Portugal’s Miguel Blanco scores top scores at the Airwalk Pro Junior.
GRANDE PLAGE, Lacanau – France (Saturday, August 10, 2013) – Day 2 of the ASP 1-Star Men and Women’s Airwalk Lacanau Pro Junior resumed in clean 1-2Ft surf this morning, finishing the day in building 3-4Ft peaky waves at Grande Plage.
A handful of new faces have joined this year’s list of competitors in the Airwalk Lacanau Pro Junior including Dylan Lightfoot (ZAF) 18, who had a successful run in the event today making his way through two rounds. The local surfer from Jeffrey’s Bay who turned his wildcard spot at the ASP Prime Mr Price Pro into a 17th place, is visiting France for the first time as a touring surfer and was surprised to find the small waves on offer in Lacanau.
“Waves seem to have picked up a bit with more wall to it, so you can do more turns and get more vertical,” Lightfood said. “I’ve come here as a learning curve, to figure out the waves and how others surf those small waves, I really expected the conditions to be bigger and a lot steeper, so yes obviously I’m here to try to win but I’ll take it heat by heat. After Ballito I wanted to keep my points up so I’m going to do a couple 4 and 5-Stars for the rest of the year.”
Charly Quivront (FRA) 17, surfed a very solid heat to net one of the day’s highest combined total of a 15.27 out of 20. The young rider from Charentes entered a clash of the brands alongside Volcom teammate William Aliotti (FRA) against two surfers of a rival brand. Quivront started on a fast reforming righthander allowing him for a big carving turn before taking maximum risks on the shorebreak section which the judges appreciated and scored 7.67.
“It improved a lot with the tide coming in, there’s more waves and better ones too.” Quivront stated. “I paddled out with a strategy and it worked out so I’m happy with that heat. It was a fun battle against two guys from Billabong and I’m stoked to win one over William too!”
Local rider from the Lacanau surf club Vincent Feillon (FRA) 16, who got offered a wildcard to access directly into the top seeds round made the right use of the gift, surfing his best to advance ahead of more experienced competitors. The young ‘Canaulais’ places second to Portugal’s Vasco Ribeiro and will surf in the Round of 32 when competition recommences tomorrow.
“I found a fun right at the beginning and got into second but Tom had a better score and I was left chasing a good wave which I got at the end there so I’m happy to make it !” Feillon commented. “It’s pretty intimidating to get into the third round and surf against those guys right away, Vasco is always in the top ranks and I know Tom and Jacome too. I think knowing the spot well helped a little but it was more all the local support I got from the surfclub everyone was shouting on the beach so it felt great!”
Tom Cloarec (FRA) 19, winner of the season’s opener, only managed to reach the quarterfinals once since then and is currently sitting in third position on the European junior rankings. The talented goofy-footer now living in the Hossegor area was in-form today winning his first heat in Lacanau, and will be looking to confirm in the next rounds to keep his dream of a regional title alive.
“I got injured in Sopelana and I’m just starting to surf well again,” Cloarec said. “I didn’t get any huge scores but it’s a good confidence builder. It’s super exciting to surf here against international guys who come for the main event, and even if it’s only a 1-Star Pro Junior, pressure’s on!”
Lucas Silveira (BRA) 17, displayed a great deal of confidence and strategy this afternoon waiting patiently for the right waves to overtake his opponents in the last minutes of their exchange and win his Round of 64 bout. In his first year on the Star tour, the Brazilian visits France with eyes wide opened and enjoys every minute of his trip.
“I heard the surfer in red got in first but I didn’t really mind, kept focusing on doing my thing and I found that good little left to take back the lead,” Silveira said. “It’s my first time here in France and my main focus is on the 5-Star but I’m happy to get a practice round before, and Lacanau is a sick place. I’m travelling with my dad and having a lot of fun!”
Next Call tomorrow morning will be at 8:30AM for both Men and Women to decide which division will open the day’s proceedings.
The 2013 Airwalk Lacanau Pro Junior is scheduled from August 9-12, 2013 at Grande Plage, Lacanau – France. For all results, photos, video highlights, press releases and LIVE webcast, log on to aspeurope.com.
The Sooruz Lacanau Pro is made possible with the support of the following event partners: Soöruz, Airwalk, Ice Watches, NRJ, Red Bull and Smurfit amongst others.
UPCOMING AIRWALK LACANAU PRO JUNIOR WOMEN’S QUARTER-FINALS MATCHUPS:
Heat 1: Cannelle Bulard (REU), Ainara Aymat (EUK), Marion Bouzigues (FRA), Leticia Canales Bilbao (EUK) Heat 2: Kim Veteau (GLP), Lilia Lissardy (FRA), Tessa Thyssen (GLP), Laura Crane (GBR) Heat 3: Johanne Defay (FRA), Josephine Costes (FRA), Carina Duarte (PRT), Marina Lopez (FRA) Heat 4: Tassy Swallow (GBR), Alice Melissa Limoigne (REU), Lucia Martino (ESP), Ana Morau (FRA)
