Winners Podium : photo Poullenot/ASPEurope.com
RIP CURL PRO SURF & MUSIC FESTIVAL
Plage Nord Estagnots, Hossegor, France
Aug 21-28, 2006
Rip Curl Super Series WQS (August 21-27)
Rip Curl Pro Junior 2 star (August 18-20)
Rip Curl European GromSearch Final (August 20)
Live Coverage | Results/Photos/Videos etc | Video Premiere: Mick Myself & Eugene
FRENCH SURFER JOAN DURU WINS RIP CURL PRO JUNIOR IN HOSSEGOR TODAY
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 20 August, 2006 : - - Joan Duru (Ondres, France) has overcome a red-hot 144-man field of surfers to win this year’s Rip Curl Pro Junior in Hossegor, France. The 17-year-old recorded a dramatic come-from-behind win in the final, defeating Brazilian duo Hizunome Bettero and Pablo Paulino and Australian Matt Wilkinson for top honours.
Wilkinson, a former ISA Under 16 World Champion, was the standout surfer in the contest, but unluckily fell short when it counted in the final. Although he started the heat with an 8.50 score on his first wave, the ocean ignored him for the rest of the heat and he could only manage a 4.33 second wave score.
Despite sitting in first for over 15 minutes, Wilkinson was knocked to fourth after a flurry of high scores in the final minutes. Duru scored the best wave of the heat with 11 minutes remaining and posted a 9.33. He then added an 8.87 on the very next ride to take his two-wave tally to 18.20 points.
“I am stoked to win this event because it was a tough heat with three really good surfers,” said Duru. “I was patient enough to wait for the set waves and I got two good scoring waves. I also pushed hard on my turns on those two rights.”
Joan Duru : photo Poullenot/ASPEurope.com
Bettero and Paulino finished second and third respectively to headline Brazil’s strong showing of results. The duo were in great form throughout the event and deserved their spots in the final. “I am really happy to surf in the final and get this good result,” said Bettero. “I wanted to win, but it’s okay to finish second.”
For Wilkinson, the fourth place finish was a big disappointment. "I am kind of bummed because I really wanted to win this one," said Wilkinson. "I was in first for most of the heat, but then I didn't get another wave. I just sat there for 10 or 12 minutes and nothing came through." "I guess this happens in surfing when the conditions are like this. It's the ocean's choice sometimes."
The 17-year-old Australian will happily take his strong form into the Rip Curl Pro Super Series WQS, which starts here at Plage Nord Estagnots tomorrow. Wlikinson recorded the three highest wave scores for the Pro Junior event (a perfect 10, a 9.90 and a 9.70) and the highest heat total (19.00 points).
MAtt Wilkinson : photo Poullenot/ASPEurope.com
All Pro Junior surfers still competing will meet at the Hossegor contest site tomorrow morning for an 8am call on competition. The European Rip Curl GromSearch Final will also be held tomorrow, crowning the male and female European GromSearch champions.
The Rip Curl Pro Junior is an important element of this year’s 20th annual Rip Curl Pro Surf Festival. The main event Men’s Rip Curl Pro Super Series WQS will begin on Monday.
LIVE WEBCAST On www.ripcurl.com/ripcurlpro each day of the event.
Action from today
 
 
 
 
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