
stever@surfingaustralia.com

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