Portugal’s Ribeiro and Morais Control Day 2 of Islas Canarias Santa Pro Junior
La Cicer, Gran Canaria -- Day two of competition saw the start of event top seeds, ratings’ favourites and rising athletes delivering an exceptional show of surf in consistent three foot (one meter) waves at the main event venue of La Cicer.
Second-to-last event on this year’s ASP European Junior tour, the Islas Canarias Santa Surf Pro Junior witnessed a rise in pressure, all top seeds having in mind the importance of getting their campaign underway well starting with a win or a second place finish in their respective heats of Round 2.
Losing no time to show his peers he was definitely a contender for the title here in Gran Canaria was Portugal’s “next big thing” Vasco Ribeiro (Cascais, PRT), 16, the current regional ratings’ No. 15 netting the event’s second best heat score including an impressive 8.00 point ride.
“I felt pretty good today for my first heat in the event and was able to let go the pressure,” Ribeiro said. “The waves are a bit tricky but there are definitely some better sets and I am glad I managed to find that one with good potential.”
Ribeiro, who rushed to the front stage of European surfing last year along with fellow countryman and today’s other front runner Morais, confirmed once again he was soon to become one of the major threats of France’s recent domination.
“I am definitely thinking more about the ratings now because this event and the final one next week are crucial,” Ribeiro said. “My main goal is to finish inside the regional Top 4 and get to surf on the ASP World Junior Tour events of Bali and Narabeen. I am taking it heat after heat though and feeling well.”
Pushing Portugal’s domination further atop was last year Islas Canarias Santa Pro Junior runner-up Frederico Morais (Ericeira, PRT), 18, the natural-foot athlete throwing the fins out of each of his top-turns to easily win his battle and advance through to the final thirty-two pack.
“It is pretty similar to last year’s beach where I got that great result so I am really excited to compete in these fast-breaking peaky waves,” Morais said. “I am enjoyinh my time here and of course looking to do well but it’s still a long way to go. As any other event I go to, winning is a goal.”
Morais, who is considered one of Portugal’s best hopes towards a spot in the ASP Elite Top 32 in the upcoming years, will meet with other inform man of the event William Aliotti (Saint Martin, Caribbean, FRA) in Round 3.
“Things have changed this year on tour since guys like Marc (Lacomare) and Joan (Duru) have gone onto the ASP Star and Prime Series,” Morais said. “But things remain pretty tough and the level is high. If you look at the ratings’ current Top 15, anyone can climb into the Top 4 from now on.”
While Portugal’s representatives were clearly taking control of proceedings, France and Euskadi’s (Basque Country) soldiers were not far behind to score big and unleash their most progressive maneuvers to convince the ASP judging panel. Current ratings’ No.2 Tom Cloarec (Hossegor, FRA), Borja Agote (San Sebastian, EUK) and Germany’s lone rider Nico Von Rupp (Praia Grande, DEU) were among those securing their Round 3 ticket.
Tomorrow’s action features eight 4-man heats before the ASP Grade-2 Islas Canarias Santa Pro Junior enters it business end with its final sixteen athletes and the format to change to one-to-one match-ups from the Quarterfinals.
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