DAMIEN INTO ROUND 2 IN SAQUAREMA, BRAZIL
SAQUAREMA, Rio de Janeiro / Brazil (Tuesday, May, 22, 2012) – At the 4th event on the 2012 ASP Prime calendar, 96 of the world’s best surfers battled in epic conditions to begin the Quiksilver Saquarema Prime presented by Coca-Cola. Starting off with the Trials Event at 6:30 am, the competitors encountered perfect conditions with light winds and waves in the 6-8 foot range (2-2.5 meters) at the lefthand point break of Itauna Beach, in Saquarema in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
Throughout the day, conditions improved and scores were topped off by Billy Stairmand (NZL) who received the day’s highest heat total of a 17.06 out of a possible 20 points, which included a 9.23 for the highest single wave total in the first day of competition during the Round of 96.
FOX Pro Surfer and the first ASP veteran kicking off with a win was American Damien Hobgood (USA), who won a hard-fought heat along with Bino Lopes (BRA) over J-Bay local Shaun Joubert (ZAF) and the young up and comer, Jesse Mendes (BRA).
“The conditions are really, really good and excellent to compete in,” stated Hobgood. “Without a doubt, I caught one of the best waves I’ve had this year in the world. The waves are perfect, really long lefts and things are classic. Saquarema is incredible, there’s a great area for the surfers, you can really take advantage of the wave and you just have to go out there and do your best. I’m really excited to find such good waves here in Brazil.”
With $US 250,000 in prize money to be divided among the field, each of the 96 competing surfers will be vying for the 1st place trophy, US$ 40,000 and 6,500 points towards the ASP World Ranking. Competition continues on Wednesday with the first call set for 6:30 am (local time) at Itauna Beach. Heat 18 of the Round of 96 starts off with Willian Cardoso (BRA), Mitch Crews (AUS), Aritz Aranburu (EUK) and Leandro Bastos (BRA) hitting the water.
The Saquarema Prime presented by Coca-Cola is brought together by Adding Sports and sponsored by Coca-Cola and Quiksilver, along with the support of the State of Rio de Janeiro through the Secretary of Sports and Leisure, the City of Saquarema, CCR Via Lagos, 900 Graus, the Saquarema Surfing Association and the Rio de Janeiro Surfing Federation. The Quiksilver Saquarema Prime is an ASP South America sanctioned event and the official media partners are ESPN Brasil, Fluir Magazine and the Waves/Terra website.
