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Owen Wright looks to continue his winning form at Trigg Point (Friday
29th May 2009) Day one of the Chill Pro Junior commenced today at Number
one seed Owen Wright, (Lennox Head, NSW) asserted his authority with
ASP
Australasia Pro Junior ratings leader Owen The waves were pretty fun, although they were sort of slow at the start of the heat, I managed to pick off a few good ones and get a few turns in so Im pretty happy." Said Wright who looks to be the surfer to beat at the event after a dominant performance on day one. Owen joined current ISA under 18 World Junior Champion Dean Bowen (Gerroa, NSW) to take some time out to have a chat with local students attending learn to surf classes at Trigg beach. Arguably two of the best junior's in the world, Wright and Bowen still found the time to sign some autographs for admiring fans. It was a day of mixed fortunes for the Wright's, with eldest of the two sisters Kirby progressing through to the next round. However, defending champion of the event Tyler Wright was eliminated by Angela Keighran (Mullaway, NSW) and Bronte Macaulay (Gracetown, WA) in her round one heat.
Although Kirby scored an impressive 8.00 point ride in her heat, she had to settle for second behind Felicity Palmateer (Hillarys) who used her local knowledge to earn a win at her home beach. West Aussies Jethro Hedstrom (Margaret River) and the McCaulay sisters, Laura and Bronte (Gracetown) also stepped up to the challenge and posted wins in their opening heats. Other surfers to set the pace early on day one included Max Ashyford (Matraville, NSW), who scored an 8.33 ride (out of a possible 10) for a series of forehand re-entries, which threw huge fans of spray. Ashyford will face Dean Bowen (NSW), Brad King (NSW) and Brad Edgar (NSW) when his round two heat hits the water later today.
Dean Bowen raises the stakes as Wright continues his devastating form. (Saturday 30th May 2009) Ideal conditions continued into day two of the Chill Pro Junior at Trigg Beach, Western Australia. With the swell remaining at 1-2 foot (1 meter), competitors made the most of the quality beach breaks on offer and put on a show for the packed car park at Trigg Point. Preliminary heats this morning were highlighted by the performances of Matt Baldock (Margaret River, WA), Noah Lane (Rainbow Beach, QLD) Davey Cathels (Narrabeen, NSW), Perth Standlick (Bondi, NSW), Chris Friend (Alexander Headland, QLD) and Jack Freestone (Coolangatta, QLD), who all won their round two heats with ease. No one could match the intensity of Davey Cathels who surfed the morning’s best heat and was rewarded with a combined total of 15.50 out of a possible twenty. Cathels who is currently ranked third on the ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series looks to be on track for a finals appearance. “The waves were slighty smaller than yesterday, but I managed to grab a few runners which I could open up on,” said Cathels. He’ll have his work cut out for him when he meets Jordi Watson (Currarong, NSW), Cahill Bell-Warren (Bells Beach, VIC) and Regan Fredricks (Cabarita, NSW) in one of the standout heats of round four which will begin first thing tomorrow. Current ISA U18 World Junior Champion Dean Bowen (Gerroa, NSW) won his round three heat and confirmed his intentions of taking out his first ASP Pro Junior event for 2009. Bowen amassed a total of 13.25 to claim victory over Jesse Adam (Newcastle, NSW) who finished with a total of 13.20. The close encounter was what Bowen was looking for leading into the business end of the competition. “It was a tough heat, there were a few good sets and Jesse and I were the only ones to find them. Im feeling pretty comfortable out there and cant wait to surf again tomorrow.” Said Bowen who will meet number one seed Owen Wright (Lennox Head, NSW) when competition continues tomorrow. In the women’s event, the quarter finals were completed with local WA surfers Felicity Palmateer (Hillarys) and Laura Macaulay (Gracetown) both making it through to the semi finals. Joining the West Austrian’s will be Laura Enever (Narrabeen, NSW) and Angela Keighran (Mullaway, NSW) who both survived close quarter final encounters. With the swell expected to increase tomorrow the forecast is looking promising leading into the finals. The Chill Pro Junior presented by the City of Stirling will continue tomorrow, Sunday 31st May at Trigg Point. Be sure to check the live action online at
Owen Wright claims his fourth consecutive ASP Pro Junior win. (Sunday, 31st May 2009), Owen Wright (Lennox Head, NSW) today claimed his fourth consecutive ASP Australasia Pro Junior Title today, with a convincing victory at the Chill Pro Junior at Trigg Point, Western Australia. The $6000 winner’s cheque means that Owen Wright has now won more prize money than any other surfer in the history of the ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series. At just 19 years of age, Wright now sits clearly on top of the ASP Australasia Pro Junior ratings, as well as holding down third place on the ASP World Qualifying Series ratings. The best surf of the event was saved for the finals where clean two feet waves allowed for some true high performance surfing, with all finalists stepping up to the challenge. Wright’s scores in the 30 minute final against Noah Lane (Rainbow Beach, QLD) reflect his total dominance of the three day event. He locked in a 9.50 ride in the opening minutes which set him up for the rest of the final. He went on to score a back up 8.90 to finish with a combined total of 18.40 from a possible twenty, the highest total for the entire event. Wright’s razor sharp forehand attack was perfectly suited to the long lefthanders on offer, with his smooth style and trademark aerial manoeuvrers causing an eruption of applause from the crowds at Trigg Point. Wright was pushed by a determined Noah Lane who persisted with a counter-attack and scored a combined total of 16.50 from a possible twenty.
“I was stoked with the waves we had in the final, we couldn’t have asked for much more. I was a bit worried that the surf was going to be small, especially after three weeks of pumping waves in Bali, but it turned out to be a great final.” Said Wright who will return home to Lennox tonight for the first time in three months after a busy competition schedule. In
the women’s event, local girl Felicity Palmateer (Hillarys,
WA) caused an upset to claim her first Pro Junior win. Palmateer defeated
event favourite Laura Enever (Narrabeen, NSW) in the semi-finals
and carried the momentum with her into the finals, where she defeated
Angela Keighran (Mullaway, NSW). Palmateer nearly doubled the score
of her rival in the finals, racking up a combined score of 14.25 out
of a possible 20, Keighran didn’t look as comfortable at Palmateer’s
home break, scoring a combined total of only 7.75. Surfing
WA Event Manager Justin Majeks said, “It’s great to have
Chill on board for a long-term partnership, the brand is a great fit
with surfing and their support is much appreciated. It’s important
for WA to have an ASP sanctioned Pro Junior event and we’re all
looking forward to an even bigger and better Chill Pro Junior in 2010. |
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