Skinner Leads Opening Day at Goanna Pro Tapia

[Photo credit: Aquashot/aspeurope.com] Ben Skinner Goanna Pro Tapia

TAPIA DE CASARIEGO - Spain (Thursday, April 1, 2010) - The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) Goanna Pro Tapia completed round one of both men and womens competition with event title holder Ben Skinner (GBR) showing his opponents that he is out to make it two in-a-row. Current ASP World Longboard Tour (WLT) nº3 Antoine Delpero (FRA) also displayed that he means business with a solid performance in his 30-minute clash.

Clean 4-6ft (1-1.5m) waves were on offer at the main beach at Tapia throughout the day with a noticeable increase in size for the last heats of the days.

Defending title holder Ben Skinner (GBR) was the standout surfer in round one with the single highest score of 8.67 out of a possible 10 in a convincing heat win which was never in doubt. With the strong cross-shore winds Skinner was not quite sure how he was placed during the heat.

"I couldn't really hear what was going on out there with all the wind but I am really happy with the result. It's a good start, the first heat is always a bit tough with nerves but I am pleased to get that first one out of the way. I will just take it from here". Skinner continued. "It's a good start and I definitely would like to make it two in-a-row. Everyone is here to win so I want it as bad as anyone and I am going to fight for it."
 

Skinner will have to be on guard to fend off the challenge of Antoine Delpero (FRA) who today got into full swing in the opening heat of the day with a combined two wave total of 15.33 out of a possible 20. Despite the difficult conditions Delpero used his first heat as a base to work from in his attempt to claim the title of champion at the Goanna Pro Tapia 2010.

"It's pretty hard out there at the moment but there are a couple of waves to get and it was fun. It's my first competition of the season and it is good to use as a warm up in the first round. And tomorrow quarter finals I am going to sleep early tonight and be ready for it."
 

Round one of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) Womens Goanna Pro Tapia 2010 was full of action as the girls hit the water to take on the trying conditions.

Defending champion Candice O'Donnell (GBR) with a 4.73 two wave heat total was eliminated by Claire Dereux (FRA) 9.50 and Emma Neuschwanger (REU) 8.33 respectively. O'Donnell had trouble finding the scoring ride she needed and bows out of competition much earlier than many expected.

Estitxu Estremo (ESP) the last remaining Spanish competitor in the event managed to scrape home in the dying moments of her heat. A relieved Estremo was satisfied with the result and feels there is room for lots of improvement in her performance.

"I'm pleased to get through that heat because I was totally lost out there. I tried to catch some of the smaller waves that I saw the guys getting earlier but when I got out there it was so much more difficult."
"There is a lot of talent here this year," continued Estremo on her chances of advancing further in the event. "I think I will need a bit of luck tomorrow and get into the right position to catch the waves. Longboarding I prefer smaller conditions but with the prediction tomorrow for the swell to increase I will just have to get out there and do my best."

The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) the 1-Star Goanna Pro Tapia 2010 will continue tomorrow morning 11:00 (local time) with mens quarter finals.

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Upcoming Quarter Finals Goanna Pro Tapia

Heat 1: Antoine Delpero (FRA) Vs Lucien Le Ray (FRA)
Heat 2: Sam Bleakley (GBR) Vs Ben Skinner (GBR)
Heat 3: Remi Arauzo (FRA) Vs Antoine Delpero (FRA)
Heat 4: James Parry (GBR) Vs Adam Griffiths (GBR)

Upcoming Semi Finals Womens Goanna Pro Tapia

Heat 1: Ophélie Ah-Kouen (FRA) Vs Emma Neuschwanger (REU)
Heat 2: Claire Dereux (FRA) Vs Estixu Estremo (ESP)

Results Round One Goanna Pro Tapia

Heat 1: Antoine Delpero (FRA) 15.33, Sam Bleakley (GBR) 11.84, Aurélien Meynieux (REU) 11.30, Juan Valverde (ESP) 5.10
Heat 2: Ben Skinner (GBR) 16.50, Lucien Le Ray (FRA) 9.50, Clément Le Ray (FRA) 8.10
Heat 3: Remi Arauzo (FRA) 14.17, James Parry (GBR) 8.40, Joe Davies (GBR) 6.80, Ricardo Palomeque (ESP) 5.10
Heat 4: Adam Griffiths (GBR) 12.37, Antoine Delpero (FRA) 12.33, Elliot Dudley (GBR) 11.43

Results Round One Womens Goanna Pro Tapia

Heat 1: Ophélie Ah-Kouen (FRA) 9.16, Estitxu Estremo (ESP) 7.80, Grace Davies (GBR) 6.67
Heat 2: Claire Dereux (FRA) 9.50, Emma Neuschwanger (REU) 8.33, Marine Ah-Kouen (FRA) 7.17, Candice O'Donnell (GBR) 4.73.