Comprised of seven men and two women all heading to Bali’s world famous surf location of Keramas, one of the most playful and consistent right-handers on tour, ASP Europe’s team is set for a shot at the ASP World Junior title, starting with the Oakley World Junior event taking place from October 2 to 13.
Leading the charge to defend his crown against a hungry 47-man international field of athletes, reigning ASP World Junior Champion Maxime Huscenot (REU), 18, has confirmed his presence for the first event and will be looking to achieve another exploit.
“It’s great to get the chance to return to the ASP World Junior events and I can’t wait to defend my title,” Huscenot said. “I’ve been gaining a lot of experience on the ASP Star Series and I have received the lucky wildcard for the Quiksilver Pro France at the end of the month so I think I will be pretty ready and pumped for Bali.”
Youngest ASP European Junior champion ever at 16-years-old, Huscenot has already achieved what no other European and French surfer have before him but remains as hungry for a possible second consecutive world title. Coming from a first year competing on the ASP Star and Prime Series, Huscenot will be much expected when he hits the water at keramas next month.
“The addition of the new event in Bali is really exciting,” Huscenot said. “It is very much alike a few waves I surf all the time in Reunion Island and I enjoy this kind of surf location a lot. Of course, Narabeen is a different demanding wave and it will be another story but hopefully I will start well in Bali.”
Backed-up by possibly the best European Junior surfers to ever attend the elite ASP World Junior Tour, Huscenot will count on fellow French nationals Charles Martin (GLP) and Marc Lacomare (FRA) to shine in the upcoming event.
“It’s great to see the great level of the team qualified for this year’s ASP World Junior Tour,” Huscenot said. “As every year, I think many of us can do well in Bali and I wish everyone good luck.”
Martin, a former ASP World Junior No. 3 (2008) and recent winner of the ASP European Pro Junior Series, is looking to give his best aiming at the highest possible placing on this year’s elite events for his last chance in the Under-21 division. Coming from a superb run in Europe with two event wins in three possible, and good performances on the ASP 6-Star events, Martin is considered one of the world’s best junior competitors of the moment.
With young guns Tom Cloarec (FRA) and Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) joining the leaders along with regional inform outsider Felipe Jervis who finished this year’s regional series as runner-up, Europe seems in position to face surfing’s best nations, German phenomenon Nicolaus Von Rupp (DEU) closing the list with his powerful goofyfoot assaults.
In the women’s division, France’s representatives Ado and Arnaud will once again be much expected for a big performance after respectively placing equal 3rd and 5th in 2009, following Ado’s world title in 2008.
While starting with a series of serious performances on the ASP Star Series, both Ado and Arnaud remain amongst the world’s best Under-21 female surfers and could very much create some major upsets. Freshly crowned ASP European Women’s and European Women’s Junior Champion, Ado has been on an excellent roll since the beginning of August with two equal 5th place finishers on the ASP Star Series and two ASP Pro Junior event wins. Very promising…
For all informations, news, results and images of the ASP World Junior Tour, logon to www.aspworldtour.com
ASP EUROPE’S QUALIFIERS FOR ASP WORLD JUNIOR TOUR EVENTS
1. Men’s List
Maxime Huscenot (REU), 18, reigning ASP World Junior Champion
Charles Martin (GLP), 20, reigning ASP European Junior Champion
Marc Lacomare (FRA), 18, former ASP European Junior Champion (2009)
Felipe Jervis (PRT), 20
Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR), 17
Tom Cloarec (FRA), 17
Nicolaus Von Rupp (DEU), 20
2. Women’s list
Pauline Ado (FRA), 18, former ASP Women’s World Junior Champion (2008) and reigning ASP European Women’s Junior Champion
Alizee Arnaud (FRA), 19
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