The Coca-Cola Saquarema Pro 2010 had another great day of surfing with the Brazilian, Willian Cardoso, being crowned as the new king of Saquarema after a thrilling heat against Marco Polo, both from the south of Brazil.
Marco Polo decided to start early in the heat surfing as many waves as possible, while William opted to wait for the best waves as he did in his previous heats. He was rewarded in the last ten minutes with a 9.0 and 7.73 to take the win.
"I have no words. Winning here at Saquarema with the beach packed seeming like a stadium, it's an indescribable feeling," said Willian Cardoso. "I did not start the heat well, I was anxious, doing wrong moves...When I found nine points, I saw that I already turned the heat situation and when I was paddling back I got another good wave and only then began believing in the win."
With the 3000 points earned, Willian is now the sixth Brazilian among the ten who qualified for the 2011 ASP World Tour. He rose up twenty positions, jumping from 52 to 32 after the 19th stop completed in the Coca-Cola Saquarema Pro 2010.
The California kid, Nathaniel Curran, was the other surfer defeated by Willian in his winning campaign. He had a very tough heat against Willian, needing 14.17 points to overcome the Brazilian 17.20 pts.
"I started well and had good expectations, but he (Willian) had the best waves to make the highest-scores of the heat. I had to wait for a good wave, but it didn't happen", lamented Nathaniel Curran, who jumped from 72 to 54 in the ASP World Ranking. "I'm happy with my result, it was exciting surfing here. It is a place with great waves and this makes the tour much more exciting."
FINAL RESULTS OF COCA-COLA SAQUAREMA PRO 2010: 1 - Willian Cardoso (BRA) - scores 9.00 + 7.73 - US$ 20.000 e 3.000 pts
2 - Marco Polo (BRA) - scores 7.33 + 6.33 - US$ 10.000 e 2.250 pts
SEMIFINALS: SF 1: Willian Cardoso (BRA) 17.20 x 14.17 Nathaniel Curran (USA)
SF 2: Marco Polo (BRA) 14.46 x 11.43 Travis Logie (ZAF)
QUARTERFINALS: QF 1: Nathaniel Curran (USA) 13.66 x 10.86 Ricardo dos Santos (BRA)
QF 2: Willian Cardoso (BRA) 11.53 x 9.07 Heitor Alves (BRA)
QF 3: Marco Polo (BRA) 12.83 x 10.97 Jeronimo Vargas (BRA)
Josh Kerr through to Round of 24, local's Taj Burrow and Yadin Nicol flair whilst Joel Parkinson is eliminated.
Rusty's Josh Kerr surfed a nail biting heat against Wiggolly Dantas, Dean Bowen, and Adrian Buchan. Posting a 13.74, Kerr is through to the Round of 24 with a solid wave in the closing minutes, but lost out to Adrian Buchan. The other remaining Rusty team rider, Willian Cardoso, has a tough Round of 96 heat against Joel Centeio, Adam Melling, and Dayyan Neve coming up later this afternoon.
Taj Burrow has edged into the Round of 24 of the Association of Surfing Professionals 6-star prime rated Drug Aware Pro at Margaret River, narrowly avoiding elimination with a high scoring wave in the last minute of his heat. Needing a score of 6.78 to progress, Burrow found a nice right hander that allowed him to get in three big manoeuvres, ending the wave on dry reef. The judges rated the wave a score of 7.93, shooting Taj to first in his heat and through to the next round.
With such a quality field surfing at the Drug Aware Pro this year, Burrow expected a tough heat.
“I knew it would be a tough heat. I was up against three other elite ASP World Tour surfers and Rossy and Thompson know the Margs break really well. They are also used to surfing the four man heat format. They were smashing me out there, they just kept getting the waves.”
Fresh out of the water, Burrow was buzzing.
“We knew out in the water that it was a really close heat. The commentators kept calling out the scores so I was definitely looking for a late scoring wave. When that wave came I knew I had to let loose. I made the first two snaps and I worked the wave right through and ended up close in on the reef and got a bit cut up. I knew I had an 8 scoring wave so it was definitely worth it.”
Burrow moves through to the Round of 24 which will begin at 7am local time tomorrow. The forecast is for a very large swell with offshore winds and the expectations are rising amongst the quality field.
“Tomorrow is going to be big”, said Burrow. “When the waves get to that size at Margs the right is pretty much out of bounds. There will be some really big drops tomorrow – It’s going to be fun”.
But the big news from the morning heats was the elimination of ASP World Number 2 Joel Parkinson. Surfing in the final heat of the Round of 96, Parkinson was chasing a late wave to proceed through to the next round. Needing only a 4.47 ride, Parkinson found the set wave only seconds too late and stayed in third place in his heat with a total of 9.90 points, only 0.23 points behind second placed Chris Ward. Another Australian Dayyan Neve won the heat with a score of 11.40.
Parkinson was philosophical about his early elimination after the heat saying,
“I don’t surf WQS events with four surfers in a heat very often and I was really lost and out of sync out there today – My preparation and mindset is all about the ASP world tour and that’s basically man-on-man two man heats and you surf those heats completely different – four surfers in a heat is a different world – getting the waves is a huge fight and these guys are like animals out there fighting for survival and I couldn’t adjust today.”
Other stand-outs today included interntional surfers C J Hobgood (USA), Raoni Monterio (Brazil) and Sunny Garcia (Hawaii).
Expectations are for the Men's competition to continue into tomorrow with very large surf (possibly 10 foot range!) and perfect conditions forecast. The Women are now scheduled to continue on Saturday around the Men's Finals.
UPCOMING HEATS (ROUND OF 48) - CALL IS SET FOR 3:30 PM PST
ASP World Tour surfers stamp their authority at Margaret River
Rusty's Josh Kerr surfed in a loaded heat that included current ASP world champion Mick Fanning. Kerr posted a 13.77 to win the heat and managed to bump Fanning from the top spot, who finished second with 12.96. This was the first time Fanning had surfed the Margaret River break since 2001 when he famously won the event as a 19 year old in a victory that was a catalyst to a sensational season.
“That was my first surf out there since that win and it was good to get through and reacquaint myself with the wave – second in a four man heat is all you need so I’ll be out to build on that.”
“I love coming here and it’s great to see the event really increase in status this year – it’s a very prestigious event in world surfing and the new changes to ASP surfing have definitely helped this event increase its overall profile, the event has done a great job to have such an incredible field this year – the waves are always excellent here, like Hawaii they have power and you really have to surf well to get a good result and that’s good for all of us.”
Local hero and current Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) number one rated world surfer Taj Burrow looked at ease winning his opening heat of the Drug Aware Pro at Margaret River today.
Burrow won this event way back in 1997 as a teenager and over the past few years has not competed here but under the new ASP one world rating system he’s back and keen for a big result in his home waters.
“The waves are pumping here, just about as good as Margaret River gets and the field is super strong so I’d love to do well ” said Burrow’s.
“I’m relaxed and I’ll stick to my game plan which is working well and just enjoy surfing these waves, the size is perfect for here and hopefully the forecasts remain true with good waves right through to the finals.”
Burrow’s surfed his early morning heat on a slightly fuller tide but comfortably won through on a score-line of his top two scoring rides of 12.66 to Raoni Monteiro from Brazil in second place on 10.10.
As the tides dropped the swells picked up today at Margaret River and the ideal conditions brought out some outstanding performances.
Owen Wright (AUS/NSW) is enjoying a superb run at present and he was the day’s standout surfer scoring the top ride of the day (an 8.67) along with the highest combined two wave heat tally of 17.10 in his easy win over Keiran Horn (USA).
Wright’s win was almost as impressive as his 15 year-old sister Tyler’s heat win in the women’s division yesterday where she scored the highest single wave score of the event so far with a 9.67!
“Tyler’s scores yesterday spurred me on for sure” said Owen Wright after his heat.
“The waves are really powerful out there and big scores are the only way to do well in an event like this so I’ll need to maintain and even build on that form.”
The biggest upset of the day saw Adriano de Souza from Brazil, ASP world rated 5 surfer, eliminated from the event in a close heat that was won by Aritz Aranburu from Spain.
Fred Patacchia (Hawaii) was also a surprise elimination defeated by 20 year-old Australian Lincoln Taylor who posted one of the day’s top scoring heat wins with an impressive 15.66 heat tally.
Defending event champion Dan Ross also surfed well in his opening heat today but was very lucky to progress after he incurred an interference call toward the end of his heat.
With half of his second scoring ride deducted from his overall heat tally Ross slipped from first to second place and he managed to hang on to that placing to advance.
“That was lucky and there’s no way I can afford a mistake like that again “ said Ross.
Swells should remain strong tomorrow when round three of the Men’s Drug Aware Pro will be completed followed by round of 24 of the women’s action.
A seriously large swell is forecast for Friday along with ideal winds so the entire weekend is looking incredible.
UPCOMING HEATS (ROUND OF 96) - CALL IS SET FOR 3:30 PM PST
The WQS Brazil Starts today and you better keep your eyes on Rusty Team rider and local favorite, Willian Cardoso, as he tries to take another win home this season and boost his chances of qualifying for the WCT...
PANTIN, Spain (Saturday, September 12, 2009) – Willian Cardoso (BRA), 23, won the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) 5-Star Movistar Pantin Classic today in Galicia, North West of Spain, after defeating fellow finalist Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA), 35, in clean off-shore two to three foot (0.5 to 1 meter) waves in a 100% Brazilian final. After another week of intense action and close exchanges, Cardoso was crowned twenty-second champion of the Movistar Pantin Classic for the second consecutive time wrapping-up his 2009 European summer lefT atop the 120-man field of surfers from around the world, his second win this summer after the ASP WQS 6-Star Azores Islands Pro.
Cardoso, who dominated proceedings again through the final day of competition ousting other favorite Glenn Hall (IRL) in the Semifinals before defeating former ASP Top 45 surfer Dorneles in the final bout of the 2009 edition, stepped-up to deliver an impressive performance. Renowned for his powerful style and big-wave ss, Cardoso adapted to the fast-breaking smaller waves on offer to clinch a second win in three events moving up to No. 13 on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings.
“It’s unbelievable, that win is the best I could have imagined coming here,” Cardoso said. “It’s been a testing last couple of weeks for me, my father passed away and I stayed here because he would have wanted me to do so. This win is for him and I thank the massive support I’ve had from all my friends here and in Brazil. It’s just amazing to be the champion again here.”
Cardoso, who was sitting out of the Top 30 three weeks ago, showed he was to be counted with for next year’s ASP World Tour qualification race, leaving Pantin with 11151 points, a significant step for his ultimate goal. Powerful, fast and smart tactician, the 23-year-old wrapped-up an impressive European leg where his mental strength and determination left his opponent away from the title.
“The waves went from small to consistent, windy to clean, and I was always feeling well this week,” Cardoso said. “I have a special feeling with Pantin and with a second win in a row it’s gone even more solid. I am stoked to claim this one and can’t wait to be home with my family.”
With the swell building and peaking at 5 ft, Nate took second in his heat with a score of 13.10 losing out to Leonardo Neves, but beating out Rusty Brazil team rider Willian Cardoso and Pablo Paulino. Nate takes on Heath Joske and Leigh Sedley in the fourth round which will begin tomorrow. Click here for more photos and to watch the contest live!
Willian Cardoso (BRA), 23, has won the first edition of the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star Azores Islands Pro pres. by Nissan today after defeating fellow finalist and ASP WQS No. 2 Jadson Andre (BRA) in a 100% Brazilian final. Cardoso, who made the best out of the clean but tricky two to three foot (0.6 to 1 meter) waves on offer, clinches 2500 ratings' points which rocket him from No. 31 to No. 14, a seventeen-places jump to get back into the race for the ASP World Tour qualification while Andre's runner-up consolidates his No. 2 spot reaching 14663 points.
Cardoso, who posted a good 13.57 point heat result in the final battle of the Azores Islands Pro including a 7.17 point ride, had defeated local favorite Tiago Pires en route to the final with the best scores of the day using his unstoppable powerful backhand attack, led the final from start to finish with smart tactics and wave choice reading the conditions perfectly to wait for the better waves and end-up winning his second ASP WQS title ever.
"I am over the moon right now, that win was unbelievable and I have made it all the way through to the crown," Cardoso said. "It's been a hard week with several close heats coming down to one wave many times and I have had big names on my way so to win this one after such an intense draw is just perfect. That board I have been surfing all week was working so well in the solid conditions and I am stoked."
Cardoso, whose first career win on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) was at Pantin last year, struck back today impressing the ASP judging panel with his control and commitment on each of his turns, and grabs US$ 20.000 for his performance at Ribeira Grande, main location of the Azores Islands Pro.
"It's been a tough first half of the year for me and I feel like I got back to my level this week," Cardoso said. "I had a third this year but I wanted to win an event and the atmosphere here suited me so well in and out of the water. I am looking forward to keeping that roll going in the next events in Spain and hopefully grab another big finish."
Placing runner-up for another exceptional result this year was 19-year-old Jadson Andre (Santa Catarina, BRA), the ASP WQS No. 2 consolidating his overall ratings' points total to go above the 14.000-point mark and go closer to his ASP Top 45 ticket for 2010. Andre, who displayed the most progressive surfing of the week popping massive airs and flying floaters, was not able to get the better waves in the final but leaves the Azores Islands confidently knowing his finish today unofficially qualifies him for the ASP Dream Tour.
"The conditions were hard today and there wasn't space for the two of us in that final," Andre said. "William (Cardoso) go the longer waves and I didn't find any launching ramps to try and get airborne so I am just stoked for him because it makes a huge difference for his ranking and it's still pretty amazing for me. I want to thank the immense support we've had here and from Brazil and I can't wait to get back to work and keep that good feeling going."
In the spotlights since his arrival on the Portuguese island of Sao Miguel in the Azores archipelago, Tiago Pires (Ericeira, PRT), 28, placed equal 3rd in the event after giving the local crowds a great show throughout the week with the only perfect 10.00 point ride of the event in Round 5 and the best heat score of 18.00 points in the Quarterfinals. Pires, who was not able to best Andre in their 30-minute exchange, left the water disappointed but with solid confidence before heading to Lower Trestles where he will compete in the sixth event of this year's ASP World Tour.
"I didn't surf as well as the previous heats today and Jadson did well picking up the good waves," Pires said. "I am pretty happy though to make it through to the Semifinals of the event and get a third as I came here to train and get back into competition mode and it seems like the hard work since Jeffreys Bay has paid off."
Pires, who is on his second year on the ASP World Tour, has been focusing on the elite ASP Dream Tour this year leaving his ASP WQS ratings' campaign aside to try and shine amongst the ASP Top 45 where he has already shown he had the skills to go big.
"I have been injured the last couple of months and it seems like things have healed pretty well so I am confident for the next event," Pires said. "As I said before, the support has been great here as anywhere else in Portugal and it was great to get back under pressure and get to surf well this week."
Pires's result will not make any significant change for his WQS ratings but may have given the Portuguese Tiger a solid confidence boost before he competes against the world's best surfer in California in a couple of weeks.
Austin Ware (Califonria, USA), 28, was one the best performers in the event this week making his through to the Semifinals to place equal 3rd and get a significant result which rockets him to No. 10 on the international WQS ratings. Ware, who reached the 11575 point mark today, his career best total ever, came short of one wave in his Semifinal against Cardoso, their encounter coming down to the one first wave of the heat that was taken by Cardoso leaving the Californian in the chase through the whold battle.
"We had pretty similar scores in that heat but that one wave I let William (Cardoso) paddle into in the first minutes made the difference and there is not much I could do about it. I could have sat right next to him for the very first minute but it went the other way and Ihe deserves his result here. He has been surfing well all week and I am still very happy to get that 3rd."
Ware, whose ASP World Tour qualification campaign has been rolling well this year, managed to confirm his consistency this week securing another significant finish that pushes him a bit closer to his goal.
"I haven't been thinking of the ratings actually but more on winning an event or getting to the final," Ware said. "This is why I am going to the next couple of events in Spain because I am definitely hoping to make a final this year. It's looking good at the moment to be up there but this is not really a major concern and I am focused on my heats."
The ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) caravan now moves to the Basque Country where another 144-man field will get back to work for the ASP WQS 5-Star event starting Tuesday, September 1 and running until Sunday, September 6.
AZORES ISLANDS PRO FINAL
1st, Willian Cardoso (BRA) 13.57 pts
2nd, Jadson Andre (BRA) 10.80 pts
AZORES ISLANDS PRO SEMIFINALS
Heat 1: William Cardoso (BRA) 14.00 pts Def. Austin Ware (USA) 10.36 pts
Heat 2: Jadson Andre (BRA) 13.27 pts Def. Tiago Pires (PRT) 11.94 pts
ASP WQS RATINGS' TOP 10 AFTER AZORES ISLANDS PRO
1st, Daniel Ross (AUS) 14975 pts
2nd, Jadson Andre (BRA) 14663 pts
3rd, Owen Wright (AUS) 13588 pts
4th, Adam Melling (AUS) 12801 pts
5th, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 12513 pts
6th, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 12150 pts
7th, Joan Duru (FRA) 12050 pts
8th, Brett Simpson (USA) 11863 pts
9th, Travis Logie (ZAF) 11851 pts
10th, Austin Ware (USA) 11575 pts
11th, Dusty Payne (HAW) 11425 pts
12th, Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 10950 pts
13th, Blake Thornton (AUS) 10826 pts
14th, William Cardoso (BRA) 10026 pts
15th, Nathan Yeomans (USA) 9925 pts
