Tahitian Michel Bourez (pictured above) has won the Reef Hawaiian Pro in Haleiwa, HI, defeating Brazil’s Jihad Khodr, Kekoa Bacalso and Dusty Payne (both of Hawaii) in a four man final.  Bourez earned $15,000 for his win but more importantly earned a spot in the 2009 ASP World Tour thanks to the finish, along with second-place Knodr.

“It means a lot to just (qualify for) the World Tour,” Bourez said after the win.  “I’ve been dreaming about this my whole life since I started to surf. I’ve been watching all the best surfers, like Kelly (Slater) and (Rob) Machado, all those guys. And, right now I can surf with them. It’s a good opportunity for me and all the Tahitian surfers. I’m stoked for Tahiti.”

The day started with difficult, rainy conditions, and the event was close to being called off.  When the rain cleared up most heats featured nice barrells and several high-scoring waves.  Even so, there were some difficult heats, including in the semis, when Aussies Nic Muscroft, Joel Parkinson and Bede Durbidge were knocked out.

In addition to Bourez and Knodr, other WQS surfers have basically locked their position on the 2009 ASP World Tour including Nathaniel Curran, Chris Davidson, Gabe Kling, Josh Kerr, Kekoa Bacalso, Nic Muscroft, Tim Boal, Tiago Pires and Dustin Barca.

Read more about the Triple Crown at the official website and read more about the day’s action below.

TAHITI’S MICHEL BOUREZ POSTS CAREER BEST WIN IN REEF HAWAIIAN PRO
Brazil’s Jihad Khodr Impressive Runner-Up

Haleiwa, Oahu, HI – (Sat. Nov. 22, 2008) – Tahitian Michel Bourez, 22, scored a career-best win in Hawaii today, taking first place in the $135,000 Reef Hawaiian Pro and an early lead on the prestigious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing series ratings. Prior to today, Bourez’s best result was a minor event win in the Canary Islands in 2005. Today’s result takes him to the No.2 ranking on the ASP World Qualifying Series ratings, guaranteeing him a start on the elite ASP World Tour in 2009. Bourez earned $15,000 for his win today.

Runner-up was Brazil’s Jihad Khodr, 24 ($7,500); third was Hawaii’s Kekoa Bacalso (Mililani, $4,500), and fourth was Maui’s Dusty Payne, the youngest of the finalists at 19 and the only surfer to come all the way through from the very first round, surfing eight times to earn $4,400.

In conditions that more closely resembled the hollow tubes of Tahiti or Hawaii’s Off-The-Wall, Bourez hit his stride in the semi-finals in an unbelievable demonstration of deep tube-riding and critical power maneuvers, posting the highest wave and heat scores of the entire event: 18.96 points out of 20 for the heat, and 9.93 out of 10 for his top tube ride. In the final, he posted a total of 16.77 points with scores of 9.77 and 7.0.

“That semi was maybe the best heat of my life,” said Bourez. “Everybody was getting barreled I was screaming my head off. It was so sick. I was having so much fun out there and that’s what I call a good contest.

“It means a lot to just (qualify for) the World Tour. I’ve been dreaming about this my whole life since I started to surf. I’ve been watching all the best surfers, like Kelly (Slater) and (Rob) Machado, all those guys. And, right now I can surf with them. It’s a good opportunity for me and all the Tahitian surfers. I’m stoked for Tahiti.”

If Bourez can hold onto his lead of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing series ratings, he could win a $10,000 bonus and a $10,000 one-of-a-kind Nixon tide watch featuring over two-carats of diamonds.

Khodr also had the crowd going wild with a hugely successful mix of determination, tube-riding and never-say-die attack on every wave he rode. Khodr peaked on time in the final, coming so close but just short of the win. His final scoreline: 16.5 with individual wave scores of 8.5 and 8.0 for a couple of great tubes that were slightly shorter and not as deep as Bourez’s. Khodr’s result today moved him up to fifth on the WQS rankings and back onto the World Tour stage in 2009.

“It was real hard for me to get a good result this year,” said Khodr. “When I got to Hawai’i I knew something was going to change and I got second place. I’m so stoked. (2009) is going to be my first year on the ASP World Tour.”

The highest placed US Mainland surfers were Brett Simpson and Timmy Reyes, both from Huntington Beach. Simpson lost in semi-final with a score that would have seen him advance through the majority of heats this event – 14.07. He placed equal 7th overall. Reyes lost in the quarter finals, placing equal 13th overall.

The top placing Australians were Nic Muscroft (equal fifth, semi-final loss), and Joel Parkinson (equal fifth, semi-final loss). Defending Vans Triple Crown champion Bede Durbidge also lost in the semi-finals, placing equal 7th overall. Parkinson and Bede suffered a wave-starved heat that left them with nothing to ride and no chance at reaching the final again this year.

The final day of the Reef Hawaiian Pro started out just short of a washout. Pouring rain and howling onshore winds greeted competitors at dawn and the event came close to being called off. Then the wind began to clock and before long the rubble was transformed into airbrushed barrels. For those spectators who braved the conditions, the returns were huge.

Heading on to the next event, the following Qualifying Series surfers are considered “safe” for qualifying for the 2009 ASP World Tour: Nathaniel Curran (USA), Michel Bourez (Tahiti), Chris Davidson (Australia), Gabe Kling (US), Jihad Khodr (Brazil), Josh Kerr (Aus), Kekoa Bacalso (Hawaii), Nic Muscroft (Aust), Tim Boal (France), Tiago Pires (Portugal) and Dustin Barca (Hawaii).

Out with the old and in with the new.  That just might be what many are thinking after the first day of action for the women at the Reef Hawaiian Pro.  After 44 women started the day, the field was whittled down to 16 in the semifinals, with seven aged 18 or under.  Among them are 16-year-olds Carissa Moore (pictured above) and Courtney Conlogue, 17-year-olds Coco Ho and Sally Fitzgibbons and 18-year-old Alana Blanchard.

Still alive in the contest are defending world champ Stephanie Gilmore and a number of other world tour surfers including Layne Beachley, Silvana Lima and Rosanne Hodge.  Notable surfers who were eliminated in the first two rounds include world tour surfers Karina Petroni and Megan Abubo, who won the contest last year.

Two full days of surfing remain for the Reef Hawaiian Pro and it may face a day or two of delays thanks to a new wet front moving in.  When action does resume, it can be seen live at the Triple Crown of Surfing website.

With one event left in the ASP World Tour season it’s starting to become clear who will be back on tour in 2009 and who will be left on the outside looking in.

Every year, the top 27 rated surfers at the end of the World Tour season are automatically qualified for the next year.   On top of that, the top 15 rated WQS surfers who are not already qualified for the tour are given spots as well.  That leaves up to three wildcards for ASP World Tour surfers who missed the cut for whatever reason.

On the women’s side, the process is about the same, but the numbers smaller.  Only the top 10 women get an automatic qualification, while six are brought over from the WQS and one wildcard granted.

For the men, those currently ranked in the top 21 should be set for their ’09 position (Bruce Irons, now ranked #22, is retiring after the season).  That leaves six spots up for grabs with surfers like Damien Hobgood, Chris Ward and Roy Powers on the bubble.  What is guaranteed is that just about everyone ranked in the 30s and above are out of the running, barring a spectacular turn of events in Hawaii.

As far as WQS surfers who will be making the switch, they include points leader Nathaniel Curran, as well as Chris Davidson, Gabe Kling, Josh Kerr, Tim Boal and Drew Courtney.

The second-to-last event of the WQS season starts on Nov. 12 with the Reef Hawaiian Pro.  The picture should clear up a little bit after that contest. For more about the current rankings, check out the ASP World Tour site.

Nathaniel Curran scored the biggest win of his career Sunday as he took home the U.S. Open of Surfing title in Huntington Beach, CA.  Curran defeated Tim Boal by a score of 11.66 to 10.70, though conditions were less than ideal.  The win boosted Curran to the top of the WQS rankings.

To reach the finals Curran had to get by Gabe Kling while hometown favorite Brett Simpson fell to Tim Boal, 11.93 to 12.00.

Get a full recap of the action in the press release below…

Nathaniel Curran Wins ASP WQS 6-Star Honda U.S. Open, Takes ASP WQS Ratings Lead

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Sunday, July 27, 2008) – Nathaniel Curran (Oxnard, CA) has claimed the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing presented by O’Neill and the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings lead. The win marks Curran’s first major event victory and his first time atop the ASP WQS ratings.

Curran beat France’s Tim Boal (Hossegor, FRA) in one-to-three foot (1 metre) surf at Huntington Beach Pier this afternoon – the final day of the 10-day competition. His ASP 6-Star victory saw him defeat a field of 192 competitors at the biggest WQS event in North America and the most attended event in professional surfing.

‘I’m so pumped I don’t even know what to say,’ Curran said. ‘Everyone was getting me really pumped up because I really wanted to win and I’m stoked. I just tried to keep myself cool and composed the whole time. I was just trying to keep it in rhythm and keep going.’

Winning four heats today, Curran maintained his form to take out the final despite fatigue from surfing three heats earlier in the day. Curran defeated Boal 11.66 to 10.70, both out of a possible 20 point score, by taking advantage of the few waves on offer in the deteriorating conditions.

‘I was giving it everything I had and we surfed so many heats today,’ Curran said. ‘Tim Boal did an awesome job and I’m just stoked with the win.’

By claiming the biggest win of his career and jumping to No. 1 on the current ASP WQS ratings, Curran increases his chances of qualifying for the 2009 ASP World Tour. The top 15 WQS surfers at year’s end earn berths onto the elite tour.

‘I’m super stoked to be the new WQS No. 1,’ Curran said. ‘It’s tough because there are so many good guys. I’m just trying to focus on each heat and take it one contest at a time. I think all of the training and staying focused is paying off.’

Runner-up Boal, now rated No. 18 on the ASP WQS, put together an excellent effort in his Final battle against Curran, unfortunately he was unable to find the scores needed to claim the U.S. Open Title.
‘I’m upset that I lost,’ Boal said. ‘I’m happy with the points, but I would have liked to come away with the win.’

Brett Simpson (Huntington Beach, CA) finished equal 3rd overall ‘ the best result by a Huntington Beach local in the event. Simpson netted some of the event’s highest scores but was unable to earn a final berth over a dominating Boal. His notable effort at the Honda U.S. Open saw him move from No. 15 to No. 7 on the WQS ratings.

Gabe Kling (St. Augustine, FL) earned his highest WQS result of the year with an equal 3rd alongside Simpson. Kling beat fellow former ASP World Tour surfer Shaun Cansdell (Emerald Beach, AUS), WQS standout Nathan Yeomans (San Clemente, CA) and ASP World Tour rookie Jordy Smith (Durban, ZAF) on the way to his semifinal finish.

Taylor Jensen (San Clemente, CA) claimed the O’Neill U.S. Open of Longboarding pres. by Honda title with a combination of traditional longboarding moves and aggressive top-turns. Jensen’s victory over fellow finalists Noah Shimabukuro (Oceanside, CA), Ned Snow (North Shore, HI) and Tony Silvagni (Kerry Beach, NC), earned him his second U.S. Open title ‘ he first won the event in 2003.

‘This is my second U.S. Open win and it feels a lot better the second time around,’ Jensen said. ‘The waves are alright for being as windy as it is in Huntington and it’s just fun to go out and surf with some friends.’

Jensen jumped out to an early lead over the competition and led the heat throughout its entirety.

‘My goal was to go out and put two decent scores on the board right off the bat,’ Jensen said. ‘I just tried to improve throughout the final and was lucky enough to be able to.’

Tanner Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA) claimed an impressive victory at the O’Neill U.S. Open Pro Junior pres. by Honda today. Gadauskas outscored Julian Wilson (Coolum, AUS), Chris Salisbury (Newport, AUS) and Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA) in a crowd-delighting display of aerial exchanges and big moves.

Wilson jumped out to an early lead with two solid scores over the field but Gudauskas chipped away at the young Australian’s points lead with a flurry of frontside airs to edge out Wilson for the win.

‘I’m on top of the world right now,’ Gudauskas said. ‘I knew it was going to take everything I had and I tried my hardest and fortunately the cards went my way. All of the boys were surfing insane all week and they’re some of my favorite surfers, so I was just stoked to be in the heat.’

The next ASP Pro Junior Series event will be the ASP Grade-2 Oakley Pro Junior presented by Heritage Surf and Sport held in Sea Isle City, New Jersey from August 29-30, 2008.

GO211 LIVE feat. the Men’s Honda U.S. Open of Surfing pres. by O’Neill Results:

Final
1 – Nathaniel Curran (USA)
2 – Tim Boal (FRA)

Semifinals (1st advances)
Semifinal 1: Tim Boal (FRA) 12.00 def. Brett Simpson (USA) 11.93
Semifinal 2: Nathaniel Curran (USA) 14.00 def. Gabe Kling (USA) 11.27

Quarterfinals (1st advances)
Quarterfinal 1: Tim Boal (FRA) 15.93 def. Dusty Payne (HAW) 13.34
Quarterfinal 2: Brett Simpson (USA) 14.00 def. Eric Geiselman (USA) 11.76
Quarterfinal 3: Nathaniel Curran (USA) 15.66 def. Chris Waring (USA) 10.53
Quarterfinal 4: Gabe Kling (USA) 12.17 def. Joan Duru (FRA) 12.16

Round of 16 (1st advances)
Heat 1: Dusty Payne (HAW) 14.13 def. Tim Reyes (USA) 8.16
Heat 2: Tim Boal (FRA) 12.84 def. Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF) 6.10
Heat 3: Brett Simpson (USA) 16.17 def. Cory Lopez (USA) 14.34
Heat 4: Eric Geiselman (USA) 15.17 def. Dane Gudauskas (USA) 9.67
Heat 5: Nathaniel Curran (USA) 17.57 def. Roy Powers (HAW) 9.83
Heat 6: Chris Waring (USA) 15.17 def. Torrey Meister (HAW) 9.97
Heat 7: Gabe Kling (USA) 15.94 def. Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 13.17
Heat 8: Joan Duru (USA) 14.66 def. Marlon Lipke (DEU) 12.50

O’Neill U.S. Open Pro Junior presented by Honda Results:
1 – Tanner Gudauskas (USA)
2 – Julian Wilson (AUS)
3 – Chris Salisbury (AUS)
4 – Nat Young (USA)

O’Neill U.S. Open of Longboarding presented by Honda Results:
1 – Taylor Jensen (USA)
2 – Tony Silvagni (USA)
3 – Ned Snow (HAW)
4 – Noah Shimabukuro (USA)

History was made in Huntington Beach at the U.S. Open of Surfing today as 14-year-old Malia Manuel became the youngest woman ever to win the contest.  She took the final over fellow Hawaiian Coco Ho, 17, making the finals the youngest-ever.

Ho was coming off an earlier win of the S-3 Supergirl Pro Junior and had defeated pros including Melanie Bartels and last year’s US Open winner Stephanie Gilmore before taking on Manuel, who had a tough road of her own again Sofia Mulanovich and Sally Fitzgibbons, the 18-year-old WQS phenom who has already qualified for the 2009 WCT tour.

For the men, Tim Reyes, Nathaniel Curran and Brett Simpson led the way as the top 24 were whittled down to the top 16 for the final Sunday.

Check out the results and get more info about the day’s action in the official press release below.

Coco Ho winning the Junior title.cr. ASP

Malia Manuel Makes ASP History as Youngest Ever U.S. Open Champion

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Saturday, July 26, 2008) – Malia Manuel (Wailua, HI), 14, has claimed the GO211 LIVE featuring the Women’s Honda U.S. Open of Surfing presented by O’Neill over fellow finalist Coco Ho (North afternoon both young Hawaiians making ASP history as the youngest finalists ever at the Shore, HI), 17, in two-to-three foot (1 metre) surf at Huntington Beach Pier this U.S. Open.

The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star event saw some incredible performances today, but none as impressive as the young Hawaiians taking down some of the biggest names in professional surfing.

“I’m so stoked right now,” Manuel said. “My sponsors gave me the wildcard into this event and I was just happy to be here. To get to surf against some of my heroes and to be in the Final with my friend Coco (Ho) is just something I would have never dreamed of.”

Sticking to her game plan throughout the event, Manuel started strong in the opening moments of the Final, securing two lengthy righthanders to post solid scores while her opponent struggled to find her footing in the challenging afternoon conditions.

“There weren’t many waves out there this afternoon which was too bad,” Manuel said. “I just got lucky that a couple linked up for me and I was able get some scores under my belt.”

Manuel issued huge upsets today, defeating former ASP Women’s World Champion and 2006 U.S. Open Champion Sofia Mulanovich (Lima, PER) in her Quarterfinals heat before posting a dominating heat win over current ASP WQS ratings leader Sally Fitzgibbons (Gerroa, AUS) as well as an impressive win over Ho en route to becoming the youngest U.S. Open Winner ever.

Ho issued her share of shocking upsets as well, defeating ASP Women’s World Tour veteran Melanie Bartels (Makaha, HI) and reigning ASP Women’s World Champion and defending U.S. Open Champion Stephanie Gilmore (Tweed Heads, AUS) on her way to the final. Ho’s potential sweep of both the women’s events was stopped by Manuel’s Honda U.S. Open Final victory.

“The conditions really came down to the one who got the wave with the wall,” Ho said. “I couldn’t find my feet and I had to watch her catch a really good right. It was just cool being in the Final, because it was my goal to just make the Quarters, so I’m over the moon.”

Fitzgibbons, who has already qualified for the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour, finished in equal third-place behind Manuel, increasing her ASP WQS ratings lead over the field.

“Malia was surfing really well and got off to a great start and just kept going from there,” Fitzgibbons said. “It was hard to play catch-up with the waves that were coming through and she’s the deserving heat winner.”

Fitzgibbons will take a break and miss the ASP WQS 6-Star event in Portugal to recharge, but will be back and ready for when competition resumes in Hawaii.

Gilmore, who finished equal third as well, was defeated in her Semifinals heat by event standout Ho. Gilmore put in a hard-fought battle against the young North Shore native, but could not find the score she needed to advance over her opponent.

“I’ve been watching Coco (Ho) the whole event and she’s probably my favorite up-and-coming surfer,” Gilmore said. “It was cool to have a heat with her and see what her strategies are. These are some really valuable points on my WQS seeding. I’m bummed I didn’t get the win, but that’s competition.”

Gilmore will travel from the Honda U.S. Open in Huntington to France for the next ASP Women’s World Tour event, where the Rip Curl Pro Mademoiselle will take place from August 28-September 1, 2008 in Hossegor, France.

The ASP WQS women’s competitors will head from Huntington to Portugal for another ASP WQS 6-Star event, the Billabong Girls Cascais Festival, which will be held in Guincho, Portugal from July 31 – August 3, 2008

In addition to the finale of the U.S. Open Women’s event, the ASP Grade-2 S3 Supergirl Pro Junior came to a close today with Honda U.S. Open Finalist Ho claiming victory over fellow finalists Nikita Robb (East London, ZAF), Sage Erickson (Ventura, CA) and Courtney Conlogue (Santa Ana, CA) with a come-from-behind victory over Robb, edging out prodigious South African by seven tenths of a point.

“To be here standing on the beach with the crowd with the Pro Junior Title and the runner-up finish in the WQS, I’m really happy.” Ho said. “It’s been a long week of surfing and I’m going to Indo tomorrow with all of the girls that surfed in women’s Quarterfinals and just going to relax after the week.”

Robb jumped out into a commanding lead to open the ASP Grade-2 Women’s Pro Junior, but was unable to stave off the young Hawaiian.

“I started off really well and after I got those first two good waves I couldn’t find anything else,” Robb said “All the girls that were surfing out there were such amazing surfers, so you can’t really take it away from anyone. Coco is surfing well and she’s on fire and it’s just one of those things”

Erickson and Conlogue had solid showings throughout the entire event, but were unable to capitalize in the Final.

The GO211 LIVE feat. the Men’s Honda U.S. Open of Surfing pres. by O’Neill moved through the Round of 24 today, narrowing it down to the sweet 16 for tomorrow’s culmination. Today’s action saw local standout Timmy Reyes (Huntington Beach, CA) and fellow Californian Nathaniel Curran (Oxnard, CA) dominated the Round of 24, both putting in impressive performances as they moved one step closer to clinching the 2008 Honda U.S. Open title.

Reyes, current No. 14 on the ASP World Tour, finished in first over event standouts Damien Fahrenfort (Durban, ZAF), who advanced in second, and Basque native Hodei Collazo (Basque Country, ESP), by posting a solid heat total of 16.67 out of a possible 20 point score.

“I was going to miss this event because the World Tour events are so close together,” Reyes said. “It’s home and you’ve got to make time for home. Obviously it brings a little bit of stress because you want to perform well in front of your family. I’m stoked with how things went today. I was in rhythm and that’s what you have to do.”

Curran posted the day’s highest Round of 5 heat total of 17.00 out of 20 points in an action packed heat against Chris Waring (Seal Beach, CA) and Tahitian Michael Bourez (PYF).

“I knew I had two okay waves and I was just trying to back it up with a bigger score,” Curran said. “I made it through my heat so I’m stoked. I’m rated fourth on the WQS right now and this will be a good score for me, so I’m super excited.”

The final day of GO211 LIVE feat. the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing pres. by O’Neill can be seen LIVE at www.usopenofsurfing.com. For any other ASP inquires, check out www.aspworldtour.com or www.aspnorthamerica.org

GO211 LIVE feat. the Women’s Honda U.S. Open of Surfing pres. by O’Neill

Final:
1 – Malia Manuel (HAW) 14.34
2 – Coco Ho (HAW) 7.90

Semifinals Results (1st advances)
Heat 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 13.10 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 12.67
Heat 2: Coco Ho (HAW) 10.83 def Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 6.83

Quarterfinals (1st advances)
Heat 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 15.83 def. Sofia Mulanovich (USA) 13.10
Heat 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 11.00 def. Samantha Cornish (AUS) 1.60
Heat 3: Coco Ho (HAW) 12.00 def. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 8.23
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 14.67 def. Bethany Hamilton (HAW) 9.17

S-3 Supergirl Pro Junior Results:
Final:
1 – Coco Ho (HAW) 14.07
2 – Nikita Robb (ZAF) 14.00
3 – Sage Erickson (USA) 12.26
4 – Courtney Conlogue (USA) 9.60

GO211 LIVE feat. the Men’s Honda U.S. Open of Surfing pres. by O’Neill Results:
Round of 24 (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Tim Reyes (USA) 16.67, Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF) 12.33, Hodei Collazo (ESP) 10.00
Heat 2: Tim Boal (FRA) 15.84, Dusty Payne (HAW) 10.13, Nick Rozsa (USA) 9.94
Heat 3: Brett Simpson (USA) 14.03, Eric Geiselman (USA) 13.00, Chris Davidson (AUS) 5.50
Heat 4: Dane Gudauskas (USA) 12.20, Cory Lopez (USA) 12.13, Adam Melling (AUS) 8.40
Heat 5: Nathaniel Curran (USA) 17.00, Chris Waring (USA) 12.10, Michel Bourez (PYF) 11.33
Heat 6: Torrey Meister (HAW) 10.80, Roy Powers (HAW) 10.67, Kirk Flintoff (AUS) 9.67
Heat 7: Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 13.83, Marlon Lipke (DEU) 12.27, Yuri Sodre (BRA) 6.13
Heat 8: Joan Duru (FRA) 12.67, Gabe Kling (USA) 12.23, Nathan Yeomans (USA) 8.94

The Honda U.S. Open presented by O’Neill continued its action yesterday in Huntington Beach, California in the Round of 192 with three to five foot waves.  Charlie Brown of Sao Paulo Brazil lead after the competition by scoring the highest single wave score of 9.67 and followed that up with a second wave score of 7.00 giving him a total of 16.67 out of a possible 20.  With those two runs, Brown was able to eliminate the current No. 2 surfer on the ASP North America Pro Junior series Travis Beckmann, of Vero Beach Florida, and Nat Young from Santa Cruz, California.

“I think the conditions are pretty good,” Brown said. “This is my first time in the United States and I’m so happy to get two big scores right away and advance into the next round.”

Saturday brought the second day of action for the O’Neill U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach.  A number of other events are going on as well, including the O’Neill U.S. Open Pro Junior, S3 Supergirl Pro Junior and the O’Neill U.S. Open of Longboarding.  Keep reading for all the latest news from the ASP.

Increased Swell Causes Big Upsets on Day 2 O’Neill U.S. Open of Surfing

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA (Saturday, July 19, 2008) – The GO211 LIVE feat. the Honda U.S. Open pres. by O’Neill resumed competition this morning with an increase in combination swell, hitting in the two-to-four foot (1 metre) range, providing contestable canvases for the hundreds of competitors that would hit the water by day’s end.

Today’s competition played host to a variety of surfing, including Rounds 2 and 3 of the Trials for the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star men’s event, the completion of the first two rounds of the ASP Grade-2 O’Neill U.S. Open Pro Junior pres. by Honda, the first two rounds of the O’Neill U.S. Open of Longboarding pres. by Honda and Round 1 of the ASP Grade-2 S3 Supergirl Pro Junior.

Chris Salisbury (Newport, AUS) delivered the upset of the day, defeating defending U.S. Open Pro Junior champion Tonino Benson (Kona, HI) and current No. 2 on the 2008 ASP North America Pro Junior Series, Travis Beckmann (Vero Beach, FL), in the Round of 64.

“It feels good to get the win because Tonino (Benson) is probably the best guy in this contest,” Salisbury said. “Surfing the last event made me feel way more at home in Huntington and I’ve been staying at Quinn McCrystal’s house, so I feel really at home here now.”

Kiron Jabour (North Shore, HI), who put on an outstanding performance in yesterday’s competition, was in dominating form again today. Jabour’s victory today eliminated 2006 ASP North America Pro Junior Champion Eric Geiselman (New Smyrna Beach, FL) from O’Neill U.S. Open Pro Junior competition.

“I’m psyched to beat Eric (Geiselman), he’s a really good surfer,” Jabour said. “He has a few titles and he’s a big name, so the win feels good. We were sitting for a while in our heat and the surf was pretty inconsistent. Then I got one good score, and my backup score wasn’t that great, but I managed to get what I needed to get through.”

Current ASP North America Pro Junior ratings leader Cory Arrambide (Ventura, CA) led his heat throughout its entirety, claiming a win over North Shore charger Mason Ho (North Shore, HI), who advanced behind Arrambide in second.

“I kind of had a shocker in the Semifinals of the last event, so I’m looking to get a better result here,” Arrambide said. “I got lucky out there today. I sat in the wrong spot, and I only got two okay waves.”

Arrambide will advance his ratings lead over Beckmann, who was unable to advance out of Round 2 today.

John John Florence (North Shore, HI) posted the highest combined heat score in the ASP Pro Junior event today, with a 15.50 out of 20 points, as he powered through his heat over Matt Pagan (Los Angeles, CA), Blake Jones (Melbourne Beach, FL) and Alejo Muniz (Florianopolis, BRA)

The O’Neill U.S. Open Pro Junior competition will resume tomorrow at 8:40am with the Round of 32 with finalists being determined before the day is through.

The ASP Grade-2 S3 Supergirl Pro Junior saw the Semifinalists decided today, as the Round of 16 was completed this afternoon at South Huntington Beach Pier.

Sally Fitzgibbons (Gerroa, AUS ), who recently made ASP history as the earliest ASP WQS competitor to qualify for the ASP Women’s World Tour, posted the highest single-wave score of 9.50 out of possible 10, as well as the highest heat total of 15.83 out of 20 in today’s S3 Supergirl Pro Junior. Fitzgibbons will use her heat victory as a warm up for the remainder of the U.S. Open.

“I’m really happy to have qualified by this time of the year, and I was just so happy to get those results,” Fitzgibbons said. “Now that the pressure is off for qualification I can relax and have fun. Surfing in the S3 Supergirl Pro Junior is a great warm up because there are so many talented girls over here. It was pretty inconsistent today, but it was great to see swell here. Whoever got that one wave today was the one who was going to win the heat.”

Courtney Conlogue (Santa Ana, CA), who finished in the Semifinals in the women’s U.S. Open last year, picked up where she left off last season, trouncing her opponents in the afternoon conditions.

“I’m pretty excited because there’s definitely some really good competition here this year,” Conlogue said. “It’s nice to have our ASP Pro Junior back, I’m pretty stoked. Surfing in the Pro Junior gets you ready for the big girls, so surfing in this event is going to get me ready for the big guns. I was stoked to get that win because there were not many waves that offered up good score potential.”

Sage Erickson (Ventura, CA), who was awarded a wildcard entry into the ASP WQS women’s main event, claimed a heat victory in the remaining minutes of her heat ASP Pro Junior heat today. Erickson stole the lead over international threat Lee Anne Curren (Hossegor, FRA), bumping Curren into second position.

“I’m really excited that O’Neill gave me the opportunity to be in the U.S. Open, but of course I’m more focused on the Juniors because that is my age bracket,” Erickson said.

Coco Ho (North Shore, HI) was a standout performer today in women’s ASP Pro Junior event today dominated her heat from start to finish posting an solid combined heat score of 13.83 which was enough to knock 2008 ASP North America Pro Junior women’s champion Christa Alves (Cocoa Beach, FL) out of the event.

“I’m glad we finally got a women’s event back at the U.S. Open,” Ho said. “The conditions are kind of tricky because it’s kind of closing out, but we’re really lucky to have waves.”

Amongst the high performance shortboard action, the O’Neill U.S. Open of Longboarding saw classic lines drawn by some of the longboard community’s finest.

The GO211 LIVE featuring the Honda U.S. Open presented by O’Neill men’s trials saw no shortage of action today, with the explosive field of surfers battling for the eight spots available in the ASP WQS 6-Star main event beginning on Monday, July 21, 2008.

Alejo Muniz (Florianopolis, BRA), Clay Marzo (Lahaina, HI), Michael Hoisington (Huntington Beach, CA), Granger Larsen (Lahaina, HI), Chase Newsom (Huntington Beach, CA) and Dane Ward (San Clemente, CA) gave some of the finest performances of the men’s trials event so far, and they’ll return tomorrow to vie for the eight seeds into the main event.

The eight spots available for the ASP WQS 6-Star main event will be decided in the Quarterfinals tomorrow morning beginning at 8am

O’Neill U.S. Open Pro Junior pres. by Honda Results:
Round of 96 (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 13: Andrew Doheny (USA) 13.03, Spencer Regan (USA) 12.84, Charly Martin (GLP) 11.07
Heat 14: Tamaroa McComb (AUS) 13.60, Gabe Garcia (USA) 12.00, Kyle McGeary (USA) 8.07, Cody Sammons (USA) 3.43
Heat 15: Ryan Burch (USA) 10.93, Matt Pagan (USA) 10.20, Evan Kane (USA) 9.37, Matt Gallagher (USA) 4.87
Heat 16: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 13.17, Rob Kelly (USA) 11.20, Keale Chung (HAW) 8.50, Ashley King (USA) 6.00

Round of 64 (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Andrew Doheny (USA) 13.03, Spencer Regan (USA) 12.84, Charly Martin (GLP) 11.07, Kyle Ramey (HAW) 8.33
Heat 2: Nick Rupp (USA) 12.30, Evan Thompson (USA) 11.90, Victor Done (USA) 9.07, Balaram Stack (USA) 8.50
Heat 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) 12.50, Jason Harris (USA) 10.67, Logan Strook (USA) 7.63, Caleb Johnston (USA) 3.60
Heat 4: Nat Young (USA) 13.23, Noah Erickson (USA) 11.10, Eli Visolay (USA) 10.47, Kyle Kennelly (USA) 9.14
Heat 5: Quinn McCrystal (USA) 14.07, Sean Poynter (USA) 9.96, Evan Geiselman (USA) 8.10, Kolohe Andino (USA) 8.10
Heat 6: Bruno Rodrigues (USA) 15.00, Joan Duru (FRA) 14.57, Charly Brown (BRA) 12.34, Riley Metcalf (USA) 9.87
Heat 7: Luke Davis (USA) 11.94, Christian Saenz (USA) 11.70, Hunter Heverly (USA) 10.50, Oliver Kurtz (USA) 9.36
Heat 8: Cory Arrambide (USA) 15.17, Mason Ho (HAW) 13.90, Fisher Heverly (USA) 11.00, Tyler Newton (HAW) 7.13
Heat 9: Chris Salisbury (AUS) 13.60, Taylor Thorne (USA) 12.00, Tonino Benson (HAW) 11.24, Travis Beckmann (USA) 4.93
Heat 10: Kiron Jabour (HAW) 13.07, Kellen Ellison (USA) 12.83, Eric Geiselman (USA) 11.83, Nick Suhadolnik (USA) 10.87
Heat 11: Dillon Perillo (USA) 9.93, Colin Schildhauer (USA) 9.03, Cody Thompson (USA) 8.09, Kelsey Strickland (USA) 7.53
Heat 12: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 15.20, Austin Smith-Ford (USA) 12.67, Ford Archbold (USA) 11.27, Jensen Callaway (USA) 6.43
Heat 13: Keetin Devin (USA) 9.5, Gabe Garcia (USA) 8.97, Brent Reilly (USA) 8.93, Dewey Cunnison (USA) 7.33
Heat 14: Tayler Brothers (USA) 10.57, Marshall Alberga (USA) 9.16, Matt Mohagen (USA) 8.73, Tamora McComb (AUS) 6.66
Heat 15: Rob Kelly (USA) 13.27, Ryan Burch (USA) 12.14, Michael Dunphy (USA) 11.67, Phillip Goold (USA) 11.57
Heat 16: John John Florence (HAW) 15.50, Matt Pagan 11.67, Blake Jones (USA), Alejo Muniz (BRA) 8.84

S3 Supergirl Pro Junior Results:
Round of 16: (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Sage Erickson (USA) 13.33, Lee Ann Curren (FRA) 12.66, Alexis Engstrom (USA) 8.06, Alana Blanchard (HAW) 6.97
Heat 2: Coco Ho (HAW) 13.83, Quincy Davis (USA) 7.83, Bo Stanley (USA) 4.17, Christa Alves (USA) 2.87
Heat 3: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 15.17, Nikita Robb (ZAF) 11.83, Ariel Engstrom (USA), Caitlin Lawson (USA) 1.00
Heat 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 15.83, Haley Watson (USA) 7.77, Jenna Balester (USA) 6.94, Amy Nicholl (USA) 4.43

O’Neill U.S. Open of Longboarding pres. by Honda Results:
Round of 56 (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Dylan Andrews (USA) 15.33, Ned Snow (HAW) 10.97, Cody Ulrich (USA) 6.83, Bart Boyle (USA) 4.27
Heat 2: Chris Koerner (USA) 10.00, Eric Lloyd (USA) 6.30, Armando Colucci (VEN) 4.23, Kane Carroll (USA) 2.40
Heat 3: Sterling Foxcroft (USA) 8.53, Kevin McNicol (USA) 7.25, Yuta Sezutsu (JPN) 6.34, Hunter May (USA) 5.57
Heat 4: Jack Sabala (USA) 10.47, Patrick Giles (USA) 7.36, Marc Moore (USA) 5.34, Michael Schmit (USA) 5.27

Round of 48 (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Dylan Andrews (USA) 18.00, Mike Stidham (USA) 10.47, Chase Stavron (USA) 10.23, Mark Evans (USA) 5.50
Heat 2: Ned Snow (HAW) 16.10, Josh Mohr (USA) 15.44, Brendan White (USA) 10.04, Brett Robbins (USA) 7.80
Heat 3: Linden Brocoli (USA) 13.34, Chris Koerner (USA) 10.20, Steve Newton (USA) 8.90, Danny Ryder (USA) 6.07
Heat 4: Kevin Osborne (USA) 14.83, Rocky McKinnon (USA) 8.76, Eric Lloyd (USA) 8.67, Jed Morouse (USA) 7.03

GO211 LIVE feat. the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing Trials Results:
Round of 64 (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 9: Jeremy Johnston (USA) 15.84, Sean Hayes (USA) 10.17, Marshal Albera (USA) 9.37, Matt Pagan (USA) 7.90
Heat 10: Chase Newsome (USA) 10.00, Kyle Ramey (USA) 8.43, Thomas Petriken (USA) 7.30, Matt Turner (USA) 4.93
Heat 11: Austin Smith-Ford (USA) 13.23, Dege O’Connell (HAW) 11.50, Dustin Willman (USA) 6.37, Justin Swartz (USA)
Heat 12: Jody Davis (USA) 13.67, Kekoa Cazimero (HAW) 12.10, Hira Terinatoofa (PYF) 11.46, Takayuki Wakita (JPN) 11.10
Heat 13: John John Florence (HAW) 10.00, David Gonsalves (HAW) 8.43, Victor Done (USA) 8.03, Ryan Ragan (USA) 4.20
Heat 14: Alek Parker 10.17, Riley Metcalf (USA) 9.16, Taylor Thorne (USA), Michael Howard (USA) 6.30
Heat 15: Dane Ward (USA) 10.93, Ian Eckberg (USA) 9.73, Derek Ho (HAW) 6.57, Eddie Lester (USA) 6.03
Heat 16: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 18.33, Tyler Stanaland (USA) 10.33, Fisher Heverly (USA) 8.16, Keito Matsuoka (JPN) 7.07

Round of 32 (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Granger Larsen (HAW) 16.10, Macy Mullen (HAW) 13.83, Tyler Newton (HAW) 11.67, Jason Harris (USA) 6.70
Heat 2: Kyle Kennelly (USA) 9.10, Nick Rozsa (USA) 8.77, Jeff Hurley (USA) 7.46, Jesse Evans (USA) 6.12
Heat 3: Clay Marzo (HAW) 16.50, Pablo Gutierrez (ESP) 12.50, Ryah Arthur (USA) 10.87, Peter Mel (USA) 7.83
Heat 4: Michael Hoisington (USA) 14.94, Andrew Doheny (USA) 14.16, Sean Taylor (USA) 9.40, Tony Adams (USA) 7.00
Heat 5: Chase Newsom (USA) 13.47, Dege O’Connell (HAW) 12.90, Kekoa Cazimero (HAW) 11.73, Jeremy Johnston (USA) 11.57
Heat 6: Kyle Ramey (HAW) 12.00, Jody Davis (USA) 11.90, Sean Hayes (USA) 8.74, Austin Smith-Ford (USA) 8.43
Heat 7: Tyler Stanaland (USA) 11.60, John John Florence (HAW) 11.50, Alek Parker (USA) 10.83, Ian Eckberg (USA) 6.20
Heat 8: Dane Ward (USA) 14.33, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 11.66, David Gonsalves (HAW) 9.66, Riley Metcalf (USA) 8.57

Aussie Chris Davidson and Brazilian Silvana Lima were the big winners at the Mr. Price Pro this weekend in South Africa.  Davidson’s victory came over hometown favorite Travis Logie, 16.10 to 12.90, and propelled him to 7th on the WQS rankings.

Lima’s victory came against the 2006 European Junior Champion Pauline Ado.  Lima scored 17.83 to Ado’s 13.10.  On her way to the finals, Lima scored a perfect 10, marking the only competitor (male or female) to do so during the contest.

Full press releases follow for both…

Chris Davidson Trumps Travis Logie to Win Mr. Price Pro

Australian surfer Chris Davidson (AUS) crushed South Africa’s hopes of a second ever South African winner at the Mr. Price Pro, defeating ASP World No. 41 Travis Logie (Durban) before a patriotic crowd on New Pier beach in Durban today.

Competing in crumbling one-to-two foot (0.5 metre) onshore surf, arguably more suited to the Australian’s natural-footed stance, Davidson’s powerful front-side surfing saw him out-position his local rival to win the heat with a 16.10 heat total to Logie’s 12.90, jumping to 7th on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings.

“I’m stoked I made the final and beat the local boy,” Davidson said. “It was tough for Travis surfing little right-handers on his backside (right foot forward stance) so it definitely favoured me. I’ve got tens here in the past, but I was the underdog out there today, so it felt good to come home with the win.”

A former competitor on the prestigious ASP World Tour, Davidson drew first blood opening with a respectable 6.67 (out of a possible 10) ride and followed up with a near perfect 9.43 putting his South African rival in a combination situation.

At the five minute mark, so confident of his win was Davidson that he began surfing with his board upside down and exited the water with three minutes still remaining on the clock.

“That was just a bit of fun and no disrespect to Travis,” Davidson said. “He’s an incredible competitor but I knew I had the heat won.”

The Australian took home 2500 ratings points towards his 2009 qualification campaign for the ASP World Tour.

Despite finishing as the highest placed South African in the event, Logie was visibly disappointed that first place had eluded him for the second time in his career, after reaching the final here in 2000.

“I’ve always wanted to win this event because I grew up surfing here and I live five minutes up the road,” Logie said. “The final was very tough and Chris definitely got the two best waves, I just couldn’t get the right ones today.”

One of just three South African surfers to advance into the final day of competition today, Logie disposed of fellow countryman Greg Emslie (East London) in the Round of 16 before dismissing ASP World No. 19 Jordy Smith (Durban) in the Quarterfinals, eventually defeating Patrick Gudauskas (USA) in the Semifinals.

“I was stoked with second, it’s better than third and I will be back again next year, though, trying to win it,” Logie said.

While the runner-up finish will have no impact on Logie’s ASP World Tour ratings points, Greg Emslie’s 9th has seen him jump to No. 19 on the ASP WQS ratings while David Weare (Durban) who was eliminated on Saturday with an equal 25th, has jumped to an incredible No. 2 on the ASP WQS ratings.

Finishing equal third at the Mr. Price Pro today were Patrick Gudauskas (USA) and 2003 Mr. Price Pro Champion Neco Padaratz (Bra) who were defeated by Logie and Davidson respectively.

Gudauskas’ result saw him jump back into the lead on the ASP WQS ratings ahead of Weare, while the ratings leader coming into the event, Hizunome Bettero (BRA), has ped down to third.

“I’ve never done well in Durban so to get a third today is a great result for me,” Gudauskas said. “I’m really excited to be back at No. 1, it’s a very long season so I just want to continue bettering my results.”

Silvana Lima Claims ASP WQS 5-Star Mr. Price Pro

DURBAN, South Africa (Saturday, June 5, 2008) – Extraordinary Brazilian surfer, former ASP World No. 3 Silvana Lima (Rio De Janeiro) won the ASP WQS 5-Star Mr. Price Pro today, defeating 2006 European Junior Champion Pauline Ado (FRA) to become the second ever Brazilian women’s champion at Durban’s New Pier, today.

Posting the only perfect 10 point rides seen in either the Men’s or Women’s events, Lima advanced into the Finals where she proved unstoppable against 17-year-old Ado.

Defeating her European opponent with 17.83 points to Ado’s 13.10 (out of a possible 20.00), Lima jumped from 50th to 20th on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings.

“I’m really, really feeling good,” Lima said. “Thanks to God, thanks to my friends, thanks to everybody from Brazil and everyone from here. I feel awesome”

Arguably one of the most radical female surfers on tour, Lima wowed Durban beach-goers with her explosive surfing style defeating ASP WQS No. 1 Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) in the Quarterfinals and ASP WQS No. 7 Bruna Schmitz (BRA) in the Semifinals. Lima went on to seal her 2008 Mr. Price Pro victory off a pair of near perfect scores, a 9.33 and 8.50 (both out of 10) in the final.

“I think that Brazilians do so well here because the waves are very similar to what we have at home,” Lima said. “The waves are really good here in Durban and I love competing at this event.”

Winning the ASP WQS 5-Star in Brazil prior to competing in Durban, Lima said it would be one of her last ASP WQS events this year as she returns her focus to top tier competition on the ASP Women’s World Tour.

Ado finished with her career best result, placing runner-up in her second ever ASP WQS competition, jumping to 42nd on the ASP WQS ratings.

“I’m so happy I made the final,” Ado said. “When I came here I wasn’t expecting such a good result, I just wanted to get some experience so that I can try to qualify on the ASP WQS next year.”

Ado defeated European Junior Champion Lee Ann Curren (FRA) in the Semifinals and South African Roseanne Hodge (East London) in the Quarterfinals, making a big impression in Durban.

“The final was amazing,” Ado said. “I knew it would be tough to beat Silvana who was just amazing, she was just ripping the whole event.”

Reaching the Quarterfinals were South Africans Rosy Hodge (East London) and Heather Clark (Port Shephard) who finished equal 5th overall when they were eliminated by Schmitz and Ado respectively.

Sally Fitzgibbons and former ASP World Tour campaigner Laurina McGrath (AUS) also ended their campaigns in equal 5th places.

The five South African men who advanced into today’s Round of 24 were reduced to just three, with Travis Logie (Durban), Jordy Smith (Durban) and Greg Emslie (East London) taking command of the small surf to earn their spots in the critical final day of competition tomorrow.

ASP World No. 35 Travis Logie was the first “Saffa” to come through for his home crowd. The pint sized New Pier local has been one of the few South Africans to make a mark at the event reaching the Quarters, Semis and Finals over the years and advanced today with a 10.77 heat total defeating Odirlei Coutinho (BRA) and Antonio Bortoletto (Durban).

“I’m really stoked, it’s been my dream to win this event,” Logie said. “I’ve come so close before and I’m not going to rest until I do win this thing so I’ll keep surfing it until I do and even then I’ll continue because I live just five minutes away. There’s good prize money and it’s an amazing event that I just can’t wait for it to come around every year.”

His small frame arguably better suited to the smaller conditions, Logie also employed some clever tactics, holding Bortoletto off one of the last waves of the heat, eliminating his fellow South African from the event.

“I had to win ugly,” Logie said. “Today it was a little tougher so I just tried to catch as many waves as possible and then got a bit ruthless, but you do what you can to win and I’m sure any hard feelings will stay in the water. Now I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.”

Greg Emslie, who advanced in second place behind heat winner Jordy Smith, shared similar sentiments after holding off Australian surfer Adam Melling in order to secure his runner up spot.

“It was more of a job out there, it wasn’t any fun,” Emslie said. “I had to hassle Adam, one of my good mates, at the end. Two South Africans are through but I hate having to hassle.”

The international contingent looked particularly impressive, with Morrocon surfer Abdel El Harim dominating the lefthanders with a flawless performance that earned him a 17.50 heat total defeating Neco Padaratz (BRA) and eliminating South Africa’s Royden Bryson (East London) from the event.

Australians Corey Ziems and Kirk Flintoff whipped out excellent 8 and 9-point rides to win their respective heats convincingly, setting themselves up to become major threats for the final day tomorrow.

Fitzgibbons with her World Jr. trophy.

She may be only 17-years-old but Aussie Sally Fitzgibbons has done something no man or woman has ever done:  qualified from the WQS to the World Tour well before the halfway point of the season.  Thanks to the huge tear she’s been on since the start of the season, Fitzgibbons has already accumulated enough points to qualify for the world tour.  Due to how the ASP scores over the season, there is no way Fitzgibbons will fall low enough in the rankings to miss the World Tour cut.

Fitzgibbons has been a surfer to watch for years and is the reigning ASP World Junior Champion.  So far in ’08 she’s won two events, finished second twice and also has an equal fifth place.  With about 100 women surfers actively competing on the WQS and 14 events, for Fitzgibbons to secure this honor six events is pretty spectacular.

For more about the accomplishment, check out the lengthy press release from the ASP below.

Sally Fitzgibbons Makes ASP History, Qualifies for 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Thursday, June 26, 2008) – Reigning ASP World Junior Champion Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 17-years old, has made ASP history by securing enough ratings points on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) to qualify for the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour well before the halfway point this season – a feat that has never been accomplished by any surfer (male or female) in history.

“My initial reaction when I found out that I had qualified was elation,” Fitzgibbons said. “It is a dream come true to qualify for the ASP Women’s World Tour and an honor to be competing against the top women surfers in the world.”

Al Hunt, ASP WQS Tour Manager, confirms Fitzgibbons’ historic feat following her runner-up finish to current ASP World No. 11 Silvana Lima (BRA) at the ASP WQS 5-Star Billabong Surf ECO Festival in Bahia, Brazil last weekend.

“This is the earliest that any ASP WQS surfer, man or woman, has ever qualified for the following year’s ASP World Tour,” Hunt said. “Sally’s current worst results are scores that others would love to have as their best, and the young natural-footer should be able to set a record winning margin by year’s end if she keeps up her current form.”

Fitzgibbons, who claimed the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships in early January, has been on a tear since then, winning the ASP WQS 6-Star Roxy Pro Women’s Surfing Festival in Phillip Island, the ASP WQS 4-Star Arrive Alive Central Coast Pro at Soldiers Beach, finishing runner-up at the ASP WQS 6-Star Midori Pro in Newcastle, equal 5th at the ASP WQS 5-Star Drug Aware Pro in Margaret River and finishing runner-up at the ASP WQS 5-Star Billabong Surf ECO Pro to amass an unprecedented 9,090 ratings points.

“I have had a very good run of events so far this season,” Fitzgibbons said. “My success has come from solid preparation and great support from my sponsors, management, family and friends. This year I have really been enjoying myself surfing some new locations, it’s been an exciting learning curve.”

Excited about joining the Dream Tour in 2009, Fitzgibbons will be squaring off against the best female surfers in the world in some of the most idyllic settings on the planet.

“I’m looking forward to surfing some amazing locations with just a few girls in the water and also some hard competition, it should be really exciting,” Fitzgibbons said. “I look up to all the girls on tour. They are really talented and experienced competitors. I’m privileged to have the opportunity to compete against them next season in some good waves.”

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), reigning ASP Women’s World Champion, has witnessed Fitzgibbons’ natural talent and competitive savvy firsthand, having faced the young qualifier in the Finals of the ASP WQS 6-Star Midori Pro last April, and looks forward to seeing her on tour next season.

“Congrats to Sally,” Gilmore said. “She deserves a place on the ASP Women’s World Tour because she is one of the most talented, well-rounded athletes that I’ve ever met and one that will continue to push the sport in the right direction. Great to have her on tour next season.”

Brooke Farris (AUS), ASP Women’s World Tour Manager, has been another to closely follow Fitzgibbons’ progression this season, noting that the 17-year old follows in the footsteps of fellow ASP World Junior Champions, and current ASP Women’s World Tour campaigners, Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) and Nicola Atherton (AUS) in qualifying for the Dream Tour in just one season.

“Sally has been on our radar for a few years now,” Farris said. “A combination of talent, commitment and an unquestionable competitive drive will make her a formidable competitor on the ASP Women’s World Tour in 2009. She is raising the bar for both her junior competitors as well as the current ASP Top 17. If one were to blueprint the ideal path towards becoming an ASP Women’s World Champion, you couldn’t do much better than the trail Sally has blazed thus far.”

Despite already setting ASP records and qualifying for the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour, Fitzgibbons shows no plans of slowing down her blitzkrieg on the ASP WQS. The young natural-footer is currently in Durban for the ASP WQS 5-Star Mr. Price Pro and will follow up with a run at the ASP WQS 5-Star Honda Women’s U.S. Open presented by O’Neill (where she finished equal 3rd last season).

“The remainder of the ASP WQS season, I will just try to keep doing what I’m doing and it would be fantastic to get some results in the second half of the year,” Fitzgibbons said. “Preparing for next year, I’ll try to improve my surfing and get ready for some tough competition, as women’s surfing keeps moving to new levels of performance.”

Fitzgibbons will join the already staggering ranks of talent on the ASP Women’s World Tour in 2009.

Hawaiian surfer Sebastian Zietz has won the Oakley Pro Jr. at Lower Trestles, ensuring him a spot in the Oakley Global Challenge in Bali later this year.

Jason Harris, of Huntington Beach, finished second and also qualified for the Global Challenge, which will take place in October.

Read the official press release below.

SEBASTIAN ZIETZ CLAIMS OAKLEY PRO JUNIOR IN PUMPING CONDITIONS AT LOWER TRESTLES
OAKLEY ANNOUNCES EXPANDED OAKLEY PRO JUNIOR SERIES AND NEW OAKLEY GLOBAL CHALLENGE WORTH $150K

SAN CLEMENTE, California (Saturday, May 3, 2008) – Sebastian Zietz  (Hanalei, HAW) has claimed the 2008 Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge North American Qualifier in firing three-to-four foot surf at Lower Trestles over fellow finalists Jason Harris (Huntington Beach, CA), Travis Beckmann (Vero Beach, FL) and Dusty Payne (Lahaina, HAW). The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Grade-2 Oakley Pro Junior event culminated a week’s worth of competition this afternoon as performance levels went through the roof, with some of the highest scored waves of the event being logged in during the hard-fought final.

Zietz, who proved the form surfer of both the Oakley Pro Junior and the ASP WQS 4-Star 6.0 Lowers Pro (only knocked out with a last-minute interference), absolutely dominated the final, seamlessly blending beautiful rail work with explosive fin-free maneuvers to net the highest-scoring heat total of the Oakley Pro Junior, an 18.40 out of a possible 20.

“I was surprised when I heard that first score because I didn’t think that it was that good of a wave and then I got that second wave and I finally started to relax a little bit,” Zietz said. “I surfed about 11 heats in this contest, and I’m bummed to lose out in the quarters of the men’s event because of an interference, but it made me want to go out and smash it in this heat that much more.  It’s always a big breakthrough to win an event and take home some money.”

As the opening event of the Macy’s California Trifecta Surf Series (an ASP North America Specialty Series), Zietz’s win also sees the young Hawaiian take the ratings heading into the second stop in September.

Harris, who advanced through the field relatively unnoticed, rocketed from third to second in the dying moments with a blistering forehand assault on a roping Lowers righthander.  The score netted in at an 8.27 out of a possible 10 and upped Harris into runner-up position.

“I knew it was a battle for second and when that wave came through at the end, I just focused on surfing top-to-bottom and not falling,” Harris said.  “This is the best result of my career and it definitely helps in terms of ratings and qualifying for the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships is definitely a goal this year because it’s my last season as a junior.”

In finishing 1st and 2nd respectively, Zietz and Harris have qualified for the Oakley Pro Global Challenge, which will run October 7-17, 2008.

“It’s unreal,” Harris said.  “I’ve never been to Bali.  I’ve been to the Mentawais, but never to Bali and I think it’s great that Oakley is putting money into junior surfing.”

Beckmann, who was one of the form surfers of the Oakley Pro Junior, looked in solid position throughout the final, but was unable to stave off the onslaught of Harris towards the end.

“It’s really tough to have second locked up and then lose it at the end,” Beckmann said.  “3rd is still a pretty good result and it will help my rating this season as I aim to qualify for the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.”

Payne, who consistently picked off the highest scores in both the 6.0 Lowers Pro and the Oakley Pro Junior, seemed to run out of energy towards the end of the day, but his impressive performances put the entire globe on notice.

“I was just out of rhythm I guess, and I just couldn’t get any good ones out there in the final. I just couldn’t get into a rhythm,” Payne said.

All Oakley Pro Junior action is available at www.oakleyprojunior.com

RESULTS – Day 5

Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge ASP North America Qualifier – ASP Grade-2 Pro Junior

Final
1 – Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 18.40
2 – Jason Harris (USA) 14.94
3 – Travis Beckmann (USA) 14.17
4 – Dusty Payne (HAW) 13.40

Semifinals: 8 surfers remaining (1st and 2nd advance)
SF 1: Dusty Payne (HAW) 15.06, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 11.77, Adam Wickwire (USA) 10.47, Austin Smith-Ford (USA) 10.34
SF 2: Travis Beckmann (USA) 15.16, Jason Harris (USA) 10.93, Blake Jones (USA) 7.84, Nat Young (USA) 6.33

Quarterfinals: 16 surfers remaining (1st and 2nd advance)
QF 1: Dusty Payne (HAW) 16.57, Austin Smith-Ford (USA) 12.67, Nick Rupp (USA) 5.20, Andrew Doheny (USA) 8.13
QF 2: Adam Wickwire (USA) 14.17, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 12.96, Bruno Rodrigues (USA) 10.46, Dillon Perillo (USA) 10.36
QF 3: Travis Beckmann (USA) 11.00, Jason Harris (USA) 10.00, Brent Reilly (USA) 10.00, Sean Poynter (USA) 8.20
QF 4: Nat Young (USA) 14.67, Blake Jones (USA) 13.16, Matt Mohagen (USA) 12.60, Cody Thompson (USA) 8.86

Remaining Round 2 Heats: 32 surfers remaining (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 5: Travis Beckmann (USA) 11.17, Matt Mohagen (USA) 8.28, Mike McCabe (USA) 5.76, Rudy Palmboom (USA) 5.33
Heat 6: Brent Reilly (USA) 15.10, Nat Young (USA) 13.50, Fisher Heverly (USA) 9.60, Kyle Ramey (HAW) 8.86
Heat 7:  Blake Jones (USA) 11.42, Sean Poynter (USA) 9.94, Marshall Alberga (USA) 4.20, Philip Goold (USA) 9.93
Heat 8: Cody Thompson (ZAF) 16.17, Jason Harris (USA) 13.10, Daniel Shea (USA) 11.40, Kento Takahashi (JPN) 8.60