2011 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Champion Taylor Jensen (USA) today (Monday 6th February) showed why he is the best in the business with a near perfect performance in the final of the ASP Open Men's Division of the Hyundai Tour event at Sandy Bay, Whangarei, New Zealand.
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Jensen's opening ride was a near flawless 9.0 out of 10 and the smooth natural footer linked a long 'hang ten' nose ride with a number of fin-waft re-entries to take the lead in the heat held in 1.0m -- 1.5m waves.
Jensen's second top scoring ride saw him complete a similar display of fins free re-entries and nose rides to combine for a final score of 17.35 out of a possible 20 points.
This was Jensen's second victory at Sandy Bay and he was obviously stoked on his win.
Hot on Jensen's heels was young Australian star Mitch Surman (Australia) who locked in a 16.50 point heat score, needing only an 8.86 score to move into the lead.
The sole Kiwi in the Open Men's final was Thomas Kibblewhite (Orewa) who despite surfing his best heat in the event, couldn't match the scores of Surman and Jensen. Kibblewhite put on a powerful display and solidified his placing at the top of the 2012 domestic Hyundai Tour ratings after three of five events.
Local favourite Wini Paul (Sandy Bay) stormed to her first victory of the 2012 Hyundai Tour beating young Australian Sam Suendermann (Australia) in the dying minutes of final. Paul, who was trailing Suendermann for most of the heat, scored a 7.0 ride securing the win.
The crowd were ecstatic for Paul who dedicated the win to all of the locals that supported her during the event. "I am so stoked to win at home. Thanks to all the local crew from the North Coast Boardriders, and especially my whanau for supporting me" she said.
Paul finished the heat with an 11.77 combined heat score ahead of Suendermann on 10.87. Molly Powell (Australia) managed to pick off a number of low scoring rides with her best a 4.83, backed up with a 4.0. Powell finished in third place ahead of Ann Snyder (Tauranga) in fourth with a total heat score of 4.40.
ASP Open Men's LQS Final Results:
1st Taylor Jensen (USA) 17.35, 2nd Mitch Surman (Australia) 16.50, 3rd Thomas Kibblewhite 14.20, 4th Jared Neal (Australia) 11.85
Open Women's Final Results:
1st Wini Paul (Sandy Bay) 11.77, 2nd Sam Suendermann (Australia) 10.87, 3rd Molly Powell (Australia) 8.83, 4th Ann Snyder (Tauranga) 4.40
SUP Final Results:
1st Daniel Kereopa (Raglan) 15.06, 2nd Shayne Baxter (Christchurch) 11.36, 3rd Armie Armstrong (Raglan) 7.17, 4th Karlos Aarsen (Whangamata) 7.03
The 2012 Hyundai Tour travels to Raglan, Piha, Sandy Bay and Mount Maunganui before the season concludes at Port Waikato in early March. Overall the Hyundai Tour boasts $20,000 in prize money.
The remaining events for the 2012 Hyundai Tour follow:
Hyundai Tour Event 4, 18-19 February, Mount Maunganui (4-star)
Hyundai Tour Event 5, 2-3 March, Port Waikato (6-star)
Further Information
For further information on the 2012 Hyundai Tour and the first of five events, please contact Surfing New Zealand's Ben Kennings on 021 2278732 or email benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz
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