What: Rip Curl Pro Junior Mademoiselle, ASP Grade 2 Women’s Pro Junior
Where: Les Bourdaines, Seignosse France
When: 26 – 27 August 2008
Lee Ann Curren (Biarritz, FRA), 19, claimed the Association of Surfing Professionals Grade-2 Rip Curl Pro Junior Mademoiselle yesterday at Les Bourdaines in Seignosse. Curren, who defeated Justine Dupont, Pauline Ado and Marie Dejean in a 100% French final, took the best out of the good, hollow 4-foot waves in the seventh event of the season.
The champ advanced through four heats in two days to reach the final encounter, leading the final with a 11.50 out of 20 score. “I am super stoked,” said Curren. “It took me some time to find a good wave but finding the good option was the key to win. There was a lot of current so I chose to ride a bigger board to paddle out faster. It was fun to try barrels and different moves.”
Curren now wins the precious wild card to compete against the ASP Top 17 in the Rip Curl Pro Mademoiselle. “I placed 2nd and 3rd in the last events and I really wanted to win this one,” Curren said. “I am stoked to win the wildcard to compete in the Women’s World tour event. This is a fantastic opportunity!”
Runner-up Justine Dupont, 17, put an excellent effort in her final battle but was unable to find the scores needed to claim the title. Dupont posted a low 6.10 out of 20 score. “I really enjoyed the conditions today,” Dupont said. “Some waves were very big and gave me an adrenaline rush. I chose the outside section and I think it was the best option to score better but I paddled most of the 30-minute final.”
Dupont is now No.4 on the ASP Junior ratings and increases her chance of qualifying for the 2009 ASP World Junior Championships (WJC) in Narabeen, Australia, where the end-of-the-year regional top two will surf. “I felt very good today because it was my birthday!” Dupont said. “To win this event would have been the best present I could get! I am still very happy with this result because I get closer to the ASP Junior Top 3.”
Europe’s best under-21 competitors will meet next at Carcavelos in Portugal from October 17-19 for the final event of the 2008 ASP European Women’s Pro Junior tour. The ASP Top 17 will meet today for the kick-off of the Rip Curl Pro Mademoiselle at Les Bourdaines in Seignosse.
Read our exclusive interview with Lee Ann here!
FINAL
Heat 1: Lee Ann Curren (FRA) 11.50 pts, Justine Dupont (FRA) 6.10 pts, Pauline Ado (FRA) 4.10 pts, Marie Dejean
SEMIFINALS
Heat 1: Justine Dupont (FRA) 10.65 pts, Lee Ann Curren (FRA) 9.20 pts, Bianca Buidentag (ZAF) 8.00 pts, Alizée Arnaud
Heat 2: Marie Dejean (FRA) 15.80 pts, Pauline Ado (FRA) 6.85 pts, Bruna Schmitz (BRA) 6.15 pts, Nikita Robb (ZAF)
QUARTERFINALS
Heat 1: Justine Dupont (FRA) 14.00 pts, Bianca Buidentag (ZAF) 13.35 pts, Marjolaine Ado (FRA) 5.10 pts, Cannelle Bulard
Heat 2: Lee Ann Curren (FRA) 7.00 pts, Alizée Arnaud (FRA) 6.90 pts, Raine Jackson (AUS) 6.25 pts, Merril Delanne
Heat 3: Nikita Robb (ZAF) 14.75 pts, Pauline Ado (FRA) 12.00 pts, Francesca De Santos (PRT) 1.00 pts, Alix Cranet
Heat 4: Marie Dejean (FRA) 10.50 pts, Bruna Schmitz (BRA) 9.25 pts, Laetitia Sudre (FRA) 3.50 pts, Leticia Canales Bilbao
