Brothers Neilsen Pro Junior

Grade 3 ASP Men's Pro Junior
Grade 1 ASP Women's Pro Junior
Burleigh Heads, Qld Australia
28 April - 4 May 2008

Surfing Action gets underway in Brothers Neilsen Pro Junior

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 30 April, 2008 : - - Gold Coast -- A new southerly swell broke the wave drought on the Gold Coast overnight allowing the surfing action in the Brother Neilsen Pro Junior to commence today. After two lay-days, the nation’s top U/20 surfers unleashed in the punchy one-metre waves of Duranbah Beach as they shredded and barrelled their way through the opening rounds of the $23,000 tournament.

West Australian young gun MITCHELL TAYLOR (Triggs) made the most of the mid-tide barrelling conditions to post a heat-high total of 17.00 (out of a possible 20). The 18 year-old slotted into a three-second barrel before emerging to perform a carving slash for a nine-point ride. Taylor left all three of his opponents requiring a two wave scoring combination on the siren.

“I’ve had a few first round melt downs this year so I’m stoked to have a win today,” said Taylor. “The next round is going to be tough, I actually don’t want to think about it.” The action continued to intensify on the incoming tide with ICE RYAN (Coolangatta) leading the local charge. The rising star used a 9.30 ride in his heat total of 15.40 to advance in front of Kieren Lloyd (Kingscliff, NSW).

Joining Ryan in round two were fellow Gold Coast locals including DANNY NEILSEN (Mermaid Beach), ELI JACOBS (Bilinga), JAMES WOODS (Coolangatta), JACK FREESTONE (Coolangatta) and TAKKESH THORNE (Palm Beach), who all progressed through their opening round heats.

The round one standouts will be all forced to push to new levels when they take on the seeded surfers in tomorrow’s second round. It’s high stakes for the nation's best U/20 surfers as the ASP Australasian junior tour passes the half way mark at the Brothers Neilsen Pro Junior.

Tyler Wright : photo Kirsten Scholtz/ASP Australasia

U/18 Australia champion OWEN WRIGHT (Culburra, NSW) will be out to continue his unbeatable form of late when he enters in round two. Wright has not put a foot wrong recently winning the last three tournaments he has contested. The 18 year-old claimed the biggest pay day of his career at last weekend's Boost Mobile Surf Sho, walking away with the $25,000 winners cheque.

“It’s been really good these past couple of months for me,” said Wright. “I’ve won the last two junior events and then won the Boost Mobile last week... I’m feeling good and hopefully I can make it a fourth win. It’s tough competition though Stuart Kennedy has come on really strong this year and Julian Wilson is world class.”

Wright who suffered a slow start to the season and missed a couple of events is currently ranked 29th and will be wanting to improve that position. ASP Australasian pro-junior ratings leader STUART KENNEDY (Lennox Head, NSW) currently has a stranglehold on the 2008 series, leading by over 4000 points.

The 18 year-old, is coming off his worst result of the season an equal 9th placing at the Newcastle pro-junior.  Prior to that result the super consistent charger had not finished lower than equal 5th over the opening six events. The formidable JULIAN WILSON (Coolum Beach, Sunshine Coast) will be looking for his maiden victory on the 2008 pro-junior series having posted two runner-up results this year.

Defending Brothers Neilsen Pro Junior champion SALLY FITZGIBBONS (Gerroa, NSW) has been enjoying a bumper season and will enter along with other top seeds in tomorrow’s U/20 girl’s event. The 18 year-old sensation has already clocked up two pro-junior victories this year but is not underestimating her opponents.

“The standard on the juniors is pretty amazing,” said Fitzgibbons. “Paige (Hareb) and Laura (Enever) and pretty much the top ten juniors are all tough. The junior tour is helping us all perform on the WQS,” added Fitzgibbons.

Surf conditions will be accessed at 6.30am tomorrow morning as to where to stage day two of the Brothers Neilsen Pro Junior on the Gold Coast.

Previous reports:
# 1 : Brothers Neilsen Pro Junior: lay day called on Gold Coast
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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Mandy McKinnon / Jake White

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