New York, New York — The iconic Vanity Fair publication has been a staple in the American publishing community. Covering a variety of cultural topics ranging from Watergate to the Academy Awards, Vanity Fair has also served as the vessel for shooter-to-the-stars Annie Leibovitz’s portraits of mega-celebs such as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Tom Cruise and so on.
Now, the publication has set its mega-scotlight onto the next generation of women’s surfing and lo and behold, several members of the ASP Top 17 are gracing the historic pages. This…is their story…
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.
ASP Europe now have a Facebook site under the name ASP EUROPE – ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS. Become a fan of their page now to receive instant updates for upcoming events and to check out photos and videos as well as their discussion board.
Although the ASP has a website for each of the regions around the world, including Europe, ASP Europe has now decided to put up an official Facebook page. As well as having a lot of information that will be up on the ASP site- aspeurope.com. The Facebook site will include, more photos, different news, videos and discussion boards as well as having a few competitions now and again to get everybody involved and interested in the ASP and its site.
To find the ASP so that you can become a fan or even to just check out the news simply type in ASP Europe- Association of Surfing Professionals into the Facebook ‘Search’ bar in the top right hand side of the screen, it will come up with the Blue ASP logo.
