2009-04-18
20:10
ESTORIL, Guincho, Portugal (Saturday, April 18, 2009) - The ASP Grade-2 Estoril B! Pro Junior went through an action-packed day of performance with no less than thirty heats being held in good two to three foot (0.7 to 1 meter) waves at Guincho, back-up venue of the 2009 edition with light on-shore winds and rains completing the set-up. Top seeds and outsiders had to get through two rounds today and sixteen men only remain in contention for the crown. The last eleven heats will run tomorrow Sunday, April 19, with the champion being crowned in the afternoon.
Major upsets took place during the 12-hour day with many of the event's top seeds suffering wether shocker eliminations in Round 4 or close battles to advance in second position. Event top seed Pierre-Valentin Laborde (FRA), Damien Chaudoy (REU) and Jules Thomet (FRA), respectively rated ASP European Junior No. 5, No. 7 and No. 6 in 2008, were ousted by outsiders and rising junior campaigners. Dominating Day 2 of competition was unknown Brazilian representative Thomaz Petterson (BRA) who came up with both highest wave and heat scores of the event thus far, respectively an 8.83 (out of a possible 10) and a 17.16 heat combination (out of a possible 20).
"I had such a good heat in Round 2 and managed to unleash my surfing," Petterson said. "It gave great confidence to score some big airs and go vertical so I am definitely enjoying my time here for my first ASP event ever in Europe. I came here for the ISA World Championships a couple of years ago and I am glad to be back in good form."
Petterson, 19, who got through two rounds today placing second to other favourite and last year's regional No.3 Marc Lacomare (FRA), will be much expected when Heat 3 of Round 4 paddles out tomorrow.
"I am looking forward to making a couple of more heats and I am happy to be here," Petterson said. "I have friends encouraging me a lot and I have absolutely no pressure, I just want to have fun and surf at my best."
Marc Lacomare (FRA), ASP World Junior No.3 and recent equal 3rd in the ASP WQS 4-Star Protest Vendee Pro in France, was in good form for start in the event, the Frenchman netting several solid scores including a couple of 8.00 point rides on his way to Round 4. Lacomare, 18, considered one of France's next best hope towards the ASP World Tour along with Joan Duru (FRA), showed his surfing skills and heat tactics to best Petterson and keep his confidence up before tomorrow's finals.
"Coming from a good result in France gives confidence and as I did over there, I am trying to let go and surf relaxed," Lacomare said. "I have another couple of years before I have to leave the junior events so I want to enjoy and of course get a good start here."
The Basque contingent stuck to the leading pack with longtime top representative Marcos Sansegundo (EUK) and Igor Muniain (EUK) securing a deserved Round 4 berth, Sansegundo scoring a 15.84 point two-wave combined result in Round 3 to best other French favourite Medi Veminardi (REU).
Brazil's wunderkind Alejo Muniz (BRA), former ASP World Junior No. 3 Charles Martin (GLP) and rising French competitor Tristan Guilbaud (FRA) who just got his career's best result in the ASP WQS 4-Star event in France, were all able to advance as well, Martin finishing ahead of a close battle and escaping an early elimination after being sanctioned with an interference.
The 2009 Estoril B! Pro Junior Champion will be crowned tomorrow, officials and surfers meeting at 9 AM at Guincho for a possible 9.30 AM start. With the international field resisting Europe's consistent assaults, the final day promises to bring pressure and big scores to Estoril.
News, photos, results and LIVE scoring are available through http://www.aspeurope.com/
ESTORIL B! PRO JUNIOR ROUND 4 HEATS
Heat 1: Luka Guichard (DNK), Lewis St John (BRB), Marcos Sansegundo (EUK), Tristan Guilbaud (FRA)
Heat 2: Igor Muniain (EUK), Pablo Pola (FRA), Joachim Guichard (DNK), Medi Veminardi (REU)
Heat 3: Marc Lacomare (FRA), Joan Duru (FRA), Charles Martin (GLP), Felix Delanne (FRA)
Heat 4: Alejo Muniz (BRA), Thomaz Petterson (BRA), Mario Azurza (EUK), David Leboulsh (FRA)
