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Europeans Hold Back International Assault in Billabong ASP World Junior Championships

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 5 January, 2009 : - - The European contingent in the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships (WJC) held back the international assault last weekend at Narabeen in Australia with five representatives securing a berth into Round 3 of the most prestigious Under-21 Pro Junior event in the world.

Reigning ASP European Junior champion and youngest surfer of the crew Maxime Huscenot (REU), 16, managed to get through Round 2 after he defeated Ricardo do Santos (BRA) in a sudden-death battle joining fellow Reunion Island surfer Medi Veminardi in Round 3.

Huscenot, who ended up winning with a solid 15.00 point heat tally (out of a possible 20), used his consistent backhand attack to take advantage of the longer two to three foot (0.5 to 1 meter) lefthanders and eliminate his opponent.

"There were a couple of longer lefts at the inside and I had some good fun during my heat," Huscenot said. "It's my first time in the event so I have nothing to lose but I hope I can get a good result. I'll go heat by heat and see what happens."

Huscenot will face Hawaii's wunderkid and 2008 Vans Triple Crown top surfer Dusty Payne (HAW) when his Round 3 battle hits the water.

Charles Martin (GLP), 18, last year's ASP World Junior No. 3, was another European to advance through to Round 3 last weekend.

Martin, who was awarded a wild card by the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) International into the event, lost no time to make his intentions clear winning his Round 1 encounter against two Japanese surfers, a win that rocketed him straight into Round 3 of the event.

"I am stoked I got the wild card to enter the WJC," Martin said. "I did not do the Pro Junior events in Europe in 2008 because I had to finish High School.

I am really happy to be here because I love the place and the waves are usually super fun and to get that Round 1 heat out of the way is even better."

The young surfer from the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe is seen as one of Europe’s best hopes towards a possible ASP World Tour qualification in the future and will be keen to improve his equal 3rd rank from last year at Narabeen. He will face Hawaiian powerhouse Kai Barger (HAW) next.

Jatyr Berasaluce (EUK), only Basque surfer in the event for the second consecutive year, and Marc Lacomare (FRA), were the two other Europeans to reach Round 3.

Berasaluce, who convincingly won his Round 1 heat over Hawaiian standout and last year's ASP World Junior No. 2 Tonino Benson and fellow European Jules Thomet (FRA), placed 4th overall on the ASP European Junior ratings in 2008, and has all required skills to go further in the event. He will face North America's favorite grommet Nat Young (USA) in Round 3.

In the women's division, Pauline Ado (FRA) is the last European surfer in the event. Ado, 18, who ended 3rd on the 2008 ASP European Women's Junior ratings, replaced Lee-Ann Curren (FRA) in the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships three weeks ago after the daughter of three-time ASP World Champion Tom Curren (USA) pulled out for personal reasons.

Ado, two-time ASP European Women's Junior champion and 2005 ISA Women's Junior World Champion, managed to carve her way up to the Quarterfinals after winning her Round 3 battle against Sayuri Sashimoto (JPN). "I think it was just about catching the better waves," Ado said. "I caught two pretty good ones and it was enough to secure my spot into the Quarterfinals of the event so I am very happy."

Ado, who came to Narabeen with fellow French competitor and reigning ASP European Women’s Junior champion Alizée Arnaud (FRA), will be Europe's last hope when Quarterfinals resume and Heat 1 paddles out for a much expected battle against Airini Mason (NZL).

Highlights from the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships are available via billabongpro.com.

EUROPEANS' UPCOMING MATCH-UPS

Men's Round 3:
Heat 6: Kiron Jabour (HAW) Vs. Medi Veminardi (REU)
Heat 9: Dusty Payne (HAW) Vs. Maxime Huscenot (REU)
Heat 11: Owen Wright (AUS) Vs. Marc Lacomare (FRA)
Heat 14: Nat Young (USA) Vs. Jatyr Berasaluce (EUK)
Heat 16: Charles Martin (GLP) Vs. Kai Barger (HAW)

Women's Quarterfinals:
Heat 1: Airini Mason (NZL) Vs. Pauline Ado (FRA)

The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships is proudly supported by Sony, Virgin Blue, Warringah Council, Waves, VonZipper, Kustom, Nixon and ASP International.

www.aspeurope.com
www.aspworldtour.com

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