The Estoril Quiksilver Pro, an Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star event, announced the increase of the event’s overall prizepurse from US$ 145 000 to US$ 150 000 with an extra US$ 5000 going for to the 2009 winner who will pocket an unprecedent US$ 25 000, the biggest prizemoney ever awarded on an ASP WQS event in Europe.

The event, which will be the second of this year’s ASP WQS European Tour, will be crucial for both ASP WQS international and regional ratings with 2500 ratings’ points going to the winner, a significant reward towards a possible end-of-the-year ASP World Tour qualification.

“The comitment and efforts of the organisers to put up such a big event and add a bonus for the winner is great for the sport and its athletes,” ASP Europe Manager Julie Audibert said. “After almost a decade of support to the sport of surfing, event organisers at Alfarroba have once again stepped up and the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Europe is grateful for all the work, even more grateful knowing the current global financial context.”

The Estoril Quiksilver Pro, which will hold its third edition from April 21 to 26 at Carcavelos renowned beachbreaks, is expected to deliver world class action when the 144 men attending the crucial event paddle out next month. After running the event in late october the last couple of years, event organisers decided to change dates in 2009 to increase the chances of better wave and wind conditions, usualyy favorable at this time of the year.

“The idea behind it was to concentrate a series of international events at the beginning of the season,” Estoril Quiksilver Pro contest director Antonio Pdro said. “Moreover, April can also be a better time for waves and wind at Carcavelos, where we will put together the main structure.”

The Estoril Quiksilver Pro main venue will be at Carcavelos with a back-up location set-up at Guincho. With several options along Estoril’s beautiful surf coast, the 2009 edition promises t live up to its reputation and world class surfing from the Estorl Quiksilver Pro will be webcast LIVE at www.quikslverlive.com and www.aspeurope.com.