Press Releases
MEN’S ROUND 3 NARROWS TITLE RACE AT THE OAKLEY WORLD PRO JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP IN BALI
Friday, October 12, 2012 |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEN’S ROUND 3 NARROWS TITLE RACE AT THE KERAMAS, Bali/Indonesia (Oct. 12, 2012) – Yesterday, the 2012 Oakley World Pro Junior Championship played host to one of the best days of surfing in the history of the ASP World Junior Championships. Flawless 4 – 6 foot waves were on tap allowing surfers every opportunity to display their complete repertoire of tricks. The day started with Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) claiming the event win and the 2012 ASP World Junior Title in the Women’s division. The action continued with the Men’s Round 3, which saw the field of 48 surfers whittled down to just 16 left in contention for the Men’s title.
Ezekiel Lau (HAW) put his tube riding skills and power carves to work today to defeat Deivid Silva (BRA) in Round 3 with a 14.50 (out of possible 20) two-wave score to Silva’s 7.77. Lau finished equal 5th at this event last year and will have to defeat Carlos Munoz (CRI) in the next Round to make the Quarterfinals again in 2012. “That first set was so important,” Lau said after his heat. “It’s tempting to catch the medium size [waves] because they’re so perfect, but you have to wait for the big ones to get the scores. Surfing waves like this in a contest is incredible, I can’t believe it.” Wade Carmichael (AUS) posted the day’s highest two-wave wave total, a 17.00, for a series of viciously powerful carves and snaps to eliminate the first round’s top performer Peterson Crisanto (BRA) who posted a competitive 13.10. “I just wanted to go out there and get barreled,” Carmichael said. “But that first wave came through and didn’t open up so I just rattled off a few turns down the line.” His tenacious performance sent warning flares out among his fellow competitors that he intends to be a force to contend with en route to the Men’s Oakley World Pro Junior Title. “I’m one of the event’s lowest seeds, but it doesn’t bother me who I surf against,” continued Carmichael. “You just have to go out there, catch the best waves and do your thing.” Caue Wood (BRA) did the Brazilian contingent proud with an upset win over 2009 ASP World Junior Champion Maxime Huscenot (FRA). The pair battled back and forth in a tight heat that went Wood’s way, 11.53 to 10.10. He will now face Cooper Chapman (AUS) when competition resumes in Round 4. “The surf is perfect today,” Wood said. “I was a bit worried at the end because Maxime [Huscenot] is a great surfer and a former ASP World Junior Champion. I just tried to keep calm and focus on my surfing. I’m so happy to win that one.” Jack Freestone (AUS) survived a close call in Heat 9, during which he was trailing Brazilian surfer Geovane Ferreira (BRA) in need of a minor 4.01 in the dying minutes of the heat. Freestone focused in on a wave with just moments to go however, launched a series of vertical turns, earning him the required score and a spot in Round 4 where he’ll face Arashi Kato (JPN). “It feels good to get through that one,” Freestone said. “I needed a score at the end of the heat, but I wasn’t stressing. I’m not putting pressure on myself at this event, I’m just going to see what happens.” Kalani David (HAW) and Luke Davis (USA) put on the closest, most exciting heat of the day. When all was said and done, a mere 0.16 points separated the surfers. “I jumped in the air when they read out the score,” David said. “Luke [Davis] is such a good surfer, I feel bad for him losing by only that much.” Thanks to some high-flying aerial antics launched early in the heat, David, the second youngest surfer in the men’s draw took home the win with a two-wave heat total of 14.66. “I don’t know what I was thinking on that wave,” David admitted. “I just threw up a big air, and when I landed I just went for another one. I’m so stoked to win that one.” Connor Coffin (USA) eliminated the last local Indonesian surfer standing, Hairil Anwar (IND) in an outstanding battle royal this afternoon. “Oney [Hairil Anwar] is one of my favorite people in this event,” Coffin said. “He came up to me to talk about conditions and say good luck before the heat. He’s such a nice guy.” Despite discussing conditions, the two surfers took contrasting approaches to the heat, Coffin using power gouges and Anwar taking to the air. Both surfers showcased skill and confidence beyond their years, but ultimately Coffin would come out on top 15.53 to 13.94. “I knew I’d have to get good scores to beat him because he does these rad blow-tail turns and airs,” said Coffin of his competitor. “This is my last year as a junior so I’m really enjoying my time at this event.” A call will be made tomorrow at 6:30 AM for a possible 7:00 AM WITA start to the Men’s Round 4. The Oakley World Pro Junior Championships waiting period runs from October 6 – 17. For LIVE webcast, event videos and more check www.oakleyprojunior.com. OAKLEY WORLD PRO JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP MEN’S ROUND 3 RESULTS: UPCOMING OAKLEY WORLD PRO JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP MEN’S ROUND 4 MATCH-UPS: About Oakley, Inc. About GrindMedia Media Contacts:
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