Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) was in red hot form at Canggu today. Pic ASP/Robertson.
CANGGU, Bali/Indonesia (Sunday, October 7, 2012) – Day 2 of the 2012 Oakley ASP World Junior Championships Bali saw the ladies hit the water for their opening round of competition today. Three foot (1.5 meter) right handers peeled down the reef at Echo Beach, Canggu, providing the perfect canvas for the women to battle to be the first ASP Women’s World Junior Champion to be crowned in Indonesia.
Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) was clinical in her attack on the waves at Canggu today, amassing the day’s highest two wave heat-total – 18.10 (out of a possible 20). Buitendag is in red hot form, fresh from a win at the last ASP 6-Star event of the season and securing a coveted spot in the elite ASP Women’s World Championship Tour for 2013.
“I’m feeling really good at the moment,” Buitendag said. “We just had three events back-to-back in Europe and I won one and I qualified for the WCT, so being in Bali is like a holiday for me. I’ve got no pressure, it’s a similar format to the WCT events I’ll be in next year so I’m just going to have fun and see what happens.”
Leila Hurst (HAW), reigning ASP Women’s World Junior Champion started her title defence campaign with a Round 1 win. The heat was close and all three surfers held the lead at different stages, but it was Hurst who finished the heat with an impressive ride getting an 8.33 (out of a possible 10) to take top honours.
“I try not to think about being the defending ASP World Junior Champion,” Hurst said. “I get really nervous when I think about it so I’m just trying to put it out of my mind. It was really fun out there, but tricky at the same time. The conditions were changing every minute and I was lucky to get a good one at the end.”
Philippa Anderson (AUS) punctuated her impressive Round 1 victory with a near perfect 9.50 (out of a possible 10), for a series of fast, powerful and progressive turns. Anderson is the event’s number 2 seed and today she showed why she’ll be one to watch as the event ticks on.
“I had fun out there,” Anderson said. “There wasn’t always a lot of waves coming through, but I managed to find a couple. The first heat at any contest is always nerve racking, especially at this event because it’s the only shot at the ASP World Junior Title. I love Bali and I’m stoked to be here, so I just think about the fun side and it takes the pressure off.”
Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), the 2012 ASP Australasian Pro Junior Series Champion was one of the day’s top performers. Van Dijk didn’t miss a beat as she snapped, carved and floated her way to the second highest two wave heat-total of the day – 17.27 (out of a possible 20).
“This is my first time in Bali and I’m loving it,” Van Dijk said. “I came here straight from some contests in Europe and it was a long trip, so it feels good to win that heat and start off well.”
Alessa Quizon (HAW) took out the final heat of the day after laying down some powerful backhand carves, she will advance directly into Round 3 alongside Quincy Davis (USA). Surfers who finish third will have to battle it out in the elimination Round 2.
A call will be made at 8am tomorrow for a possible 8:15 start of Round 2. The Oakley ASP World Junior Championships Bali will run from October 6 – 17. For LIVE webcast, event videos and more check www.oakleyprojunior.com.
