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NEWS > SURF
Mon Aug 18 2008 08:45:00
HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Sunday, August 17, 2008) – Nathaniel Curran (Oxnard, CA), 24, continues to extend his Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings lead through the European leg after his victory over Dion Atkinson (Seaford, AUS) this week at the ASP WQS 6-Star Sooruz Lacanau Pro held in Lacanau, France. The win by Curran brings the event title back to the family after older brother Timmy Curran (Oxnard, CA) won the event nine years ago.
The California standout led the charge for North American competitors alongside Mike Losness (San Clemente, CA), 27, as the only two North American surfers to crack the Quarterfinals in the event. The Sooruz Lacanau pro is one of a series of ASP WQS 5-Star and 6-Star events held in Europe that play a significant role in many ASP WQS campaigners’ chances towards qualification for the ASP World Tour.
Curran tacked on 2500 points towards his cause for qualification towards the 2009 ASP Dream Tour, continuing his hot streak against some of the globe’s finest up-and-coming surfers, proving why the young Californian is No. 1 on the ASP WQS. The west coaster bested an international field of talent including Honda U.S. Open Finalist Tim Boal (Hossegor, FRA), former ASP World Champion Sunny Garcia (Waianae, HI), former ASP World Tour campaigner Shaun Cansdell (Emerald Beach, AUS), current ASP World Tour No. 27 Tiago Pires (Alcantara, PRT) and fellow American Mike Losness before defeating Atkinson in the Final.
"I remember that look on the face of my brother when he won the event and I cannot believe I made it", Curran said. "I have been having a few good results in a row but I am trying not to pay any attention to the ratings and take it one heat at a time."
The natural-footer began his charge for the ratings lead with back-to-back results beginning in Brazil and has not finished worse than 9th place since his ratings lead run. Curran’s impressive list of results include a 3rd place at the Billabong Eco Surf Festival in Bahia, Brazil, an equal 9th place at the Local Motion Guaruja Pro, an equal 9th at the Mr. Price Pro held in Durban, South Africa, A victory at the U.S. Open and an equal 5th place finish at the Billabong Pro Tahara in Aichi, Japan before his win this week in France.
"I have been surfing that same board since Huntington and I am just feeling good," Curran said. "I am overwhelmed at the moment and just going to enjoy and keep having fun in my heats. If I can make the ASP World Tour this year I will be just over the moon. You get the best waves on that tour and that’s what I am thinking about, but it is a long way still."
Losness matched his career best result with an equal 3rd place finish at the Sorruz Lacanau Pro this past week, tying his equal 3rd place finish at the Honda U.S. Open in 2006. The stylish goofy-footer defeated ASP WQS No. 27 Joel Centeio (Haleiwa, HI), ASP World Tour No. 38 Leonardo Neves (Saquarema, BRA) and Michel Bourez (PYF) on his way to the Semifinals.
“Its the best showing I’ve had in France,” Losness said. “I normally don't do to well over here and I actually have not competed in the comps in France in a few years. France is a really fun place to come to you. The waves are always pretty fun and the events are in good locations.”
Losness’ ASP WQS 6-Star Final debut was stopped short in his Semifinals heat against eventual event winner Curran.
"I am happy for Nathaniel and we had a great heat together", Losness said. "It is not like we struggled, it all came down to the best surfing, we both got the waves we wanted and it went his way."
The standout performance by Losness in Lacanau significantly helps his cause on the ASP WQS, boosting him from No. 73 to No. 46 overall. The west coast prodigy will have the chance to work towards his quest for ASP World Tour qualification in 2009 with the remainder of the season containing multiple ASP 5-Star and 6-Star events offering valuable ratings points towards qualification for the ASP World Tour.
“I'm hoping to qualify for the World Tour, or at least be in the top 50 in the ratings by the years end,” Losness said. "I am not thinking of any results, points or guys I surf against and I am already focused on my heat tomorrow in Hossegor and it is the most important thing from now on. I will be relaxed and take it heat by heat."
Other top North American WQS campaigners Dane Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), Nathan Yeomans (San Clemente, CA) and Austin Ware (Solana Beach, CA) were unable to advance through Round 4, all finishing with equal 37th place finishes, while Gabe Kling (St. Augustine, FL) was also eliminated in Round 4, finishing in equal 25th.
Patrick Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA) slipped two spots from No. 5 to No. 7 on the ASP WQS ratings when he was eliminated in Round 3, while Brett Simpson (Huntington Beach, CA) suffered the same fate, losing in Round 3 as well, bumping him from No. 12 to No. 17 overall.
North American surfers will continue their respective campaigns towards qualification of the 2009 ASP World Tour next week with The ASP WQS 6-Star PRIME Rip Curl Pro held in Hossegor, France from August 18-24, 2008.
For other ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com or www.aspnorthamerica.org
ASP WQS Top 10
1. Nathaniel Curran (USA) 2. Chris Davidson (AUS) 3. David Weare (ZAF) 4. Pedro Henrique (BRA) 5. Yadin Nicol (AUS) 6. Greg Emslie (ZAF) 7. Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 8. Pablo Paulino (BRA) 9. Drew Courtney (AUS) 10. Hizunome Bettero (BRA)
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