KERAMAS, Bali/Indonesia (Oct. 10, 2012) – The 2012 Oakley World Pro Junior Championship relocated from one side of the island to the other to set-up on the barrel rich shores of Keramas Beach for the women’s rounds two through the semifinals. There were occasional lulls between sets, but the solid 3-to-4 foot waves on offer were well worth the wait and provided a pristine canvas for the junior women to showcase their skills. After a full day of surf action only two women remain and both have the ASP Women’s World Junior Championship title locked in their sights.
Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) used her sharp backhand attack to defeat Minato Takahashi (JPN), reigning ASP Women’s World Junior Champion Leila Hurst (HAW) and New Yorker Quincy Davis (USA) en route to securing her final round berth.
“I grew up surfing on my backhand so I’m super comfortable going right out there,” said Buitendag. “This is such a great contest and all the girls are surfing amazing. I’ve had some really tough heats. I’m just glad that I’ve been able to post some big scores.”
Buitendag, who has qualified for next year’s ASP Women’s World Championship Tour has been in top form throughout the event and now stands a chance to stake her claim for the ASP Women’s Junior Championship title.
“I can’t believe I’ve made it this far,” Buitendag continued. “I’ve had a good event so far and now I’m focused on the final.
Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) eliminated fellow Australian and last year’s Oakley World Pro Junior runner-up Philippa Anderson (AUS) in a back and forth battle for the remaining spot in the final.
“I’m so excited!” Van Dijk said after her semifinal victory. “It’s been such a great day. Surfing Keramas with just one other girl has been so much fun.”
All that’s left between Van Dijk and the ASP Women’s Junior Championship glory is Bianca Buitendag. The pair has gone head-to-head at numerous ASP 6-Star events throughout the year. The final round will no doubt be an epic duel for the title.
“I can’t believe I’m in the final and have a 50/50 chance of winning the [Oakley World Pro Junior Championship],” concluded Van Dijk. “If you told me this would happen at the start of the year I wouldn’t have believed it.”
Quincy Davis (USA) advanced to the semifinals over Mahina Maeda (HAW) with some last minute heroics, but was unable to get past Buitendag in their semifinal bout. Davis is the highest placed American surfer, finishing equal 3rd in the Oakley World Junior Championship.
“This event has been a great learning experience for me,” Davis said. “I lost in Round 3 at this contest last year, so it feels amazing to have made the semifinals.”
The contest will resume tomorrow, October 10, with a call time of 6:00 AM WITA, when contest directors will evaluate conditions for the men’s Round 2 to commence.
The Oakley World Pro Junior Championships will run from October 6 – 17. For LIVE webcast, photos, videos and more check www.oakleyprojunior.com.
OAKLEY WORLD PRO JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP WOMEN’S SEMIFINALS:
SF 1: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 15.60 def. Quincy Davis (USA) 13.94
SF 2: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 14.17 def. Philippa Anderson (AUS) 11.17
OAKLEY WORLD PRO JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP WOMEN’S QUARTERFINALS:
QF 1: Quincy Davis (USA) 11.93 def. Mahina Maeda (HAW) 11.67
QF 2: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 14.23 def. Leila Hurst (HAW) 12.83
QF 3: Philippa Anderson (AUS) 14.57 def. Ellie-Jean Coffey (AUS) 8.83
QF 4: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 15.30 def. Alessa Quizon (HAW) 14.83
OAKLEY WORLD PRO JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP WOMEN’S ROUND 3:
HEAT 1: Mahina Maeda (HAW) 10.33 def Sarah Baum (ZAF) 9.00
HEAT 2: Quincy Davis (USA) 13.50 def. Joanne Defay (FRA) 11.60
HEAT 3: Leila Hurst (HAW) 10.00 def. Cannelle Bulard (REU) 9.34
HEAT 4: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 9.33 def. Minato Takahashi (JPN) 4.20
HEAT 5: Philippa Anderson (AUS) 6.23 def. Juliana Meneghel (BRA) 5.50
HEAT 6: Ellie-Jean Coffey (AUS) 14.73 def. Maud Le Car (FRA) 7.60
HEAT 7: Alessa Quizon (HAW) 11.37 def. Frankie Harrer (USA) 8.33
HEAT 8: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 17.33 def. Brianna Cope (HAW) 13.34
OAKLEY WORLD PRO JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP WOMEN’S ROUND 2:
HEAT 1: Maud Le Car (FRA) 11.00, Rosanny Alvarez (VEN) 6.24, Minato Takahashi (JPN) 4.16
HEAT 2: Mahina Maeda (HAW) 12.93, Juliana Meneghel (BRA) 8.07, Nao Omura (JPN) 6.93