Jay 'Bottle' Thompson wins the Maitland Toyota Open 4*

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 18 March, 2007 : - - The relatively unknown 24 year-old surfer from Burleigh Heads pocketed a cheque for $US10,000 and grabbed 1500 valuable World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings points after his maiden win in a professional surfing event.

Thompson, who came third in the world U/18 Grommet titles in 2001, finished the tour last year ranked 35th in the WQS ratings. His previous best result in the pro ranks was 5th in a Super Series event in France in 2005. The win at Merewether sees the former Australian U/16 title holder go to the 4 star Central Coast Pro at 71st position in the WQS rankings.

In the final, Thompson (15.17points) defeated the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour surfer Phillip MacDonald (12.67) of Cronulla in Sydney, who finished 12th on the elite tour in 2006. His highest individual wave score in the final was an 8.17 to MacDonald's 7. 'Bottle' as he is known to his mates around the world, started his campaign at Merewether in the round of 64.

This was the first WQS event Thompson has surfed in 2007after making the decision to skip the surfing season's opening leg of WQS events in Brazil. "I wasn't mentally prepared to start at the beginning of the year. I've been working really hard on my fitness and doing heaps of training and I just felt the time was right to surf here at Merewether.

"We do so much travelling, I just wanted to get everything right before starting out on my one goal this year of qualifying for the main tour," he said. Thompson rang his parents immediately after leaving the water, but they weren't home. "I'm dying to tell them and they will be over the moon I reckon," he said.

The natural foot has a tattoo on his left torso dedicated to the memory of his older brother Vaughn. His sibling died in a tragic accident on the Gold Coast in 2005. Thompson said the only thing that could have made the win sweeter was if Vaughn was here with him. "I really miss him and I know he'd be happy for me to get this win today," Thompson said.

"I'd dedicate the win to him but I already dedicated the win I had at the single fin classic at Burleigh in January, so I can't really do it here as well. "But I'm thinking about him."

Runner up Phillip MacDonald said he was disappointed he could not continue the form which saw him win all previous five heats since he began the competition in the round of 64. "I really wanted to win, I've been surfing well all competition but I just didn't get the waves," a deflated MacDonald said.

Twenty-eight year-old MacDonald, who finished 12th on the elite tour in 2006, said he was pleased Thompson would have his name etched on the winner's trophy. "This is good for Bottle. He needs the points and I don't, so good on him," he added.

Tim Boal (France) was equal 3rd & highest placed international surfer : photo Robertson/ASP

Many of the competitors at Merewether will now drive a hour south to Soldiers Beach on the New South Wales' Central Coast, where the round of 256 in the 4 star WQS event commenced this morning.

Today's Events including the Toohey’s Extra Dry Expression Session, the Coca-Cola Teams Challenge, the Newcastle Permanant Teams challenge, the Hunter Water Stars of the Future and the Wine and Waves Festival kept a crowd of more than 5000 fully entertained in between heats of the Maitland Toyota Open.

In the invitation only Toohey’s Extra Dry Expression Session, Merewether lad Travis Lynch gave the crowd a show to remember, taking the winner’s cheque of $1000 in spectacular style. A favourite at Surfest, Lynch won the approval of spectators in this afternoon’s “show-off” event, busting some serious air maneuvers and launching himself towards the sky in 3-4ft swell.

“It’s all judged on one move and mine was a forehand air, so that’s what got me the win,” an elated Lynch said. “It’s so much different to competing in the Maitland Toyota Open because you’re just out there to have fun with your mates and put on a show for the crowd. “I had a ball and it’s always great to have surf on the last day of Surfest.”

Also competing in the show stopping event were Michael Spencer (Lake Munmorah, NSW), Jordy Smith (AUS), Drew McPherson (Nords Wharf, NSW), Luke Cheadle (AUS) and crowd favourite Wiggolly Dantas (BRA).

Travis Lynch Jordy Smith Bede Durbidge

Some of the Hunter’s outstanding and exclusive vineyards and restaurants accompanied the world class surfing at the Wine and Waves festival. After competing in the Hunter Valley Vignerons Teams Challenge on Friday, Krinklewood Wines, Margan Family Wines, Brokenwood Wines and Mt Pleasant Wines showcased their delectable treats for an appreciative crowd who were seeking to expand their gastronomic horizons.

Wine and Waves Festival organiser Christine Demarchi was impressed with the success of the weekend, especially as the event was a first for the surfing event. “The food was fantastic, as was the fashion,” she said. “Everything we saw this weekend truly was world class.” Spectators sipping on wine were also whisked into the world of fashion with a display of elegant autumn designs from Newcastle sister team, High Tea with Mrs Woo.

Alex Norrie continued the beachy-brazilian theme of the fashion event with her collection of cheeky and bold swimwear, featuring pink and purple leopard print, bikinis and racy one pieces. “I didn’t get to see much of it because I had to keep everything organised out the back – but I was really happy with how it went,” Newcastle’s fashionista said.

Another crowd stopper during the afternoon was the amazing aerial stunt display by the Pitts Special S1-E aerobatic bi-plane, which gave a six minute exhibition of classic competition maneuvers including Hesitation rolls, Hammerheads, Vertical Rolls, Loops and Multiple Snap Rolls. Able to be heard from Newcastle’s CBD, the stunts sure shook up the afternoon.

But the ultimate culmination of the action was this afternoon’s Maitland Toyota Open, won by 24 year-old Australian Jay Thompson. While the move to Merewether was regarded by many as a big gamble, theulimate day of the event proved the gamble was a goer. Merewether rocked. We had some outstanding world class waves, some hot weather and appreciative crowds.

Thanks to the competitors, sponsors and all our wonderful volunteers.

Men's WQS Ratings After Evt#6 Maitland Toyota Open, Merewether,NSW-Australia

Aranburu,Aritz ESP 1 4575

Silva,Jean da BRA 2 3775

Courtney,Drew AUS 3 3756

Bourgeois,Ben USA 4 3650

Lopez,Shea USA 5 3625

Paulino,Pablo BRA 6 3588

Romao,Simao BRA 7 3438

Sodre,Yuri BRA 8 3431

Bastos,Leandro BRA 9 3426

Boal,Tim FRA 10 3381

Pires,Tiago PRT 11 3325

Kling,Gabe USA 12 3251

Beven,Patrick FRA 13 3250

Flintoff,Kirk AUS 14 3025

Todd,Mike USA 15 3013

Silva,Andre BRA 16 2913

Curran,Nathaniel USA 17 2882

Simpson,Brett USA 18 2726

Powers,Roy HAW 19 2675

Wright,Warwick ZAF 20 2600

Picon,Mikael FRA 21 2575

Nolan,Asher USA 22 2507

Padaratz,Neco BRA 23 2506

Davidson,Chris AUS 24 2500

Trekinho,Marcelo BRA 24 2500

Bacalso,Kekoa HAW 26 2438

Gudauskas,Patrick USA 27 2382

Eleogram,Ola HAW 28 2363

Emslie,Greg ZAF 29 2250

Barron,T.J HAW 30 2238

Smith,Jordy ZAF 31 2213

Gouveia,Fabio BRA 32 2188

Khodr,Jihad BRA 32 2188

Turner,Darren AUS 34 2100

Ziems,Corey AUS 35 2063

Coutinho,Odirlei BRA 36 2025

Wilkinson,Matt AUS 37 2001

Graves,Dylan PRI 38 2000

Dornelles,Rodrigo BRA 39 1938

Rebiere,Eric FRA 40 1925

Alves,Heitor BRA 41 1875

Gudauskas,Tanner USA 42 1825

Bourez,Michel PYF 43 1800

Teriinatoofa,Hira PYF 44 1794

Gonzalez,Jonathan CNY 45 1775

Ware,Austin USA 46 1756

Costa,Danilo BRA 47 1750

Henrique,Pedro BRA 47 1750

Polo,Marco BRA 47 1750

Silva,Fabio BRA 47 1750

Andre,Jadson BRA 47 1750

Reardon-Smith,Dave AUS 52 1744

Melling,Adam AUS 53 1725

Reynolds,Dane USA 54 1706

Yeomans,Nathan USA 55 1701

Lipke,Marlon DEU 56 1694

Sedley,Leigh AUS 56 1694

Herdy,Guilherme BRA 58 1688

Ribas,Victor BRA 58 1688

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