TRIGG POINT, Western Australia (Sunday, May 31, 2009) – Owen Wright (Lennox Head, NSW) today claimed his fourth consecutive ASP Australasia Pro Junior victory today, with a convincing win at the ASP Grade-4 Chill Pro Junior at Trigg Point, Western Australia. The $6000 winner’s cheque means that Wright has now won more prize money than any other surfer in the history of the ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series.
At just 19 years of age, Wright now sits clearly on top of the ASP Australasia Pro Junior ratings, as well as holding down the No. 3 spot on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings.
The best surf of the event was saved for the Finals, where clean two feet waves allowed for some true high performance surfing, with all finalists stepping up to the challenge.
Wright’s scores in the 30 minute Final against Noah Lane (Rainbow Beach, QLD) reflect his total dominance of the three day event. He locked in a 9.50 ride in the opening minutes which set him up for the rest of the Final. He went on to score a back up 8.90 to finish with a combined total of 18.40 from a possible 20, the highest total for the entire event.
Wright’s razor sharp forehand attack was perfectly suited to the long lefthanders on offer, with his smooth style and trademark aerial manoeuvrers causing an eruption of applause from the crowds at Trigg Point. Wright was pushed by a determined Lane who persisted with a counter-attack and scored a combined total of 16.50 from a possible 20.
“I was stoked with the waves we had in the final,” Wright said. “We couldn’t have asked for much more. I was a bit worried that the surf was going to be small, especially after three weeks of pumping waves in Bali, but it turned out to be a great Final.”
In the women’s event, local girl Felicity Palmateer (Hillarys, WA) caused an upset to claim her first ASP Pro Junior win. Palmateer defeated event favourite Laura Enever (Narrabeen, NSW) in the Semifinals and carried the momentum with her into the finals, where she defeated Angela Keighran (Mullaway, NSW). Palmateer nearly doubled the score of her rival in the finals, racking up a combined score of 14.25 out of a possible 20, Keighran didn’t look as comfortable at Palmateer’s home break, scoring a combined total of only 7.75.
After the great success of the 2009 Chill Pro Junior at Trigg Point, major sponsor Brownes Chill have solidified their commitment to junior surfing in WA, supporting a range of events over the course of the next two years.
Surfing WA Event Manager Justin Majeks said, “It’s great to have Chill on board for a long-term partnership, the brand is a great fit with surfing and their support is much appreciated. It’s important for WA to have an ASP sanctioned Pro Junior event and we’re all looking forward to an even bigger and better Chill Pro Junior in 2010.”
For all results and news from the weekend check out www.chillprojunior.com
