Hobgood Challenge
Presented by Pacsun

ASP-sanctioned Pro Junior specialty event
Caroline Islands, Micronesia
1 February 2007

OWEN WRIGHT VICTORIOUS AT INAUGURAL HOBGOOD CHALLENEGE PRESENTED BY PACSUN

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 15 February, 2007 : - - HUNTINGTON BEACH, California – Rising Australian surfer Owen Wright (Culburra, AUS), 17, stormed passed a cadre of top-notch juniors late last week to capture the Inaugural Hobgood Challenge Presented by PacSun title. The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) North America Pro Junior specialty event was contested in pumping four-to-six-foot surf at an outer island reef pass near the village of Sokehs in Micronesia.

The Inaugural Hobgood Challenge Presented by PacSun was the first ever ASP North America sanctioned Pro specialty event and included a field of six of the world’s best surfers under 21 years of age. The brainchild of 2001 ASP world champion C.J. Hobgood (current #16 in the world) and his twin brother, Damien (current #7 in the world), the event featured a cash purse of $13,001.

The one-day event was held near the end of a waiting period that ran from February 1-10, allowing the surfers ample time for tuning up and becoming acquainted with the barreling righthander.  In addition to Wright, the Hobgood Challenge featured a crew of elite young surfers comprised of Dion Atkinson (Seaford, AUS), Clay Marzo (Lahaina, HAW), Dusty Payne (Lahaina, HAW), Eric Geiselman (New Smyrna Beach, FL) and Garut Widiarta (Kuta, IND).

Competition was intense from the outset as surfing’s future generation of superstars continuously pushed themselves and the Hobgood brothers to new heights with progressive aerials, fin-free snaps, sweeping cutbacks and deep barrels.  

“These kids are taking surfing to a whole different level,” Hobgood remarked.  “CJ and I get a lot out of the event from just seeing what these kids are up to and what they’re doing. It makes us surf that much harder knowing these guys are right behind us.” After a series of tight man-on-man heats, it was Wright’s name alone sitting on top of the scoreboard. 

“Winning the Hobgood Challenge means a lot to me,” Wright said.  “This was the best contest surf I’ve ever competed in, and the competition was tough. It’s a real highlight for my career and me personally.” The contest offered a U.S. $13,001 prize purse that was split equally between the six competitors.  Wright received one extra dollar for the victory.

Atkinson scored the Anon Optics Best Wave Award with a near-perfect 9.99 tube ride in the semi-finals.  Beginning March 1, 2007, the first of six webisodes documenting the event will be available at www.pacsun.com.  For more information check out ASPNorthAmerica.org, SurfingTheMag.com and PacSun.com

RESULTS

1 - Owen Wright (AUS)
2 - Dion Atkinson (AUS)
3 - Clay Marzo (HAW),  Garut Widiarta (IND)
5 - Eric Geiselman (USA), Dusty Payne (HAW)

Previous report:
# 1 : Inaugural Hobgood Challenge set to go in mirconesia

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Dave Prodan

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