European Junior Title Race Intensifies in the Basque Country

PLAYA DE SOPELA, Bizcaya / Basque Country - The ASP 2-Star Men and Women's Sopela Pro Junior, second stop on the 2014 European Pro Junior Series, will unfold from July 24-27 and intensify the European Junior Title race.

Following the completion of our first event of 2014, Europe's best under-20 surfers will now convey to the picturesque little coastal town of Sopela. While Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) 19, and Tessa Thyssen (GLP) 17, have taken an early lead on the overall rankings, the race is long and qualification spots for the World Junior Championships are still open for many.

Ribeiro, Victorious in Portugal, leads the rankings. - WSL / Laurent Masurel

“It's a long year and I think all events are equally important towards the title race,” Vasco Ribeiro stated following his hirst event win. “So I'll just stick to my gameplan and give everything I have every step of the way, I think it's going to be a great year.”

Ribeiro who has been in the hot seat before and is a perennial threat on the European tour, will take on the confidence built in Portugal to try and keep his momentum going into the next leg of events. Thyssen on the other hand, finds herself on top of the regional ladder for the very first time and will need to balance her emotions and keep cool in the face of peer pressure when the tour stops in Vizcaya.

Thyssen will need to confirm her new found form in Sopela. - WSL / Laurent Masurel

“This coming event in Sopela will definitely be a stressing one for me,” Thyssen reflected. “I know the other girls will come back at me for winning the first one. I'm proud of that win but I know it's a long season. I plan on just being more pro-active right from the early rounds and push my surfing in every heat I surf.”