PENICHE, Portugal (Saturday, October 17, 2009) – The Rip Curl Pro Search will culminate the European leg of the 2009 ASP World Tour in the wave abundant Portuguese region of Peniche, hosting the world’s best surfers from October 19 – 30, 2009.

Event No. 9 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Search is poised to deliver high drama with projected sizable swells setting the scene for a possible ASP World Title showdown and several requalification campaigns.

Mick Fanning (AUS), 28, former ASP World Champion (2007) and current ASP World No. 1, has been on a rampage during the back half of the season, claiming back-to-back wins in California and France before taking the ASP ratings’ lead last week in Spain. If Fanning finishes higher than 3rd at the Rip Curl Pro Search in Portugal, the Australian could claim the 2009 ASP World Title in Europe, contingent upon the finishes of other frontrunners.

read more at aspworldtour.com

Buondi Pro Junior /Cordoama O’Neill Pro
Presented by Nissan

ASP 1 Star WQS Mens event
Grade 1 ASP Pro Junior Mens event
Praia de Cordoama Portugal
6 – 12 July 2009

Coredoama, Portugal — The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Grade-1 Buondi Pro Junior got underway today at Cordoama, in South Portugal, kicking off the busy European summer with exciting action displayed by some of Europe’s best Under-21 competitors.

With four foot (1.2 meter) waves breaking at the consistent beach break location, sixteen heats of the Men’s division were completed for the first day of competition. Half of the event’s top seeds were able to get their start in the event, France’s representative Pierre-Valentin Laborde (FRA) and Germany’s Nicolau Von Rupp (DEU) making the difference in their respective match-ups.

Pierre-Valentin Laborde (Hossegor, FRA), 18, a long time regional Top 10 member and event No.1 seed, came up with solid surfing, the young man unleashing his renowned classic technique to easily advance through to Round 3 of the Buondi Pro Junior. Laborde, who posted a good 13.50 point heat tally out of a possible 20 en route to his first heat win of the summer, showed he was in form and focused towards a first good result this summer.

“I came to Portugal to get the dust off my new boards and do some serious training,” Laborde said. “I’ve just received a few new boards and I feel pretty good with that new equipment so I will try to stay focused and keep things going my way if the conditions give us the opportunity to surf well.”

Laborde, who is been a top regional competitor and former ASP World Junior No. 5, has yet to clinch his first ASP European Junior crown and is considered one if the best French hopes towards the prestigious title. The 18-year-old favorite will now take on other event favorite and former ASP European Junior No. 2 Nicolau Von Rupp (Algarve, DEU), the other inform man of Day 1 of competition.

more story and info aspeurope.com