The Pantin Junior Pro by Gadis threw out a dramatic day of action as Europe inched ever closer to crowning two new Junior Champions.
Tension-filled heats saw European Junior title hopes get bashed only to resurface as men's frontrunners Marco Mignot and Justin Becret advanced ahead of outsiders Mathis Crozon and Lenni Jensen.
Early in the day it looked like the late-entry Brazilians would topple contenders Mignot and Becret as both French surfers finished their Round 3 heats behind the green and yellow flag wavers.
Becret placed second to an on-fireVitor Ferreira while Mignot advanced in the shadow of Mateus Herdy.
Mateus Herdy (BRA) - WSL / Guillaume Arrieta
But revenge came to the French duo in Men's Round 4 with Mignot nailing the highest heat total of the event up to that point, a 17.00.
"I started the heat with an eight and it felt really good because the last two heats I didn't do really well," said the snappy regular foot. "I got that wave and thought there was only one section for an air so I sent it. In my mind it was not a nine but the score popped up and I was so stoked."
Number two ranked Justin Becret won a very tense Round 4 affair that wasn't decided until the dying seconds. Becret sat in third position with one 7.00 and no back up. Needing a .0.63 to overcome Sam Piter, Becret took a foamy closeout with under a minute only to watch Piter follow with a better score. Becret miraculously found an inside left and whacked it to the beach to get a 3.3 and the heat win.
Justin Becret (FRA) - Round 3 - Heat 5 - WSL / Guillaume Arrieta
"I waited for a bomb because I saw a lot of good waves in the previous heats," said Justin. "Then it turned off and I was there needing a 0.8 in the last minute and everyone caught a wave and I got that 3.3 on the inside. I saw Sam's wave and knew I had to better my 1.67."
Lenni Jensen and Mathis Crozon bowed out of title contention today unable to chase Mignot and Becret's growing point lead.
"I don't have any plans for this event now," said Crozon. "I just enjoy every moment heat by heat and do what I know and do it each heat. I want to enjoy it. It's only competition. And, you know, enjoy the life."
Gaizka Housset Ezponda (FRA) scoring a 7pts durind Round 3 Heat 4 - WSL / Guillaume Arrieta
In the women's event the early rounds saw title runners Anat Lelior and Melania Diaz fall while Nadia Erostarbe advanced along with Neis Lartigue.
Looking invincible in her Round 2 heat Israeli surfer Lelior threw in a wicked forehand snap on a left that saw her through the heat just behind Amuro Tsuzuki
Anat Lelior (ISR) - Round 2 - Heat 5 - WSL / Guillaume Arrieta
As the day came to a close Anat bowed out in a dramatic Round 3 heat that saw Gabriela Bryan rock a 9.33 on one of the best waves of the heat in this, her first ever European Junior event.
"I had priority at the right time and a perfect right peak came at the right time," said Gabriela. "I had an oncoming section and it bowled up and then I had another good section and gave those two turns all I had. It turned out to be a great wave."
The title races are tight, with the below point totals going into Sunday's finals:
Nadia Erostarbe (ESP) 2730
Nies Lartigue (FRA) 1980
Marco Mignot (FRA) 2980
Justin Becret (FRA) 2760
This is the first year of the Pantin Junior Pro by Gadis which precedes the Men's Pantin Classic Galicia Pro and Women's Pantin Classic Galicia Pro. Both are huge QS affairs worth 3,000 and 6,000 points respectively. Good for the juniors as they get to benefit fully from the amenities and ambiance of a major-league contest site complete with lux competitors area, lounge and festival atmosphere.
Check out all photos, videos, results and LIVE webcast right here.
Title contenders fire up the drama on the penultimate day of the Pantin Junior Pro
WSL
The Pantin Junior Pro by Gadis threw out a dramatic day of action as Europe inched ever closer to crowning two new Junior Champions.
Tension-filled heats saw European Junior title hopes get bashed only to resurface as men's frontrunners Marco Mignot and Justin Becret advanced ahead of outsiders Mathis Crozon and Lenni Jensen.
Early in the day it looked like the late-entry Brazilians would topple contenders Mignot and Becret as both French surfers finished their Round 3 heats behind the green and yellow flag wavers.
Becret placed second to an on-fireVitor Ferreira while Mignot advanced in the shadow of Mateus Herdy.
But revenge came to the French duo in Men's Round 4 with Mignot nailing the highest heat total of the event up to that point, a 17.00.
"I started the heat with an eight and it felt really good because the last two heats I didn't do really well," said the snappy regular foot. "I got that wave and thought there was only one section for an air so I sent it. In my mind it was not a nine but the score popped up and I was so stoked."
Number two ranked Justin Becret won a very tense Round 4 affair that wasn't decided until the dying seconds. Becret sat in third position with one 7.00 and no back up. Needing a .0.63 to overcome Sam Piter, Becret took a foamy closeout with under a minute only to watch Piter follow with a better score. Becret miraculously found an inside left and whacked it to the beach to get a 3.3 and the heat win.
"I waited for a bomb because I saw a lot of good waves in the previous heats," said Justin. "Then it turned off and I was there needing a 0.8 in the last minute and everyone caught a wave and I got that 3.3 on the inside. I saw Sam's wave and knew I had to better my 1.67."
Lenni Jensen and Mathis Crozon bowed out of title contention today unable to chase Mignot and Becret's growing point lead.
"I don't have any plans for this event now," said Crozon. "I just enjoy every moment heat by heat and do what I know and do it each heat. I want to enjoy it. It's only competition. And, you know, enjoy the life."
In the women's event the early rounds saw title runners Anat Lelior and Melania Diaz fall while Nadia Erostarbe advanced along with Neis Lartigue.
Looking invincible in her Round 2 heat Israeli surfer Lelior threw in a wicked forehand snap on a left that saw her through the heat just behind Amuro Tsuzuki
As the day came to a close Anat bowed out in a dramatic Round 3 heat that saw Gabriela Bryan rock a 9.33 on one of the best waves of the heat in this, her first ever European Junior event.
"I had priority at the right time and a perfect right peak came at the right time," said Gabriela. "I had an oncoming section and it bowled up and then I had another good section and gave those two turns all I had. It turned out to be a great wave."
The title races are tight, with the below point totals going into Sunday's finals:
Nadia Erostarbe (ESP) 2730
Nies Lartigue (FRA) 1980
Marco Mignot (FRA) 2980
Justin Becret (FRA) 2760
This is the first year of the Pantin Junior Pro by Gadis which precedes the Men's Pantin Classic Galicia Pro and Women's Pantin Classic Galicia Pro. Both are huge QS affairs worth 3,000 and 6,000 points respectively. Good for the juniors as they get to benefit fully from the amenities and ambiance of a major-league contest site complete with lux competitors area, lounge and festival atmosphere.
Check out all photos, videos, results and LIVE webcast right here.
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