Quick recap of who’s already in, who’s nearly there and who’s needs a big result…

Let’s start with certainty:

Two months ago, ASP officials confirmed that Tim Boal had qualified for the ASP World 2009, our new European champion secured his spot on next year’s dream tour thanks to his win in Zarautz early September.

Jeremy Flores ranked 11th on the ASP world before Brazil is also certain to start his third season in the elite next year and even if he is not in need of a big result, a first career win on an ASP world event would be much welcome for the moral and Brazil seems like the ideal place to do it with the non attendance of half of the top 10!

Tiago Pires is a talented surfer and a smart cookie. He delayed his departure to Brazil for a really good reason: get the result he needed on the WQS to secure his re-qualification before Hawaii. Of course he surfed a poor heat in his first round in Brazil, probably too jet lag to show what he is capable of, but we will have the great pleasure to see the Portuguese again on the Dream Tour and you know what, I seriously doubt that at the end of his second year he will need a WQS rating!

On to who is on the good track:

Marlon Lipke with his 5th place at Carcavelos in Portugal has never been that close from being the first ever German surfer to qualify for the Dream Tour. That really good result came after a few average results that saw marlon drop dangerously in the WQS ratings, so on his home turf with strong spirits he didn’t let that last chance of qualifying before Hawaii go past!

Maybe some people will disagree with me, but Miky Picon currently 26th in the ratings has a really good chance of re-qualifying. Despite a disappointing Quiksilver Pro France, Miky’s confidence level is high and when you know the guy that means a lot…Maybe also because Miky knows that a non berth on the ASP World Tour next year could mean the end of his pro career and with his back against the wall the Frenchman is ready to do wonders in Brazil!

I can’t see Aritz Aranburu not getting the injury wild card for next year. The panel of ASP officials and surfers can’t get away from the obvious facts: talented surfer, hard working, good WQS ranking in his qualification year and four events missed this year.

Who need a big result in Hawaii?

I would have had serious doubt if it was any another European in need of a result in the two 6 Stars Prime WQS remaining. Who can beat the Top 45 and the locals in Sunset and Haleiwa? Who can keep at bay Kekoa Bacalso, Dustin Barca or Heitor Alves carrying low scores?

Michel Bourez certainly can! If Hawaii offers Hawaiian conditions, the Tahitian will be a player and he needs a quarter final to secure his spot on next year’s dream tour. Never before a European surfer deserved that much to be in the top 45!

If everything goes according to plan and wishes for the Euroforce, we could have 7 surfers on the Dream Tour next year, that’s more than Brazil and South Africa…