Rémy Arauzo claims European Tour of Longboard title
Ben Skinner : photo Yves Sobanski
Skinner wins
back-to-back Estoril event
Ben Skinner won his second Estoril event in two years in amazing conditions, last weekend near Lisboa, Portugal. Surfing Club de Portugal organized for the second year the last (and crowning) event of the season in pumping 5 foot waves, blazed by polar offshore winds but beautiful, hollow righthanders in Praia Santa Amaro.
Skinner had been the powerful standout during all the contest and didn’t crack under pressure during the 25mn final heat, opposed to fellow countryman Adam Griffiths, and French phenomenons Antoine Delperro and Rémy « Shawn » Arauzo.
Before this last event, the E.T.L rankings were led by a paper-thin margin by Arauzo, and every one of the 7th best ranked surfers could eventually pretend to the 2008 crown. Pressure was definitely on and entering the final heats, every tactical or technical mistake could be decisive and crush all Title hope.
After the semis, only two of the qualified finalists could pretend to the title : Arauzo and Delpero. Delpero needing to win the event and avoiding Arauzo to get better than a 3rd place to claim the title, after a runner-up finish on the World Longboard Tour and a French Title this season.
But Ben Skinner, defending champion, shown no fear in this final, getting the best waves and scoring 15 points out of possible 20 in the heat, letting the two Frenchies fighting for their own title. Delpero, in second, couldn’t find the best waves and Arauzo finally secured a third place, which provided him enough points to claim his first Continental Title.
Amazing surfing level again in this last event of the season. 2008 has been a long, exhausting season for all of us, but most of all, for all the contestants, this year proved to be a giant step for European Longboarding on the world scene, with great events, rising surfing level and more and more of our continental wavedancers confirming good results on the international scene.
Next season looks really promising, with plenty of proposed events on this growing European Tour of Longboard and always motivated contestants, willing to prove to the World that their « Old Continent » is one of the best melting-pot of longboard surfing on the planet, and still improving.
On behalf of the European Surfing Federation, Congratulations to E.T.L 2008 Champion Rémy Arauzo, thanks to all the organizers, helping hands, sponsors, contestants and see you all next season !
Rico : photo Yves Sobanski