Women’s Quarterfinalists Decided at Vans US Open of Surfing

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California/USA (Thursday, July 31, 2014): Quarterfinalists were decided today at the Vans US Open of Surfing, stop no. 6 of 10 on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT), which ran through Round 4 in peaky two-to-three foot waves at Huntington Beach Pier.

Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), 19, matched the best result of her rookie season, besting replacement surfer Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), 20. The rookie pair would engage in a close battle, but The Australian edged out the Hawaiian by a score of 12.90 to 12.50. 

“That was a really fun heat and Tatiana (Weston-Webb) is surfing really well so congratulations to her,” said Nikki Van Dijk. “She’s pushing all the girls on Tour as a wildcard. Malia (Manuel) is surfing amazing right now so I’ve got nothing to lose in my Quarterfinal against her. I just want to do my best surfing and I’m stoked to be in the Quarters. I’d love to keep going so I’ll just push it as hard as I can, have fun and enjoy surfing Huntington.”

Tyler Wright (AUS), 20, current ASP World No. 4, was in devastating form against fellow Australian Laura Enever (AUS), 22. Wright proved to be the standout of the Round, quickly belting an excellent 9.00 for a series of committed turns followed by a clean frontside air for an 8.67. Wright’s efforts left Enever in a combination situation and she secured a convincing Quarterfinals berth. 

“Yesterday I didn’t catch a lot of waves and Malia (Manuel) went to town, but even then I still felt confident,” said Tyler Wright. “I always love surfing against Carissa (Moore) and we always seem to meet up. Generally we’re on the other side of the draw and meet up in Final. She’s a phenomenal surfer and is always kicking my butt. I’m going to go out there and do my thing and hopefully it’ll be entertaining.”

Johanne Defay (FRA), 20, fresh off of a Quarterfinals finish in Fiji, has found her way to the Quarterfinals once again in Huntington Beach. The French standout engaged in a seesaw battle with Kiwi Paige Hareb (NZL), 24, but a 7.77 earned in the back half of the heat for a series of backhand turns proved enough for the win. 

“We have a lay tomorrow so I’m going to rest after two big days and think about the Quarterfinals,” said Johanne Defay. “I just like to keep to myself while I’m here with my family, friends and coach so I can stay focused.”

Lakey Peterson (USA), 19, 2012 US Open Champion, continued her affinity with Huntington Beach lineup, sticking to the Pierbowl rights to take a Quarterfinals slot over Dimity Stoyle (AUS), 22, who leaves the competition in equal 9th place. 

“In that heat I was trying to be selective and get back into my rhythm,” said Lakey Peterson. “It’s such a young group of people on the Women’s Tour and it’s really cool. Everyone is really pushing the sport right now and it’s great to be a part of that. Steph (Gilmore) is one of my favorite surfers so I’m really looking forward to my Quarterfinal against her.”

Following the completion of Women’s Round 4, Men’s Prime action returned for the non-elimination Round of 24. Winners of the round vault directly to the Round of 16, while second and third are sent to a repechage round. 

Mitch Crews (AUS), 24, put together a full repertoire of carves, snaps and airs on the rights off of Huntington Beach Pier, propelling the Australian up-and-comer to the Round of 16 over fellow Dream Tour campaigner Josh Kerr (AUS), 30,  and past ASP World Junior Champion Maxime Huscenot (FRA), 22.

“This event is pretty important to me because I’ve had a couple of shockers this year,” said Mitch Crews. “I’ve been getting pretty overwhelmed and nervous by the Tour but I’m trying to work it out, relax and surf my best. For me this event is about getting my confidence back, I’ve been having a great time over here in California and that help me relax and feel happy.”

Jadson Andre (BRA), 24, current No. 28 on the WCT, dominated his Round 3 affair. The small-wave shaman looked lively in the beachbreak conditions, unloading electric combinations on both his forehand and backhand for the round’s high heat total of 17.97 out of 20.

“I knew I was going to have a real tough heat against those guys,” said Jadson Andre. “I’m feeling really good and I’m stoked to skip the next round. It means a lot to have some great fans. I appreciate all the love from them and everyone here. It’s by far one of my favorite contests. Today’s a nice day for me, I’m stoked to get great scores and I’m looking forward to the next heat already.”

Keanu Asing (HAW), 21, current No. 6 on the ASP QS, contributed to the next generation’s success, earning an excellent 9.00 and backup of 7.73, advancing to the Round of 16.

“I saw the wave coming and knew it would be a good one,” said Keanu Asing. “I almost missed it but I saw the wall line up and knew I had to execute it well. I was just hoping to get a score on the board to get me a heat win. I wasn’t thinking about a nine.”

The Vans US Open of Surfing runs from July 26 through August 3, 2014 and is webcast LIVE via aspworldtour.com and usopenofsurfing.com. 

Vans US Open of Surfing Women’s Round 4 Results:
Heat 1: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 12.90 def. Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 12.50 
Heat 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) 17.67 def. Laura Enever (AUS) 9.13
Heat 3: Johanne Defay (FRA) 14.10 def. Paige Lareb (NZL) 11.03
Heat 4: Lakey Peterson (USA) 15.44 def. Dimity Stoyle (AUS) 11.83 

Vans US Open of Surfing Women’s Quarterfinal Match-ups:
Quarterfinal 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) vs. Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)
Quarterfinal 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Tyler Wright (AUS)
Quarterfinal 3: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Johanne Defay (FRA)
Quarterfinal 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Lakey Peterson (USA)

Vans US Open of Surfing Men’s Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Mitch Crews (AUS) 15.60, Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 14.36, Josh Kerr (AUS) 10.00
Heat 2: Willian Cardoso (BRA) 17.20, Beyrick De Vries (ZAF) 8.93, Tim Reyes (USA) 6.23
Heat 3: Charles Martin (GLP) 11.33, Adam Melling (AUS) 11.06, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 10.83
Heat 4: Keanu Asing (HAW) 16.73, Aritz Aranburu (ESP) 14.27, Bino Lopes (BRA) 9.23
Heat 5: Jadson Andre (BRA) 17.97, Matt Banting (AUS) 13.83, Michael Dunphy (USA) 13.40
Heat 6: Jonathan Gonzalez (CNY) 14.06, Filipe Toledo (BRA) 13.50, Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 9.50
Heat 7: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 14.77, Brett Simpson (USA) 14.43, Ryan Callinan (AUS) 9.50
Heat 8: Kolohe Andino (USA) 11.60, Garrett Parkes (AUS) 10.27, Peterson Crisanto (BRA) 8.83

Vans US Open of Surfing Men’s Round 4 Match-ups:
Heat 1: Maxime Huscenot (FRA) vs. Tim Reyes (USA)
Heat 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Beyrick De Vries (ZAF)
Heat 3: Adam Melling (AUS) vs. Bino Lopes (BRA)
Heat 4: Aritz Aranburu (ESP) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Heat 5: Matt Banting (AUS) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (USA)
Heat 6: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Michael Dunphy (USA)
Heat 7: Brett Simpson (USA) vs. Peterson Crisanto (BRA) 
Heat 8: Garrett Parkes (AUS) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS) 

Men’s Pro Junior Quarterfinals Results:
QF 1: Cam Richards (USA) 14.00, Skip McCullough (USA) 12.30, Jake Davis (USA) 12.20, Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 8.57
QF 2: Matt Banting (AUS) 14.53, Luan Wood (BRA) 14.50, Dylan Lightfoot (ZAF) 11.17, Koa Smith (HAW) 7.26
QF 3: Miguel Tudela (PER) 13.00, Yago Dora (BRA) 10.10, Taylor Clark (USA) 7.13, Kevin Schulz (USA) 4.07
QF 4: Joshua Moniz (HAW) 17.23, Nic Hdez (USA) 12.54, Jakey Kelley (USA) 10.84, Jake Halstead (USA) 7.90