Islas Canarias Santa Pro Junior

ASP Grade 3 Junior Mens event
Realejos, Tenerife
2 - 6 September 2009

Live Coverage  |  Results/Photos/Videos etc

Big Names Make The Show, Santa Surf Pro Junior to Finish Tomorrow

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 5 September, 2009 : - - Los Realejos, Tenerife Canary Islands -- Eight heats were held for the second-to-last day of the ASP Grade-3 Santa Surf Pro Junior, last event of this year’s ASP European Junior tour, taking the prestigious event into its Man-on-man battles leaving three heats only for the final day tomorrow.

From the sixteen men who competed today, four only remain in contention for the title after a series of exciting exchanges and solid scoring battles taking place throughout the day, the consistent three to four foot (1 to 1.2 meter) waves delivering another opportunity for the Under-21 competitors to deliver their best surfing.

After claiming his maiden ASP European Junior title yesterday thanks to his closest ratings’ rival Jatyr Berasaluce (EUK) loss, the unstoppable Capbreton resident Marc Lacomare (FRA) secured his ticket for the Semifinals of the event, showing he would stay focused until the last minute of the season after besting other ratings’ top surfer Medi Veminardi (REU) in the Quarterfinals.

“I paddled out very relaxed with no pressure at all and I must admit the waves really came to me so I was a bit lucky,” Lacomare said. “For both heats I managed to be focused while knowing I had not much to lose, we both chose a different peak so it was a real exchange and I think we both gave it our best and I ended winning which is great.”

Lacomare, who is aiming at a win in Tenerife, is already guaranteed to be seeded into this year’s ASP World Junior Championships (WJC), and will be watching the intense battle for the final ratings’ Top 4 taking place tomorrow between potential qualifiers Laborde, Martin and Morais.

“I am thinking that Medi (Veminardi), Charles (Martin) and PV (Laborde) are really performing well here so I wouldn’t be surprised to see the guys finish atop,” Lacomare said. “But I must admit the Portuguese guys have been rising pretty fast and it would be great to see some new faces around. The guys, Morais and Ribeiro, have had a great finish this year and I don’t think they were much expected at this level� But they are here and stronger than ever.”

Only surfer to counter the French assault today was rising Portuguese rider Frederico Morais (Ericeira, PRT), 17, the solid and stylish competitor besting other inform man of the year Damien Chaudoy (REU) in Quarterfinal No. 3. Morais, whose performance in 2009 has pushed him upfront on the regional stage leading the resistance against France’s domination along with Basque surfer Jatyr Berasaluce (EUK) and fellow Portuguese and 15-year-old Vasco Ribeiro (PRT), will face experienced competitor Pierre-Valentin Laborde (FRA) in Semifinal No. 2 tomorrow.

Guadeloupe native Charles Martin (GLP), 18, who went won the ASP Grade-2 Pro Junior event at Lacanau in August, confirmed he was back for good amongst Europe’s leading Under-21 surfers by making the Semifinals of the event today. Martin, who missed the first part of the year due to school obligations, will wrap-up his 2009 season with a major result whatever happens tomorrow when he faces grand favorite Lacomare in the first semifinal.

Missing a second consecutive final today was Maxime Huscenot (REU), 17, the defending event champion losing to Pierre-Valentin Laborde (FRA) in the last bout of the day in a close heat that saw Laborde get away with the win by less than a point difference. Huscenot, who made his way through to the Man-on-man battles with solid surfing throughout the week, was not able to counter the Hossegor native who has been showing great competitive approach in the event.

Laborde, who landed at Tenerife ranked No. 14 and knowing he would need something close to a miracle to hope for any Top 4 finish, is currently climbing up the ratings heat after heat and could achieve one of the best comebacks ever seen on tour if he wins the ASP Grade-3 event tomorrow.

“The heat against Maxime (Huscenot) was really tensed because both of us were going to keep our ASP WJC hopes alive or not,” Laborde said. “I started fast with a couple of medium scores but I knew Maxime could come back any time so I am glad things stayed still. I know the conditions should remain the same tomorrow and my next opponent Morais is dangerous. I already have my best result of the year so I am happy already, but qualifying for Narabeen would be unbelievable.”

The final day of competition will see the crowning of the ASP Grade-3 Santa Surf Pro Junior Sunday, September 6, after the last three heats of the 2009 edition are completed. A call will be made in the morning to decide on the start, at 11.15 AM.

Results, news and photos of the ASP Grade-3 Santa Surf Pro Junior are available at aspeurope.com

SANTA SURF PRO JUNIOR SEMIFINALS
Heat 1: Marc Lacomare (FRA) Vs Charles Martin (GLP)
Heat 2: Frederico Morais (PRT) Vs Pierre-Valentin Laborde (FRA)

Previous reports:
# 1 : Junior revolution returns to Tenerife for Santa Pro Junior
# 2 : Santa Surf Pro Jr kicks off at Tenerife, Bulard rips Rnd 1
# 3 : Laborde leads charge Day 2 of Canarias Santa Pro Junior
# 4 : Last Sixteen Decided in Santa Surf Pro Junior at Tenerife  

www.lasantasurf.es
www.aspeurope.com

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