Quiksilver Pro France

ASP World Tour Mens event #7
Southwest Coast, France
23 September - 4 October 2009

Live Coverage  |  Results/Photos/Videos etc

Aranburu, Emslie and Otton Battle Elements in Round 2 Quik Pro, Buchan Ousted    > en francais ci dessous

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 24 September, 2009 -- Seignosse, France -- The Quiksilver Pro France presented by Orange, Event No. 7 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, got back in motion today at the event’s main venue of Les Bourdaines in consistent-but-testing five-foot (1.5 metre) waves.

Battling against elements with strong currents coming into the equation, Round 2 competitors put on a show of strategic game plans and athletic skills, holding their line-up positions and taking off on fast-breaking five-to-six foot wave faces to grab their Round 3 tickets.

With most top seeds getting the job done in various ways, from solid scores to tight heat results, surprise came with the eliminations of highly-touted competitors Jeremy Flores (FRA), 21, and defending champion Adrian Buchan (AUS), 27, losing to Aritz Aranburu (EUK), 23, and ASP Dream Tour veteran Greg Emslie (ZAF), 32, respectively, creating the biggest upsets of the day.

Emslie eliminated Buchan in the dying minutes of their exchange, netting a solid 8.00 point score to stamp his authority and get away with the win. Emslie, ASP World No. 33, was able to catch-up with Buchan’s early lead using his experience and patience to wait for a good opportunity and rush to victory.

“It’s super challenging out there and I knew that we’d be getting 4s and 5s and it would come down to whoever got that one smoker,” Emslie said. “That wave came to me right at the end of the heat and was able to stand-up for me really well. I was stoked when I heard the score.”

Emslie, a former runner-up in the Quiksilver Pro France (2007), has not had any stellar results on tour this year, the South African sitting on four 17th places and a couple of 33rds, and will be looking to get through another few rounds to get back into the ASP Top 27, the re-qualifying group for next year’s ASP World Tour.

Jérémy Florès : photo Eric Chauché / Quiksilver

“For sure, I was definitely thinking about Ace winning here last year,” Emslie said. “I was also thinking about when I was in the Final the last time I came here to so that gave me a bit of confidence. I’m currently sitting 33rd right now, but Europe is a great place for you to bang out a few good results and if you can remain consistent, you can really make some ground up.”

Aranburu caused the other major upset of the day by eliminating current ASP World Tour No. 19, Flores, in Heat 8, and advancing through to Round 3 for the second time this year. Aranburu, who tamed the fast lefthanders of Les Bourdaines using his powerful and vertical backhand attack, led the exchange from start to finish to defeat national surf star Flores, peaking with a 7.50 point ride en route to victory.

"I was warming up my legs before the heat because I knew I would need them strong for the heat,” Aranburu said. “There are some heavy sections out there and you have to complete your maneuvers to get the bigger scores."

Aranburu, who has finished a disappointing 33rd in all ASP World Tour events but one this year (in Tahiti where he reached the Semifinals), gave himself a bit of air today his result guaranteeing an equal 17th place finish at least in the Quiksilver Pro France. The only Basque surfer to ever qualify for the ASP World Tour, Aranburu’s backhand talent will be a threat to any of his upcoming opponents in the event.

"I knew Jeremy (Flores) would be really tough in these conditions,” Aranburu said. “Although he's hurt a little bit, he's still very dangerous out here. It's an important part of the year for me. I have had only 33rds and one 3rd so I think 3 isn't necessarily my lucky number. I'm happy to advance through to Round 3 and hopefully I can keep going."

Kai Otton (AUS), 28, current ASP World No. 16, was another of today’s standouts, the renowned goofy-footer putting on a solid performance to oust ASP Dream Tour rookie Nathaniel Curran (California, USA), 25. Otton, who chose the inside lefthanders to show his skills to the ASP judging panel, surfed twelve waves throughout the 30-minute heat finding his rhythm despite the strong current washing down the beach.

“I just tried to keep busy, it is a tricky rip and there is a lot of water moving around and obviously I didn't want to paddle against it and would rather catch waves. So that's what I did, kept catching waves.” Posting a convincing 14.26 point score to Curran’s low 5.17 point combination of two scores, Otton stuck to his game plan and will surf in Round 3 of the Quiksilver Pro France.

“Obviously I didn't start very well this year but I feel I am in form now and surfing pretty good,” Otton said. “I had a good result at Jeffreys Bay and got through a few rounds at Trestles so it would be good to keep it going here. I love France and there's some swell so it's looking good.”

Event officials will re-assess conditions and make a call tomorrow at 7:30am for a possible 8am start. First out will be Heitor Alves (BRA), 26, up against Jay Thompson (AUS), 26, when Round 2 of the Quiksilver Pro France resumes.

Highlights from today’s Quiksilver Pro France will be available at quiksilverlive.com.

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Taylor Knox (USA) 12.67, David Weare (ZAF) 9.10, Chris Ward (USA) N/S
Heat 2: Nic Muscroft (AUS) 11.67, Ben Dunn (AUS) 11.00, Bobby Martinez (USA) 10.60
Heat 3: Damien Hobgood (USA) 13.50, Timmy Reyes (USA) 6.10, Drew Courtney (AUS) 5.83
Heat 4: Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.67, Phillip MacDonald (AUS) 10.16, Heitor Alves (BRA) 7.80
Heat 5: Michel Bourez (PYF) 15.20, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.10, Marlon Lipke (DEU) 7.14
Heat 6: Julian Wilson (AUS) 13.33, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 8.67, Dean Morrison (AUS) 8.53
Heat 7: Joan Duru (FRA) 11.37, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 11.10, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 11.03
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.44, Kai Otton (AUS) 10.40, Gabriel Villaran (PER) 7.33
Heat 9: Kelly Slater (USA) 14.53, Alain Riou (PYF) 11.67, Mick Campbell (AUS) 7.26
Heat 10: Patrick Beven (FRA) 11.83, Mick Fanning (AUS) 11.54, Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 10.97
Heat 11: Tom Whitaker (AUS) 12.74, Roy Powers (HAW) 9.00, Jihad Khodr (BRA) 7.50
Heat 12: Chris Davidson (AUS) 13.74, Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 11.17, Kieren Perrow (AUS) 7.17
Heat 13: Dane Reynolds (USA) 17.33, Nathaniel Curran (USA) 15.60, Jay Thompson (AUS) 6.56
Heat 14: Tim Boal (FRA) 11.30, Michael Picon (FRA) 10.66, Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 9.60
Heat 15: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.17, Dayyan Neve (AUS) 11.87, Tiago Pires (PRT) 7.00
Heat 16: Dustin Barca (HAW) 10.77, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 9.34, Greg Emslie (ZAF) 4.63

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.83 def. Gabriel Villaran (PER) 6.30
Heat 2: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 15.17 def. Alain Riou (PYF) 14.83
Heat 3: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 15.33 def. Marlon Lipke (DEU) 10.17
Heat 4: Phillip MacDonald (AUS) 16.90 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.13
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) 13.34 pts Def. Drew Courtney (AUS) 10.37 pts
Heat 6: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 9.84 pts Def. David Weare (ZAF) 9.50 pts
Heat 7: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 9.84 pts Def. Jihad Khodr (BRA) 6.13 pts
Heat 8: Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 14.50 pts Def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 11.23 pts
Heat 9: Kai Otton (AUS) 14.26 pts Def. Nathaniel Curran (USA) 5.17 pts
Heat 10: Mick Campbell (AUS) 12.17 pts Def. Michael Picon (FRA) 11.57 pts
Heat 11: Tiago Pires (PRT) 14.33 pts Def. Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 12.33 pts
Heat 12: Greg Emslie (ZAF) 12.33 pts Def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 11.83 pts
Heat 13: Dean Morrison (AUS) 10.50 pts Def. Dayyan Neve (AUS) 10.17 pts

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE REMAINING ROUND 2 HEATS
Heat 14: Heitor Alves (BRA) vs. Jay Thompson (AUS)
Heat 15: Tim Reyes (USA) vs. Roy Powers (USA)
Heat 16: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Chris Ward (USA)

Highlights from Quiksilver Pro France Day One

AM Report:

Quiksilver Pro France Back ON for Round 2, Round 3 On Standby

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 24 September, 2009 : - - Seignosse, France – The Quiksilver Pro France, Stop No. 7 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, will recommence this morning with Round 2 (Round 3 on standby) doing battle in the four-to-five foot (1.5 metre) surf at Les Bourdaines.

“The winds are onshore this morning but we still have some good swell coming through and we’ll be getting underway at 8am this morning,” Rod Brooks, Quiksilver Pro France Contest Director, said. “Our hope is that the winds will back off through the day, but with the swell on the table, we’re looking to complete Round 2, with Round 3 on standby.”

Up first this morning will be Bobby Martinez (USA), 27, up against 2009 ASP World Tour rookie Drew Courtney (AUS), 30. 

The Quiksilver Pro France will host the world’s best surfers from September 23 to October 4, 2009.

Check the Live Coverage 

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE REMAINING ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Drew Courtney (AUS)
Heat 6: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. David Weare (ZAF)
Heat 7: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Jihad Khodr (BRA)
Heat 8: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 9: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Nathaniel Curran (USA)
Heat 10: Mick Campbell (AUS) vs. Michael Picon (FRA)
Heat 11: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 12: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Greg Emslie (ZAF)
Heat 13: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 14: Heitor Alves (BRA) vs. Jay Thompson (AUS)
Heat 15: Tim Reyes (USA) vs. Roy Powers (USA)
Heat 16: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Chris Ward (USA)

www.quiksilver-europe.com
www.quiksilverlive.com/profrance09

francais 

Florès et Picon passent à la trappe

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 24 September, 2009 : - - Hossegor, France -- La deuxième journée du Quiksilver Pro France a été fatale aux 2 surfeurs français Jérémy Florès et Michael Picon. Si la houle était toujours au rendez-vous (1,50 m), les forts courants et le vent d’ouest ont considérablement durci les conditions pour les surfeurs.

Le n°1 Européen Jérémy Florès, sacré Champion du Monde ISA le mois dernier, n’a pas pu se battre à armes égales avec le basque Aritz Aranburu. En délicatesse avec sa cheville depuis 3 semaines, le surfeur d’origine réunionnaise, n’était pas à 100% de ses capacités physiques. En prélude à la compétition, le n°1 tricolore se savait diminué mais avait balayé l’hypothèse de ne pas disputer cette manche française de l’ASP World Tour.

Trop prudent et fébrile sur ses appuis aujourd’hui, Florès s’est logiquement fait sortir par un Aritz Aranburu au top de sa forme. Le premier surfeur espagnol de l’histoire du Tour reçoit là une belle récompense après des mois de galère et de blessures (genou, cheville) qui l’avaient contraint à passer l’année 2008 à l’infirmerie.

Cette élimination prématurée a évidemment créé une grande déception mais « c’est un mal pour un bien » avoue l’intéressé qui va pouvoir mettre à profit les 10 jours qui viennent pour soigner sa cheville avant l’épreuve de Mundaka, à laquelle il n’est cependant pas certain de participer à l’heure actuelle.

L’autre déception vient de l’élimination de Michael Picon qui manque là une occasion en or de grappiller des points précieux pour se maintenir en élite l’année prochaine. Le landais n’a pas démérité mais finit par s’incliner d’extrême justesse face à l’australien Mick Campbell (11,57 pts contre 12,17 pts). Le surfeur de Capbreton jouera son va-tout à Mundaka, au pays basque voisin dès le 5 octobre puis au Portugal et enfin à Hawaii en décembre.

Parmi les rescapés du tour de repêchage figurent, l’Hawaiien Fred Pattachia, le Portugais Tiago Pires, l’Australien Kai Otton. En revanche, le vainqueur du Quiksilver Pro France 2008, Adrian Buchan (Aus) a été éliminé au 2ème tour par le Sud-Africain Greg Emslie.

Hier soir, lors des 4 premières séries du Round 2 (Tour de repêchage), Mick Fanning (Aus) le n°2 mondial, CJ Hobgood (USA), n°4 mondial, Bede Durbidge (Aus) et Phil McDonald étaient parvenus à se qualifier pour le 3ème tour, dans des conditions plus favorables.

Les surfeurs ont rendez-vous demain, vendredi 25 septembre, à 7h30 Plage des Bourdaines à Seignosse pour disputer les 3 dernières séries du 2ème Tour puis, dès 11h, le 3ème Round de l’épreuve.

Epreuve en direct, résumés, images sur quiksilverlive.com. 

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE - RESULTATS ROUND 2:
Heat 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.83 bat Gabriel Villaran (PER) 6.30
Heat 2: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 15.17 bat Alain Riou (PYF) 14.83
Heat 3: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 15.33 bat Marlon Lipke (GER) 10.17
Heat 4: Phillip MacDonald (AUS) 16.90 bat Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.13
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) 13.34 pts bat Drew Courtney (AUS) 10.37 pts
Heat 6: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 9.84 pts bat David Weare (ZAF) 9.50 pts
Heat 7: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 9.84 pts bat Jihad Khodr (BRA) 6.13 pts
Heat 8: Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 14.50 pts bat Jeremy Flores (FRA) 11.23 pts
Heat 9: Kai Otton (AUS) 14.26 pts bat Nathaniel Curran (USA) 5.17 pts
Heat 10: Mick Campbell (AUS) 12.17 pts bat Michael Picon (FRA) 11.57 pts
Heat 11: Tiago Pires (PRT) 14.33 pts bat Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 12.33 pts
Heat 12: Greg Emslie (ZAF) 12.33 pts bat Adrian Buchan (AUS) 11.83 pts
Heat 13: Dean Morrison (AUS) 10.50 pts bat Dayyan Neve (AUS) 10.17 pts

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE - SERIES ROUND 2 RESTANTES
Heat 14: Heitor Alves (BRA) vs. Jay Thompson (AUS)
Heat 15: Tim Reyes (USA) vs. Roy Powers (USA)
Heat 16: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Chris Ward (USA)

Le Programme du QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE :

Jeudi 24 septembre
22h : Sneak preview du film de Joan Duru Watchouch Place des Landais / DJ Scott Nixon

Vendredi 25 septembre
21h30 : DC présente son Show FMX et DJ Battle Place des Landais
A suivre : Concert de YUKSEK LIVE Place des Landais

Samedi 26 septembre
19h : Projection du film de Kelly Slater CLOUD 9 en présence de Kelly Slater
A suivre : Concert Ben Howard
A suivre : Concert I Am Giant
Soirée Quiksilver Eyewear au Rockfood (public dès 23h)

Lundi 28 septembre
22h : Concert Quiksilver Woman avec Julie et Ellie au Seaside à Hossegor

Mercredi 30 septembre
20h : Concert Quiksilver Woman avec Anna au Rockfood à Hossegor

Vendredi 2 octobre
21h : Concert Quiksilver Woman avec Charlotte O’Connor et Mahara McKay au Café de la Gare à Capbreton

 

Previous reports:
# 1 : World's elite surfers coming to France for Quiksilver Pro
# 2 : Dream Tour event 7, the Quiksilver Pro France, readies
# 3 : Quiksilver Pro France awaiting the world’s best surfers
# 4 : Alain Riou wins Quiksilver Pro Moskova Trials wildcard  
# 5 : Parko, Reynolds rule Quiksilver Pro France opening day


www.quiksilver-europe.com
www.quiksilverlive.com/profrance09

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