2011 Reunion Bodyboard Pro - Sep. 30th to Oct.9th.
The Nissan Reunion Bodyboard Pro
Les Archers, Reunion Island
September 30- October 9
The stage is set for an exciting finish to the 2011 IBA Grand Slam Series with event 6, theNissan Reunion Bodyboard Pro about to launch on Friday.
The check in for the event is Thursday 29th between 2pm – 5pm at the contest site. This will be followed up with an official press conference & welcome by the city.
Current IBA World Champion Amaury Lavernhe is excited to host the contest in his homeland.
“ I am so happy right now” said the champ.
“ To have all of the worlds best riders here at my island is incredible. The forecast looks amazing and the next ten days will be mind-blowing with all the things that we have planned” he added.
It was 1998 when Brazilian Guilherme Tamega last won at this venue. He charged 10 feet gaping barrels to clinch the title and 13 years later is back as one of the main contenders for this year’s championship.
The run home towards the 2011 GSS Title is wide open after frontrunner Jeff Hubbard(Hawaii) was eliminated at the previous event in Portugal by young gun Jones Russell (Aust) in the earlier rounds.
Amaury Lavernhe (Reunion) and Guilherme Tamega (Brazil) are still in serious striking distance for a shot at a world title and there are several other riders also closing in on these leaders.
The South African duo of Mark McCarthy and Jared Houston are two serious threats that both know these waters well. Whilst McCarthy has graced the winner’s dais numerous times in his stellar career, it’s the younger of the two Houston, who is desperate for his first breakthrough win on the GSS tour.
This event is also very important for the bottom 8 riders in the Top 24 who need a good result to secure a spot on the 2012 GSS Series.
Lingering dangerously in this area is former two-time World Champion Damian King (Aust)
He has been training harder then ever leading into the event and wants to prove to himself and the world that he still has the skills to mix it with the worlds best.
“ It’s been a tricky year for me” said Kingy
“ My boards are great, I am fit and feel like I am surfing as good as ever but I have just been unlucky. I don’t know why but the chips just haven’t fallen my way in a lot of close heats” he added.
“ Maybe I just need to loosen up and enjoy the moment more as this new format can be pretty stressful, who knows. Lets hope it pumps so I can use my experience in good waves” he closed.
Also up for grabs is the 2000 GQS points for the qualifiers looking to get a spot on the dream tour for next year.
IBA World Tour manager Terry McKenna explains.
“ There are only 8 spots available for the 2012 GSS Series as the Top 16 at the end of the year stay on” he said
“ With the first rate media and amazing conditions so far this season, the fight for those positions (17-24) is really tough”
The trials for the event will offer 9 places into the main event.
Also there are 5 wildcards being offered so a lot of fresh faces will debut here in Reunion.
Competition will begin on Friday 30th September with the main event window going from October 2-9
The event will be web-cast at www.ibaworldtour.com/live and www.redbull.com
For regular updates go to the IBA facebook page where you can win World Tour paraphernalia just for joining www.facebook.com/ibaworldtour
When the contest is off, fans can have fun playing the wave of the event on YouRiding BODYBOARDING online game
The link to the game is www.youriding.com/bodyboarding.
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