SHORTBOARD FINALS
This weekend the Kana Miss Cup girls-only surfing contest took place at Les Cavaliers in Anglet, France. Yesterday, the ultimate thirty minute decider kicked off in perfect waves. Fighting for both European and interntaional ratings, the four best surfers of the WQS 1-Star event were ready to offer the weekend crowds some good action. With two representatives from each generation, the clash seemed inevtable, with Lee Ann Curren and Charlotte Caton both looking to confirm their rise in the regional hierarchy.
Abgrall opened the show, putting pressure on her opponents straight away with a great bid to defend her title. But Curren ripped her first righthander, getting a cover up before going for two big carves on the 4ft glassy face. The reward was a 9 pointer out of possible 10 – the best single ride of the event – to take a serious lead just minutes after the start.
Joly-Thomas was the next girl to show an amazing level, surfing a solid 5ft wall to throw a big spray of water in the air, and finish with a big re-entry to get a 7+ score and secure second place. With a break in the swell, the pressure rose, everyone knowing the last exchanges would be crucial. Joly-Thomas was the only one to overtake the young leader with a nice backside comitted re-entry, bringing the final to its climax.
The 2006 ASP European champion Lee Ann Curren from Biarritz eventually caught an average ride to back up her opening amazing wave and steal the crown from her rivals.
Women’s 3 STAR WLT LONGBOARD FINAL
In building conditions, the last four girls of the event paddled out for an ultimate fight for dollars and points. The two young girls from Lacanau – Justine Dupont and Claire Dereux – had been showing some serious potential through the contest and both of them jumped in first and second until defending champion Claire Karabatsos got in on the game to steal the show and secure second.
The exchange got on fire as some perfect 4ft sets came in during the heat, and Dupont eventually killed the heat with two 7 pointers leaving Dereux and Pires in the need of a combination. Karabatsos was the only one to still have a chance as ten minutes were remaining, but the rising longboarder Justine Dupont seemed unstoppable, winning her first ever Kana Miss Cup title, to secure the $2000 prize.
For her first try in the event, Justine Dupont takes this legendary title home, beating the best longboarding european females of the moment, and jumps to ASP Europe’s ratings top 5.
Shortboard Finals
- Curren, Lee Ann FRA
- Abgrall, Marie Pierre FRA
- Joly-Thomas, Emmanuelle FRA
- Caton, Charlotte FRA
Longboard Finals
- Dupont, Justine FRA
- Karabatsos, Claire FRA
- Dereux, Claire FRA
- Pires, Cristiana BRA
Women’s WQS ratings after the Kana Miss Cup
- 1. Miley-Dyer, Jessi AUS 4590
- 2. Redman-Carr, Melanie AUS – 4505
- 3. Silva, Jacqueline BRA – 4220
- 4. Gilmore, Stephanie AUS – 4025
- 5. Brooke, Serena AUS – 3958
- 6. Lima, Silvana BRA – 3890
- 7. Donohoe, Amee AUS – 3785
- 8. Atherton, Nicola AUS – 3485
- 9. Bartels, Melanie HAW – 3245
- 10. Robb, Nikita ZAF – 3166
