Billabong ASP World Junior Championships fuelled by Monster Energy
Incorporating the Von Zipper Trials

North Narrabeen, Sydney, New South Wales Australia
January 9 – 17, 2010

Casey Grant places 9^th at Billabong ASP World Junior Surfing Championships

NORTH NARRABEEN, New South Wales/Australia (Friday, January 15, 2010) – Casey Grant was the highest placed South African surfer in the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships fuelled by Monster Energy in Australia, finishing equal 9^th overall after losing his Round 4 match-up with top seed Jadson Andre (BRA).

Andre’s spectacular aerial skills in the tiny half-metre waves at North Narrabeen saw last year’s runner-up post an impressive heat total of 18.57 out of a possible 20 points which eclipsed Grant’s total of 11.83.

Grant, 20, from Scottburgh, defeated Luke Davis (USA) and compatriot Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga) to reach Round 4, earning US $900 (approx. R6 750) for his final event in the Pro Junior division.

 ASP Africa Pro Junior champion Chad du Toit Durban) suffered a narrow loss at the hands of Chris Friend (AUS), the final tally being 9.83 to 9.66, and Klee Strachan (Winkelspruit) was eliminated by Cory Arrambide (USA) leaving Grant the sole SA representative to advance to the last 16.

The final eight in the quarterfinals of the world’s most prestigious event for surfers aged 20-and-under comprise three Brazilians, two Hawaiians and one each from the USA, Reunion Island and Australia.

Maxime Huscenot (REU) caused the upset of the event when he outsurfed Owen Wright (AUS), the highly rated local favourite who many are touting as a future World Champion.

The women’s quarterfinals were dominated by North Narrabeen local Laura Enever (AUS) who will meet Joanne Defay (FRA) in the first semi with Hawaii’s Alessa Cuizon and defending event champion Pauline Ado (FRA) contesting the second semi.

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7am to assess conditions for a possible 8am start (11pm Friday, South African time)

Highlights from today’s Billabong ASP World Junior Championships fuelled by Monster Energy are available via www.billabongpro.com and the action will be webcast LIVE during the event.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS QUARTERFINAL RESULTS (Women):

QF 1: Laura Enever (AUS) 14.50 def. Felicity Palmateer (AUS) 12.33

QF 2: Joanne Defay (FRA) 8.96 def. Gabriela Leite (BRA) 5.33

QF 3: Alessa Cuizon (HAW) 12.57 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 10.53

QF 4: Pauline Ado (FRA) 13.60 def. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 11.57

BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS SEMIFINAL MATCH-UPS (Women):

SF 1: Laura Enever (AUS) vs. Joanne Defay (FRA)

SF 2: Alessa Cuizon (HAW) vs. Pauline Ado (FRA)

BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS REMAINING ROUND 3 RESULTS (Men):

Heat 13: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.47 def. Luciani Heremoana (PYF) 10.26

Heat 14: Medi Veminardi (REU) 12.16 def. Jatyr Berasaluce (ESP) 11.50

Heat 15: Granger Larsen (HAW) 15.50 def. Hiroto Arai (JPN) 7.14

Heat 16: Nicolau Von Rupp (DEU) 14.00 def. Albee Layer (HAW) 7.60

BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUND 4 RESULTS (Men):

Heat 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 12.93 def. Cory Arrambide (USA) 10.03

Heat 2: Clay Marzo (HAW) 14.10 def. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 9.16

Heat 3: Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 12.33 def. Marc Lacomare (FRA) 10.37

Heat 4: Jadson Andre (BRA) 18.70 def. Casey Grant (ZAF) 11.83

Heat 5: Maxime Huscenot (REU) 14.74 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 11.73

Heat 6: Nat Young (USA) 13.00 def. Chris Friend (AUS) 12.33

Heat 7: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 13.50 def. Medi Veminardi (REU) 12.47

Heat 8: Granger Larsen (HAW) 13.66 def. Nicolau Von Rupp (DEU) 9.84

BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS (Men):

QF 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Clay Marzo (HAW)

QF 2: Stuart Kennedy (AUS) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)

QF 3: Maxime Huscenot (REU) vs. Nat Young (USA)

QF 4: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Granger Larsen (HAW)

Ends