Top seeds set to compete in Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro..
Antonio Bortoletto : Photo Tostee.com
Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro presented by the Weekend Witness
New Pier, Durban 14- 17 April 2006
Top Seeds Announced for Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 13 April, 2006 : - - Top seeds for the weekend’s One Star World Qualifying Series (WQS) Lizzard Nandos Surf Pro presented by the Weekend Witness have been announced, with defending champion Daniel Redman (Umdloti) topping a highly accomplished line-up of WQS talent.
Redman’s scintillating form and near perfect scores ensured he was an absolute standout at his home break in 2005 and we can expect nothing less from the 2005 Six Star WQS (Maldives) winner at the weekend.
Holding down the number two seed position is four times South African Champion and Four Star WQS (Brazil) winner, Warwick ‘Wok’ Wright (Durban).
Wok finished in the top 100 on the 2005 WQS tour and with numerous successes at New Pier over the course of his career, is likely to be a standout throughout the four-day contest.
South African Mens Champion (2002) Antonio Bortoletto (Durban) is the third seed, and with over 20 years of surfing experience at New Pier, not to mention a five star WQS (Newquay) title to his name, Bortoletto will be looking to step up to the podium’s highest block at his home break this weekend.
World number two on the WQS ratings Ricky Basnett (Bluff), returns to South Africa on a surfing high, having finished second at the Four Star WQS in Margaret River, Australia just two weeks ago.
Basnett is fourth seed followed by former World Championship Tour campaigner, fifth seed Paul Canning (Durban North).
In the Grade 1 Pro Junior Division, 2005 ASP Africa Pro Surf Tour Junior champion, Brandon Jackson (Durban North) tops the weekend’s heat draws as the number one seed.
Former South African Junior champion Keegan Nel (East London) and National junior team rider Rudy Palmboom (Bluff) are second and third seeds respectively and will be going all out to for their share of the US$ 2000 prize-money, in what is the most prestigious junior surfing contest on the African continent.
Western Province champion (2005) Stacey Guy (Melkbosstrand, CT) heads up the 2A Rated womens division and will face a tough pool of competition when the first round gets underway on Saturday.
Second and third seeds in the women's division include five times ASP Africa Champion Tamarys de Maroussem (Westbrook) and former Lizzard Nandos Womens champion Sarah Maritz (Warner Beach).
The One Star World Qualifying Series event kicks off at Durban’s New Pier on Friday 14 April 2006 for, four action packed days of performance surfing that will see three new champions crowned on Monday. The Pro Junior, Womens and Mens finals will commence at 13h00 followed by the official prize giving at 14h45 on Monday 17 April 2006.
The event co-sponsors are Bavaria, Nestle Pure Life Water and Durban Africa.