Julian Wilson : photo ASP Robertson/Covered Images

Billabong ASP World Junior Championships

ASP International
North Narrabeen, Sydney, NSW Australia
3 - 10 January 2009

Live Coverage  |  Results/Photos/Videos etc

Julian Wilson wins the VonZipper Trials
Secures entry into the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 2 January, 2009 : - - North Narrabeen, NSW – Julian Wilson (Coolum, QLD) continued his impressive comeback to competitive surfing today taking out the VonZipper Trials at North Narrabeen. Having only returned to competitive surfing last week after a long lay off with an ankle injury, Wilson dominated the competition today – delivering his own brand of dynamic, radical aerial surfing to take the title.
 
“I felt really confident out there after a strong result last week,” Wilson said after racking up a combined heat total of 13.23 (out of a possible 20). “The ankle felt good, my body felt a bit stiff, but all in all I can’t complain,” he said with a winning smile.
 
In holding aloft the trophy today Wilson also cemented his position in the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships where he will face off with some the hottest talent on the globe. “I really wanted to win this event and make it through to the main event,” Wilson admitted after defeating Dean Bowen (Gerroa, NSW), Nick Riley (Harbord, NSW) and Tahitian Luciani Heremoana (PYF) in the hotly contested final.
 
Looking forward to competing against the world’s best the surfing wunderkind has his sights set on continuing his winning ways in the main event which will take place from 3 -10 January 2009. “I have never really done that well at this event, so I’m really out to contest for the title – but it’s going to be tough,” he added.

VZ Trials podium : photo ASP Robertson/Covered Images

The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships is sure to be mind-blowing as the best, most radical, progressive junior competitors from around the world get ready to battle it out for a prestigious ASP Junior World Title. And with a standout crew of local talent on hand to thwart the hopes of their international rivals, the 2008 Billabong ASP World Junior Championships could be the year for resurgence from the Australian challengers.
 
One such talent is Dean Bowen who finished in second place, but still did enough to qualify for the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships on the back of an excellent 8.50 (out of a possible 10) ride. “I’m stoked,” Bowen said a mere month after being crowned the Australian Junior Champion. “To pit yourself against the world’s best surfers is what everyone wants to do,” he added. 

“I’m really looking forward to hopefully surfing well and taking a few big names down." With competitors travelling far and wide from the eight ASP world regions (Europe, South Africa, South America, North America, Hawaii, Australasia, Asia - plus ASP International region) the Aussies won’t have all their own way.
 
Joining Bowen and Wilson in the main draw is Luciani Heremoana who surfed with flair and power all day to claim the final wildcard for the main event with a total heat score of 9.10 (out of a possible 10).
 
Reading like a who’s who of professional surfing, all competitors will be looking to join the esteemed honour roll which includes ASP World Tour elite Joel Parkinson (Coolangatta, QLD), Adriano De Souza (BRA), Jordy Smith (ZAF) Jessi Miley-Dyer (Bronte, NSW), three-time ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW) and starlet Sally Fitzgibbons (Gerroa, NSW).
 
The women's field will host 18 of the most talented up-and-coming female surfers in the world including 2009 ASP Women's World Tour campaigners Coco Ho (HAW) and Paige Hareb (NZL).
 
The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships and will be webcast LIVE as action is due to commence tomorrow.

Check the Live Coverage

www.billabongpro.com
www.aspworldtour.com

Previous reports:
# 1 : World's very best ready for ASP World Junior Champs
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon 

About ASP:
The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world's best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

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Dave Prodan / ASP
Email: dave@aspworldtour.com

Steve Robertson / Covered Images
Email: stever@surfingaustralia.com

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