Arica World Star Tour 2011 – Dia Final, Guillermo Satt Campeon! from Rodrigo Farias on Vimeo.

Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 20, was also victorious when she clinched the final stop on the 2011 ASP Women’s World Title series, the Nike US Open of Surfing, when she topped dangerous wildcard Lakey Peterson (Santa Barbara, CA), 16, in a hard-fought battle.

Slater quickly asserted his dominance in the Final against Nicol when he launched a frontside air-reverse and solidified the ride on the reform to earn an 8.50 and backed the ride up with a 7.77 to put the Australian in an early combination-situation and controlled the heat throughout the entirety of the bout.

“I guess Yadin (Nicol) wanted me to win because he didn’t catch any waves,” Slater said. “I was just really frustrated for him because he was sitting out the back waiting for the big sets and the big sets were close outs. The small ones he was just two far outside and I got them. I think what happened is I got the 8.50 to start and he was just going to be patient. If he got a good one he would have thrown a big rotator, but it just never came.”

Slater went on an absolute rampage on the final day of competition and fought his way back into a tough battle to overtake progressive Hawaiian Dusty Payne (Lahaina, HI), 22, by launching a hail-mary, no-grab backside 360 air. The massive punt garnered the highest single-wave score of Nike US Open of Surfing competition, 9.77 out of 10, as well as the highest heat-total of 17.94 out of 20.

“Dusty (Payne) had priority and he had gone on a couple of lefts that kind of fizzled out on him and he was probably thinking that left was going to do the same thing his other ones did,” Slater said. “It just let me get going on the face enough and I just tried to rotate as hard as I could and somehow the board stuck to my feet.”

Nicol fought hard throughout the entirety of the ASP PRIME competition, taking out dangerous South African Royden Bryson (ZAF), 28, and prodigious Californian Kolohe Andino (San Clemente, CA), 17, on the Final day of competition, but struggled to find a wave in the Final against Slater.

“Kelly started off strong with the 8.5 and I thought I’d wait for a good wave and I think I waited too long,” Nicol said. “At the start of this week I wouldn’t have thought that I’d be in the Final with Kelly. I love it. Sometimes things work out and you make the Final and I’m stoked, I’m over the moon.”

Yadin, who was rated No. 36 entering the US Open of Surfing, now sits at 27th on the ASP World Rankings, moving him inside the coveted ASP Top 32 midyear cut for the halfway mark of the year, but with two events remaining on the ASP World Title Season, Nicol remained guarded in claiming his spot for the final elite events.

“There are still two World Tour events to go so it doesn’t completely change my life just yet,” Nicol said. “It definitely helps the vibe though.”

Fitzgibbons, who finished second on the ASP Women’s World Title Series, was strong on both her forehand and backhand in the final and fought off the determined wildcard to clinch her third elite event on to finish her 2011 season.

“It’s such an unbelievable feeling to get chaired up the beach,” Fitzgibbons said. “There is just a sea of people and it’s one of my biggest achievements. To get three wins this year, it has been a really special year and although I didn’t get the title, I can’t believe I’ve won this event.”

Fitzgibbons feels that there is more to come for the highly-talked about progressive movement in women’s surfing and wildcards such as Lakey Peterson are a perfect example of the future of the sport.

“Today was just about connecting the dots and stepping it up,” Fitzgibbons said. “I think the future is bright for our sport. Lakey (Peterson) is only 16 and she was in both finals in this event it was a great week for her, but to get the win was an amazing way to cap off the year.”

Peterson proved to be a giant killer throughout the entirety of the Women’s Nike US Open of Surfing, taking wins over veteran Melanie Bartels (HAW), 28, ASP Women’s World Title Rookies Tyler Wright (AUS), 17, and Laura Enever (AUS), 19, as well as freshly crowned ASP Women’s World Champion Carissa Moore but was unable to find the scores needed to surpass Fitzgibbons in the Final.

“I’m stoked with the way this week has turned out,” Peterson said. “It was an honor to surf against Sally (Fitzgibbons) and I’m really happy to make the Final in my first World Tour event.”

Peterson, who won the ASP 4-Star Nike US Open of Surfing Pro Junior yesterday, asserted herself as a frontrunner among the progressive movement of women’s surfing via dominant run at the Nike US Open of Surfing. The young Californian was the only competitor to put a stop to Moore’s run of finaling in every ASP Top 17 contest this season when she topped the Hawaiian in their Semifinals matchup.

“Winning yesterday was what I wanted to do, to win in the Juniors and do well in this event,” Peterson said. “My heat against Carissa (Moore) felt like no pressure and I just wanted to go for it and I’m just so excited to win that heat. I’ve always wanted to surf against Carissa. She really pushes my surfing to the next level and is an amazing friend.”

Highlights from the 2011 Nike US Open of surfing can be found at www.usopenofsurfing.com

For media downloads log on to www.usopenofsurfing.com/downloads

For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com

The Nike US Open of Surfing was a massive action sports festival which also includes Skate, BMX, Art, Music and Fashion shows all of which are free to the public.

Nike US Open of Surfing Men’s Final Result:
1 – Kelly Slater (USA) 16.27
2 – Yadin Nicol (AUS) 2.57

Nike US Open of Surfing Men’s Semifinals Results:
SF 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.94 def. Dusty Payne (HAW) 14.90
SF 2: Yadin Nicol (AUS) 13.44 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.87

Nike US Open of Surfing Men’s Quarterfinals Results:
QF 1: Dusty Payne (HAW) 13.93 def. Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 10.10
QF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.50 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.27
QF 3: Kolohe Andino (USA) 10.44 def. Dane Reynolds (USA) 10.33
QF 4: Yadin Nicol (AUS) 11.60 def. Royden Bryson (ZAF) 8.26

Nike US Open of Surfing Women’s Final Result:
1 – Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 14.23
2 – Lakey Peterson (USA) 12.40

Nike US Open of Surfing Women’s Semifinals Results:
SF 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) 14.67 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.60
SF 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 14.46 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 14.16

In addition to the men’s ASP PRIME event, the 2011 Nike US Open will also represent the final stop on the ASP Women’s World Title Series as well as men’s and women’s ASP 4-Star Pro Junior divisions.

Brett Simpson, reigning two-time Nike US Open of Surfing Champion, is looking to use the pressure that comes along with being defending event winner as additional motivation to defend his title against several of the world’s best surfers.

“I’m definitely stoked with my achievements the last few years and know I can win, so it’s all about rolling with the flow and doing what works,” Simpson said. “There’s always a little pressure but sometimes it’s a good thing!”

Simpson, current No. 14 on the Men’s ASP World Ranking, will replace the points from last year’s Nike US Open of Surfing title with his result this year and knows that another solid result is crucial in remaining in the top tier of the standings.

“Last year’s win is one of my bigger results so it’s definitely one I need to do well in,” Simpson said. “For me to save those points I have to win, so I guess there’s no other way around it! But, the other side is with the new format you can do well somewhere else you haven’t and get points as well.”

The Huntington Beach native has established himself as a standout around the globe, but is looking to capitalize on his intimate knowledge of the Huntington Beach lineup to propel himself to another top finish at this year’s event.

“Huntington is home,” Simpson said. “I’m going to go out there with that feeling of what I do on a daily basis! That brings comfort and that’s when most people compete their best. I know that’s when I do well!”

Patrick Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 25, who competes alongside Simpson among the elite ASP Top 34, is one competitor who is ready to feed off of the massive crowds’ energy surrounding that natural amphitheatre of Huntington Beach Pier.

“I love the US Open,” Gudauskas said. “The wave offers progressive surfing in the stadium style pier and beach. I grew up watching great performances like AI (Andy Irons) and Cory Lopez winning the event. I just loved the energy the crowd had with the surfing. It’s one of the best events for that energy. I don’t think it’s too hard to focus on surfing out there for me because I just love to feed on the spectators’ froth! The whole circus is less of a distraction and more of an inspiration.”

Gudauskas, who won the last ASP PRIME event in South Africa, plans on using the confidence built by his major victory earlier this month to produce another standout performance at this year’s Nike US Open of Surfing.

“I think winning is always great for your confidence,” Gudauskas said. “I felt like I’ve been surfing well all season but haven’t had that break through result and performance yet. To do it in Ballito was amazing ‘cause the waves were so good. I’m hungry to keep the roll going.”

Gudauskas, current No. 15 on the ASP World Ranking, knows the Huntington Beach lineup can often be difficult to read, but feels his ample experience with the wave will give him the opportunity to succeed in this year’s event.

“HB is for sure tricky,” Gudauskas said. “There’s tons of personality to her. Luckily we’ve been competing and surfing out there since we were groms, so I feel comfortable with the line ups and style of wave. Obviously guys like Brett Simpo and Timmy Reyes are great guys to see what they’re doing the day of the comps etc, but I just like riding lots of waves and giving myself opportunity to do some cool airs and moves.”

Evan Geiselman (New Smyrna Beach, FL), 17, who is a wildcard in this year’s main event, is looking to capitalize on the crucial points on offer to build his ASP World Ranking.

“I’m super excited that I got a wildcard in to this year’s US Open,” Geiselman said. “There are a lot of points on offer for my World Ranking and doing well here really helps build your future.”

Geiselman, who is the defending men’s Nike US Open Pro Junior Champion, is also hungry to defend his title against the nation’s finest under-21 talent as well as confirm his spot for the 2011 ASP World Junior Tour.

“I won the Pro Junior last year, so I guess I’m feeling a bit of pressure to do well,” Geiselman said. “One more result would also really help solidify my spot on the World Junior Tour, so this is an important event for the Junior surfers.”

In addition to the premier ASP surfing event, the US Open has several additional parts to the festival, including bmx, skate, music and art, all of which are free to the public.

To watch the Nike US Open of Surfing LIVE log on to www.usopenofsurfing.com

Fuente ASP

While a lengthy holding pattern has continued over the last three days, a promising swell is slowing showing its face and competition is scheduled to resume at 7am tomorrow morning.

“The swell we have been anticipating is slowly filling in, but not enough to restart the contest today,” Gary Linden, Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido Contest Director said. “This swell should fill in more overnight and I’m expecting conditions to improve substantially for the remainder of the event.”

When Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido competition resumes, Ricardo Santos (BRA) local charger Coco Nogales (MEX), Alejandro Moreda (PRI) and Gabriel Galdino (BRA) will face off in Heat 9 of the Round of 64.

The ASP 4-Star Quiksilver PE Pro holds a waiting period from July 21 through 28, 2011.

For live coverage of the Quiksilver PE Pro as well as all media downloads log on to www.quiksilver.com/puerto

For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com or www.aspnorthamerica.org

UPCOMING ROUND OF 64 QUIKSILVER PRO PUERTO ESCONDIDO HEATS:
Heat 9: Ricardo Santos (BRA), Coco Nogales (MEX), Alejandro Moreda (PRI) Gabriel Galdino (BRA)
Heat 10: Dege O’Connell (HAW), Garlos Munoz (CRI), Brad Ettinger (USA), Diego Cadena (MEX)
Heat 11: Olamana Eleogram (HAW), Liam McNamara (HAW), Christian Corzo (MEX), Andres Di Marco (ARG)
Heat 12: Ian Gouveia (BRA), Nathan Brandi (BRA), Ronald Brown (CRI), Matthew Bromley (ZAF)
Heat 13: Torrey Meister (HAW), Marco Giorgi (URY), Tyler Newton (HAW), Heriberto Ramirez (MEX)
Heat 14: Dennis Tihara (BRA), Didney Guimaraes (BRA), Gilbert Brown (CRI), Chris Foster (HAW)
Heat 15: Franklin Serpa (BRA), Nils Schweizer (USA), Johnny Norris (USA), Brett Barley (USA)
Heat 16: Kiron Jabour (HAW), Oscar Moncada (MEX), Angelo Lozano (MEX), Billy Kemper (HAW)
Fuente ASP

McHenry got the best of an action packed heat with last-minute heroics. The San Diegan drove though a deep righthand barrel and emerged miraculously to take the day’s highest single-wave score of 9.33 out of 10 in addition to earning the day’s highest heat-total of 16.33 out of 20.

“When I saw that wave line up with 30 seconds left, I thought ‘Wow, this could be a good wave,” McHenry said. “It was really lined up for a ways and I had to really run it and do a couple of pumps. That’s what they’re looking for in Puerto. A quick barrel is fun, but that one had a line where I could drive in it for a little bit and I knew it’d be a good score when I got spit out.”

McHenry is a perennial competitor at the Quiksilver PE Pro and always enjoys the opportunity to surf the Mexican Pipeline with only three other guys in the lineup.

“I’ve been down here a couple of times before and it feels really good to get started,” McHenry said. “That first heat, you get a little nervous and you just want to get it started and get your board under your feet. This is my fourth time down here and I love doing this contest. Being down here with three guys out, it allows you to get the wave that you want.”

Gilbert Brown (Salsa Brava, CRI), 28, locked in to a bombing lefthand barrel on his forehand and read the wave perfectly. The Costa Rican drove through the deep, lengthy tube with a perfect exit and was rewarded a near-perfect 9 for the ride.

“That wave was thick and when I saw the wave, it was bending over and I paddled with all of my strength just to get in to it,” Brown said. “Once I got in the wave I was surprised that the wave was so clean. I knew I had to pump to make it. I knew I had to create speed to make it out. I thought the wave was going to dump on me, but I just kept pumping and when I made it out, it was like a dream.”

Adan Hernandez (Sayulita, MEX), 22, who won his Round 1 heat yesterday, was one Mexican standout at the forefront of the Latin charge. Hernandez displayed a striking combination of clean barrel-rides and powerful turns to post an impressive 15.27 heat total and a convincing Round 2 victory.

“I’m happy to get a few good waves in that heat,” Hernandez said. “You have to position yourself well out there and I’m happy with the barrels that I got. I had that one barrel with the nice turn after.”

Hernandez is a frequent visitor of Playa Zicatela and spends a substantial amount of time at the heavy Mexican beachbreak of Pasquales near his hometown of Sayulita and his comfort in critical barreling conditions has been obvious in his performances.

“I come to Puerto three times a year and also surf Pasquales,” Hernandez said. “It’s a very similar wave and I feel comfortable out here. I’m just riding my normal shortboard.”

Alvaro Malpartida (PER), 28, locked in to a running righthand barrel to notch a 8.17, catapulting the Peruvian to victory after getting a slow start to his heat. Malpartida is hoping he can carry the momentum from his early-round success to eventually hoist his nation’s flag on the podium.

“I’m stoked that I got good waves in my heat with a good tide,” Malpartida said. “I saw the Brazilian guy (Cristiano Bins) get a good wave and Danny (Fuller) get a good wave and I got really calm because I knew mine was going to come. A few seconds later I got that good one and got the 8.17. I’m really stoked. I have high expectations for myself here and I want to raise the Peruvian flag on the podium!”

Magnum Martinez (VEN), 37, displayed impeccable barrel-riding skills when he navigated his way through a technical backhand barrel on a bombing lefthander to secure an 8-point ride and a Round 2 victory.

“Paddling into it, I knew it was going to be a good one,” Martinez said. “It had a nice little wall to it with good shape and as soon as I pulled it had a weird warble with some backwash. I thought it was going to throw me off, but somehow I kept my rail and it opened up. I drove through that section and made it out, so I’m stoked.”

The ASP 4-Star Quiksilver PE Pro holds a waiting period from July 21 through 28, 2011.

For live coverage of the Quiksilver PE Pro as well as all media downloads log on to www.quiksilver.com/puerto

For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com or www.aspnorthamerica.org

Quiksilver PE Pro Round of 96 Results:
Heat 1: Cristobal De Col (PER) 12.34, Skip McCullough (USA) 7.80, Makuakai Rothman (HAW) 6.37, Jose Jimenez (MEX) 6.30
Heat 2: Magnum Martinez (VEN) 11.16, Hunter Lysaught (USA) 7.53, Martin Olea (MEX) 5.60, Travis Southworth (MEX) 4.46
Heat 3: Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 9.83, Chad Jackson (HAW) 6.60, Hector Soto Palomera (MEX) 5.86
Heat 4: Trin Schoot (USA) 10.67, Keoni Nozaki (HAW) 7.33, Felipe Cesarano (BRA) 7.07, Colin Dwyer (USA) 6.80
Heat 5: Guillermo Satt (CHL) 8.60, Vinicius Fomari (BRA) 6.70, Cesar Petroni (MEX) 5.77, Chris Rodriguez (USA) 3.96
Heat 6: Alvaro Malpartida (PER) 12.90, Danny Fuller (HAW) 11.67, Cristiano Bins (BRA) 9.67, Alan Blyth (MEX) 3.70
Heat 7: Adan Hernandez (MEX) 15.27, Landon McNamara (HAW) 7.74, Fisher Heverly (USA) 7.17, Julio Nurse (VEN) ns
Heat 8: Eric McHenry (USA) 16.33, Balaram Stack (USA) 13.33, Eli Olson (HAW) 4.67, Liam Michelbrink (USA) 2.07
Heat 9: Alejandro Moreda (PRI) 10.53, Diego Cadena (MEX) 6.67, Oscar Perez (MEX) 5.83, Nelson Neto (BRA) 5.50
Heat 10: Brad Ettinger (USA) 7.37, Gabriel Galdino (BRA) 6.34, Dean Randazzo (USA) 4.73, Adrian Rodriguez (MEX) 4.06
Heat 11: Christian Corzo (MEX) 10.13, Matthew Bromley (ZAF) 8.93, Martin Jeri (PER) 6.43, Schyler Alen (HAW) 4.83
Heat 12: Ronald Brown (CRI) 11.97, Andres DiMarco (ARG) 9.60, Oscar Davo (MEX) 6.00, Gustavo Bertollo (BRA) 5.27
Heat 13: Tyler Newton (HAW) 12.50, Chris Foster (HAW) 9.97, Jose Trujillo (MEX) 8.63, Lucas Santamaria (ARG) 3.60
Heat 14: Gilbert Brown (CRI) 13.83, Heriberto Ramirez (MEX) 4.67, Julian Quinones Camacho (MEX) 4.17
Heat 15: Johnny Norris (USA) 9.33, Billy Kemper (USA) 8.97, Abel Estopin (MEX) 8.43, Santiago Madrid (URY) 3.67
Heat 16: Angelo Lozano (MEX) 8.87, Brett Barley (USA) 6.23, Carlos Goncalves (ECU) 4.77, Zach Humphreys (USA)

Quiksilver PE Pro Round of 112 Results:
Heat 8: Abel Estopin (MEX) 9.50, Zack Humphries (USA) 7.23, Rusty Long (USA) 5.53

Fuente ASP

As mountains of water exploded along the shallow sand bank it was the Brasilian contingent that shone the brightest, with eight out of the ten competing advancing through the round of 48 today.

Multiple ASP World Junior Champion Pablo Paulino (BRA) lead the South American charge posting the day’s highest heat score of 16.86 (out of 20.00), to advance in first place ahead of Nic Muscroft (AUS).

“The waves were really heavy out there today,” Paulino said. “I tried to stay in tune with what conditions were doing and I was lucky to find that barrel.”

Surfing off a low centre of gravity, driving plenty of power through his legs, Paulino combined flashy fins-free turns with a clean barrel ride to post the highest wave score of the day, an 8.93 (out of 10.00).

Aerial maestro and World Ranked No. 17 Gabriel Medina (BRA) earned his second convincing heat win of the event, his impressive top-to-bottom attack notching a massive 16.00 heat total that left his opponents in a combinational situation (needing two scores to beat him).

“There were no air sections out there today so I just tried to find the best waves and pack some power into my turns,” Medina said. “I think the judges were looking for commitment out there so I tried to show them that today.”

Picking off two of the biggest set waves, Medina’s risky free-surf approach was well received by both the judges and the crowd.

Junior Faria (BRA) took the third of the day’s victories for Brasil, riding just three waves to advance off a pair of six-point rides. Brandon Jackson (ZAF) finished in second place, the pair eliminating early event standout Kolohe Andino (USA) and Hodei Collazo (EUK) from the event.

Wiggolly Dantas, Jesse Mendes, Jano Belo and Messias Felix joined their fellow countrymen in the next round by advancing in second places respectively.

Tour veteran and proven big-wave surfer Kieren Perrow (AUS) opened his account with a stand-up barrel ride, lightning-snap and closeout re-entry to post an excellent 8.38 for a first place finish over Jesse Mendes (BRA), Granger Larsen (HAW) and Royden Bryson (ZAF).

“There were some really good waves out there and if you got a good one you had to make the most of it,” Perrow said. “It’s fun when it’s like this! It’s really powerful, very good for turns and there’s the odd tube ride so you really can’t ask for much more.”

ASP World No. 30 Julian Wilson (AUS) took a strategic approach to his round of 48 heat putting scores on the scoreboard early. Committing to every last maneuver, Wilson advanced in first ahead of Blake Thornton (AUS), the pair-eliminating trialist Beyrick De Vries (ZAF) from the event.

“Right before my heat I saw some waves peeling a little deeper so I went out early to make sure I could paddle all the way down to the inside and it worked out,” Wilson said. “It’s so fun having a lot of swell, there’s no hassling and its kind of victory at sea out there.”

Defending Champion Jordy Smith (Durban) dominated his round of 48 heat with just two rides. Posting a 6.17 and a 5.67 (out of ten) Smith defeated Kiron Jabour (HAW), Austin Ware (USA) and Corey Lopez (USA).

“I was looking to get a quick start and I just wanted to wait for those really good ones,” Smith said. “It’s a gamble but there are some great rides when you get them and it’s a lot of fun.”

Fellow South African Shaun Joubert (Mossel Bay) revealed his affinity for large surf linking together beautiful open faced carves to seal victory over second place and fellow advancing South African Sean Holmes (CT).

“We go around the world surfing one foot waves so it’s good to surf a bit of juice,” Joubert said. “I am a bit more comfortable when it’s bigger, all our waves in South Africa have some power so it’s definitely what I prefer.”

American Patrick Gudauskas rode one of the best barrels of the morning, dropping straight into a gaping tube to snatch the lead with a 7.50 and following up with a 6.33, to take the win over Wiggolly Dantas (BRA).

John John Florence (HAW) and Kai Otton (AUS) put on a show towards the end of the day exchanging great rides with Florence topping Otton 15.40 to 14.86.

The action looks set to continue tomorrow with more large surf on the way. For more information log on to www.mrpricepro.com. The next call is 07h00 tomorrow morning.

Mr Price Pro Ballito ROUND OF 48 RESULTS
Heat 1: Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 13.83; Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 10.66; Josh Kerr (AUS) 8.20; Dale Staples (ZAF) 5.27
Heat 2: Junior Faria (BRA) 12.67; Brandon Jackson (ZAF) 9.20; Kolohe Andino (USA) 7.53; Hodei Collazo (EUK) 7.33
Heat 3: Pablo Paulino (BRA) 16.86; Nic Muscroft (AUS) 13.90; Glenn Hall (IRL) 10.37; Rudy Palmboom (ZAF) 9.27
Heat 4: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 15.16; Jesse Mendes (BRA) 10.47; Granger Larsen (HAW) 9.17; Royden Bryson (ZAF) 4.70
Heat 5: Shaun Joubert (ZAF) 11.34; Sean Holmes (ZAF)
11.00; Jay Quinn (NZL) 6.20; Sebastien Zietz (HAW) 4.53
Heat 6: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.84; Kiron Jabour (HAW) 10.40; Austin Ware (USA) 5.27; Corey Lopez (HAW) 2.37
Heat 7: Maxime Huscenot (REU) 11.37; Brendon Gibbons (ZAF) 9.10; Stu Kennedy (AUS) 7.83; Adam Robertson (AUS) 2.33
Heat 8: Julian Wilson (ZAF) 14.16; Blake Thornton (AUS) 8.37; Beyrick De Vries (ZAF) 7.60; Alain Riou (PYF) 7.00
Heat 9: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 16.00; Jano Belo (BRA) 8.60; David Van Zyl (ZAF) 6.03; Joan Duru (FRA) 5.80
Heat 10: Richard Christie (NZL) 13.27; Heath Joske (AUS) 12.17; William Cardoso (BRA) 9.84; Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 6.53
Heat 11: John John Florence (HAW) 15.40; Kai Otton (AUS) 14.86; Tiago Pires (PRT) 12.53; Damien HObgood (USA) 8.90
Heat 12: Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 12.27; Felix Messias (BRA) 11.47; Adrian Toyon (REU) 10.33; Dave Cathels (AUS) 7.93

Wilson left his best surfing for the final with an impressive mix of fins-out snaps, floaters and power rail-turns to further his lead with a near perfect 9.8 out of 10, the highest single-wave score of the event. To finish off, Wilson hooked into another bomb set to continue his dominance to claim a 9.57 and take the Quiksilver Pro Portugal 2011 title.

“I felt good right from the start when in my first heat of the contest I had a 9 and an 8 and I felt comfortable out there. I never went too much out of my comfort zone and just surfed strong and made sure I was winning heats because I wanted to win this event. I was going to do whatever it took to do it.”

“The waves have been fun all week,” continued Wilson. “I have been surprised at the waves we got because everyone was saying at this time of year it would be small. We have scored with waves, weather, the people are really supportive and you can tell they really love watching surfing. I think it’s cool when they get right behind us.”

Gabriel Medina finished runner-up and added another great result to his already excellent season and continues on course to enter the elite ASP World Tour when the midyear cut takes place. Medina showed signs of repeating his recent PRIME victory in Brazil as he cruised through his quarter and semi-final with numerous excellent scores to take on the role as favourite. The backhand approach of Medina was sharp and fast on the long peeling right-handers with savage hooks in the most critical sections of the wave.

“I could not find a good one in the final but I am happy with this result. Julian got two 9’s in the final and he surfed really well so congratulations to him. Now I head to my next event in a couple of weeks in Ballito, South Africa and I hope I can do well there like I have done here.”

Miguel Pupo (BRA) 19, in semi nº2, was unable to hold back a rampaging Julian Wilson who got off to a lightening quick start to rack up two excellent scoring rides and put the young Brazilian on the ropes. Despite answering back with a combination of backhand gouges to score 7.87 out of 10, Pupo was left needing a near perfect score to oust the Australian.

“It is a good result but I wanted to make the final. Julian (Wilson) had a quick start and then I was trying to get a good wave but it was bad luck for me. I caught a pretty good one but I fell on the second turn. You never know when the good wave is going to come and Julian did his job well. It is time now to think about the mistakes and go for the next contest.”

Pupo has added to his best results of the year to take one step close to qualifying for the elite ASP World Tour. The added points will edge Pupo higher on the rankings to distance him from the 32-man cut-off mark and place him securely amongst the world’s best surfers.

“I was not feeling that good at the beginning of the comp and I was nervous because I needed a result here and now with a 3rd I am happy. My win in Trestles was a good result and a 3rd right now. A couple more results and I will be on the World Tour.”

John John Florence (HAW) finished equal 3rd to receive 4225 ranking points, almost double his previous best result in the last twelve months, to catapult him up the rankings ladder where he was sitting in a low 79th spot before the Quiksilver Pro Portugal.

Florence faced Medina in a classic semi-final clash between the two flamboyant surfers of the event after incredible displays by both athletes in their respective quarterfinal bouts. Florence, in quarterfinal nº2, earned a near perfect 9.70 out of 10 with a massive hack followed by a fins-out forehand reverse demonstrating that he is fully recovered from a back injury suffered earlier this year.

“I was hoping just to make a heat,” explained Florence of his objectives at the Quiksilver Pro Portugal. “I haven’t made a heat in the last couple of contests so I am stoked to make it this far. Definitely a lot more confidence after this contest and it would have been good to make the final but the semis is cool. It is a fun wave and stoked to be here in Portugal. Gabriel (Medina) is so amazing. He is such a good surfer and is a contest machine because he is in such good form and doing the same as he did last week in Brazil.”

Dion Atkinson (AUS) who suffered a knee injury in his final heat yesterday, placed equal 5th being ousted by Miguel Pupo in a close heat despite the injury. Being his second best result of 8 which count for the ASP World rankings, Atkinson currently in 45th position will move closer to the 32-man cut-off mark.

“I am pleased with the result but I almost didn’t surf today because of my knee but I thought that I would give it a go. It is my back leg as well so I couldn’t get and drive in my turns. I am going home now for a couple of weeks and will get it checked out.”

The ASP PRIME Quiksilver Pro Portugal offered massive points and attracted a selection of the World’s finest competitors looking to qualify or maintain their position on the ASP World Tour. European surfers were also out to gain the added points on offer for the ASP European Men’s Series.

For LIVE webcast, results, videos, daily highlights, photos and news log-on to www.aspeurope.com

Quiksilver Pro Portugal Final
1 – Julian Wilson (AUS) 19.37
2 – Gabriel Medina (BRA) 12.83

Quiksilver Pro Portugal Semifinal Results
SF 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 17.00 Def. John John Florence (HAW) 13.67
SF 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 17.04 Def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 11.37

Quiksilver Pro Portugal Quarterfinal Results
QF 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 18.37 Def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 12.33
QF 2: John John Florence (HAW) 18.03 Def. Pat Gudauskas (USA) 12.43
QF 3: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 13.84 Def. Dion Atkinson (AUS) 10.17
QF 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) 14.26 Def. Jay Quinn (NZL) 9.40

We are extremely excited to announce the addition of Dane Reynolds to the Vans Surf Team. Dane is one of the most exciting and unique surfers to date and brings a quiet sort of revolution with him. His approach is completely different to what’s been done and his reach touches every facet of surfing. For decades Vans has been home for people choosing their own path and it’s a pleasure to be able to uphold that principle to this day and have Dane become a part of it.

The 25 year-old from Ventura, CA has already made his mark on the ASP World Tour with Top 10 final rankings in both 2009 (10th) and 2010 (4th) – just his second and third years on tour, but Dane is much more than a contest surfer. When a surfer is described as straddling the demands of the pro tour while simultaneously establishing himself as a top free surf talent, perhaps no one reaches such heights in both worlds as the ultra-talented and creative Dane Reynolds.

In addition to Vans, Dane is sponsored by Quiksilver wetsuits and clothing, Channel Islands surfboards and accessories and Ventura Surf Shop.