PORTE 13, AIN DIAB, Casablanca - Morocco (Saturday, May 25, 2024) - Today Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) and Noa Dupouy (FRA) won the Morocco Mall Junior Pro Casablanca, Stop No.1 on the 2024 World Surf League (WSL) European Junior Qualifying Series (JQS), in the Finals held in two-to-three foot surf at Ain Diab.
After a busy first three days of competition that ran in super fun conditions, 16 surfers remained in contention on the morning of Finals Day. Competition resumed just before lunch time and ran through the Semifinals and Finals to crown the 2024 winners mid afternoon.
Dupouy Breaks Glass-Ceiling, Claims First-Ever Pro Junior Win
The somewhat slow start to the men's Final meant it was always going down to the wire and it didn't disappoint. Paco Alonzo (FRA) was the most active early on but it was already Noa Dupouy (FRA) posting the biggest single scores to take the lead quite early. Francisco Ordonhas (POR) and Nicolas Paulet (FRA) eventually joined the fight and in the last five minutes things really heated up with multiple exchanges where all four competitors got a chance to challenge the young Frenchman for the lead.
As time ran out, Dupouy's combined heat total of 13.10 (out of a possible 20) was enough for the 20 year-old from Mimizan to claim his first-ever win on the junior tour.
"I'm super happy and quite at a loss for words to be honest," Dupouy said. "It's awesome to be here, there's such a great vibe around this place. I've come close to winning multiple times but never quite got it, so I'm beyond happy to get it done today. These events are so great to prepare us for the bigger stage and hopefully now I can keep it together and fight for a European title and a spot into the World Juniors."
Runner-up twice on the JQS and a Semifinalist here in Casablanca last season, Dupouy has been a standout on the European junior scene for years and was due a breakout win.
Paco Alonzo (FRA) eventually placed runner-up, the highest result of his young career, after placing equal third here last year. The Frenchman was a standout in all previous rounds and a deserved finalist today for the first time.
"I'm super happy to keep improving and hopefully I can go one better soon and win an event," Alonzo reflected. "I wasn't at 100% at the beginning of the week but I managed to push through and improve as the event went. My semifinal was a huge one with Lukas Skinner who was on fire and I'm so proud to have made it through. In the final I was missing a good second wave to really have a chance, but I couldn't find it unfortunately"
Francisco Ordonhas (POR) and Nicolas Paulet (FRA) completed the Final lineup and finished in third and fourth place respectively.
Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) - WSL / Damien Poullenot
Gonzalez Etxabarri Goes Back-to-Back, Adds Fourth Win to Impressive Young Career
The overall favorite, defending her title this week, Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) took on perennial threats Hina-Maria Conradi (FRA) and Sarah Leiceaga (FRA) as well as young up-and-comer Clemence Schorsch (FRA) in the women's Final.
The super tight battle once again went the Basque surfer's way, despite great efforts from the French trio to challenge the Gonzalez Etxabarri reign in Casablanca and on the European junior scene these past few years.
The defending event winner and reigning European Champion left nothing to chance and posted her fourth JQS win and second consecutive at the Morocco Mall Junior Pro Casablanca.
"I really love coming here so I'm very happy to win today," Gonzalez Etxabarri said. "I think my surfing really suits these conditions so I felt comfortable out there. There's always a little stress at the beginning but you have to feel like you're enough for the win and trust yourself and today it worked out for me."
The 20 year-old Reunion Island surfer, Hina-Maria Conradi (FRA) claimed the runner-up spot, her highest result to date, and an improvement from her equal fifth here last year. Conradi got the job done early in the Final with two solid 6+ rides (out of a possible 10) and ended up just 0.23 short for her first title.
"Of course my goal was to win but I'm still very happy with my surfing," Conradi admitted. "These are not the conditions I prefer and where I perform best so I'm happy I was able to still put together a couple of good waves. Midway through the Final it got really slow, I didn't need a huge score and I definitely felt capable of getting it but the waves didn't give me the opportunity. I had a great week here again and I look forward to competing against Annette again, she's a great surfer."
Sarah Leiceaga (FRA) and Clemence Schorsch (FRA) completed the Final lineup and finished in third and fourth place respectively.
Earlier in the week a few Moroccans posted good results, namely Soulaimane Khafi (MAR), Maria Elouedrhiri (MAR) and Ranya Squalli (MAR) who made the local crowds proud at Ain Diab.
With the completion of the Morocco Mall Junior Pro Casablanca, the race to the European Junior title and qualification for the World Junior Championship (WJC) is officially underway, here are the current rankings:
European Men's JQS Top 5:
1 - Noa Dupouy (FRA)
2 - Paco Alonzo (FRA)
3 - Francisco Ordonhas (POR)
4 - Nicolas Paulet (FRA)
5 - Lukas Skinner (GBR)
5 - Tiago Stock (POR)
European Women's JQS Top 5:
1 - Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK)
2 - Hina-Maria Conradi (FRA)
3 - Sarah Leiceaga (FRA)
4 - Clemence Schorsch (FRA)
5 - Lucia Machado (CNY)
5 - Lilou Rumiel (FRA)
Surfers will now have a few weeks to prepare for the next event on the 2024 European Junior Qualifying Series later this summer.
The 2024 Morocco Mall Junior Pro Casablanca is scheduled from May 22-26, 2024, at Ain Diab beach, in Casablanca, Morocco. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com.
The Morocco Mall Junior Pro Casablanca is organized by the World Surf League with the support of the City of Casablanca, Morocco Mall, CIH Bank, Maroc Telecom, Afriquia Gaz, Marsa Maroc, Aïn Atlas, Rip Curl, Onomo, Arma Environnement, Butec, VIP Navette Service, 2M, Arryadia, NRJ and Radio Mars. For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
MOROCCO MALL JUNIOR PRO CASABLANCA MEN'S FINAL RESULTS:
1 - Noa Dupouy (FRA) 13.10
2 - Paco Alonzo (FRA) 11.44
3 - Francisco Ordonhas (POR) 11.27
4 - Nicolas Paulet (FRA) 8.90
MOROCCO MALL JUNIOR PRO CASABLANCA WOMEN'S FINAL RESULTS:
1 - Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) 12.73
2 - Hina-Maria Conradi (FRA) 12.50
3 - Sarah Leiceaga (FRA) 10.24
4 - Clemence Schorsch (FRA) 9.30
About MOROCCO MALL:
The MOROCCO MALL, the first shopping and entertainment destination in the region, offers its visitors more than 350 leading national and international brands representing several universes. The MOROCCO MALL also concentrates unique attractions and allows visitors to combine shopping and relaxation. Thanks to its rich entertainment program and its surprise events, the MOROCCO MALL welcomes thousands of visitors every day, positioning the Mall as a family destination par excellence.
About CIH Bank:
A major player in the development of Morocco's economy, CIH Bank is widely regarded as a global company offering all banking services. It has become an online banking pioneer in Morocco. Digital, yet close to its clients, CIH Bank is a modern institution using all available channels to manage its client relations: agencies, websites, mobile apps, ATMs and its client relations center.
About Maroc Telecom:
A renowned operator in Africa, leader in Morocco and other countries, Maroc Telecom Group is actively participating in the development of the telecoms sector on the continent. With a presence in 11 countries (Morocco, Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Central African Republic, Chad and Togo), Maroc Telecom serves nearly 77 million mobile, fixed-line and Internet customers.
Through its commitment to reducing the digital divide, the Group makes a significant contribution to economic and social development, access to NICTs and the well-being of populations both in Morocco and in all the countries in which its subsidiaries are located, under the commercial brand "Moov Africa".
Contact us: www.iam.ma
About Afriquia Gaz:
As a responsible partner, Afriquia Gaz delivers innovative energy solutions to Moroccan companies and helps boost competitiveness as well as creates new opportunities for development. Our integrated management system puts quality, hygiene, safety and the environment at the heart of our business model, following three international norms: ISO 9001, ISO 45001 et ISO 14001.
About Marsa Maroc:
Marsa Maroc is Morocco's leading port operator with 24 port terminals operated across 10 ports. As a multi-traffic operator, Marsa Maroc actively participates in the development of Morocco's logistics competitiveness by offering a wide range of port services to importers, exporters and shipping companies.
The company offers port services both to goods (handling on board and at quay, warehousing, pointing, weighing, stuffing and stripping, etc.) and to ships (piloting, towing, mooring, etc.).
About Rip Curl:
Rip Curl opened its first surf shop in Morocco more than 20 years ago. This store still exists in Casablanca, Maarif. You can also find the products of this iconic surf brand in its other shops in Rabat, Agadir, Bouznika, Taghazout and on www.surfer.ma. Rip Curl brings to Morocco the best action sports (surf, bodyboard, skateboard) gears and beach wear
Rip Curl is a world-leading brand of surfing sportswear as well as a major athletic sponsor, with manufacturing and sales facilities around the globe. Since launching in 1969, this hugely popular global brand has been committed to providing surfers with all the equipment they need, no matter where their travels lead them. Its dynamic line of products ranges from wetsuits and surfboards to apparel, accessories, watches, mountain wear and footwear. The Search is the driving force behind the brand's progress and vision. When crew members are chasing uncharted reefs or untracked powder, Rip Curl will arm them with the best equipment they'll need.
About Onomo Hotels:
As the leading hotel operator in Africa, ONOMO Hotels operates in 13 African countries with 22 hotels: Senegal, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Mali, Togo, South Africa, Guinea Conakry, Rwanda, Morocco, Cameroon, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Uganda. Rooted in a rapidly changing Africa, our brand deploys hotels celebrating African culture and art at the heart of the continent. Our ambition is to offer lifestyle hospitality that highlights the identity and local culture of our destinations.
For more information, visit www.onomohotels.com