Vans is happy to congratulate team rider Karina Petroni on her qualification for the 2008 elite Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Championship Tour (WCT) on the strength of her 3rd place finish at the Reef Hawaiian Pro in Haleiwa.

Vans have had the pleasure of following Katrina on the Vans team since she was a little kid in Panama and the 19-year old Floridian will be the only newcomer on the Tour next season as she represents the East Coast and the USA in contests around the globe.

“Karina has developed so much as a surfer and a person this year and it’s nice to see her season this year finish up with such a payoff for her hard work,” said Vans Surf Marketing Manager Scott Sisamis. “We’re extremely happy for Karina and very excited about her future.”

Surfing since the age of 2, Karina Petroni was born in the American Canal Zone at the Isthmus of Panama, and moved to the Atlantic Beach, Florida at the age of 12. After establishing herself as one America’s best young amateurs, Karina moved to the top of the World Qualifying Series rankings a year ago including a win at the 2006 O’Neill Women’s Pro at Huntington Beach.

Petroni again made her mark in a big way at Huntington Beach this past summer as she placed second in the 2007 US Open of Surfing. That finish paved the way for her run to make the WCT, which she was able to do at Haleiwa, the first stop of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.

“It feels fantastic, it really does,” said Petroni. “I’ll be the first East Coaster since Lisa (Andersen) and I’ll go on and represent for the United States. ..This has been the biggest surf I’ve had. I’ve been in Hawai’i for two weeks and this is my first Hawaiian final and it was awesome.”

In addition to Vans, Karina is also sponsored by Channel Island Surfboards, Sobe, Sticky Bumps, Aqua East Surf Shop, and Kandui. The Vans girls surf team also includes Erica Hosseini, Alexandra Florence, and Sage Erikson.

For more information on Vans and Karina Petroni, please visit the Vans girls website.