LOCAL HOPES RIDE WITH ADAM IN MOTOROLA PRO JUNIOR
MEREWETHER'S Jesse Adam remains the only local surfer in contention to take out the Motorola Pro Junior at Surfest at Newcastle's Merewether beach.
But Adam may have had fortune on his side as he only caught three waves in the afternoon heat that saw him edged out of the top spot by Stuart Kennedy (Lennox Head, NSW) by less than a point in small and inconsistent conditions.
"After I got my first two I got a bit too patient because I hit the lead and I thought I'd wait for one of the best waves of the heat to come through," Adam said.
"Sometimes with the inconsistent conditions you can't wait all heat for one that just might not come."
Earlier in the day, Adam beat favourite Owen Wright (Culburra), who racked up a massive score of 19.5 on Friday. But Wright remains alive in the competition and does look as if he may be the one to beat.
The day's top score of 17.75 went to Tahitian Tamaroa McComb, who got into the contest courtesy of an alternate entry.
Others still in contention in the Motorola Pro Junior include Stuart Kennedy, Dean Bowen, Davey Cathels, Chris Enever, Ashley King and Garrett Parkes from NSW, Chris Bennetts and Lincoln Taylor from Queensland and lone Kiwi Richard Christie.
Tomorrow's action will see the round of 12 kick off at 7.30am, with the final set down for 2.45pm.
In the girl's event, reigning Australian and world junior champion and WQS women's points leader, Sally Fitzgibbons, scored the day's only perfect 10 in her third round heat.
Eighteen-year-old Fitzgibbons will be looking to add Newcastle to her already impressive list of victories in the 2008 Australian surfing season.
Locals Paige Haggerston (Coal Point) and Philippa Anderson (Newcastle) were unable to capitalise on their success yesterday, with both being eliminated in the tough competition.
But Surfest is not over just yet for U/16 grommet champ Anderson, who has been given a wild card into next week's Midori Pro at the same beach.
Anderson will go straight into the round of 48 where she will surf against WQS number two Hawaiian Beth Hamilton and WQS number three Australian Laurina McGrath.
In the Jagged Reef Cup U/16, Merewether's Jake Sylvester looks set to bag another trophy tomorrow, while in the U/14 division no local surfers remain in contention except for Anna Bay's Kurtis Hermann.
Surfest Juniors Push Phone Giants Buttons
International telecommunications giant Motorola will present the Motorola Junior as part of Surfest 2008 it was announced today.
The Motorola Junior will be conducted over 4 days of competition from March 27-30 at Merewether Beach, as a curtain raiser to the men’s and women’s World Qualifying Series events.
‘This is an exciting announcement for us,’ Surfest Co-Ordinator Warren Smith said. ‘We recognise that to have an organisation with the credibility and market presence in the communications industry that Motorola has, gives the event a great vote of support and confirmation as one of the most prestigious junior events on the ASP Australasia Pro Junior circuit.’
The Surfest Junior Series will include the Jagged Reef Cadet Cup (for surfers Under 14) and the Motorola Junior (for surfers Under 21).
The Motorola Junior event will again showcase the hottest junior surfers from around Australia at the moment, with a sprinkling of international stars, in what will again be one of the highlights of the festival.
“Motorola is at the cutting edge of technology, style and design, and our no compromise approach ensures we are constantly reshaping the mobile landscape with innovative new colours, materials and finishes,” Motorola’s Stephen Amiet National Marketing Manager - Australia & NZ Mobile Devices said.
“We recognize that in surfing, ‘revolution’ is often driven by the new generation of surf stars and not always the established names. The Motorola Junior is a great synergy with our brand, as it features a new generation of young, progressive surfers, who like Motorola, are constantly pushing the boundaries with new and innovative moves,” he concluded.
For more information about Motorola, visit www.hellomoto.com.au or contact 1300 138 823
|
