Day 2 results and wrap-up from the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro

Read more

Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA) won the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 4-Star O’Neill Cold Water Classic in great four-to-six foot surf in front of his home crowd at Steamer Lane. Young defeated fellow finalists Chris Waring (Seal Beach, CA), 21, Granger Larsen (Lahaina, HI), 18, and Sean Moody (North Shore, HI), 25, and reclaimed the O’Neill Cold Water Classic title for the Santa Cruz locals in a close Final.

The ASP WQS offers valuable ratings points towards qualification for the ASP World Tour. Each surfer looks to earn a top 15 position on the ASP WQS by year’s end in order to qualify for the ASP Dream Tour for the following year.

Young came out on top after a nail-biting Final against his fellow competitors. The Steamer Lane local displayed some of the best backside surfing throughout the event and continued his amazing form to claim the O’Neill Cold Water Classic win.

“I’m super excited,” Young said. “I lost in the junior’s and just wanted to do good in this. Just making the Final in this was good, and to win it…”

Young’s Final berth came after a long day of competition. The goofy-footer won both his Quarterfinals and Semifinals heats in the last few minutes of each heat on the way to his event victory. Young ousted fellow Santa Cruz locals Jason Collins (Santa Cruz, CA), 34, and Randy Bonds (Santa Cruz, CA), 31, in his Semifinals heat, taking top honors over his local idols.

“It’s been a long day,” Young said. “I’ve been in my wetsuit since about 7 a.m. and I squeaked through a couple of heats and made the Final and everyone was surfing so good.”

Young also finished second on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series and will go to Australia to represent America at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships. Young is looking forward to his first experience at the contest in Narrabeen, Australia.

“It’s my first time in that contest, so I’m excited,” Young said. “There’s a bunch of good guys there and it’s going to be a great learning experience.

Larsen, who finished third, caught a wave in the last few seconds of the Final and could have potentially stolen the lead from Young. Unfortunately for Larsen, he did not find the score needed to take the win, but still was happy with his first ASP WQS Final appearance.

“This is my first WQS Final so I’m really psyched right now,” Larsen said. “I’m just stoked to be in the Final and I’m super psyched, just over the moon.”

Larsen ousted local standout Bud Freitas (Santa Cruz, CA), 24, with an impressive performance in his Semifinals heat. Freitas had been unstoppable up until the Semifinals, earning some of the event’s highest scores, but Larsen notched the score needed in the last few minutes of his heat to end the local’s chances at the O’Neill Cold Water Classic title.

“My board was working good on those medium sized ones, and those are the best waves that come in,” Larsen said. “I had one that was a full horseshoe that was coming at me and I was able to hit it at the end.”



The O’Neill Cold Water Classic also marked the final event on the Macy’s California Trifecta Surf Series, an ASP specialty series, which offered an additional $15,000 prize purse to the series winner. Micah Byrne (Huntington Beach, CA), 27, claimed this year’s Trifecta title and $10,000 paycheck by advancing into the Semifinals.

“I’m so stoked,” Byrne said. “I knew I had a lot of ground to make up in the beginning because of Asher (Nolan), and Kieran (Horn) is almost guaranteed a Final here every time, so I wasn’t stressed until the last day or two. I couldn’t even sleep last night.”

Asher Nolan (Jacksonville, FL), 30, with an equal 33rd finish in the O’Neill Cold Water Classic came in second on the Trifecta to pocket $3,500. Nate Yeomans (San Clemente, CA) who didn’t compete in the event, finished third and garnered $1,500 in the final Trifecta standings thanks to a strong performance at Lower Trestles and the win at the Oakley Newport Beach Pro.

Complete results, images and video highlights available at www.coldwaterclassic.net.
 
Special thanks to the O’Neill Cold Water Classic, Oakley Pro Junior and Macy’s CA Trifecta supporting sponsors: O’Neill, Oakley, Macy’s, Red Bull, Coors, Fosters, Palm, SURFER Magazine, SURFING Magazine, WaveWatch.com and FUEL TV. For more information on the Macy's California Trifecta Surf Series visit www.catrifecta.com.

O’Neill Cold Water Classic Results:
Final:
1 – Nat Young (USA) 13.87
2 – Chris Waring (USA) 13.84
3 – Granger Larsen (HAW) 12.93
4 – Sean Moody (HAW) 11.94

Semifinals: (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Granger Larsen (HAW) 13.87, Chris Waring (USA) 13.84, Micah Byrne (USA) 13.36, Bud Freitas (USA) 6.80
Heat 2: Nat Young (USA) 12.67, Sean Moody (USA) 12.43, Randy Bonds (USA) 11.00, Jason Collins (USA) 7.60 

Quarterfinals: (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Micah Byrne (USA) 10.77, Granger Larsen (HAW) 9.37, David Gonsalves (HAW) 7.50, Mason Ho (HAW) 7.34
Heat 2: Bud Freitas (USA) 13.50, Chris Waring (USA) 11.50, Chad Compton (USA) 10.40, Blake Howard (USA) 7.24
Heat 3: Jason Collins (USA) 14.66, Randy Bonds (USA) 11.16, Matt King (USA) 8.10, Kyle Garson (USA) 7.34
Heat 4: Nat Young (USA) 14.67, Sean Moody (HAW) 10.80, Shaun Ward (USA) 10.34, Cory Lopez (USA) 7.70

Macy’s CA Trifecta WQS Results:
1 – Micah Byrne (Huntington Beach, CA) $10,000
2 – Asher Nolan (Jacksonville, FL) $3,500
3 – Nate Yeomans (San Clemente, CA)  $1,500

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Oct 26, 2008 – Mason Ho (North Shore, HI), 20, won the Oakley Pro Junior ASP North America Championships, an ASP Grade-3 event, in four-to-six foot surf at Santa Cruz’s coveted Steamer Lane this afternoon by posting the highest heat total of the event, a near perfect 19.10 out of a possible 20, leaving fellow finalists Jayke Sharp (Coffs Harbor, AUS), 19, Fisher Heverly (Emerald Isle, NC), 17, and Bruno Rodrigues (Huntington Beach, CA), 20, in a combination situation.

All ASP North America Pro Junior competitors have been working throughout the year to compile their top six results out of the 10 events on the series in hopes of finishing in the top five overall. The top five surfers earn a berth into the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships. This year’s top five surfers Cory Arrambide (Ventura, CA), 19, who claimed the ASP North America Pro Junior title, Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA), Andrew Doheny (Newport Beach, CA), 15, Travis Beckmann (Vero Beach, FL), 20, and Blake Jones (Melbourne, FL), 20, will represent North America against the world’s finest junior competitors in Narrabeen, Australia, where each surfer will have a chance to claim the title of ASP World Junior Champion.

Ho proved to be the Oakley Pro Junior competitor to beat, jumping out to an early lead in the pumping Steamer Lane surf. The young Hawaiian earned the top honors with an explosive variety of maneuvers, earning a near perfect score.

“It just feels good to know that hard work pays off,” Ho said. “The reward is great and it’s just cool to win one.”

Ho was thrilled to claim a win in the pumping surf. Despite the cold water, Ho felt right at home at Steamer Lane, stating that the Lane reminded him of Sunset, his home break in Hawaii.

“My Uncle helped me with my heats and my board was just really good,” Ho said. “My board is pretty beat up, but the waves were just so good. It kind of reminds me of my home break, Sunset. It’s so sick. I’m so stoked.”

Sharp proved why he is rated fourth on the ASP Australasia pro junior series with an impressive performance at this year’s Oakley Pro Junior ASP North America Championships. Sharp was one to watch throughout the event, but could not top the near-flawless performance displayed by Ho.

“It’s good to come over here and see how I do,” Sharp said. “I just got a little bit stuck out there and got caught up in the hassling out there and I didn’t really get any good waves, but good job to Mason.”

Although Sharp’s result does not affect the ASP Pro Junior ratings, Sharp will surf against the top North Americans in this year’s Billabong ASP World Junior Championships. The regular-footer made a visit to the states, stamping a lasting impression on his fellow competitor’s minds with his performance here at Santa Cruz.

“I’m looking forward to World’s,” Sharp said. “I’m hoping that Mason (Ho) can qualify through Hawaii so that we can have a rematch.

Rodrigues needed to win the event in order to qualify for the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships, but could not advance past the amazing surfing by Ho and finished in third. Pagan, who also was a standout in the event, finished in a respectable fourth place overall.

Tanner Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 20, who did not compete in the Oakley Pro Junior ASP North America Championships, will accompany the top five ASP North America Pro Junior surfers in Narrabeen via the ASP WQS. Gudauskas was the top ASP WQS competitor of junior age from America, earning him a berth into the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships again this year.

The contest also marks the last of three events held in the Macy’s California Trifecta Surf Series (an ASP North America Specialty Series), which offers an additional $10,000 prize purse to its top three finishers. Sebastian Zietz (Kilauea, HI), 20, claimed the top honors and $7,000 in this year’s series despite his equal 25th place finish at Steamer Lane. Zietz won the Oakley Pro Junior at Lower Trestles and placed seventh at the Oakley Pro Junior in Newport Beach, which proved enough to claim the added prize purse for the junior division.

“Being down here today at the contest, I knew there was a rare chance for me to win the Trifecta,” Zietz said. “Everybody who needed to win just one more heat ended up losing and I just got really lucky. I’m super stoked though, party tonight.”

Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA) pocketed $2,000 for second place on the Macy’s CA Trifecta and Fisher Heverly snagged $1,000 for third after finishing equal fifth in Santa Cruz. 

This event marks the Final contest on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series and the top six surfers mentioned above will surf in January in Narrabeen, Australia against the world’s best junior competitors.

The Oakley Pro Junior ASP North America Championships in Santa Cruz marks the last of 10 events held on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series, with six of the surfers top 10 results added up throughout the year to determine each competitors rating. The top five surfers at year’s end earn their spot to compete in the ASP World Junior Championships held in Narrabeen, Australia each January.

Complete results, images and video highlights are available at www.coldwaterclassic.net

Special thanks to the O’Neill Cold Water Classic, Oakley Pro Junior and Macy’s CA Trifecta supporting sponsors: O’Neill, Oakley, Macy’s, Red Bull, Coors, Fosters, Palm, SURFER Magazine, SURFING Magazine, WaveWatch.com and FUEL TV. For more information on the Macy's California Trifecta Surf Series visit www.catrifecta.com.

Oakley Pro Junior ASP North American Championship Results
Final:
1 - Mason Ho (HAW) 19.10
2 - Jayke Sharp (AUS) 11.47
3 - Bruno Rodrigues (USA) 11.00
4 - Matt Pagan (USA) 6.67

Semifinals: (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Mason Ho (HAW) 12.53, Bruno Rodrigues (USA) 11.83, Cody Thompson (USA) 9.33, Luke Davis (USA) 7.77
Heat 2: Jayke Sharp (AUS) 13.84, Matt Pagan (USA) 9.93, Fisher Heverly (USA) 7.03, Austin Smith-Ford (USA) 5.87

Quarterfinals: (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 3: Austin Smith-Ford (USA) 10.94, Fisher Heverly (USA) 9.50, Nat Young (USA) 9.47, Gabe Garcia (USA) 8.73
Heat 4: Jayke Sharp (AUS) 16.37, Matt Pagan (USA) 10.84, Heath Joske (USA) 10.70, Michael Dunphy (USA) 6.17

Macy’s CA Trifecta Oakley Pro Junior Results
1 – Sebastian Zietz (Kilauea, HI) $7,000
2 – Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA) $2,000
3 – Fisher Heverly (Emerald Isle, NC) $1,000

I woke up confused on a black leather couch. My eyes stung from lack of sleep and a camera lens snapped in my face. Then I remembered what was going on: East Coast Trip. Day Two. Time was ticking.

Read more

Tyler Wright (AUS), 14, made ASP History today as the youngest ever winner of an ASP World Tour event, defeating fellow finalist Silvana Lima (BRA), 23, at the Beachley Classic in peaky two foot (1 metre) waves at Manly Beach.

Stop No. 5 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Beachley Classic was treated to dramatic action all week, with the increased 20% ratings points wreaking havoc on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Title race before culminating in Wright’s historic win.

“This is easily the best day of my life,” Wright said. “I’m so stoked. I don’t really have the words to describe it. I knew Silvana (Lima) would be dangerous out there so I just did my best to stick to my game plan and get waves.”

Wright, who gained entry into the Beachley Classic after her impressive win at the Oakley Trials last Thursday, went on an absolute tear, defeating reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, Jacqueline Silva (BRA), 29, and Amee Donohoe (AUS), 27, en route to her Finals berth with Lima.

“These are girls that all us grommets look up to and to just be competing with them is an honor,” Wright said. “I had no expectations whatsoever this week for myself and I think that really working in my favor.”

The young natural-footer has been on a tear lately, qualifying for the prestigious Billabong ASP World Junior Championships last week before going on her giant-slaying here in Manly this week.

“It’s been an amazing two weeks,” Wright said. “I think I am just going to go home and chill out and let it all sink in next.”

Lima was in awesome form on the final day, ripping from the Quarterfinals through to Final before coming up just short in the Final, repeating her performance from last season.

“I don’t know happened,” Lima said. “The surf was really bad and I just seemed to have bad luck. It was definitely tough out there but I’m happy with my performance.”

Despite the disappointing loss to Wright, the Brazilian’s runner-up rockets her into 5th place on the ASP Women’s World Tour ratings and places her well into the race for the 2008 ASP Women’s World Title.

“It’s really tough for me - I wanted to win, but it still feels pretty good because I’m moving up in the rankings just as the tour moves into South America,” Lima said.

Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 25, former ASP Women’s World Champion and current No. 1 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour ratings, took over the lead from reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, last Saturday, was in excellent form today, securing an impressive 8.67 out of a possible 10 in her Semifinal bout before succumbing to an ankle injury.

“On my last turn of the wave I injured my foot it’s very frustrating but it happens all the time,” Mulanovich said. “I’ll just try and get my foot better and think to myself this is not a bad injury. I’ll get back for the next event”.

While the ankle injury remains a concern, Mulanovich is pleased with her equal 3rd place finish in the Beachley Classic and will head into her hometown of Peru as the No. 1 seed on the ASP Women’s World Tour.

Amee Donohoe (AUS), 27, current No. 4 on the ASP Women’s World Tour, was in fine form this morning before succumbing to the wildcard Wright in the Semifinals.

“It’s frustrating in a heat with no waves,” Donohoe said. “You know you can get a score but nothing comes. I wanted to make the Finals and was so close, I’m pretty bummed.”

Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, former seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current No. 3 on the ASP Women’s World Tour, had her Beachley Classic run halted by Lima, but is still a major contender for the ASP Women’s World Title and will look forward to the next event in Peru.

“I’m looking forward to Peru – it’s one of my favorite events,” Beachley said. “I came second there last year and hopefully I can go one better, then coming into Hawaii, that’s always my strongest leg. I’m frustrated and disappointed I’ve been knocked out today, but it’s been amazing to see the crowd support and it was also amazing we could get the event of the ground. I would have loved nothing more than to win and have a fairytale ending to an emotional week.”

Hawaiian hot shot Dusty Payne barreled his way to victory in the Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge to claim the world’s biggest ever pay-day for a pro junior event in Bali, Indonesia on Tuesday.
 
“It’s the best contest I’ve ever surfed in,” said Payne, who won a wildcard to the event after placing third at the Oakley Pro Junior at Lower Trestles. “It’s been my dream to surf a contest at Keramas. The waves were just so good. I’m so stoked with how it turned out.”

Keramas, an ultra perfect right hand reef break, lived up to its hype, serving up epic 6-8 foot barreling waves for the final day of the inaugural $75,000 competition.
 
After surfing barrel after perfect barrel in Rounds 1-3, Payne, 19, surfed a smart heat in the extended 45-minute man-on-man final against French surfer Marc Lacomare, choosing his waves tactically. Despite the hype surrounding the 19-year-old from Maui, today’s win was Payne’s first in more than eight years.
 
“I haven’t won an event in so many years,” said Payne. “It’s the best feeling in the world. That’s why I still compete.”
 
The pressure-packed final saw Payne seal the deal with a 7.73 with just five minutes remaining and then went from strength to strength locking in an 8.50 in the dying minute to put the result beyond doubt. Payne finished with a 16.27 two-wave combined total to Lacormare’s 14.33.
 
“I was behind for nearly the whole final because Marc got a good wave at the start of the heat,” he said. “I was just going on anything trying to get a good score.
 
Gouging goofy footer Lacamore opened his final account with a 7.50 for an early lead in the close fought final. With minutes remaining he required a 7.10, but only managed a 6.83 on his final ride. At the completion of the final, Lacomare said he was proud of his result.
 
“I’m really happy right now,” said Lacomare, who won $7,500 for his runner-up finish. “Although I didn’t win, I still posted a really good result against the world’s best juniors. Dusty (Payne) has been surfing amazingly all week, so to go up against him in the final was incredible.”
 
Both Mitch Crews and Oakley’s Shaun Joubert took home $4,500 for their equal third placing.
 
Finishing equal fifth today was the Brazil duo of Miguel Pupo and Peterson Crisanto, Indonesian Made ‘Garut’ Widiartha and South African Nick Godfrey. All four surfers collected $3,500 for their efforts.

In its inaugural year, the 2008 Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge has traveled the globe since February, bringing the world’s best juniors to the world’s best waves. Building on the original Oakley Pro Junior model, the Global Challenge series kicked off at North Stradbroke, Queensland, Australia, then traveled to New Pier, Durban, South Africa; Lower Trestles, San Clemente, Calif., USA; Itamambuca Beach, Ubatuba City, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Shidashita Point, Chiba, Japan and Grand Plage, Lacanua, Gironde, France.
 
For more information, results, photos and video, check out: www.oakleyprojunior.com <http://oakleyprojunior.com/>