Photo: Yann Martin (GLP) posted the highest heat score of Round 3 today in the good three foot (one meter) waves at Sopelana

SOPELANA, Basque Country (Friday, August 1, 2008)- Day 2 of the Island Style Pro Junior saw the French contingent strike hard today and see almost all of its representatives secure a birth into tomorrow’s top seeded surfers’ round. Both men and women divisions ran today and the event will move to the weekend with all current top regional surfers getting their start when competition resumes.

In the women’s division, the ASP Grade-1 Women’s Nikita Pro Junior, ten French athletes managed to advance through to the quarterfinals led by 2007 ASP European Junior No. 4 Alizee Arnaud (FRA). With crucial ratings’ points to be taken at Sopelana, favorites are chasing a qualification for the ASP World Junior Championships (WJC) where the regional top 2 will have a spot.

Alizée Arnaud (FRA), 18, was one of today's standouts when she posted an excellent 16.60 point heat tally (out of a possible 20), the best heat score of the day, including an impressive 9.33 point ride (out of a possible 10).

"I am stoked to advanced through to the Quarterfinals", Arnaud said. "I had a shocker in the Roxy Pro Junior in Biarritz two weeks ago and I was looking to gain confidence back. With this big score today, I feel relaxed for the next heat."

Arnaud, currently rated No. 23 on the ASP European Women’s Junior ratings, is focused on a second consecutive ASP WJC qualification at Narabeen where she placed equal 5th last year.

"I definitely want to win this event", Arnaud said. " I was injured and this is only my second ASP Pro Junior this year. Now, I aim at jumping into the Top 3 to get a spot for Narabeen."

Arnaud will paddle out tomorrow in Heat 3 against Leticia Canales (EUK), Idoia Meabe (EUK) and Merril Delanne (FRA).

The upset of the day came with the elimination in Round 2 of current ASP European Women’s Junior leader Canelle Bulard (REU) by outsiders Ana Saramento (PRT) and Laetitia Canales (EUK).

"It is a bummer", Bulard said. " I am very disappointed because I could not get any good scoring potential waves. I was not able to really show my best surfing."

Meanwhile, in the ASP Grade-2 Island Style Pro Junior, 32 surfers advanced through to Round 4 joining all "big names" who are expected to start firing tomorrow. French led the show with Yann Martin (GLP) securing the highest result of the day.

Martin, who has had a good run on this year’s tour, put on a strong performance in Round 3 ending up with an excellent 15.16 point heat tally (out of a possible 20), the best performance of the day in the men’s division.

"I was under pressure because it was my first heat", Martin said. "Fortunately I found two good waves right at the beginning and from that moment I was confident enough to win."

Martin, who is ranked No. 13 on the ASP European Junior ratings, has made it twice to the Quarterfinals in four events this year and will be a serious competitor against top seeded surfers.

Basque surfers were still some of the noticable performers in their home waters of Sopelana and rising talented competitors managed to secure Round 4 tickets. Igor Muniain (EUK), who made it to Round 4 in the previous event at San Sebastian, was one of those advancing today with a second place finish to France’s Geosselin Poulou (FRA).

Mario Azurza (EUK), an experienced ASP Junior competitor and top Basque surfers, managed as well to advance in front of a supporting crowd and is already looking forward to getting things going in tomorrow’ Round 4.

"This year we have two events in the Basque Country and it is something great", Azurza said. "The waves picked up a little today and I believe the weekend will be great. Hope I can keep going in the event and why not reach Quarterfinals, or better."

All competitors will meet tomorrow at 8 AM (GMT+2) to check the conditions. The event willl resume with Women's quarterfinals, followed by Men's Rounds 4 and 5, and Women's semifinals.

UPCOMING WOMEN'S QUARTERFINALS

Heat 1: Johanne Defay (FRA), Maud Lecar (FRA), Garazy Sanchez (EUK), Loiola Canales (EUK)
Heat 2: Joanna Giansanti (FRA), Fanny Brice (FRA), Lea Mengual (FRA), Lore Eizaguirre (EUK)
Heat 3: Alizée Arnaud (FRA), Leticia Canales (EUK), Idoia Meabe (EUK), Merril Delanne (FRA)
Heat 4: Ana Saramento (PRT), Anne Peres (FRA), Camille Davila (FRA), Ravi Bailleux (FRA)