Sun Aug 24 2008 07:00:00

Photo: Jatyr Berasaluce (EUK) will have a great opportunity to catch up on the ratings' race when Semifinals resume as both No. 1 and 2 have been eliminated today.

ERICEIRA, Portugal (Saturday, August 23, 2008) – It was another day of exciting action at Ribeira d’Ihas, home of the ASP Grade-2 Pro junior, and some unexpected major upsets in both women and men’s divisions put things under pressure as the champion will be crowned tomorrow.

In the men’s division, both ratings’ No. 1 and No. 2 respectively Maxime Huscenot (REU) and Marc Lacomare (FRA) were eliminated from the event and men’s ratings No. 3 Medi Veminardi (REU) will have a great opportunity to catch up with the leaders when Semifinals resume tomorrow.

The big upsets of Day 3 of competition gave many of the current top surfers great motivation and confidence to keep the pressure up and it was another day with big scores and performances.

Jatyr Berasaluce (EUK) and Pierre-Valentin Laborde (FRA) were the two European favorites to shine in the three to four foot (1 to 1. 2 meter) waves on offer and both will surf in tomorrow’s showdown expecting a big result.

Laborde, who came up with the best heat result of the dau – a solid 16.84 point heat tally (out of a possible 20) – made his intentions clear and confirmed he was fit to battle for the title.

"It was a good day for me and the waves gave us some good potential to get scores," Laborde said. "I have had a couple of good results this summer but I would like to win the event. It seems like tomorrow will be smaller but I am ready to go."

Laborde, who came to Ericeira rated No. 4 on the regional race, will be looking to secure another solid result and jump back in the Top 3.

Wiggoly Dantas (BRA), current ASP WQS Top 100 surfer and recent winner in the 5-Star event in Newquay, brought some exciting progressive surfing once again and will be the favorite tomorrow. Dantas, who defeated Huscenot in the Quarterfinals, has all the potential to clinch the title after posting several of the event’s highest scores including a 9.17 point ride today.

"I am stoked my tactics paid off," Dantas said. "I waited for the better waves, remained patient and focused on my surfing and it all ended up with a good result so I am pretty confident for tomorrow."

Dantas, who entered the event a couple of days ago ater bowing out from the ASP WQS 6-Star Prime event in France, took the best out of the good conditions and now stands as the giant killer.

"The waves are so good here, it is a pleasure to have a contest on that righthand pointbreak," Dantas said. "There are such great surfers in Europe and it was a close heat. I can’t wait to surf tomorrow again."

In the women’s division, current ratings’ leader Pauline Ado was eliminated in Semifinal No. 1 leaving an open door to her closest followers Canelle Bulard (REU) and reigning ASP European Women’s Champion Lee Ann Curren (FRA) to catch up for the regional championship. Ebing the sixth event of eight on this year’s tour, the event final will crucial.

The women’s final will gather Curren, Bulard and two-event winner this season Alize Arnaud (FRA) and Justine Dupont (FRA), four French girsl confirming once again their domination on European surfing.

Arnaud, who won the last event in France, managed to get through to the final again after defeating top 5 surfer Johanne Defay (REU) in Semifinal No. 2.

“It is just great to make another final and especially here because I won one of my first Pro Junior titles in Ericeira,” Arnaud said. “It has been a close year so far and there is no one sitting ahead, we can all hope for the crown and tomorrow will be exciting.”

Arnaud, who suffered an arm injury this spring, has come back in excellent form and is a favorite at Ribeira d’Ilhas.

The ASP Grade-2 Billabong Men’s and Women’s Pro Junior will finish tomorrow.

All results, news and photos available at www.aspeurope.com. The Billabong Pro Junior is webcast LIVE.  

The BILLABONG PRO JÚNIOR is an event for Billabong. Along, Turismo de Portugal and Câmara Municipal de Mafra provide huge support.

This contest is organized by Alfarroba,with support from Von Zipper, Ericeira Surf Shop, Kustom, Nixon, Buondi, Nokia, B!, Tmn, Jeep, Sapo.pt, Pólen Surfboards, Fonte Viva, LG Computers, Konica Minolta, Ericeira Surf Club, Junta de Freguesia da Ericeira, Red Bull, Ribeira d’Ilhas Surf Camp, Vitaminas, and ASP Europe – Association of Surfing Professionals.

To help on the event’s diffusion, we count on MegaFm radio, newspaper Destak, tv channel Sport Tv, websites http://Surf.Sapo.Pt , www.Conquilha.com , and magazines FreeSurf, SurfPortugal and Bit.