Owen Wright (Australia) has won the 10th annual Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star PRIME SriLankan Airlines Pro in the Maldives.
It was a monumental, high-scoring Final, described by numerous ASP officials at this event as the greatest Final they have ever seen.
This Final had everything with both surfers forcing each other to new heights, combining superb power surfing with new age aerial moves.
The final scores saw Owen Wright on 19.23 out of a possible 20 to Gudauskas on 18.93.
Wright’s second ride in the final of 9.83 was decisive, pulling two major aerial manuevers along with a series of fully-powered on-face vertical turns.
History created on day five at the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) PRIME 6-star rated with USA surfer Pat Gudauskas successfully executing one of surfing’s most difficult manoeuvres, the aerial “rodeo clown”, the first time ever at a high level ASP event.
Under extreme pressure Gudauskas was in third place and looking at elimination with 30 seconds remaining in his heat when he found a reasonable wave and chasing a 7.23 score completed some good turns but still required something special toward the final stages of the ride.
The powerful 23 year old Californian surfer then went for broke and launched into the air, rotating the 540 degree inverted flip and riding out of the manoeuvre.
Smooth and precise in execution, the ride was awarded a perfect 10 points and Gudauskas moved from 3rd to 1st to advance to the final 16 surfers remaining in the event.
“I knew I needed a very solid score on that wave and as that final section approached I could see it lining up ideally so I focused on going for the rodeo, it was there to be done and I had to do it” said Gudauskas.
“Riding out of it I was nervous as there were bumps to deal with and while the aerial rodeo was complete I had to ride free of the white water, it was a relief when I had realised the move was complete” added Gudauskas.
“It’s a move I regularly practice and I’m really excited to be the first to achieve it at ASP level.”
In excellent 4feet (1.5m) waves most of the final 24 surfers combined power surfing with aerials in a day of memorable performances.
Exciting 19 year old emerging surfers Owen Wright (AUS) and Jadson Andre (Brazil) were again dominant in their winning performances.
Andre continues to successfully perform multiple aerial moves on every wave while Wright focuses on power on face moves but is always ready to include aerials when the opportunity looks right.
“These waves are really ideal to drive powerful turns from start to finish and I’m trying to blend power turns and aerials to maximise my scores” said Wright.
“It’s exciting to see all the surfers really pushing the levels up and you enter every heat knowing that excellent scores are essential to progress.”
Veteran ASP World Tour surfers Cory Lopez (USA) and Travis Logie (South Africa) continued their charge and both surfers progressed to the final 16.
Other impressive heat winners today included Jonathon Gonzales (Canary Islands), Drew Courtney (AUS) and Daniel Ross (AUS).
With good clean waves forecast throughout the weekend organizers stopped the event today after round four was completed, leaving 16 surfers remaining in the event.
An early start is expected tomorrow and finals at this stage likely to run on Sunday.
Veteran ASP World Tour surfers Cory Lopez (USA) and Travis Logie (South Africa) conquered the windswept conditions as the final 24 surfers were decided at the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) PRIME rated six star World Qualifying Series (WQS) Sri Lankan Airlines Pro in the Maldives today.
Today’s strong cross shore winds actually made the waves super high performance and excellent scores were plentiful throughout the day with the point break wave providing multiple powerful sections for surfers to perform big manoeuvres.
Cory Lopez, (USA/Florida) lead the experienced surfers charge as the 32 year old progressed in second place in the opening round three heat behind fellow USA surfer Pat Gudauskas (Cal).
“ I’m feeling good after that heat and now I’m into the final 24 surfers in this event it is starting to get exciting” said Lopez.
“I’ve had 18 months away from full time competition but just maybe I’m looking at requalification” he added.
“ I’ve already entered the coming five major ASP WQS events and I’ll assess my situation as I go.”
Travis Logie (South Africa) was full of excitement after his impressive heat win today where he comprehensively defeated Jadson Andre (Brazil) who advanced in 2nd place.
The 30 year old Durban based surfer has struggled with injury over the past two years but is now fit and focused on requalifying on the ASP world tour.
“It’s been a tough two seasons for me with a knee injury but I’m back now fully fit, stronger than ever, surfing better than ever and ready to get back to the highest level” said Logie.
“These are fantastic waves even with the strong winds and I’m really looking forward to my coming heats.”
At the other end of the scale exciting emerging star Owen Wright (AUS) won through to the final 24 displaying his typical progressive surfing style.
In contrast to last year when Hawaiian surfers dominated, many were eliminated today however Tonino Benson (Kailua/Hawaii) dominated his heat posting the events top scoring ride of a 9.43 and the events top heat tally to date of 17.10.
Late in the day Jean Da Silva (BRA) and Leigh Sedley (AUS) both won their heats and with solid swells pulsing on dusk the scene is set for some fantastic surfing tomorrow.
Follow this event live at http://www.srilankanairlinespro.com/
Round four draw when event resumes tomorrow:
Heat 1: Pat Gudauskas (USA), Aritz Aranburu (EUK), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 2: Cory Lopez (USA), Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), Tonino Benson (HAW)
Heat 3: Yadin Nichol (AUS), Travis Logie (ZAF), Shaun Gossman (AUS)
Heat 4: Romaine Cloitre (FRA), Jadson Andre (BRA), Brian Toth (PRI)
Heat 5: Heitor Alves (BRA), Owen Wright (AUS), Bernardo Miranda (BRA)
Heat 6: Blake Thornton (AUS), Miguel Pupo (BRA), Daniel Ross (AUS)
Heat 7: Austin Ware (USA), Jean da Silva (BRA), Jonathon Gonzales (CNY)
Heat 8: Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Drew Courtney (AUS), Leigh Sedley (AUS)
SriLankan Airlines Pro 2009 is made possible thanks to the following sponsors: SriLankan Airlines, John Keells Group, Chaaya Island – Dhonveli, Atoll Travel, Atoll Adventures, Ocean & Earth International, Dhiraagu, Maldives Tourism & Promotions Board, ASP Australasia.
ASP Australasia as the event managers will deliver a quality live Webcast along with Television News Feeds, complimentary Digital Images for newspapers and websites, Web highlight packages and a dedicated 30 minute international television program.
