Estoril Quiksilver Pro WQS 6
ESTORIL QUIKSILVER PRO WQS 6*
21 - 26 April 2009 / Portugal
Estoril is this year playing host to Europe’s premier WQS 6-star event, now
classed among the most highly rated events on the WQS world tour. The event,
scheduled earlier in the season and a major first for this Portuguese venue,
offers surfers the chance to compete in world-class waves.
For the first time, Quiksilver is partnering this major event of the World
Qualifying Series, the gateway to the ASP World Tour.
The Estoril Quiksilver Pro WQS 6* will be a crucial stage on the 2009 WQS tour as it offers
maximum points to candidates vying to win a place on the ASP World Tour. The event will
take place at two world-class surf spots; Carcavelos and Guincho, near Lisbon.
Supported by Jose? Gregorio, a charismatic figure in Portuguese surfing, and offering a
record prize purse of $150,000, this competition will attract Europe’s very best surfers and
a host of global stars. Last year, Marlon Lipke and Tiago Pires gained their passport to the
Top 45 by shining in the highest rated 6* events like this. Any budding talents will have
their work cut out for them, as seasoned veterans will be drawn from around the world for
an event of such stature.
Chief among the young guns is Joan Duru, who is aiming to qualify for the ASP World Tour
in 2010. Aged 19, the surfer from South West France has a powerful and spectacular
style. Joan has the physical stature and the tough, ultra-competitive reputation needed to
succeed on tour. Traditional favourites, Fre?de?ric Robin (Reunion) and Patrick Beven
(France) will also be serious candidates for victory in Estoril.
Two wild cards have also been awarded for this event:
The first has gone to Marc Lacomare. The Frenchman from Hossegor finished 3rd in the
prestigious ASP Junior World Championships in Narabeen (Aus).
The young Portuguese prodigy, Vasco Ribeiro, will receive a second wild card. Aged just
14, Vasco has just joined Quiksilver’s surfing team alongside the likes of Je?re?my Flore?s,
Miky Picon, Dane Reynolds and Kelly Slater and is one of the most promising surfers of his
generation. He was recently crowned Portuguese champion in the U14 and U18 categories.
Vasco Ribeiro now has the opportunity to compete in his first 6-star contest and the
chance to measure up against the very best. He has the advantage of local knowledge on
his side, having grown up surfing these spots.
Broadcast live on www.quiksilverlive.com, the event will have a commentary team
including the famous American big wave surfer Peter Mel, British pro Gabe Davies and
Stephen Bell, alias “Belly”, Quiksilver Europe’s team manager. The popular and vocal
Australian will always say it exactly how he sees it.
Note: Running simultaneously in the Southern Hemisphere, The Quiksilver Pro Durban
WQS 6* Prime is the South African equivalent to the Portuguese event.
Information / updates from the event:
www.quiksilverlive.com and www.aspeurope.com
Quiksilver Europe Events & Athletes Press Service:
Cathy Lallement / Agence Olivia Payerne
Tel.: +33 1 46 04 08 62 – Email: contact@agence-op.fr
Press Release
- April 14 2009 | 72 views
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