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[Jens]

Heute gings los mit dem Buondi Pro Ericera,

unser 2. Portugermane Nicolau von Rupp hat die 2. Runde erreicht,
Marlon ist gesetzt und darf sich noch bis Runde 3 ausruhen

[Jens]

Buondi Billabong Pro Portugal

ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star event

ASP WQS European Series Stop No. 8 of 13

Ericeira - Portugal

26-31 August 2008

 

Buondi Billabong Pro Portugal Starts in Tricky Waves at Ericeira



Photo: Maxime Huscenot (REU), current ASP European Junior No. 1, was one of the many good performers on Day 1 of competition

ERICEIRA, Portugal (Tuesday, August 26, 2008) – The Buondi Billabong Pro Portugal, an Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star event, started in tricky two foot (0.5 meter) waves at the world famous righthand pointbreak of Ribeira d’Ilhas in Ericeira today, and twenty-eight heats were wrapped up. From the 192 surfers entered in the event, 144 remain and Round 2 will resume tomorrow at 8 AM.

The waves and weather forecast have been showing a promissing new swell and the ASP caravan is looking forward to the expected solid five foot (1.5 meter) waves and off-shore winds for tomorrow.

It was a day of world class surfing despite the difficult conditions and all small-wave specialists took the best out of the scoring potential on offer reaching the excellent range with several 17.00 point heat scores being posted througout the day. Brazilian wonderkid Wiggoly Dantas (BRA), 18, came out of the pack with the best result of Day 1 under his belt in Round 1, a promissing 17.97 point result (out of a possible 20).

"I have had such a good time since I got here and it happened again for that heat," Dantas said. "I was in the final of the Billabong Pro Junior Sunday and to start off with a strong result is a great confidence boost."

Dantas, who won the ASP WQS 5-Star in Newquay and placed third in the Billabong Pro Junior final last sunday, has impressed the WQS contingent thus far since he landed in Europe and seems to be in excellent shape at Ribeira d’Ilhas.

"That wave is so fun, long and if you get the good ones you can get points," Dantas said. "It is a big event and the level will be hard so I will keep enjoying myself and not think of any result."

Dantas will meet Australian young star Matt Wilkinson (AUS) and ASP World Junior No. 2 Tonino Benson (HAW) when he paddles out for Round 2.

Fellow Brazilian Marco Polo (BRA) was the second best scorer of the day with another impressive run and a 17.73 point reward (out of a possible 20) from the ASP judges after putting together great comitted tailslide re-entries and on-the-rail cutbacks surfing only two waves in twenty minutes.

The European contingent was not left behind on this first day of battle and most of the four-man heat winners managed to get over the 15.00 point range to avance confidently through to Round 2 and meet better seeded surfers in tomorrow’s classic Ericeira.

Russell Winter (GBR), a former ASP World Tour surfer and top European competitor for over a decade now, was the fourth best athlete today getting a 17.34 point result in Heat 22 making his intentions clear.

"I was lucky because the first better sets were showing during my heat and I got the better waves," Winter said. "I have had a long time out of the water because of my injury and it is very important to be able to get back to your best level, for confidence. I hope I can keep going tomorrow."

Winter, who was the first European ever to join the ASP elite in the 90’s, has been chasing a requalification for several years now and will be looking forward to surfing the expected  bigger waves that suit his surfing more.

Other European to shine today was “the German from Portugal” Nicolas Von Rupp (DEU) who advanced with a good 15.33 point score getting back in rhythm in his heat after several months away from contests.

Von Rupp, ASP European Junior No. 2 in 2007, missed the biggest under-21 events this year because of school obligations and now wills to catch up with the level and aims at getting through several rounds at the venue he has known for years now.

"I am stoked to get the right feeling back on my board and get back to competition," Von Rupp said. "I have been travelling a lot and surfing barrels and hollow waves in Indonesia so I needed to get confidence back in different waves and I did well."

Von Rupp, who has lived in Portugal since his childhood, is seen as a local by Portuguese crowds and will attract people’s attention when he surfs Round 2 tomorrow.

Also advancing today was this year’s biggest giant killer Bruno Santos (BRA), the Brazilian charger who won the Billabong Pro Tahiti in May being a wildcard. Santos, who has been competing among the WQS for several years, is renowned for his big-wave and barrel surfing but found his way out of today’s soft conditions.

Favorites Patrick Beven (FRA), Alain Riou (PYF), Dion Atkinson (AUS) and Billabong Wildcard Marcos San Segundo (EUK) were some of those already securing their Round 3 ticket in the last heats of the day. Competitors will meet at 7.45 AM tomorrow morning.

[Jens]

Buondi Billabong Pro Portugal
ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star event
ASP WQS European Series Stop No. 8 of 13
Ericeira - Portugal
26-31 August 2008

Excellent Swell Hits Buondi Billabong Pro Portugal, Top Seeds to Surf Tomorrow



Photo: Some solid four to six foot (1.2 to 2 meter) waves gave Round 2 competitors a great day of surfing at Ribeira d'Ilhas on Day 2 of the Buondi Billabong Pro Portugal

ERICEIRA, Portugal (Wednesday, August 27, 2008) – The expected excellent swell made its way to Ericeira for Day 2 of the Buondi Billabong Pro Portugal and Day 2 saw some of the bext conditions of the year give all Round 2 competitors some great scoring potential. Some four to six foot (1.2 to 2 meter) waves broke all day over the reef of Ribeira d’Ilhas and athletes put on a show of powerful carving surfing and serious comitment to take advantage of the 100-meter rides on offer.

Another twenty-two heats were held today Round 2 and a couple of Round 3 heats coming to an end and giving names of the last 96 competitors still in contention for the ASP World Qulaifying Series (WQS) 6-Star event. Top seeds will paddle out tomorrow from 7.30 AM and similar slightly smaller waves should be peeling for the show.

Young guns and WQS experienced campaigners came up with great performances giving the crowd a series of exciting clashes battling it out for a spot in the top seeded surfers’ round. Gavin Roberts (ZAF), who has been surfing around the world for several years as a competitor, secured the ride of the day in Heat 18 posting an excellent 9.50 point wave (out of a possible 10) on his forehand putting together five solid re-entries up to the inside section.

"I am pretty happy with that heat, I just waited for the wave to come and found the high score," Roberts said. "It is the first time ever I am competing on this wave and I am stoked to finally get a chance to surf it in solid conditions. It is a lot bigger than many of the waves we had on tour this year and I usually surf better in these conditions."

Roberts, who started off his European campaign with an equal 17th in Newquay, has been showing consistency since then and seems in good form looking forward to paddling back out. However, Roberts could be surfing his last event this week.

"I started well in England and I was just looking to enjoy my time competing which is happening," Roberts said. "It is probably the last event I will be surfing in as I have been thinking of retirement and settling down. I have been around for sometime and I just feel like getting a job now and pulling back. The funny thing is that since I have nothing to lose, I am surfing better and better."

Roberts will meet  Hawaiian powerhouse and former ASP World Champion Sunny Garcia (HAW) when competition recommences.

Posting the best heat result of the day was 20-year-old Tanner Gudauskas (USA) with an excellent 17.00 point heat total (out of a possible 20) to advance through to Round 3 where he will meet fellow American Nathan Yeomans (USA) and Gold Coast top surfer Adam Melling (AUS).

"I am pretty happy and it was fun to surf out there in these bigger conditions," Gudauskas said. "We have a similar wave at home called Churches right after Lower Trestles in California so I was pretty confident."

Tanner Gudauskas, ASP World Junior No. 3 and youngest of a renowned family in the world of surfing with brothers Dane and Patrick currently sitting in the ASP WQS Top 50, just got his best result to date in the ASP WQS 6-Star Prime in France last week and is in good form.

"It has been a lot of learning for me since I started touring on the WQS full time with my brothers," Gusdauskas said. "My brothers have had a great year as well and it is a great confidence boost when one of us starts getting results. I am super stoked to learn from them and that equal 9th in Hossegor is a great thing."

The European contingent suffered heavy losses on this second day of competition with many of the awaited athletes losing to international surfers. Former ASP World Tour surfer Eric Rebiere (FRA), former ASP European Junior champion Joan Duru (FRA), current junior ratings’ leader Maxime Huscenot (REU), Christpohe Allary (REU), Txaber Trojaola (EUK), Simon Marchand (FRA), Vincent Duvignac (FRA), Hodei Collazo (EUK) and Romain Laulhe (FRA) were all defeated today and top seeds will have to get the flag back up in the air.

Jonathan Gonzalez (CNY) was one a few to advance and was in good form after his excellent performance from yesterday. Gonzalez, who started off the year with several good results inlcuding an equal 3rd in Brazil months ago, broke one his ankles and spent two months out of the water coming back to competition in France only.

"I am very relieved to get through that round because I have had a tough time and I need to get my confidence back," Gonzalez said. "I am slowly getting back to my level, I had some big scores in Hossegor in Round 1 and to get through this heat even with a low total is good."

Gonzalez, who remains one of the best chances to one day qualify for the ASP Top 45, will have to get through a second tricky heat tomorrow against former Dream Tour surfer Raoni Monteiro (BRA), ASP World Junior No. 2 Tonino Benson (HAW) and current ASP WQS Top 30 surfer Leigh Sedley (AUS).

Top seeds will start tomorrow and the national star and 2X Buondi Billabong Pro champion Tiago Pires (PRT) will have once again a massive support from the crowd. Pires, a rookie on the ASP World Tour and only ASP Top 45 surfer to defeat Kelly Slater (USA) this year, will surf in Heat 19 and is looking forward to getting his good roll going after a 5th in Lacanau and a 17th in Hossegor.

The Buondi Billabong Pro Portugal is webcast LIVE at www.aspworldtour.com and www.aspeurope.com

The Buondi Billabong Pro Portugal counts once again with important sponsorship from Buondi, leader Portuguese coffee brand from Nestlé, and Billabong the surf brand with larger presence in Portugal.

Along, well known brands give the contest essential sponsorship: Nokia, B!, Tmn and Jeep. Turismo de Portugal and Câmara Municipal de Mafra (Mafra City Hall) also provide huge support.

This contest is organized by Alfarroba, with support from Von Zipper, Ericeira Surf Shop, Kustom, Nixon, Sapo.pt, Pólen Surfboards, Fonte Viva, LG Computers, Konica Minolta, Ericeira Surf Club, Junta de Freguesia da Ericeira, Red Bull, Ribeira d’Ilhas Surf Camp, Vitaminas, and ASP Europe – Association of Surfing Professionals.

To help on the event’s diffusion, we count on MegaFm radio, newspaper Destak, tv channel Sport Tv, websites http://Surf.Sapo.Pt , www.Conquilha.com , and magazines FreeSurf, SurfPortugal and Bit.

[Jens]

Buondi Billabong Pro Portugal
ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star event
ASP WQS European Series Stop No. 8 of 13
Ericeira - Portugal
26-31 August 2008

Phil MacDonald Wins ASP WQS 6-Star Buondi Billabong Pro in Portugal



Photo: Phil MacDonald (Sydney, AUS), 29, won the Buondi Billabong Pro Portugal today after defeating Patrick Gudauskas (USA) in the final at the event's back-up venue of Pedra Blanca

ERICEIRA, Portugal (Sunday, August 31, 2008) – Phillip MacDonald (Sydney, AUS), 29,  claimed the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star Buondi Billabong Pro today in tricky two foot (0.5 meter) waves at the event’s back-up venue of Piedra Blanca clinching 2500 ratings’ points after defeating Patrick Gudauskas (Ca, USA) in a nerve testing final where ten  waves only were surfed. MacDonald, who jumps from No. 31 to 14 on the ASP WQS international ratings, will now be looking forward to requalifying for the ASP World Tour.

MacDonald, a renowned big wave surfer, impressed today in the small conditions defeating Brett Simpson (USA), Che Stang (USA) and Eneko Acero (EUK) to make the final, before securing his first main WQS victory against new ratings’ No. 4 Gudauskas.

"I placed 2nd many times in my career but to eventually win a big event is just amazing," MacDonald said. "It was one of the smallest contests in a long time but a win is always a win and I am stoked I finally got the boys to hold me up in the air and get that feeling at last. It was a tough contest, kind of nerving testing with the tricky waves all weekend."

MacDonald, who ended up winning with a 14.50 point heat score (out of a possible 20), got the better waves in the 30-minute final posting an 8.00 point ride halfway through the battle before using his priority over Gudauskas to get away with the title.

"I could have surfed better but there was not a lot of options out there and I just got that good wave," MacDonald said. "I manged to get a few turns together for this 8.00 point score and in these conditions I knew there would not be many more good enough waves."

MacDonald, who got back on the WQS after failing to requalify through the ASP World Tour last year, had a slow start since the WQS got underway in January but now stands with two serious results in a row – an equal 9th in Hossegor and a 1st here – and is in position for a possible requalification.

"I was not really into it when the year started and I did not want to put any pressure on myself," MacDonald said. "With these two good results I guess I will start thinking of the possibility to make it back on the Dream Tour but I would need a couple of big scores still. I will see how things go."

Gudauskas, the Buondi Billabong Pro Portugal runner-up, went through several tough heats as well today defeating the event’s high scorer Heitor Alves (BRA) in Semifinal No. 1 before failing in the final. Gudauskas, who brought solid surfing on his backhand at Pedra Blanca, got a promissing 7.00 point ride right at the beginning of the duel but was not able to get any good enough back-up score.

"I was so excited to make another final after the one in Florida in January but the waves were tricky and it was not an easy heat," Gudauskas said. "Phil (Macdonald) got that one excellent wave and with inconsistency of the swell there was not much I could do. I am still stoked."

Gudauskas, who won valuable 2188 ratings’ points for his 2nd place finish, leaves Portugal ranked No. 4 on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) and has got one step closer to a 2009 ASP World Tour inception.

"I have had a great year so far and this result will hopefully get me closer to the ASP World Tour," Gudauskas said. "I am looking forward to the next event because it can be pretty consistent and I love surfing big waves in general. I cannot wait to get through all this and make it to Hawaii where I love to surf. It will a close finish but I am defintely ready for it."

Europe had one representative in the final four of the ASP WQS 6-Star event with experienced competitor Eneko Acero (EUK) placing equal 3rd after losing to MacDonald in a close heat by a mere 0.07 difference. Acero, who had not made the finals of a main events in year, came up with great on-the-rail surfing and good tactics to advance through to the semifinals defeating rench surfer and favorite Tim Boal (FRA) in the Quarterfinals.

"The conditions were very hard to surf and I tried hard but someone has to win and this time it was not me," Acero said. "I haven’t been in the Semifinals of a 6-Star event for years and it will be a great confidence boost for the next events."

Acero, a longtime ASP WQS Top 50 member, will be looking forward to Pantin where he has had several excellent runs in the past ten years.

"I won the event several times in Pantin and I am stoked to head there with that result unde rmy belt," Acero said. "What Europeans are currently achieving on tour is just great and to see Aritz (Aranburu) among the ASP Top 45 is a great motivation. It took time but it seems like we are definitely there and ready."

Placing equal 5th in the event were Patrick Beven (FRA), Tim Boal (FRA) and outsiders Che Stang (USA) and Wiggoly Dantas (BRA). Boal, who jumps from No. 8 to 5 after his result at Ericeira, now stand as Europe’s and France’s best chance towards the ASP World Tour.

Patrick Beven (FRA), longtime WQS Top 50 competitor and a leader in the European contigent, lost to Gudauskas in Quarterfinal No. 1. Beven, who had defeated light weight athlete and current ASP WQS No. 10 Pedro Henrique (BRA) earlier in the day, could not find any good potential wave and leaves Portugal with 1625 points.

"I have had a tough year so far and I am slowly coming back and getting the feeling right," Beven said. "I did good at the beginning of the leg in Newquay and this second result is definitely big for my confidence. I was close to getting through that one so I am disappointed but I will take it for sure."

Beven, who had a strong finish last year with a win the ASP WQS 6-Star Prime event in the Canary Islands, will be looking forward to the next events he will attend confidently.

"I felt at home here staying with Tiago (Pires) and his family here and this week was great for my confidence," Beven said. "We have been helping eachother a lot and Tiago gave me some advice to deal with the waves and the peak here. It took me to the Quarterfinals so I am pretty happy."

The ASP caravan will now move to the ASP WQS 5-Star event at Pantin in Spain and 156 surfers including all top finishers of the Buondi Billabong Pro will attend the competition for valuable points on offer.