Hurley US Open of Surfing

U.S. Open Nike 6.0 Pro Junior

ASP 6-Star WQS Mens event
ASP 6-Star WQS Womens event
ASP Grade 2 Mens Pro Junior event
ASP Grade 4 Womens Pro Junior event
Huntington Beach California
18 - 26 July 2009

Live Coverage  |  Results/Photos/Videos etc

Brett Simpson Rampages to Historic Victory at Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 26 July, 2009 : - - Huntington Beach -- Brett Simpson (Huntington Beach, CA), 24, has claimed the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing over former ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (Coolangatta, AUS), 28, in front of an ecstatic hometown crowd, netting surfing’s biggest victory purse ever – US$100,000.

An event that will go down in surfing history, the 2009 Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing was treated to incredible surf (waves reaching as high as ten-to-twelve feet), an unprecedented number of elite ASP Dream Tour competitors in attendance as well as the biggest winner’s prize in surfing history. The young local’s emphatic victory in front of the hundreds of thousands on the beach provided the storybook ending and vaulted the event to unprecedented heights.

Simpson wasted no time in putting his opponent on the ropes in the Final, collecting a 6.83, a 7.83 and a 9.10 in the opening half of the heat with razor-sharp turns, explosive aerial maneuvers and a supernatural rapport with the Huntington Beach sandbanks.

“I knew the tide was coming up and there weren’t going to be as many waves,” Simpson said. “I knew I needed a quick start. We (Mick Fanning and I) both got off to pretty quick starts. We both picked up some good scores off the bat and I was able to build a little momentum throughout my opening waves. I couldn’t believe it when the heat finished – I’m still at a loss. I can’t ask for more than to beat Mick Fanning in the Final at home. With that, and the $100,000 and the 2,500 ’QS points, I’m nearly in tears at the moment.”

Each one of Simpson’s maneuvers was met with a thunder of cheers from the hundreds of thousands of spectators on the beach, and the young Californian’s win was caused an unparalleled eruption of excitement to ripple through the Hurley U.S. Open event site.

“When you’re riding on the ski in front of the crowd and you hear the applause it definitely pumps you up,” Simpson said. “Every time I was feeling a bit tired, the energy level of the crowd would lift me right up. It’s unbelievable to have all the support and my family and friends here with me. This is the best day of my life.”

In addition to taking away professional surfing’s biggest first prize in history (US$100,000), Simpson earned 2,500 ASP WQS points solidifying his campaign in the qualification race for the 2010 ASP Dream Tour. The progressive natural-footer is in excellent position for a berth next season at professional surfing’s most elite level, the ASP World Tour.

“I don’t know what to say,” Simpson said. “It hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m just stoked. It’s my best result ever. It’s so important to my qualifying campaign and such a huge boost of confidence to me. My goal has always been to compete on the World Tour and I’m definitely focused on finishing the season strong. I don’t know what else to say. I’m really excited and I can’t wait for the rest of the year.”

Fanning was in phenomenal form this morning, eliminating two fellow ASP World Tour campaigners en route to his Finals berth, but the current ASP World No. 7 was unable to navigate the decreasing afternoon conditions. Despite missing out on the US$100,000 first prize, the Australian exhibited true sportsmanship, congratulating Simpson as well as the event.

“It’s been an amazing week for me,” Fanning said. “I haven’t been here for seven years and to come back into an event like this is just amazing. The setup, the crowd, the waves, it’s all been a dream. Congratulations to Brett (Simpson), he’s a true champion and we look forward to seeing him next year on tour.”

Adriano de Souza (Sao Paulo, BRA), 22, former ASP World Junior Champion (2004) and current ASP World No. 3, caused the upset of the event this morning, defeating nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (Cocoa Beach, FL), 37, in Quarterfinal 3. Despite the impressive feat, the young Brazilian was unable to overcome a rampaging Fanning in the Semifinals.

“I’m disappointed that I couldn’t find the waves against Mick (Fanning),” De Souza said. “It’s still a great event – so many people and good waves, sunny. Obviously, my highlight was beating Kelly (Slater) this morning. There weren’t many waves in that heat, but I was able to get on the better ones and surf pretty well. Kelly can

C.J. Hobgood (Melbourne Beach, FL), 30, current No. 2 on the elite ASP World Tour ratings, was another ASP Dream Tour campaigner to shine at Huntington Beach. A consistent high-scorer throughout the rounds, Hobgood came up short to eventual winner Simpson in the Semifinals.

“I’m so stoked it all came together for this event,” Hobgood said. “All the people and the waves were great. I’m bummed I missed out on the Final, but I had a great week so I’m happy I came here.”

Patrick Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 23, who narrowly missed out on qualification for this season’s elite ASP Dream Tour, was another strong Southern California performer at the Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing, finishing equal 5th, further solidifying his position within the Top 10 on the ASP WQS ratings.

The next stop for the men on the 2009 ASP WQS will be the ASP WQS 5-Star Relentless Boardmasters in assoc. with Vans from August 4 – 9, 2009 in Newquay, England.

Running in conjunction with the Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing was the ASP Grade-2 Nike 6.0 Pro Junior, Stop No. 5 of 9 on the 2009 ASP North America Pro Junior Series. Today’s Final was an incredible assemblage of global talent, with Kai Barger (HAW), 19, taking the big win over Tonino Benson (HAW), 19, Dillon Perillo (Malibu, CA), 19, and Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA), 18.

Barger, reigning ASP World Junior Champion, went on an absolute rampage in the star-studded junior Final, smashing both rights and lefts to net an impressive 15.50 out of a possible 20.

“This is hands down the best contest ever,” Barger said. “Biggest crowd, great waves, lots of sun, big money. Best event ever. I don’t really go out into heats thinking about what I need or what I want to accomplish. I go out to win. That’s what I did out there today and I’m having a great year!”

Highlights from the Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing are available at usopenofsurfing.com. For more information, log onto aspworldtour.com and aspnorthamerica.org

Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing Results: ASP WQS 6-Star Men’s Event

Final: Winner Receives US$100,000
1 – Brett Simpson (USA) 16.93
2 – Mick Fanning (AUS) 12.50

Semifinals: 4 surfers remaining (winner advances)
SF 1: Brett Simpson (USA) 13.00 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 8.90
SF 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.07 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 10.47

Quarterfinals: 8 surfers remaining (winner advances)
QF 1: Brett Simpson (USA) 13.50 def. Nathaniel Curran (USA) 10.27
QF 2: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 16.76 def. Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 13.77
QF 3: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.10 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 10.00
QF 4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.27 def. Michel Bourez (USA) 12.40

Check the Full Results

Nike 6.0 Pro Junior Results: ASP Grade-2 Pro Junior
1 – Kai Barger (HAW) 15.50
2 – Tonino Benson (HAW) 14.30
3 – Dillon Perillo (USA) 12.53
4 – Nat Young (USA) 9.53

Check the Full Results

WQS Ratings After the Hurley US Open of Surfing

1	Ross,Daniel	AUS	13600
2	Andre,Jadson	BRA	13350
3	Melling,Adam	AUS	12051
4	Wright,Owen	AUS	11963
5	Simpson,Brett	USA	11863
6	Gudauskas,Patrick	USA	11513
7	Wilkinson,Matt	AUS	11425
8	Gudauskas,Tanner	USA	10700
9	Thornton,Blake	AUS	10638
10	Payne,Dusty	HAW	10613
11	Duru,Joan	FRA	10188
12	Yeomans,Nathan	USA	9925
13	Ware,Austin	USA	9763
14	Logie,Travis	ZAF	9726
15	Munro,Luke	AUS	9377
16	Sedley,Leigh	AUS	9338
17	Nicol,Yadin	AUS	8926
18	Dornelles,Rodrigo	BRA	8826
18	Polo,Marco	BRA	8826
20	Hall,Glenn	IRE	8825
21	Gonzalez,Jonathan	CNY	8725
22	Howse,Jarrad	AUS	8625
23	Neves,Leonardo	BRA	8613
24	Zubizarreta,Gony	ESP	8601
25	Atkinson,Dion	AUS	8576
26	Cardoso,Willian	BRA	8314
27	Ohno,Masatoshi	JPN	8264
28	Thompson,Jay	AUS	8251
29	Silva,Jean da	BRA	8250
30	Gossmann,Shaun	AUS	8238
31	Giorgi,Marco	URY	8038
32	Cloitre,Romain	FRA	8026
33	Sodre,Yuri	BRA	8025
34	Dantas,Wiggolly	BRA	7963
35	Bryson,Royden	ZAF	7951
36	Hedge,Nathan	AUS	7744
37	Jackson,Brandon	ZAF	7738
38	Paulino,Pablo	BRA	7651
39	Moura,Paulo	BRA	7539
40	Courtney,Drew	AUS	7513
41	Robertson,Adam	AUS	7414
42	Riou,Alain	PYF	7351
43	Collazo,Hodei	EUK	7276
44	Aranburu,Aritz	EUK	7250
45	Toth,Brian	PRI	7139
46	Wright,Warwick	ZAF	7069
47	Lopez,Cory	USA	6970
48	Gudauskas,Dane	USA	6938
49	Dorrington,Brent	AUS	6714
49	Perry,Jack	AUS	6714
51	Palmboom,Rudy	ZAF	6689

Check the Full Ratings

Previous reports:
# 1 : Hurley US Open to draw 400 surfers, 400,000 spectators
# 2 : Hurley US Open of Surfing keeps contest tradition going
# 3 : Rob Machado aims at Hurley US Open of Surfing title #4

# 4 : Hurley U.S. Open honors 50 years of contests at the Pier 
# 5 : Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing to offer $100,000 to winner 
# 6 : Internationals land on California soil for Hurley US Open

# 7 : Defending champions prepare to guard US Open titles
# 8 : The Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing to host massive festival
# 9 : Top seeds start strong at U.S. Open Nike 6.0 Pro Junior 

# 10 : Hurley U.S. Open trialists go: Coco Ho leads Nike Jr Pro 
# 11 : Nat Young posts top scores at Hurley U.S. Open of Surf 
# 12 : Kelly & Steph give big performances at Hurley US Open

# 13 : Top seeds start strong at U.S. Open Nike 6.0 Pro Junior 
# 14 : Bombing swell brings big scores to the Hurley US Open 
# 15 : Conlogue wins Hurley US Open, Manuel nabs Nike Junior

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www.aspnorthamerica.org
www.usopenofsurfing.com

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