WAVES AND PERFORMANCE LEVELS RISE ON DAY 7 OF THE QUIKSILVER ISA WJSC
HISTORY MAKING 8 JUDGE PANEL PIONEERED BY THE ISA
12 MAY 2007 -- Waves and performance levels rose on Day 7 of the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships at Costa de Caparica, Portugal. Solid 3-4 feet (1 meter) waves were on offer and the world’s best young surfers reveled in the well shaped surf.
Team USA, has struggled in this event, but found reason to cheer today for two of its stars, Cory Arrambide and Sage Erickson. Arrambide, a surfer with a lethal backhand that’s similar to ASP rookie of the year Bobby Martinez, took charge today and now finds himself one heat away from the boys Under 18 final. “The surf was super fun,” said Arrambide. “I’m pumped. I want to get a medal here so bad.”
Like Arrrambide, Erickson has also battled her way through difficult repechage rounds to make it to the final day of competition tomorrow. “I was really nervous going into my last heat because of the girls surf so well,” said Erickson. “I can´t believe I got through. I’m still shaking.”
In the race for team gold, Australia finds itself in a commanding position thanks to the fantastic performances of its surfers. Under 16 Boys Davey Cathels and Todd Rosewell teamed up in their heats today to blow through their competition. “Everyone surfs so good here that it really came down to Todd and I getting the best waves,” said Cathels.
On the Under 18 Girls side Australia was also well represented by Sally Fitzgibbons who powered through five repechage heats in her quest for a gold medal. “I’ve been fighting so hard and I’m really excited for tomorrow,” said Fitzgibbons.
The picture in the overall team standings became more clear. Australia is in great position to win a third gold medal in a row, but still has Hawaii, Brazil and France on its heels.
The semi finals of the tag team Aloha Cup ran today. South Africa set a record when they achieved the highest total score in the history of Quiksilver ISA World Junior Championships for this event. In the second semi France and Hawaii advanced to the final.
The surfers on the Brazilian team also exemplified the type of generous sportsmanship that is such an important part of ISA events when they donated their spot in the Aloha Cup to host country Portugal.
A history making 8 judge panel (pioneered by the ISA) scored the surfers today. Said ISA President Fernando Aguerre, “The panel worked great. Faster, more precise scores were the end result. Head judges, judges and officials all agreed that we’ve seen the future today and it looks bright.”
Weather was perfect yet again and the Portugeuse Navy performed a spectacular helicopter rescue simulation on the beach to the delight of the competitors and the thousands of cheering spectators on the beach.
The waves tomorrow are forecast to become even larger setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion to what has already been an incredibly exciting and successful event.
In addition to competing for the medals and the honor of surfing for their nations, surfers in the Under 18 Boys and Girls are vying for coveted spots in the trials for the 2007 Quiksilver Pro France the 2008 Pro Australia and the 2007 Roxy Pro Hawaii and 2008 Roxy Pro Australia. Winners will be awarded trips to France, Hawaii and Australia and a chance to surf against the likes of Kelly Slater, Andy Irons, Chelsea Hedges and Stephanie Gilmore. In addition, the winner of the Boys Under 16 division will receive 2500 dollars in credit towards entry fees of ASP events.
Tonight a party with live local bands and bonfires will take place at Praia da Mata for the enjoyment of the competitors and spectators.
WATCH THIS EVENT LIVE ON YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN:
Go to www.isasurf.org or www.quiksilver.com/isa and watch the event and scores live, while listening to commentary by former World Champion Martin Potter.
Organization:
Caparica Surfing Clube
Praia do CDS - Costa de Caparica
Telf: 212 919 078 | Fax: 212 919 079
E-mail: caparicaeventos@mail.telepac.pt
PR12 | MAIO ’07
PARA MAIS INFORMAÇÕES:
FREE LANCE - Comunicação
info@freelance.pt
T: 213 658 357
About International Surfing Association (ISA):
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding and surfriding. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964 and the Junior World Championships since 1980.
ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of over 50 countries on six continents. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California.
It is presided by Fernando Aguerre, first elected in 1994 in Rio, and re-elected six times since. The ISA's four Vice Presidents are Alan Atkins (Australia), Robin de Kock (South Africa), Maile Aguerre (Hawaii) and Mike Gerard (USA).
www.isasurf.org
About Quiksilver:
Quiksilver, Inc. (NYSE:ZQK) is the world's leading outdoor sports lifestyle company, which designs, produces and distributes a diversified mix of branded apparel, wintersports and golf equipment, footwear, accessories and related products. The Company's apparel and footwear brands represent a casual lifestyle for young-minded people that connect with its boardriding culture and heritage, while its wintersports and golf brands symbolize a long standing commitment to technical expertise and competitive success on the mountains and on the links.
The reputation of Quiksilver's brands is based on different outdoor sports. The Company's Quiksilver, Roxy, DC Shoes and Hawk brands are synonymous with the heritage and culture of surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding, and its beach and water oriented swimwear brands include Raisins, Radio Fiji and Leilani. The Rossignol, Dynastar, Lange, Look and Kerma brands are leaders in the alpine ski market, and the Company makes snowboarding equipment under its Rossignol, Dynastar, DC Shoes, Roxy, Lib Technologies, Gnu and Bent Metal labels. The Company's golf business includes Cleveland Golf, as well as Never Compromise putters and Fidra apparel. Gotcha is the Company's surf-based European brand addressing street fashion.
The Company's products are sold in over 90 countries in a wide range of distribution, including surf shops, ski shops, skateboard shops, snowboard shops, its proprietary Boardriders Club shops, other specialty stores and select department stores.
The Company's corporate and Americas' headquarters are in Huntington Beach, California, while its European headquarters are in St. Jean de Luz and Moirans, France, and its Asia/Pacific headquarters are in Torquay, Australia.
www.quiksilver.com
