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07/01/2007:// A jubilant Jordy Smith from South Africa has the Billabong World Junior title after defeating rival South American Adriano de Souza in a gripping final in Australia.
Smith, a lanky naturalfooter from Durban made the most of everything that came his way throughout 30-minute heat at North Narrabean, near Sydney, holding off a solid charge from 2003 winner and current Foster’s ASP World Tour number 20, de .
Starting off slow with few quality set waves pushing into the Narrabeen arena, both surfers had only minor scores locked in, but as the final progressed both opened up with some big moves and in the end it was a nail biting finish as Smith hung on to the lead till the final hooter with de Souza snapping at his heels.
“It’s amazing. I’ve never really done well in this event so it was great to be able to pull off a win for my family and friends back home in South Africa,” said Smith. “It all feels amazing right now but when it sinks in… I’ll let you know tomorrow!”
Smith admitted that he really had to lift to get past de Souza who only needed just over a 6.0 to get past him. Smith also believed he was also helped when the wind swung offshore which prevented de Souza from launching his typically radical aerial turns.
“Adriano is a terrific surfer and I had to really step it up to go up against him,” said Smith. “Luckily in some ways the wind changed so he couldn’t get the big ramps to launch airs, so yeah I’m happy to come out on top against him.”
Traditionally Smith has struggled here at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships but this year was showing a lot of confidence, which may have stemmed from his third place against the best in the world at Jeffreys Bay in 2006.
He will now focus on getting on top of the ASP World Qualifying Series so he can match it with the big boys in 2008.
“I’ve definitely got more confidence this year and I just went out there to free surf and luckily I came home with the win,” said Smith. “To get on the Foster’s ASP World Tour is my goal for sure and I’d like to be on there next year so that’s going to be my focus… but right now I’m going to enjoy this moment. To be alongside your heroes like Andy Irons and Joel Parkinson is a dream come true.”
For de Souza the second place was a solid start to 2007 and he indicated that it will give him motivation when his Foster’s ASP World Tour campaign resumes in just over a month’s time.
Interestingly de Souza still has one year remaining in the juniors and can come back to claim a second title in 2008.
“It was a good final and I’m stoked for Jordy right now,” said de Souza. “It was good to start the year with a second so I’m happy. I still have another year left so hopefully I’ll get to come back to Narrabeen next year and do it for Brazil and win it for the second time. It’s great to get going and hopefully I can go further than last year on the first Foster’s ASP World Tour event on the Gold Coast where I finished in third last year.”
Finishing in equal third place was Australian hopeful Matt Wilkinson.
The goofyfooter put on some of the event’s best performances in early rounds – in fact claiming the highest total of the event in his round four heat, an 18.37 out of 20.
But by his own admission he felt he might have peaked too early.
"Yeah I think I may have used up all my 9.0s yesterday unfortunately,” said Wilkinson. “I just couldn't find a steep wave through the whole semi out there this morning. I felt even with a minute to go I could have scored the 9.0 that was needed, because if you do one air and link together some decent turns the judges are throwing some big scores. I just couldn't find the waves out there in the end.”
He was however pleased with his overall result.
“The third place is definitely a confidence boost going into the ASP World Qualifying Series this year. The guys here have been surfing amazingly... I really wanted to win the event but I'm still happy to get third.”
Briton Reubyn Ash finished in equal 33rd place after bowing out of the competition at the second round stage.
The new Billabong ASP World Junior Champions will now stand alongside Layne Beachley (AUS) and Kelly Slater (USA) at the ASP World Champions Banquet to be held in late February.
Final Results:
Quarterfinals:
Heat 1: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 15.67 def Hank Gaskell (HAW) 14.50 Heat 2: Adrian de Souza (BRA) 11.16 def Thiago Camarao (BRA) 5.33 Heat 3: Jordy Smith (AUS) 12.00 def Pierre-Valentin Lombard (FRA) 8.27 Heat 4: Mason Ho (HAW) 12.84 def Torrey Meister (HAW) 11.50
Semifinals:
Semi 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.40 def Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 10.50 Semi 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 13.80 def Mason Ho (HAW) 4.20
Final: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 13.84 def Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.83
Final Team Results:
1st South America 2774 2nd Australasia 2486 3rd Hawaii 2474 4th Africa 2432 5th Europe 1967 6th Japan 1460 7th USA 1270
[Carissa Moore (in yellow) receiving the winner's prize]
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ASP International has announce the inception of their fourth regional branch, ASP Australasia
Twenty-six-year-old Pablo Guitierrez took top honours in the Superbock Pro in Portugal after defeating fellow Portugeuse surfer Eduardo Fernandes in the final
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