Phil Rajzman : photo Cazenave/Oxbow

Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship

ASP WLC Mens Event
Anglet, France
30 April - 6 May 2007

Live Coverage  |  Results/Photos/Videos etc

Brazil Claims First Ever Surfing World Champion

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 6 May, 2007 : - - Anglet,  France – Phil Rajzman is the new Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Intenational Men’s World Longboarding Champion following his convincing victory in the Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship held at les Cavaliers, Anglet this afternoon.

In defeating fellow countrymen Danilo Rodrigo (pictured) in the final 15.00 to 12.30, Rajzman also made professional surfing history by becoming Brazil’s first ever ASP International World Champion. That is a stunning statistic considering the long and successful history Brazilian surfers have had in professional surfing.

“I am so proud right now,” said Rajzman just after his victory. “To be the first ever Brazilian surfing world champion is something pretty special. This is my best ever result and to do it here in France at an Oxbow event is amazing.”

After his victory Rajzman acknowledged two important people in his life.

Phil Rajzman : photo Cazenave/Oxbow

“I had a baby daughter only two months ago so I think she helped send the waves I needed to become world champion.” Rajzman said. “Also to have Alex “Picaruta” Salazar on the beach, who is like my master and who gave me so much strength and support was incredible.”

Salazar, the father figure in Brazilian surfing who has been runner up to the world title a record three times, competed in this event and also played a huge role in the other finalist Rodrigo’s life.

“Picaruta is like a father to me,“ said Rodrigo. “He practically bought me up and taught me everything I know about surfing. I surfed for him today as well, but like him I also came second. Still, I am very proud of my result and am happy there is now a world champion from Brazil.”

Rajzman had been one of the form surfers of the entire event and again dominated the final. His highest scoring wave, an eight-point ride, featured some huge modern top turns followed by a radical toes-on-the-nose spinning “helicopter”.

Rodrigo Danilo : photo Cazenave/Oxbow

“Phil really deserves it,” said Nat Young, the four-time world longboard champ and patron of the Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship. “He surfed so strong and is such a young guy and of course the Brazilians are a real force in longboarding now, which is great to see.”

Earlier in the day Rajzman has defeated Carlos Bahia (BRA) in the first semi final, while in the other semi, Rodrigo had overcome the only former world champion still left in the event, Bonga Perkins (HAW). That set up the all-Brazilian final and guaranteed that surfing history would be made.

“The support from Brazil, both here at the event and from emails and phone calls from back home has been incredible,” said Rajzman. “This means a lot to the people back home, and, of course, to me. I think we will all have a big party when I return home."

After the way he surfed in the event, the 2007 ASP International Men’s Longboard World Champion deserves one. For more information go to www.oxboworld.com

Results

Final
Phil Rajzman (BRA) 15.00 d Rodrigo Danilo (BRA) 12.30

Semi finals
S1: Phil Rajzman (BRA) 15.00 d Roger "Carlos" Bahia (BRA) 13.75
S2: Rodrigo Danilo (BRA) 14.85 d Bonga Perkins (HAW) 12.00

Quarterfinals
QF3: Bonga Perkins (HAW) 11.60 d Jackson Close (AUS) 8.40
QF4: Danilo Rodrigo (HAW) 14.75 d Harvey Ingleby (AUS) 14.00

Carlos Bahia : photo Cazenave/Oxbow

AM Report:  It's the Morning Of The Finals   

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 6 May, 2007 : - - Anglet,  France – Only five 25-minute heats to go now and we will know who is the winner of Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship and therefore the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) International 2007 Mens World Longboard Champion.

The surf here at les Cavaliers, Anglet is improving as organisers wait for the tide to drop for the scheduled 11.00am local time start. First in the water will giant killing Australian Jackson Close who has surfed all the way from the trials. The powerful Aussie has been in tremendous form, upsetting world no 2 Ned Snow (HAW) and two-world times champion Colin McPhillips (AUS) along the way.

As McPhillips said, "I've never even heard of, let alone seen, guys like Jackson, yet here he is taking out some of the older guys. It's great for the sport." Patron of the event and former world champion Nat Young agreed. “Jackson is such a powerful, solid surfer and deserves where he is right now.”

Close though isn’t settling just for the accolades and exposure. "I don't love these types of waves, but I know how to surf them. I'm going for the number one spot. I wouldn't have come over here if I didn't think I could win it.”

Winners podium : photo Cazenave/Oxbow

Mind you he is surfing against one of the legends of the sport and the sole remaining world title winner left in the field, Bonga Perkins (HAW). Perkins was the world champion way back in 1996 yesterday used all his experience to oust Eduardo Bage (BRA). Close will have to do something special to upset the Hawaiian style guru.

The next quarterfinal sees Harvey Ingleby (AUS) up against Brazilian powerhouse Rodrigo Danilo. Ingelby is now the highest ranked surfer in the event following the shock elimination of defending champion Josh Constable (AUS) and runner up Snow. Ingleby though, a smooth natural footer, is not getting carried away.

“I’m not really thinking about who’s left, the remaining surfers are too good to do that," said Ingelby. “I’m just going to take each heat as they come and hopefully I’ll get through.”

The first semifinal is an all-Brazilian affair with perhaps the form surfer of the past week Phil Rajzman taking on fellow countrymen and good friend Roger “Carlos” Bahia. The Brazilians have been the powerhouse nation throughout the week and it is no surprise to see them filling at least half of the final four places in the event.

96 surfers competed in this event, and now we are down to just six. By this afternoon one of those surfers will be named the winner of the Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship. Not only that, he will take home a prize purse of $US10,000 and perhaps more importantly, the title of 2007 (ASP) Men’s World Longboard Champion. Keep a close eye on the web, we are in for a cracking day.

Remaining Quarterfinals Match ups

Quarterfinals
QF3: Jackson Close (HAW) vs Bonga Perkins (BRA)
QF4: Harley Ingleby (AUS) vs Danilo Rodrigo (BRA)

Semifinals
S1: Phil Rajzman (BRA) vs Roger "Carlos" Bahia (BRA)

Oxbow Pro Video
Day 1 Video
Day 2 Video
Day 3 Video
Day 4 Video
Day 5 Video
Day 6 Video
Day 7 Video

Interview - Oxbow Pro - Day 3
Takuji Masuda

Oxbow Pro Champs Flash Audio
Download Audio file in French
Download Audio file in English

Download Jour 4 Audio file in French
Download Day 4 Audio file in English
Download Jour 5 Audio file in French
Download Day 5 Audio file in English
Download Jour 6 Audio file in French
Download Day 6 Audio file in English
Download Jour 7 Audio file in French
Download Day 7 Audio file in English



Interview with Laird Hamilton
Download French interview with Laird Hamilton
Download English interview with Laird Hamilton

Check the Live Coverage

Oxbow and Volkswagen have associated this year, 2007, in order to create a personalized line for the FOX. This automobile, aimed at youth, has as its goal to recreate «the universe of surfing in a car.» Oxbow and Volkswagen will take advantage of the Oxbow World Longboard Championship to seal this partnership between their two brands.

Take note of an exceptional evening party on May 2nd, to celebrate the official debut of the Oxbow Fox. HP, official partner of the Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship 2007, puts its technological expertise to the service of the longboarders, judges and spectators. Portable computers and flat screens will be at the disposition of judges and spectators so they will not miss one single ride. Also, it will be on a particularly stylish HP «special edition» laptop that Laird Hamilton will chat with «internauts» live from Anglet.

Finally, the activity «Shoot & Print HP» will permit longboard fans on the site to immortalize the event and go home with a souvenir photo! An Oxbow/Microsoft gadget, for all fans of surfing throughout the entire world, designed in order to follow the competition without stepping out of their doors!

On the occasion of the Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship 2007, Oxbow and Microsoft have joined to develop this gadget for Windows Vista. It permits all boardsports enthusiasts to follow -- live -- the highlights of the contest and to be informed of the main results.

Check the Live Coverage

Previous reports:
# 1 : Oxbow World Longboard Champs are coming to Anglet
# 2 : Oxbow to host official ASP World Longboard Tour event
# 3 : Oxbow Word Longboard Championship event overview
# 4 : Oxbow Pro to crown 2007 World Longboard Champion 
# 5 : Trialists vie for wildcards at Oxbow Pro World Champs
 
# 6 : Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship kicks off...  
# 7 : Epic day at Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship
# 8 : Oxbow Pro World Champs : Masters fall to apprentices
# 9 : Wildcards winners at Oxbow Pro World Championships
# 10 : Oxbow Pro World Longboard Champs final day Sunday

www.oxboworld.com

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Alexandre Ponot

Longboard - Surfersvillage