ASP World
Longboard Champs chase Noosa Crown
Phil Rajzman (BRA) is
a confirmed starter for the ASP 2Star rated US$10,000 LQS Telstra Men's Pro
at the Global Surf Industry Noosa Festival of Surfing, announcing his
intentions a few days prior to the event start date.
Rajzman who clinched the 2007 ASP World Longboard title at Anglet (FRA) back
in May 2007 has been on the Gold Coast enjoying the surf and spectacle of
the ASP Mens/Womens WCT and took up the last wildcard position available for
the Noosa event.
This now makes the Telstra Men's Pro line up the best on record!
photo of Julian Wilson competing at last years Malfunction Surf Festival
The likes of Slater slayer Julian Wilson (Coolum Beach, Qld, Aus), former
ASP World Champion Josh Constable (Peregian, Qld Aus), Grant Thomas (M'dore,
Qld Aus), Bonga Perkins (HAW), current ALC Champion Harley Ingleby (Coffs,
NSW, Aus), Jackson Close (Currumbin, Qld Aus) along with an army of
internationals and homegrown talent that could cause an upset at any time
during the contest.
While Perkins (HAW) remains the only surfer to ever win three Noosa titles,
both Constable and Thomas have two under their belts with Harley Ingleby
looking to improve on his fourth placing in 07, "To win at Noosa this year
would be amazing, all the names are here plus a really hot field who have
the skill and ability to knock anyone of the elite guys out. We all
understand that we can't control what the ocean throws our way during a heat
but that doesn't stop the friendly competitive rivalry that goes on, we will
all be giving it our best that's for sure", said Ingleby.
The ASP 2Star rated US$3,000 LQS Banana Boat Women's Pro also has the
current ASP World Longboard champion Jennifer Smith (USA) paddling into the
line up to see if she can put a holt to 2007 winner Chelsea Williams (Tweed
Heads, Qld, Aus) who is the event favourite.
Reflecting the international appeal this year are Claire Dereux (Europe),
Angela Maki (Hawaii), Juli Warisaya (Japan), Cristiana Pires (Brasil),
Kassia Meador (USA). On the domestic front NSW contender Lisa Nicholson,
Coolangatta carvers Selby and Tegan Riddle, Nava Young (NSW), Emma Wilson
(VIC), Leesa Laug (NSW) plus Noosa powerhouse and Noosa Malibu Club golden
girl, Rosie Locke.