Quarter-Finalists Decided at ASP 6-Star Quiksilver Pro Portugal

Bron:ASPeurope.com

RIBEIRA D’ILHAS/ERICEIRA, Portugal (Friday, October 22, 2010) – The performance level stepped into top gear at the Quiksilver Pro Portugal an Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) sanctioned Men’s Star Series event with quarter-finalists decided in clean conditions at the main contest site of Ribeira D’Ilhas.

Long, lines in the 3ft (1m) range pushed down the point during the incoming tide to allow for an incredible display of modern progressive surfing during an intense morning session of competition. Favourites Tiago Pires (Ericeira, PRT) 30, Josh Kerr (Gold Coast, AUS) 26, and Jeremy Flores (Capbreton/New Caledonia, FRA) 22, along with standouts Gony Zubizarreta (Vigo, ESP) 25, Jonathan Gonzalez (Tenerife, CNY) 30, led the charge through to the quarter-finals of this $US145, 000 event.

Tiago Pires in the final heat of the day laid down a serious challenge to the Quiksilver Pro Portugal 2010 title with a totally commanding performance in the tricky high-tide conditions. Once again it was his local knowledge of the main break that marked the difference over his opponent Hugo Savalli (REU).

“Local knowledge I think plays a big role definitely when the high tide is a little tricky. I knew I had to wait for the waves that had a wall and a bit more power in it. Hugo went on the first one and I knew that the second one was going to be better so I just went for it. With that score it became a tough heat for Hugo after that one because there weren’t many waves after.”

Pires is aware that his nearest rivals are also in hot form and also have a building knowledge of the break. Relaxed and composed, Pires who has won twice before a major Star Series event on home soil, is aware of what is yet to come.

“I am just taking it heat by heat at this stage. I know they surf great and when they come my way I have to think about them but until then I want to improve my surfing. Get a feel of my board and some confidence and wait for the match-ups.”

Josh Kerr blew away everyone with a mixture of powerful turns blended with varied aerial manoeuvres. Punching out a combined two-wave heat total of 18.23 out of 20, Kerr has firmed as favourite to make it back-to-back Star Series victories after his recent win in Canada. Conditions are expected to remain similar tomorrow allowing Kerr to pull his full repertoire of tricks out of the bag.

“I noticed the judges were scoring high the manoeuvres on the outside so my game plan was to do everything on the outside and not bother with the inside stuff. I stuck to the bigger ones and they seemed to have more power than the waves yesterday so stoked to be able to do a bottom turn.” (laughs)

Jonathan Gonzalez (CNY) 30, is one step closer to possibly his best ever career result in a major Star Series contest. Pitted today against experienced campaigner Eneko Acero (EUK), Gonzalez answered back from the initial challenge laid down by his opponent’s opening 8.67 ride. Waiting for the right wave and using his priority to perfection, Gonzalez sealed his win with some high-speed power gouges to nail a 9.23 out of 10.

“I was just trying to find a really good wave and it came right at the end with priority and it was bad luck for Eneko because he is a really great competitor but I am really stoked to get through.”

With the correct equipment under his feet and his confidence growing with each heat win, Gonzalez has no excuses if aiming to achieve his goals.

“I have been trying for a long time to find a magic board for small waves and this is the one that does that for me. It’s wide but not too thick and it feels good on the waves here. I hope I can win here because I have never won a 6-star rated event before so it could be a great result for me.”

Gony Zubizarreta (ESP) was another standout performer on the long right-hand point break. Off to a flying start with an 8.33, Zubizarreta got lucky not to have been punished with a priority error late in the heat.

“I got a good one at the beginning and I knew Charlie was surfing really well and then I fell on my second wave which put a bit of pressure on me. He was surfing on the inside and getting a few scores so I knew it was going to be tough to hold the lead. I made a mistake on priority at the end of the heat too. I was on the peak alone and I got a wave and fell so Charlie got back the priority. I should’ve kicked out but you learn from these mistakes.

Zubizarreta has shown this week he has the fire power to take down even the highest rated opponent. Facing Tiago Pires (PRT) in quarter-final nº4 and having faced him on previous occasions the scene is set for a great showdown.

“Tiago has been ripping and I have surfed against him a couple of times here so it is great to surf against him at his home and I am looking forward to it.”

Conditions are expected to hang in overnight allowing for a possible crowning of this year’s Quiksilver Pro Portugal champion tomorrow lunch time. Event officials will make a first-call at 09:30 for a possible start shortly after to quarter-final nº1 with Jeremy Flores (FRA) up against Hodei Collazo (EUK).

Surfers competing in the Quiksilver Pro Portugal are out to claim valuable ASP World Ranking points in their endeavour to qualify for next year’s elite ASP World Tour. European surfers are on stop nº 10 of 12 in their bid to claim this year’s ASP European Men’s Title currently lead by Marc Lacomare (FRA).

For all results, videos, daily highlights, photos and news log-on to www.aspeurope.com

Quiksilver Pro Portugal Round Four Results
Heat 1: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 15.16 Def. Justin Mujica (PRT) 13.50
Heat 2: Hodei Collazo (EUK) 13.44 Def. Adrien Toyon (REU) 11.00
Heat 3: Jonathan Gonzalez (CNY) 17.06 Def. Eneko Acero (EUK) 13.50
Heat 4: Leonardo Neves (BRA) 11.60 Def. Pablo Paulino (BRA) 8.93
Heat 5: Josh Kerr (AUS) 18.23 Def. Mickey Picon (FRA) 15.27
Heat 6: Marc Lacomare (FRA) 13.10 Def. Frederico Morais (PRT) 10.40
Heat 7: Gony Zubizarreta (ESP) 15.40 Def. Charles Martin (GLP) 13.73
Heat 8: Tiago Pires (PRT) 16.30 Def. Hugo Savalli (REU) 9.50

Quiksilver Pro Portugal Remaining Round Three Results
Heat 6: Marc Lacomare (FRA) 15.67, Mickey Picon (FRA) 12.86, Klee Strachan (ZAF) 8.37
Heat 7: Gony Zubizarreta (ESP) 14.33, Hugo Savalli (REU) 11.50, Bruno Rodrigues (BRA) 3.77
Heat 8: Tiago Pires (PRT) 15.60, Charles Martin (GLP) 11.57, Jesse Mendes (BRA) 10.27

De MotoGP van Portugal, een jaarlijkse circuitwedstrijd voor motoren van 125 c.c., 250 c.c. en MotoGP, die wordt gehouden in Oktober.

Als u van snelheid houdt, mag u deze wedstrijd, die wordt gereden in Estoril, met een strand van internationale allure en een belangrijk toeristisch centrum, niet missen.

Flores and Kerr Go All Out at ASP 6-Star Quiksilver Pro Portugal

Zie video van de dag

Bron:ASPeurope.com

In Oktober komt het wereldkampioenschap surf naar Ericeira. Het belooft een spektakel te worden boordevol adrenaline.

Enkele van de beste surfers ter wereld aanwezig zijn in Ericeira, om tijdens de Quiksilver Portugal Pro mee te dingen naar een podiumplaats. Deze wedstrijd kende zijn eerste editie in 1985 en is onderdeel van de WQS – World Qualifying Series. Onlangs is het evenement gepromoveerd tot 6 sterren, de hoogst mogelijke classificatie voor deze sport.

Behalve de prachtige natuurlijke omgeving en de kwaliteit van de golven, is Ericeira ook synoniem voor veel vermaak. U kunt hier heerlijke avonden en nachten meemaken in de vele bars, tijdens concerten en feesten met DJ´s, die op het strand spelen.

Vind hier de aanbiedingen voor accommodatie Klik Hier

Classic Conditions on Day Two of ASP 6-Star Quiksilver Pro Portugal

Zie video van de dag

Bron:ASPeurope.com

In Oktober komt het wereldkampioenschap surf naar Ericeira. Het belooft een spektakel te worden boordevol adrenaline.

Enkele van de beste surfers ter wereld aanwezig zijn in Ericeira, om tijdens de Quiksilver Portugal Pro mee te dingen naar een podiumplaats. Deze wedstrijd kende zijn eerste editie in 1985 en is onderdeel van de WQS – World Qualifying Series. Onlangs is het evenement gepromoveerd tot 6 sterren, de hoogst mogelijke classificatie voor deze sport.

Behalve de prachtige natuurlijke omgeving en de kwaliteit van de golven, is Ericeira ook synoniem voor veel vermaak. U kunt hier heerlijke avonden en nachten meemaken in de vele bars, tijdens concerten en feesten met DJ´s, die op het strand spelen.

Vind hier de aanbiedingen voor accommodatie Klik Hier

RIBEIRA D’ILHAS/ERICEIRA, Portugal (Wednesday, October 20, 2010) – The Quiksilver Pro Portugal and Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) sanctioned Men’s Star Series event witnessed an overnight increase in swell allowing for a great day of competitive surfing at the legendary point break of Ribeira D’Ilhas.

Lines in the 4-5ft range wrapped along the point producing excellent conditions for the strong international field of athletes. Early morning heats were battered by freezing off-shore winds which abated offering another warm sunny afternoon.

Nic von Rupp (DEU) advanced through to Round Three in a nail-biting finish which saw him claw his way back into second place behind hot favourite Jeremy Flores (FRA). Having qualified in similar circumstances yesterday, Von Rupp is looking to find his feet and develop a better strategy for the remainder of the Quiksilver Pro Portugal.

“The whole stress of the situation makes my knees weigh about twenty kilos more on each leg so I am stoked I got through in the last seconds. Hopefully next heat I’ll start off with a couple of solid scores and then better my scores through the heat.”

“I wish I wouldn’t leave it to the last minute in these heats,” continued von Rupp. “I would like to start off with a couple of waves straight away. I have been progressing as the minutes pass, getting more confident and I am glad I made that heat.”

Coming from the recent ASP Junior World Tour event in Bali and surfing with a heavy brace on his right knee, von Rupp has felt the bitter sweet reality of having to be on dry land while waiting for his injured knee to improve.

“I have been two weeks out of the water now. I had stretched ligaments as soon as I got back from Bali. I was 10 days without surfing and it really made me realise how much I love the sport and how crazy I get without being able to surf. I am just very happy to be in the water and surfing against the best guys on tour makes it even better.”

Turning a lot of heads was the performance of youngster Ian Gouveia (Recife, BRA) 17, son of former WCT surfer Fabio, with his first placing to advance also through to Round Three of competition. Building on his scores to finish with two solid rides and a combined heat total of 13.33, Gouveia looked at home in the conditions despite being on his first visit to Portugal.

“I got a couple of good ones for sure. It was a slow heat at the beginning with some sets that came through and I was lucky I got a few good ones when they came.”

No stranger to major ASP Men’s Star Series events, Gouveia is hoping to better his fifth placing last year in Fernando do Noronha.

“I was really happy with the scores,” stated Gouveia. “It feels so good to be here like my dad did and I’m stoked with it. I am sure they are watching at home.”

Tiago Pires (Ericeira, PRT) made his long awaited debut performance in front of an expectant crowd which he did not let down. Surfing in one of the later heats before the high tide, made for trickier conditions forcing Pires to rely on his local knowledge of the break.

“It is a relief to make it through but I have made so many heats out here that I don’t expect to lose this early but you never know what may happen especially in these conditions with the tricky tides today. You have to be careful out there, be very selective and patient. It worked out for me and I won with two average scores but I want to surf better.”

Pires may have been comfortable with the situation however his fellow competitors were out for a full-on battle knowing they had one of the favourites in their heat. Early hasseling was obvious and led to a solution which Pires offered to the guys.

“There was a lot of jostling for position out there in the beginning of the heat and I was getting a bit upset because the guys didn’t want to surf, they just wanted to grab the position on the inside. So it was a bit stressful so I put in a word and said ‘Hey guys, lets surf the heat otherwise we will miss all the waves and be paddling further and further away’”.

The Quiksilver Pro Portugal is offering Pires a chance to try out some of his equipment not usually used in other events. With the demonstration given today he has sent out a clear message that things are starting to come together and another huge result on home soil is possibly on the cards.

“I managed to win the heat with no big scores and I am trying out a board for these conditions. It is not one of my main boards, it is more of a backup, and I don’t use it on the World tour for example. I want to give it a go because it has been working and see how it goes.”

Marc Lacomare (Capbreton, FRA) 20, took full advantage of the clean conditions of his early morning heat by building on his scores and gain confidence as he is recovering from a recent back injury. Finishing off with an excellent series of backhand gouges to obtain an 8.57 out of 10 Lacomare has commenced his Quiksilver Pro Portugal campaign strongly.

“For sure it is good to get through that one and with the strong off-shore it is sometimes difficult out there. The first heat of an event is always tough when you look for which is your best board. I tried to find only the good waves out there and it worked for me today.”

Currently leading the European Men’s Series title race, Lacomare knows the importance of this event due to the fact that we are at stop nº10 of 12 of the title race. Lacomare won the 2009 ASP European Junior Champion and is focused on the Open Title in 2010.

“This is for me a very important contest because it is the end of the season with only a couple of events left. So it is important for me to try and do well here. I hurt my back and today in the water it felt a little better. I haven’t surfed for two weeks so I want to try and go step by step.”

Surfers competing in the Quiksilver Pro Portugal are out to claim valuable ASP World Ranking points in their endeavour to qualify for next year’s elite ASP World Tour. European surfers are on stop nº 10 of 12 in their bid to claim this year’s ASP European Men’s Title.

For all results, videos, daily highlights, photos and news log-on to www.aspeurope.com

Quiksilver Pro Portugal Round Two Results
Heat 1: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.50, Nic von Rupp (DEU) 13.50, Dede Suryana (IDN) 13.17, Romain Cloitre (FRA) 11.64
Heat 2: Ian Gouveia (BRA) 13.33, Hodei Collazo (EUK) 12.00, Chris Salisbury (AUS) 10.16, Francisco Alves (PRT) 9.33
Heat 3: Justin Mujica (PRT) 10.26, Adrien Toyon (REU) 10.10, Charlie Brown (BRA) 9.43, Frederic Robin (REU) 7.66
Heat 4: Leonardo Neves (BRA) 14.07, Abdel El Harim (MAR) 12.67, Brandon Jackson (ZAF) 12.40, Alexandre Ferreira (PRT) 8.36
Heat 5: Jonathan Gonzalez (CNY) 15.44, Eneko Acero (EUK) 13.23, Joao Antunes (PRT) 7.50, Demitri Ouvre (FRA) 4.26
Heat 6: Pablo Paulino (BRA) 13.73, Beto Mariano (BRA) 12.23, Romain Laulhe (FRA) 7.77, Alan Stokes (GBR) 5.13
Heat 7: Josh Kerr (AUS) 15.00, Klee Strachan (ZAF) 13.70, Marcos Fernandez (BRA) 12.60, Miguel Mouzinho (PRT) 10.53
Heat 8: Jean Da Silva (BRA) 14.33, Mickey Picon (FRA) 12.43, Noboyuki Osawa (JPN) 10.56, Marlon Lipke (DEU) 10.23

Quiksilver Pro Portugal Remaining Round One Results
Heat 15: Jean Da Silva (BRA) 12.00, Marco Fernandez (BRA) 9.33, Antonin De Soultrait (FRA) 8.23, Britton Galland (USA) 5.97
Heat 16: Mickey Picon (FRA) 13.30, Miguel Mouzinho (PRT) 9.60, Patrick Beven (FRA) 9.54, Jhon Junior (BRA) 8.33
Heat 17: Marc Lacomare (FRA) 15.24, Charles Martin (GLP) 13.34, David Luis (PRT) 8.46, Ricardo Lange (DEU) 6.43
Heat 18: Frederico Morais (PRT) 10.43, David Raimundo (PRT) 9.00, Beyrick De Vries (ZAF) 6.40, Thiago De Souza (BRA) 5.33
Heat 19: Masatoshi Ohno (JPN) 12.50, Ivo Cacao (PRT) 8.80, Jatyr Berasaluce (EUK) 8.26, Borja Agote (EUK) 7.23
Heat 20: Hugo Savalli (REU) 11.00, Damien Chaudoy (REU) 9.90, Bernardo Miranda (BRA) 8.84, Andre Oziol (BRB) 6.87
Heat 21: Yuri Sodre (BRA) 13.73, Txaber Trojaola (EUK) 9.54, Norman Landa (EUK) 8.80, Skylar Lawson (USA) 3.83
Heat 22: Gony Zubizarreta (ESP) 12.83, Stephen Walsh (AUS) 10.83, Leonardo Belime (PRT) 8.03, Andre Teixeira (BRA) 7.17
Heat 23: Bruno Rodrigues (BRA) 13.00, Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) 12.24, Joao Guedes (PRT) 11.90, Nuno Florencio (PRT) 3.40
Heat 24: Tiago Pires (PRT) 13.37, Jesse Mendes (BRA) 12.67, Tiago Camarao (BRA) 8.56, Oli Adams (GBR) 6.07