Billabong Junior Series
Strickland Bay, Rottnest Island, West Australia
Sydney junior surfer, Matt Thompson, has claimed his inaugural victory on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), Australasian Junior Circuit, by winning the Billabong Junior Series from a class field, in excellent two metre waves at Rottnest Island, West Australia. The 20-year-old, turned on an explosive back-hand attack in the powerful, left-hand waves, to dominate the final from start to finish and defeat the Sunshine Coasts, Sam Shearer (Coolum), by over 9 points. He posted a total heat core of 32.5 out of a possible 40, with all four of his counting waves being over 8 point scores.
Thompson, is now a major contender for one of the six qualifying positions, available to Australasian surfers in the in the ASP, Billabong World Junior Titles to be staged in Hawaii later this year. The Avalon surfer has jumped into fourth position on the rating with only three qualifying events remaining on this years junior circuit.
Runner-up Shearer, has also placed himself in contention, having jumped into 8th position with his second placing. Seventeen year old, tour rookie Daniel Vardy (Sunshine Beach, Sunshine Coast) served notice with his best result to date in 3rd and Sydneyãs Northern Beaches Dan Johnston finished fourth. 17-year-old Adrian Buchan, managed to extend his ratings lead on the ASP Australasian Junior Circuit, by placing equal fifth overall, bowing out in the first semi-final in third place along with fourth place getter Beau Mitchell (Manly). The, NSW Central Coast surfer, is now placed 2838 points ahead of nearest rival Shaun Cansdell (Mullaway, NSW) who was eliminated in the second semi-final.
Buchan, who has appeared in 5 of a possible 9 finals this year, still needs one more solid result to be assured of 1of the 6 positions available but is in the box seat to be the first Australian to qualify and compete against the top 6 junior surfers from each of the 7 ASP world regions. Sean Macgugan (Avoca, NSW) placed 3rd in the second semi in front of Cansdell who retained his no.2 position by placing equal 7th overall.
Organisers utilised the excellent 2 metre surfing conditions on offer for the first two days of the four day window, to run off the event in the powerful West Australian waves. Eighty of the nations rising surf stars excelled in the predominantly, left-hand peak of Strickland Bay. Mandurahãs Stephen Knowler was West Australiaãs top placed surfer finishing in equal 9th position overall. WAãs top ranked surfer Cale Grigson, was eliminated in equal 17th position.
The next event on the calender is the Billabong Junior Series at Cronulla, 13th – 16th July.
The Billabong Girls W.A. tournament will be finalised on Saturday.
Further Information – Mandy McKinnon – 0417.079941