Tom Cloarec (FRA) advanced with tight turns in the pocket like this one
CÔTE SAUVAGE, Royan – France (Saturday, July 6, 2013) – The iconic Côte Sauvage of Royan delivered picture perfect waves on this third day of the ASP 1-Star Soöruz Pro Junior Royan Atlantique. The Men’s and Women’s QuarterFinals were completed to decide of the last eight surfers standing in the hunt for the Royan Title. Surfers once again raised to the occasion to display their excellent skills and offer a great spectacle for the numerous tourists and locals enjoying a great summer day at the beach.
Diego Mignot (FRA) 17, created the first upset of the day eliminating last year’s runner up in the European Title race, Vasco Ribeiro (PRT). Mignot surfed the main righthander on his backside and showed committed surfing in the hollow peaks of the morning.
“Early this morning the conditions were tough but right now it’s changing and the waves are slower, which is perfect to allow a couple big turns. We had good exchanges right til the end of the heat so I’m super happy to get through! Last year I was in the final so I hope to do even better this year!”
Diego’s cousin Nomme Mignot (FRA) 16, was in desperate need of an average score in the last seconds of the next heat when he launched into a frontside air-reverse to steal second place and advance into the semifinals as well.
Nelson Cloarec (FRA) 17, continued his assault in Charentes today, dominating his heat by threading barrels and bursting airs for the most part of the 20-minute bout. Cloarec had his work cut out for him with in-form surfers of yesterday Andy Criere (FRA) 17, Gaspard Larsonneur (FRA) 19, and Gatien Delahaye (GLP) 16, matching his every move but the young surfer from Britanny managed to find the best waves and displayed impressive speed, power and flow to score an excellent 15.00 heat total.
Ian Fontaine (FRA) 20, concluded today’s action for the Men with a big win over fellow Frenchman Tom Cloarec and Basque surfers Ethan Egiguren and Imanol Yeregi. Fontaine now holds the second highest heat total of the event so far, an excellent 17.60 he earned working the long reeling rightanders of la Côte Sauvage.
“That was incredible,” Fontaine stated. “Perfect 4ft on the low tide, that’s probably the best waves I’ve had on the Junior tour these last couple of years. My 9.00 was a good insider and I managed to get two floats in and two big turns afterwards, I was a little surprised of the score but super happy! Then I caught another good wave further outside and I got a nice little barrel, not big but pretty long.”
The women’s quarters enjoyed the same perfect peaks today and Cannelle Bulard (REU) 19, took full advantage of the long waves on offer to score another excellent 8.33 and a 7.33. The reigning European Junior Champion seemed untouchable today and will be hard to beat when the semis are called on tomorrow.
The lone Portuguese surfer remaining in the event Carina Duarte (PRT) 19, found herself in a come-from-behind situation with only a few seconds remaining in her heat, she started on a long right out the back and managed to perform several big turns on her backhand to place second and advance into the semis alongside Kim Veteau (GLP) 15 who led the heat from start to finish.
Marion Bouzigues (FRA) 17, set herself apart in the third quarter with an excellent performance to advance into the semis as well. The young surfer from Hendaye surfed a smart heat and managed to position herself in the best waves.
“There were plenty of waves, but they were a little fast and hollow so I tried to manage and score but I did fall quite a bit still. I didn’t see the other girls surf. I was just doing my own thing and battling against the rip too. I came here with my club and my trainer Eric Termeau and I want to thank him for the support.”
Closing today’s action was Johanne Defay (FRA) 19, whom easily negotiated her quarterfinal heat and continued to impress with her sharp rail-work and powerful turns.
The final day of the ASP 1-Star Soöruz Pro Junior Royan Atlantique is set to start at 9am tomorrow morning with the first call for both Men and Women’s SemiFinals, which will be broadcast LIVE via the event’s website.
The ASP 1-Star Soöruz Royan Atlantique Pro Junior is scheduled from July 4-7, 2013 in Royan, France. For all results, photos, video highlights, press releases and LIVE webcast, log on to sooruz.com/sooruzprojunior-royan.
The Soöruz Pro Junior Royan Atlantique is made possible with the support of the following event partners: Soöruz, Agglomération Royan Atlantique, Conseil Régional de Poitou-Charentes, l’Office National des Fôrets, Pitel, Station Nautique Royan Atlantique, Virgin Radio, MAAF, and Fédération Française de Surf amongst others.
UPCOMING SOÖRUZ ROYAN ATLANTIQUE PRO JUNIOR MEN’S SEMI-FINALS MATCHUPS:
Heat 1: Diego Mignot (FRA), William Aliotti (FRA), Francisco Alves (PRT), Nomme Mignot (FRA) Heat 2: Nelson Cloarec (FRA), Andy Criere (FRA), Ian Fontaine (FRA), Tom Cloarec (FRA)
UPCOMING SOÖRUZ ROYAN ATLANTIQUE PRO JUNIOR WOMEN’S SEMI-FINALS MATCHUPS:
Heat 1: Cannelle Bulard (REU), Lisa Girardet (REU), Kim Veteau (GLP), Carina Duarte (PRT) Heat 2: Marion Bouzigues (FRA), Alice Melissa Limoigne (FRA), Johanne Defay (FRA), Leticia Canales Bilbao (EUK)
SOÖRUZ ROYAN ATLANTIQUE PRO JUNIOR MEN’S QUARTER-FINALS RESULTS:
Heat 1: Diego Mignot (FRA) 14.63, William Aliotti (FRA) 13.76, Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) 12.33, Arthur Lasse (FRA) 9.53 Heat 2: Francisco Alves (PRT) 12.26, Nomme Mignot (FRA) 11.60, Joao Kopke (PRT) 11.27, Miguel Blanco (PRT) 9.74 Heat 3: Nelson Cloarec (FRA) 15.00, Andy Criere (FRA) 12.80, Gaspard Larsonneur (FRA) 11.77, Gatien Delahaye (GLP) 9.76 Heat 4: Ian Fontaine (FRA) 17.60, Tom Cloarec (FRA) 13.50, Ethan Egiguren (EUK) 7.13, Imanol Yeregi (EUK) 5.37
