Team News

Blake Thornton wins $US 50 000 by claiming O'Neill Cold Water Classic Series

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 9 November, 2009 : - - Californian surfer Nathan Yeomans won the O’Neill Cold Water Classic California on a perfect final day of competition at Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz.

 “I’m so stoked. I can’t even talk,” said Nathan after his victory. “To win in my home state, and to win a 6 Star Prime event in such an iconic location, and to be up there with the guys who have won this event in its history is incredible,” he said. “I am just so stoked.”

It was a final of epic proportions – not just because of the surfing on display. Some of the biggest sets of the week came as if on cue into the final heat. “There were a lot of waves coming at me with about 10 minutes to go,” said the O’Neill CWC California runner up, Australian, Heath Joske. “When those sets came through, about 30 of them hit me in the head one after the other. I got battered,” he said. “But it’s the way of the ocean.”

With yesterday’s swell still sticking around it provided the perfect arena in the amphitheatre-like setting of Steamer Lane in which to hold the quarters through to the finals of this 6 Star Prime ASP World Qualifying Series event.

One of the favourites for the competition – world number three Adriano De Souza – was knocked out in the first heat of the day by fellow Brazilian surfer Alejo Muniz.

“I was so nervous,” said Alejo. “I have looked up to Adriano for years. I was so nervous to surf a heat against him I couldn’t sleep at all last night. I can’t believe it. It’s like a dream come true,” he said after getting through to the semifinals, where his run was cut short by Nathan Yeomans.

Local favourite Kieran Horn was stopped in the quarterfinals by Luke Munro, but despite the fact that the Santa Cruz surfer was out, the crowds lining the cliff above the surf never thinned for this day of finals.

With a packed awards ceremony on the point at Steamer Lane it wasn’t just the final two surfers who were celebrating victory in the Californian sunshine.

Blake Thornton cut short his break to Los Angeles and headed straight back up to Santa Cruz when he discovered that he had won the US$50,000 as the overall winner of the O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series 2009.  “I went down to L.A. after I blew it here in my first heat,” said Blake “I was checking Jarrad Howse and Adam Melling’s progress at the end of the day, but I couldn’t watch. I needed so many things to go right and they did,” he said.

It was the perfect ending to not only an epic competition here in Santa Cruz but also to the entire O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series. Starting back in March of this year, the O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series has more than succeeded in its ambition to seek out new waves in hidden corners of the world on which to stage one of the most groundbreaking contest series in the world of professional surfing.

The year has encompassed The Bluff in Tasmania, the perfection of Thurso East in the North of Scotland, the incredible Kalk Bay in Cape Town, South Africa, the cold but huge surf in Tofino Canada and finally the epic conditions of Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz – the home of O’Neill.

“It’s a great concept,” said Blake Thornton. “I think it’s unreal.”

“We saw some different places,” he said. “I never dreamt I would go to Canada surfing and it’s the nicest place I’ve ever been. And then Cape Town was awesome not only because I did well but because it was something new – stepping outside and going down there. It’s definitely a good thing that O’Neill did and I will definitely do it again next year.”

Special thanks to all of the sponsors of the 2009 O’Neill Cold Water Classic and Oakley Pro Junior: O’Neill, Oakley, Red Bull, Corralejo Tequila, SURFER and SURFING, as well as, the official hotel partner, The Dream Inn, and food partner, Whole Foods.

Oz Team Report by Steve Robertson 

With a packed awards ceremony on the point at Steamer Lane Santa Cruz (USA) at the final event on the unique O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series, it wasn’t just the final two surfers  who were celebrating victory in the Californian sunshine.

Blake Thornton cut short his break to Los Angeles and headed straight back up to Santa Cruz when he discovered that he had won the US$50,000 as the overall winner of the O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series 2009.  “I went down to L.A. after I blew it here in my first heat,” said Blake “I was checking Jarrad Howse and Adam Melling’s progress at the end of the day, but I couldn’t watch. I needed so many things to go right and they did,” he said.

It was the perfect ending to not only an epic competition here in Santa Cruz but also to the entire O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series. Starting back in March of this year, the O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series has more than succeeded in its ambition to seek out new waves in hidden corners of the world on which to stage one of the most groundbreaking contest series in the world of professional surfing.

The year has encompassed The Bluff in Tasmania, the perfection of Thurso East in the North of Scotland, the incredible Kalk Bay in Cape Town, South Africa, the cold but huge surf in Tofino Canada and finally the epic conditions of Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz – the home of O’Neill. “It’s a great concept,” said Blake Thornton. “I think it’s unreal.”

“We saw some different places,” he said. “I never dreamt I would go to Canada surfing and it’s the nicest place I’ve ever been. And then Cape Town was awesome not only because I did well but because it was something new – stepping outside and going down there. It’s definitely a good thing that O’Neill did and I will definitely do it again next year.”

Thornton won the third event on the series in South Africa and his overall results this season have him exceptionally well placed to qualify for the elite Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) elite World Tour for the 2010 season. Blake is currently 9th on the seasons ratings.

www.oneill.com
www.oneill.com/cwc
www.surfingaustralia.com

About O’Neill
O'Neill, the original California surf, snow and lifestyle brand, was founded in 1952 when a young man named Jack O'Neill took his unstoppable passion for surfing and used it to beat Mother Nature at her own game. Pioneering the world's first neoprene surf wetsuit, Jack had successfully found a way to extend his surf sessions in the bone-chilling breaks of Northern California. He opened up the garage doors to his first surf shop soon after.
 
While many things have changed since those humble beginnings, Jack's initial vision of producing functional and innovative board riding products continues to lie at the core of everything the company does. O'Neill's set of core values - innovation in style and technology - has seen the brand devote itself wholeheartedly to the evolution of action sports. From the first neoprene surf wetsuit and board leash, to the world's first stitchless board shorts and range of groundbreaking wearable electronics, O'Neill's spirit of innovation will always drive the company forwards.
 
Today, O'Neill can be found the world over. In touch with its rich heritage and the universal appeal of board riding culture, O'Neill will always be committed to growing its reputation as one of the world's leading youth lifestyle brands based on a unique half-century of history as the First Name in the Water.
 
About Source Interlink Media’s Action Sports Group (ASG)
Reaching more than two million enthusiasts, Source Interlink Media’s Action Sports Group (ASG) is the dominant force in the action sports and adventure sports arenas. In addition to publishing leading lifestyle publications such as Surfer, Surfing, Snowboarder, Skateboarder, Bike, Powder and Canoe & Kayak, Source Interlink Media’s ASG delivers a cutting-edge network of online properties, events and television programming. 

www.oneill.com
www.oneill.com/cwc
www.surfingaustralia.com

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