Mitch Coleborn Wins the Oakley Pro Junior Title at Lacanau
LACANAU, France (August 13, 2006) – The last day of the Oakley Junior Pro started at 8.30 AM this morning in very clean conditions, with the sun spreading its beautiful light from the East. Some 2/3 ft glassy hollow sections were the first opportunities of the day for our last 32 surfers of the event, and the show went on fast as Alex Grey (Usa) opened the heat with a 7+ score to show his opponents he could go really far. The water has gone really cold but the waves are better than the two last days. Ill just take it one after the other and keep on surfing this way, as its been working out for me so far, said Alex.The heats kept on offering an impressive level through the round of 32, huge clashes happening at the outside and lots of struggle that unfortunately ended with some interference calls. One of the best europeans Joan Duru (Fra) was penalized and had to forget about his intentions, despite his talent and style. Pablo Paulino and Hizunome Bettero made Brazil proud after qualifying in style, leaving most of the kids watching stoked by their technical skills. From aerials to classic roundhouse cutbacks, the surfers taught the whole repertoire of surfing to the crowd, using variety and flow to combine their moves.
In between the international domination, the europeans paid hard their little mistakes and most of our favourites left the contest early. The good surprise came from 16 year old Charlie Martin (Glp), who just led his heat with style and an amazing power. From the paddle to the re-entries, the promissing young man managed to beat one of WCT pretenders Ben Dunn (Aus), to advance to the quarterfinals. Im stoked, I felt good out there and the waves came just towards me. Id like to go to the end but the level is tough, so tough… Anyway, quarterfinalist is already convincing, said the dynamic surfer after his shower.
The quarterfinals started under grey clouds and rain but in still good quality waves. After two days of good surfing, Alex Grey (Usa) did not manage to repeat his morning result and left the event with $175, and a smile as he will be doing the WQS event and as much pro juniors as possible. Some huge upsets happened during the four heats, and even the favourites had to struggle to advance to the semifinals. After reaching the final here last year, Hank Gaskell (Haw) couldnt find his way out of the quarters and had to accept his loss after nice event though; Im okay with the result even Ive been doing good here last years. It cant happen all the time but I definitely did want to get first place. Anyway, Ill focus on the WQS now and let the others fight for the title, said Hank after his loss. The big upset came from Matt Wilkinsons elimination, the australian failing before the semis against a surprising Adrien Toyon (Reu) who grabbed the second ticket in the dying seconds.
Semifinal #1 opened the finish of the Oakley Junior Pro, at 3.45 PM. Facing three experienced internationals, 16 year old Adrien Toyon (Reu) had nothing to lose and tried his best to grab a qualification. During the first half of the heat, Pablo Paulino (Bra) and Mitchell Coleborn (Aus) led the battle until Adrien just ripped the faces with an amazing style. Rewarded with an 8 pointer, the guys all struggled until the last seconds but had to leave him reach the final for the first time of his junior career. WCT pretender Ben Dunn (Aus) followed in the water against the great surprise of the event, wild card and oakley team rider Yassine Ramdaini (Mar). Actual European leader Jean Sebastien Estienne (Glp) didnt lose time to answer the others and pushed hard his fins in the air to grab second place and secure a spot in his third final in three pro junior since the beginning of the european leg.
The 25 minute decider started at 5 PM, under sunny skies but still strong north wind. After reaching the final last year, Ben Dunn looked comfortable against Jean Sébastien Estienne (Glp) and Adrien Toyon (Reu), until Mitch Coleborn (Aus) destroyed a righthander to put a 9 pointer under his belt and leave the others needing a combination of scores to catch up with him. The incoming tide made the line up a bit cleaner and offered some good connecting section on the righthanders breaking just in front of the main site. The conditions were pretty tough for our final four members and situation remained the same for ten minutes, hundreds of spectators enjoying the show unti the last seconds. As five minutes were remaining, Mitch Coleborn kept on pushing his lead further, taking as much waves as possible to avoid any late comeback from his opponents. Despite his huge efforts to stick back to first place, Ben Dunn (Aus) had to accept a second place for the second year in a row. The two europeans got 3rd and 4th, Jean Sebastien Estienne securing a comfortable lead on the EPSA 2006 ratings.
Pretty stoked to grab this one! Its my second win in a pro junior event and after getting fifth on the Australian ratings with some good results, I am very happy to get this result here,started the Oakley Junior Pro winner. Im in the WQS now so ill try to repeat this good result from tomorrow, finished Mitch Coleborn (Aus).