Elliot Ivarra (GLP) fully engaged on a vertical section of the wave.
SANTA MARIA DE OIA, Pontevedra – Galicia/Spain (Friday, September 20, 2013) – The ASP 2-Star Surf Rias Baixas Pro, final event of the 2013 ASP European Junior Series, relocated to the backup venue of Santa Maria de Oia, further down the Galician coastline towards the Portuguese border today. Competition started with the opening round of the men’s event around 10:30am this morning to complete two rounds of both the men and women’s draws. Surfers demonstrated the immensity of their talent all-day on the 4-5 foot waves on offer at the rocky reefbreak of Santa Maria.
Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) 18, put on a convincing performance in the opening heat of the round of 64 this morning, posting the highest heat total of the event, an excellent 16.77 out of 20 possible. Currently in second position on the European rankings, Ribeiro needs a huge result in this last event to keep his hopes of a maiden regional title alive.
“It’s a really nice place here, people are nice and the spot is amazing,” Ribeiro said. “The tide was a little too low for our heat but there were still some fun ones. It’s good to get that first heat out of the way, it’s always a nervous one. This event will be a tough one to take out, everyone’s so close in the rankings, and with the World Juniors qualification on the line, everyone really wants it bad but I’ll do my best and hope for a great result.”
Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 15, leader of the under-20 European rankings coming into this event, confirmed he’s one of the top surfers in this back half of the season, posting an impressive win today and netting the highest single wave score of the day, a near-perfect 9.33 out of 10.
“Waves weren’t that good at the start, but in the end I was waiting for the good sets and I found a good one,” Fioravanti commented. “When the set comes, there’s a good wall and you can do a couple big turns. I was having fun out there, I want to be number one but I’ll take it heat by heat, no stress.”
Carina Duarte (PRT) 19, drew first blood in the women’s first round, making the most out of a wave starved heat. The talented Portuguese, currently ranked fifth on the regional ladder is looking to better her best result so far this year, an excellent 3rd place in Lacanau earlier this summer.
“I found two waves right at the beginning but that was it,” Duarte said. “I feel for the other girls who couldn’t really catch anything and I hope we get better conditions tomorrow. The drop is pretty impressive with all those rocks just underwater, we have points like that in Ericeira but it’s probably less dangerous. I just hope I can get more opportunities tomorrow.”
After an hour and a half break at full high tide, competition re-started with the remaining three heats of the first women’s round. Following a slow first heat, the outgoing tide provided more opportunities for the surfers to showcase their skills. Kim Veteau (GLP) 16, scored the best wave of the day for the women, a long lefthander offering three turns sections to be rewarded a 7.17.
“I monitored the spot for about an hour before my heat and I knew the little insiders weren’t any good, so I timed the sets and waited out the back for the bigger ones,” Veteau explained. “I want to do good here, I’d like to get to the final and win. I know Cannelle and Johanne are super strong and it’s the last opportunity we get to surf against them so that’s super motivating, seeing them surf great pushes me to get better for sure.”
The Next Call will be held at 8am tomorrow morning at Santa Maria de Oia for a potential final day of competition starting with the women’s quarters, and a 9am call for the men.
The 2013 Surf Rias Baixas Pro is scheduled from September 19-22, 2013 at Playa de la lanzada, Pontevedra – Galicia/Spain. For all results, photos, video highlights, press releases and LIVE webcast, log on to aspeurope.com/lanzada2013.
The Surf Rias Baixas Pro is made possible with the support of the following event partners: Diputación de Pontevedra, Concello de O Grove, Club Praia de Pantín y la Federación Galega de Surf amongst others.
UPCOMING SURF RIAS BAIXAS PRO MEN’S ROUND OF 64 MATCHUPS:
Heat 1: Vasco Ribeiro (PRT), William Aliotti (FRA), Juan Ignacio Sebastia (CNY), Elliot Ivarra (GLP) Heat 2: Roberto D’Amico (ITA), Andy Criere (FRA), Joao Kopke (PRT), Ian Fontaine (FRA) Heat 3: Diego Mignot (FRA), Miguel Blanco (PRT), Nomme Mignot (FRA), Francisco Alves (PRT) Heat 4: Luis Ansin (ESP), Arthur Lasse (FRA), Timothee Bisso (GLP), Tomas Fernandes (PRT) Heat 5: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA), Aldric God (FRA), Tom Simon (REU), Natxo Gonzalez (EUK) Heat 6: Pablo Goncalves (REU), Charly Termeau (FRA), Jorgann Couzinet (REU), Miguel Madeira (PRT) Heat 7: Lucas Jannier (REU), Imanol Yeregi (EUK), Mateia Hiquily (PYF), Luke Dillon (GBR) Heat 8: Charly Quivront (FRA), Ethan Egiguren (EUK), Will Davey (GBR), Mihimana Braye (PYF)
