SAN JUAN, Lanzarote (Friday, November 6, 2009) – Joan Duru (Ondres, FRA), 20, has won the 2009 ASP European WQS title at Lanzarote after closest follower and only title contender Gony Zubizarreta (Vigo, ESP) was eliminated from the Islas Canarias Santa Pro on Lanzarote island in spectacular surf conditions of the Quarterfinals.
Joan Duru, despite an equal 25th place that did not make the Frenchman better his overall regional ratings’ points total, claims his maiden regional title after an exceptional year of performances and results that puts him in position to qualify for next year’s ASP World Tour at this stage.
“It’s great to get the title after such a year,” Duru said. “I am super happy to add it to my career and hopefully things keep going the same way until the end of the year for me.”
Duru’s domination looked obvious from the beginning of the year, the Ondres resident and talented tube-rider displaying his stylish powerful forehand and backhand assaults at all events this year, including the coveted prestigious ASP WQS 6-Star Prime O’Neill Cold Water Classic (CWC) Scotland by Swatch where he was to make the Semifinals and nab an equal 3rd place finish.
Duru, who opened his spectacular season with a win at the ASP WQS 4-Star Protest Vendee Pro in April, peaked with his career best win in the ASP WQS 6-Star Sooruz Lacanau Pro becoming the second French ever to win a major event in France, twenty-seven years after Thierry Fernandez (Lacanau, FRA).
“It was amazing to win that event in front of the French crowds and with all my family and friends around,” Duru said. “It was a great moment for me and it was really special out there.”
Considered a world class surfer by many, Joan Duru not only made big impressions at all events in Europe but managed to secure a series of solid results that have rocket him to a promising No. 9 rank on the current ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings.
Along with his year’s best performances on the ASP European WQS tour, Duru managed to remain in the leading contingent at many of this summer’s biggest events including the ASP WQS 5-Star events of Newquay (Relentless Boardmasters) and Pantin (Movistar Ferrloterra Pantin Classic).
At 20 years of age only, the former ASP European Junior champion (2006) has been following the footsteps of European leading surfers Jeremy Flores (FRA) and Michael Picon (FRA) amongst others, the goofyfooter building a custom-made mix of explosive progressive maneuvers and massive powerhouse turns.
With two major events coming-up on the world famous North Shore of Oahu in the Hawaiian archipelago, Joan Duru will head next to Haleiwa and Sunset where he will try and seal the deal for next year’s ASP World Tour, his dream.
Since the ASP European WQS Tour ratings include all events sanctioned by ASP Europe from 1-Star to 6-Star Prime, every tour winner has been a qualifier for the Elite ASP Top 45 at the end of each season. Joan Duru is on his way…
2009 ASP EUROPEAN WQS BEST RESULTS
1st, ASP WQS 4-Star Protest Vendee Pro
9th, ASP WQS 6-Star Estoril Quiksilver Pro
3rd, ASP WQS 6-Star Prime O’Neill CWC Scotland by Swatch
5th, ASP WQS 5-Star Relentless Boardmasters
1st, ASP WQS 6-Star Sooruz Lacanau Pro
5th, ASP WQS 5-Star Movistar Ferrolterra Pantin Classic
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