May 20, 2009: – - Etapa Itajai, Brazil — The Oakley Pro Junior Brazil is locked, loaded and ready for lift-off as the hottest surfing talent in South America secured their places in the main round yesterday. The fourth stop on the Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge, yesterday’s action saw trialists from South and Central America battling it out for a place in the prestigious event.
And if yesterday is anything to go by, the Oakley Pro Junior Brazil will be of the highest order, as scores soared and competitors flared at Etapa Itajai. Led by the performances of Marcos Fernandes, Yan Guimaraes and Jesse Mendes, the action was electric as 32 places were awarded.
Taking apart the picturesque left hand beach-break, Fernandez was in rare form, making it known to all that he means business this week at Etapa Itajai. Joining Fernandez in the main draw will be Thiago Guimaraes who also revelled in the one-metre conditions alongside Gustavo Sanches, Gabriel Medina, Krystian Kymerson and Yuri Goncalves, who all impressed the judges and crowd at every opportunity.
The reward for today’s excellent performances – facing the likes of Thiago Camarao, Peterson Crisanto, Miguel Pupo, Franklin Serpa and Jadson Andre in the main event.
“I’m so excited about this week,” Andre said with anticipation. “It’s good to relax today, but this week is going to be a tough event.” With the chance ABRASP (Brazilian Champion) / ASP South America and a total prize purse of R$40,000 – (US $22,000), there is plenty at stake, something which Andre is looking forward to.
“I had never competed in a Pro-Junior event until this year in Australia, so I’m stoked to be surfing this event in my home country with best friends,” he added. Andre, who recently turned 19, has been on a tear in 2009 finishing second at ASP Billabong World Junior, second at Oakley Australasian qualifier at North Stradbroke and a run of excellent results on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS).
“I have been stoked with how I have performed so far this year,” he admitted humbly. “I’ve already qualified for the Global Challenge in Bali, but I still want to win this event.” The Oakley Pro Junior Brazil begins tomorrow with five exciting days of competition set to come.
For more information regarding the Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge be sure to log onto oakleyprojunior.com.
