Cody Thompson Wins Rip Curl Pro Puerto Rico

JOBOS, Isabella, Puerto Rico (Wednesday, February 13, 2013) – Cody Thompson (Jacksonville, FL), 23, has won the inaugural Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 4-Star 2013 Rip Curl Pro Puerto Rico presented by seepuertorico.com over Andrew Doheny (Newport Beach, CA), 20, Evan Geiselman (New Smyrna Beach, FL), 19, and local favorite Dylan Graves (PRI), 27, in four-to-six foot waves at Jobos.

Thompson was trailing throughout the final, but battled back with just seconds on the clock, connecting a long righthander to secure his maiden ASP Qualifying event.

“There were just a couple of medium range scores and I just went and sat by myself,” Thompson said. “Andrew (Doheny) got one in the end and went in to the lead and I knew I didn't need much. I took off at the end and finally got a little bowl and had two turns. It just worked out. When they said the score I just couldn't believe it. My brothers were running down the beach and I was just so psyched.”

Thompson was in rhythm through the final day of competition. The talented Floridian was responsible for the highest single-wave score of the event in the Quarterfinals when he lofted a committed alley-oop followed up with a forehand turn.

“I was watching the waves from the competitors area and excited to get out there,” Thompson said. “I was watching the wind and thinking about a couple of air sections. I got that one and stuck it. I was hoping I didn't peak too early, but it worked out.”

The talented regular-footer was a former standout on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series and hopes his Rip Curl Pro Puerto Rico victory will help launch a successful campaign for his 2013 season.

“Ever since they announced they were going to have this event at Jobos, I knew it was going to be an amazing event,” Thompson said. “I've been coming down here for years and I was stoked to be a part of this event. To get this win here, I'm stoked and we'll just take it on to the next one.”

Andrew Doheny was impressive throughout the final day of competition en route to his first major men's final event. Doheny surfed with 100 percent commitment throughout the event, detonating powerful carves and hacks en route to his runner-up finish.

“It feels really good to make the final,” Doheny said. “Once I made it that far the pressure was off. I'm pretty happy to make it as far as I did and I'm happy with second. The conditions have been challenging the whole time, but at the same time it's been kind of cool. It separates everyone in the lineup and turns it more in to a surf-off rather than a competitive thing. It's been a fun event.”

Evan Geiselman was on fire on the final day of competition, unloading searing backhand combinations on the rights of Jobos, but was unable to find the scores needed to take on the win in the close final.

“My goal was to come here and make the final,” Geiselman said. “Of course once you make the final you always want to win, but I'm happy. I'm glad with how I surfed the whole event, but that final was tough. It just seemed like the whole lineup shut down. No one got big scores in the final. Overall, I'm really happy and excited to get this year going.”

Dylan Graves, local favorite at the Rip Curl Pro Puerto Rico, advanced to the Final with the support of his hometown crowd behind him. The talented Puerto Rican capitalized on his local knowledge throughout the event and put on an incredible performance on the way to his fourth place finish.

“There's nothing better than making a final with a contest at your house,” Graves said. “I don't really surf Jobos in these conditions all the time and I'm really stoked. The waves are super fun. Thanks to Rip Curl for putting this event on in our backyard. This has been a dream of ours for a long time.”

For Rip Curl Pro Puerto Rico Highlights log on to www.live.ripcurl.com