Who would have bet a year ago that one of our best hopes would enter the elite WCT division, at 18 years old, following the most perfect path that led him to become WQS champion? Not even him, Jérémy Flores, had it mind when he took off for his first full year in the WQS jungle, where all the experienced surfers and newcomers would try to make their dream come true.

Before turning eighteen during the 5 Star WQS in Thurso, the youngman had already secured some efficient results including semifinals in Brazil and France, and remained focused knowing what he really wanted, but always in a relaxed way supported by his close tourmates Patrick Beven or Miky Picon. Event after event, the 2005 european junior champion seized every opportunity that crossed his way and landed by the middle of the year in the top 10, seeing things were coming in reach.

The turning point came in July, at the 6 Star WQS U.S Open of Surfing. As Miky Picon the year before, Jérémy Flores achieved a great performance by reaching the semifinals of one of the most difficult events of the year. The new target was definitely secured, knowing he was half ways towards the Dream Tour.

Instead of coming back to Europe and start his campaign at the Rip Curl Boardmasters in Newquay, Jérémy headed to Japan’s 6 Star event, to take his chance on the other side of the globe and prepare the bigger european events. With a new confidence and definitely assuming his position of favourite against the best WQS surfers, he assumed the pressure with an amazing maturity and remained strong on his feet to add another big result finishing with a man-on-man quarterfinal.

At this point of the year, things were getting so close that the whole surfing world turned its eyes towards the briliant kid, and when Jérémy landed at the 6 Star Sooruz Lacanau Pro, the media and crowds had already chosen their favourite. Surrounded by a huge pressure, media requests and cheering crowds, Jérémy looked unstoppable and surfed his way out of another main event when he reached the final, losing to the inform man of the moment Mick Campbell. The final in Lacanau offered Jérémy another step towards the WCT, and all the support needed to stay on track, no matter what. Going on with quarterfinals at the Rip Curl Super Series and at the Buondi Billabong Ericeira Pro, the Reunion born frenchman could leave Europe on top of the WQS hierarchy, with a guarenteed spot in the 2007 Foster’s Men’s World Tour.

At 18 years old, Jérémy Flores ended 2006 as the WQS champion, with more than 11 000 points, and the satisfaction of reaching his first main goal of a career that started years ago. With the support of his family, friends and thanks to an amazing talent, determination and maturity, the new WCT campaigner knows it is about to be tough. Jérémy achieved in a year what many surfers will never achieve, and compared to all his future opponents, he is the newcomer who has nothing to lose...

Europe’s behind you Mr Flores, and may 2007 be another year of sucess!

www.aspeurope.com