Team Australia's coach Sasha Stocker holds the trophy high : Photo Daniel Smorigo

International Surfing Association
Maresias, Brazil.
6 - 14 May 2006

Results/PhotosVideo etc

(Scroll down for team reports)

JULIAN WILSON, OWEN WRIGHT AND PAULINE ADO CROWNED WORLD CHAMPIONS

SOUTH AFRICA WIN ISA CUP EVENT -------  AUSTRALIA WINS TEAMS TITLE 

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 14 May, 2006 : - - Australia’s Julian Wilson and Owen Wright, along with France’s Pauline Ado, are the new world champions after victories at the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships at Maresias Beach, Brazil, today. Australia also claimed the overall World Junior Champion Team title. 

The finals of the Under 18 and 16 Boys, and Under 18 Girls, were all hotly contested in powerful five to six foot (1.5 – 2 metre) waves, the best surf of the eight-day competition. The Under 18 Boys final was an incredible battle with Wilson (Coolum, Qld) getting off to an early lead before being pursued by South Africa’s top gun, Jordy Smith, of Durban.  

With a massive crowd on the beach roaring encouragement, the pair exchanged huge floaters and re-entries, with Smith fighting back with a big aerial reverse manoeuvre that scored 8.33 (out of 10) to narrow the gap. But Wilson held off the challenge to win by 17.67– 16.90 points, with fellow Australian Caleb Reid-Boquist (Bronte, NSW) in third (14.50) and France’s Jeremy Flores fourth (13.87).   

            
Julian Wilson                                                                  Paline Ado

“Being the world champion is the best feeling I’ve ever had in my whole life,” Wilson, 17, said. “I am so happy. I’ve come second once before, and the feeling was good, but coming first is so much better. The waves really turned on for the final and it was so intense out in the water. My tactics were to get two good scores early and put a bit of pressure on.  Then Jordy came back at me and it was just wave for wave.” 

No one on the beach could believe the level of surfing reached by the four Under 18 finalists. “The talent in the final was incredible, they’re the best surfers in the world, and coming to the world titles you don’t expect anything less,” Wilson said. Wilson credited the Australian team as a whole. “We’ve got a strong Australian team here and everyone has helped each other out as we’re good friends.”  

He was also surprised by the excellent surf throughout the event: “Coming to Brazil, I bought my small boards and didn’t expect the good waves that we got. I’ve been gob-smacked by the waves, they’ve been amazing,” he said. 

 
Julian Wilson, Team Australia. Photo: Daniel Smorigo

Owen Wright (Culburra, NSW) also started fast in the Under 16 Boys final, locking in some brilliant early rides to have his opponents needing a combination of scores to catch him.  Wright hit peak form in the final and he easily won with 16.20 points, ahead of Brazil’s Alejo Muniz (11.64), South Africa’s Shaun Joubert (10.80) and France’s Marc Lacomare (8.20). 

“All my buddies here were cheering me on and that got me fired up for the final and I’m stoked to come out on top,” Wright, 16, said. “I hadn’t put together a brilliant heat all week so I thought to myself: ‘I may as well do it now.’ I got a good early score and then just tried to keep building on it. “The standard has been so good here that I was sweating and I didn’t get much sleep last night but it paid off. There’s been so much support from the Australian team here that it makes you want to go twice as hard,” he said. 

The Under 18 Girls final came down to the wire, with Pauline Ado (Hendaye, France) scoring an 8.93 (out of 10) in the last minute to take the lead from Australian Sally Fitzgibbons (Gerroa, NSW). Ado narrowly won by 15.50 points – Fitzgibbons’ 15.06, with Brazil’s Diana Souza third on 9.50 and New Zealand’s Airini Mason fourth on 7.33. 

 
Pauline Ado, Team France. Photo: Daniel Smorigo

Ado, 15, said she had seen Fitzgibbons surf in Australia and knew that she was in for a tough final.  “I can’t believe that I am the world champion,” Ado said.  “I didn’t get very good waves at the beginning but when I finished my last ride, I hoped that I had the score I needed – and I did.  I am so happy to be the world champion and it’s my ambition to be a professional surfer.” 

Ado’s victory helped France record their best finish ever at this event, a runner-up placing to Australia, and ahead of Brazil, Hawaii, South Africa and USA.

The final of the ISA Cup was contested by the top teams today and the South African team (Shaun Joubert, Jordy Smith, Kyle Lane, Rudy Palmbloom and Nikita Robb) won with 65.52 points, ahead of Australia (55.04), New Zealand (38.76) and France (32.10). 

On total pointscore, Australia had a clear win on 6,292 points to claim the ISA World Junior Champion Team title, with France second (5,029), Brazil third (4,688), Hawaii fourth (4,626), South Africa fifth (4,560) and USA sixth (3,948).  All winners and top placegetters were awarded medals. 

 
Owen Wright, Team Australia. Photo: Daniel Smorigo

Australia finished fourth overall in Huntington Beach, California, last year, after winning every title in Tahiti in 2004, and Australia’s head coach, Sasha Stocker, said this year’s results were a big turnaround for the team. “Last year we saw a major increase in the standard of surfing at this competition and our Team Australia programs were influenced by that,” Stocker said. “All credit must go to the Australian Sports Commission for their support of Australian surfing and to our athletes, who are an amazing group of talented young surfers.” 

A local Brazilian surfer, Alcino Neto – better know at Pirata (the pirate) – performed an exhibition today of adaptive surfing.  Neto, 36, lost a leg as a teenager when hit by a drunken driver while riding his motorcycle.  Despite the setback, Neto still manages to stand on his surfboard and enjoy the sport he took up as an eight-year-old.   

“The accident has never stopped me,” he said. “I encourage all disabled people to try surfing.  Here in Brazil I run surf schools using special equipment.” 

The ISA President, Fernando Aguerre, said: “What an event!  The best junior surfers from every surfing nation, great waves every day, the festive Brazilian spirit that we all love … diverse cultures, races and religions sharing the beach and waves, and competing just for honor and medals. Congratulations to all medallists.”

Owen Wright, Team Australia. Photo: Daniel Smorigo

This year 27 countries and 251 athletes competed in the event. The final placings (in order of finishing) were: Australia, France, Brazil, Hawaii, South Africa, USA, New Zealand, Venezuela, Tahiti, Portugal, Peru, Japan, Ecuador, United Kingdom, Chile, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Spain, Barbados, Italy, Uruguay, Jamaica, Canada, Germany, Dominican Republic, Sweden and Guatemala. 

The next Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships will be held in Portugal in May 2007.

2006 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships, Maresias, Brazil , Results 

Boys Under 18
1 julian wilson  17.67 AUS
2 jordy smith  16.90  ZAF
3 caleb r-boquist   14.50 AUS 
4 jeremy flores  13.87 FRA

Girls Under 18:
1 pauline ado 15.50 FRA
2 sally fitzgibbons 15.06 AUS
3 diana souza 9.50 BRA
4 airini mason 7.33 NZL

Boys Under 16:
1 owen wright 16.20 AUS 
2 alejo muniz 11.64 BRA
3 shaun joubert 10.80 ZAF 
4 marc lacomare 8.20 FRA

ISA Trophee event (Tag Team)
1 South Africa
2 Australia
3 New Zealand
4 France 

Final team standings:
1 Australia
2 France
3 Brazil
4 Hawaii
5 South Africa
6 United Staes of America
7 New Zealand
8 Venezuela
9 Tahiti
10 Portugal
11 Peru
12 Japan
13 Ecuador
14 United Kingdom
15 Chile
16 Argentina
17 Puerto Rico
18 Spain
19 Barbados
20 Italy
21 Uraguay
22 Jamaica
23 Canada
24 Germany
25 Dominican Republic
26 Sweden
27 Guatemala

For detailed results, news and photos, please visit www.quiksilver.com/isa 

Previous reports:
# 1 : Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships '06
# 2 : Quiksilver WJSC sets new 28 team attendance record 
# 3 : Quiksilver to sponsor ISA WJSC for three more years..  
# 4 : Quiksilver ISA WJSC declared open in Maresias Brazil 
# 5 : Brazil comes alive on Sunday for Quiksilver ISA WJSC 

# 6 : Lee Ann Curren posts highest wave score at ISA WJSC
# 7 : Granger Larsen & Lee Ann Curren standouts at WJSC.
# 8 : USA gets beat up; Owen Wright (Aus) sets new record 
# 9 : Dramatic upsets continue at the Quiksilver ISA WJSC.. 
# 10 : Australia dominates a tough day 6 at Quiksilver WJSC  
# 11 : Team Australia continues to lead Quiksilver ISA WJSC  

Scroll down for "Team Reports" 

 INDIVIDUAL TEAM REPORTS:

Team Australia reports:
# 1 : Team Australia announced for World Junior Champs 06 
# 2 : Team Australia primed for World Jnr. Championships
# 3 : Team Australia arrive in Brasil for ISA World Jr Champs
# 4 : Team Australia at WJSC - Sally Fitzgibbons a standout
# 5 : Australia continue to impress at Quiksilver ISA WJSC
# 6 : Team Australia are well alive at ISA WJSC in Maresias
# 7 : Team Australia turn up the heat for final days of WJSC
# 8 : Team Australia: Australians take a commanding lead
# 9 :Team Australia crowned ISA World Champions for 06

Team Brazil reports:
# 1 : Quiksilver WJSC Equipe brasileira treina em Maresias
# 2 : Surfistas brasileiros prontos para o Quiksilver WJSC..
# 3 : Brasileiros estréiam com vitória em Maresias WJSC.... 
# 4 : Brasileiros avançam em Maresi Quiksilver ISA WJSC
# 5 : Catarinense Alejo Muniz e paraibana Diana Cristina...
# 6 : Brasil segue na briga em Maresias Quiksilver ISA WJ..
# 7 : Team Brazil Franklin Serpa/Wiggolly Dantas avançam  
# 8 : Team Brazil Alejo Muniz/Diana Cristina/Franklin Serpa

Team France reports:
# 1 : Preparation de l'equipe de France Espoir pour WJSC 06
# 2 : L’équipe de France est bien arrivée à Marésias, Brazil..
# 3 : Les Françaises magnifiques, Curren, Arnaud, Ado........ 
# 4 : L'Equipe De France impressionne au ISA WJSC Bresil  
# 5 : Une equipe de France lucide et radicale au ISA WJSC
# 6 : Magnifique 5ème journée pour les Francais en Bresil
# 7 : Team France J8 - - toujours dans la course au podium
# 8 : Journée chaotique pour Team France en ISA Maresias
# 9 : Pauline Ado championne du monde Junior de surf....

Team Great Britain reports:
# 1 : British surf team fly to Brazil for World Championships
# 2 : Junior Brits complete first day of competition in Brazil
# 3 : The British girls shine in stormy weather at ISA WJSC
# 4 : Tough heats for Great Britain as ISA WJSC heats up 

Team Hawaii reports:
# 1 : Hawaii Team off to World Championships with aloha!
# 2 : Hawai'i Girls advance in Quiksilver ISA WJSC in Brasil
# 3 : Hawai'i juniors making run at titles at the ISA WJSC
# 4 : Hawaii in 4 way tie for the lead at Quiksilver ISA WJSC

Team Jamaica reports:
# 1 : Jamaica's team arrive in Brazil for Quiksilver ISA WJSC 
# 2 : Jamaican surfers relegated to losers' round at WJSC..
# 3 : Jamaica finish 22nd at World Junior Surfing Champs

Team New Zealand reports
# 1 : New Zealand Juniors set to take on the world in Brazil
# 2 : Captain Christie leads the way for team New Zealand
# 3 : Divers through to U16 last 24 for team NZ at ISA WJSC
# 4 : Mason last Kiwi standing in qualifying rounds of WJSC
# 5 : Conditions & tough competition take toll on Kiwi Team
# 6 : Team New Zealand: Mason keeps Kiwis in the game
# 7 : Mason fourth in World Junior Surfing Championships

Team Spain reports:                                        
# 1 : La selección Española de Surf Junior en el ISA WJSC
# 2 : Team Espana - segunda jornada en Quiksilver WJSC
# 3 : Tras la tercera jornada en el mundial junior de Mares

Team USA reports:
# 1 : Surfing America to hold special US Surf Team selection 
# 2 : ISA WJSC commences with dancing girls in G-strings..
# 3 : Day 2 ups & downs at the Quiksilver ISA Junior Champs
# 4 : Courtney Conologue only bright spark in bad day for USA 
# 5 : ISA WJSC : Another Day of Highs and Lows for Team USA
# 6 : Groms Get Hammered Again, all are Eliminated on Day 5
# 7 : Zero United States Medals in Maresias, Aussies Rule!
  

ABOUT THE ISA:
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for Surfing, Bodyboarding and Surfriding. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964, and the Junior World Championships since 1980.

ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of over 50 countries in six continents. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California. It is presided by Fernando Aguerre, first elected in 1994 in Rio, and re-elected five times since. The ISA’s four Vice Presidents are from South Africa, Australia, Hawaii and the USA.

Inspired by the Olympic spirit, the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships showcases athletes competing on behalf of their country. The top four finalists will be awarded gold, silver, bronze and copper medals. Like in the Olympics, cultural identity, team spirit and moments of great personal triumph are hallmarks of the event. For more information, visit: www.isasurf.org.

ABOUT QUIKSILVER, INC.
Quiksilver, Inc. (NYSE:ZQK) is the world's leading outdoor sports company, which designs, produces and distributes a diversified mix of branded apparel, wintersports and golf equipment, footwear, accessories and related products. The Company's apparel and footwear brands represent a casual lifestyle for young-minded people that connect with its boardriding culture and heritage, while its wintersports and golf brands symbolize a long standing commitment to technical expertise and competitive success on the mountains and on the links.

The reputation of Quiksilver's brands is based on different outdoor sports. The Company's Quiksilver, Roxy, DC Shoes and Hawk brands are synonymous with the heritage and culture of surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding, and its beach and water oriented swimwear brands include Raisins, Radio Fiji, Leilani and Island Soul. The Rossignol, Dynastar, Lange, Look and Kerma brands are leaders in the alpine ski market, and the Company makes snowboarding equipment under its Rossignol, Dynastar, DC Shoes, Roxy, Lib Technologies, Gnu and Bent Metal labels. The Company's golf business includes Cleveland Golf, as well as Never Compromise putters and Fidra apparel by John Ashworth. Gotcha is the Company's surf-based European brand addressing street fashion.

The Company's products are sold in over 90 countries in a wide range of distribution, including surf shops, ski shops, skateboard shops, snowboard shops, proprietary Boardriders Club shops, other specialty stores and select department stores. The European headquarters are in St. Jean de Luz and Voiron, France; and the Asia/Pacific headquarters are in Torquay, Australia. Quiksilver's corporate and Americas' headquarters are in Huntington Beach, California.

NOTE: For further information about Quiksilver, Inc., you are invited to visit our corporate website at www.quiksilverinc.com and the websites of our brands at www.quiksilver.com, www.roxy.com, www.dcshoecousa.com, www.fidragolf.com, www.quiksilveredition.com, www.hawkclothing.com, www.rossignol.com, www.dynastar.com, and www.clevelandgolf.com.

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Kirk Willcox
Quiksilver International 
kirk.willcox@quiksilver.com.au

Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships 2006
João Carvalho
joaocarvalho@matrix.com.br

Confederação Brasileira de Surf (CBS):
Serginho Laus 
cbsassessoria@uol.com.br

Ader Oliveira 
ader@cbsurf.com.br

Confederação Brasileira de Surf (CBS):
www.cbsurf.com.br
Tel: 55 (041) 3023-4169
cbsurf@terra.com.br

Kate Herber
ISA Operations Manager
International Surfing Association
www.isasurf.org
Tel: 858-551-5292

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