Billabong Alley Classic

Billabong Queensland Champion Circuit
Currumbin Alley, Queensland Australia
20 - 21 January 2007

Heatdraw & Results

International Upsets A Coast Favourite on Day One

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 20 January, 2007 : - - The launch of the 2007 Billabong Queensland Championship Circuit (QCC) begun with the state’s hottest surfers sparring with a hot international field on day one at the Billabong Alley Classic today. A building 3ft southerly swell gave the 100-strong field something to smile about, most of who were keen for a good start to begin the New Year.  

In its 11th year, the world-class event attracted surfers from Indonesian, South Africa, Brazil and Reunion Island along with the majority of Australian states. Thiago Camarao of Sao Paulo, Brazil was one international who shone on the opening day of competition, defeating Queensland’s highest ranked World Qualifying Series (WQS) surfer Jay Thompson in their round of 96 heat.  

The athletic natural footer entered the event as practice for the ASP Australasian Junior Series and is fully mindful of the talent that Queensland is producing.  “ It’s an inspiration to compete against guys like ‘Bottle’ (Jay Thompson),” he said. ’m staying on the Gold Coast for three months competing in events as well as trying to improve my surfing. The competition in Australia provides great practice for my junior and ‘QS assault for ’07.”

Thiago’s heat total of 12.25 points was easily enough to overpower Thompson’s 9.35. “I couldn’t find my rhythm out there,” said Thompson.  “I fell on a few critical waves and couldn’t find any waves of consequence.” Luckily for Thompson, he progresses alongside Camarao into the round of 64.

Another surfer lucky to survive today was rising junior surfer Brendan Leckie (Currumbin), who made the most of an outgoing tide to sneak through to the round of 64. Jumping out of the gates with a energised 8.00 point ride, the gifted surfer backed it up with a solid 5.5 ride to advance through to the round of 64 along with Kingscliff goofy footer Brad King, who won the heat on 15.5 points (8.75 & 7.75).

Finishing 8th on last year’s pro junior series, Leckie is keen to follow in the footsteps of former Alley champions and WCT ranked surfers; Joel Parkinson and Luke Munro, both of who live locally on the Gold Coast. One of the Gold Coast’s biggest names Brent “Brenno’ Dorrington also blitzed his round of 96 heat to book a spot in the round of 64.  

18-year-old Dorrington utilised a combination of smooth forehand carves and vertical reo’s to post the morning’s highest combined heat score, an imposing 15.5 points. The talented natural footer has been the form surfer over summer, snapping up an elusive wildcard into the trials of the only World Championship Tour (WCT) event on the Gold Coast in ’07.

Indigenous up-and-comer Dale Richards (Coolangatta) kicked off his ’07 campaign with a solid win in the round of 96. The rising pro junior competitor made the most of the morning’s big high tide and full conditions to advance through to the round of 64. “It was a little tough out there today,” he said. 'The waves lacked power in the morning but I was luck enough to snare a few good ones.”  

The Alley’s evergreen Mark ‘Richo’ Richardson will hit the water in tomorrow’s early morning heats. Richardson’s potent backhand attack has been perfected on the Alley’s reeling blue walls and he’s always a threat on his local break. The winner and runner up of the ’07 Billabong QCC series wins a wildcard into the Gold Coast World Championship Tour (WCT) trials event.  

What’s more, the winner of the Billabong QCC wins a wildcard into the Billabong Pro Tahiti Trials Event, plus return Airfares. The ’07 Billabong QCC, with $AU30, 000 on offer over six events is the richest domestic surfing circuits in not only Australia, but also the world! 

Day two of competition will look to commence at Currumbin Alley at 8am. The Billabong QCC is proudly supported by Vodafone. 

Past Winners:

’06 Winner: Dave Reardon-Smith
’05 Winner: Damon Harvey
’04 Winner: Adriano De Souza
’03 Winner: Luke Munro
’02 Winner: Joel Parkinson

Previous reports:
# 1 : Billabong Queensland Championship Circuit starts off
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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