WORLD JUNIOR PRO FINALS!!
Brasil and Hawaii win World Junior Titles!!
Caio Ibelli (BRA) and Leila Hurst (HAW) have been crowned Junior World Title Champions after a nail-biting day of top class surfing from all competitors.
Wade Carmichael (AUS) and Alessa Quizon (HAW) were also winners taking out the 3rd and final event of the ASP Junior World Championships.
The days events saw more than a few upsets – Jack Freestone (AUS) and Ian Gouveia (BRA) were shock eliminations after impressive surfing throughout the competition. Garret Parkes (AUS) was outsurfed in the quarterfinals by Felipe Toledo (BRA) who pulled off a some huge air reverses. Felipe did not win his semi-finals heat, however against Nathan Carvalho (HAW), which resulted in a “surf-off” for the Junior World Title, between Garret Parkes (AUS) and Caio Ibelli (BRA).
Ibelli had a couple of low scoring waves to start, with failed attempts at some big manoevures and Parkes had the lead. But as Ibelli pulled off a massive air reverse and impressive carves to clinch a 8.67 (out of a possible 10) score, Parkes trailed – in the final minute Parkes caught a wave and also took to the skies with a clean air reverse, but it was not enough to secure a win.
Caio Ibelli now holds the World Junior Title and was “so happy and excited” to have won. Garret Parkes, local Byron boy, was very disappointed at the loss after putting in a lot of hard work but never the less is now ranked 2nd in the world and a qualifying hope for the ASP World Tour.
The World Junior Championship – Gold Coast, was down to the wire between Wade Carmichael (AUS) and Nathan Carvalho (HAW) and had the crowd pumped. As the clock counted down with Carvalho in the lead, Carmichael took off on his second (and final wave) and went all out, managing to pull off a massive fins-free turn which saw him win the event.
Leila Hurst was on the edge of her seat watching the quarter / semi finals, but took the World Junior Title when Joanne Defray (FRA) and Phillipa Anderson (AUS) were eliminated.
Some great surfing from all the girls today, Alessa Quizon (HAW) vertically snapped her way to the top, winning the World Championships, Gold Coast, after defeating Phillipa Anderson (AUS).
Rain was held at bay, as the winners were presented with their awards before a cheering crowd – winding up the World Junior Title Event and they will all look forward to the coming year of bigger and better surfing – taking them closer to their dreams of conquering the surfing world!
