Hang Loose Pro, Fernando de Noronha

2004 Hang Loose Pro Contest title goes to South Africa
Brazilian domination at Fernando de Noronha (PE) is ended by Warwick Wright

Young south-african Warwick Wright, only 19 years old, ended the Brazilian sequence of victories at Fernando de Noronha (PE) when he won the title at the 2004 Hang Loose Pro Contest on waves two meters high, at Cacimba do Padre's Beach. He received U$ 10,000 and 1.500 points in the world rating of the World Qualifying Series (WQS), with a spectacular barrel for which he got a 9,65 score, the highest of the 19th edition of the most traditional Brazilian surfing championship. Wright was the only foreigner to reach the finals that began at 12:30 pm on a hot Saturday in Fernando de Noronha.

Marcelo Nunes led most of the competition and ended as the runner-up in the second event of the 2004 WQS, followed by Daniel Hardman in third and Marcondes Rocha in forth representing Team Hang Loose. The first big event of the 2004 season of the World Circuit of Professional Surfers saw 142 surfers, a record number for the island of Fernando de Noronha, including 35 foreigners from 10 countries. Next Thursday, 2004 Reef Classic begins in Torres (RS), where the competition also offers a total of U$ 75,000 in awards and 1,500 points in the rating that classifieds 15 athletes for the world top division of the ASP World Championship Tour (WCT).

From the four finalists of the 2004 Hang Loose Pro Contest, the only one who participates in the main division of the World Circuit is Marcelo Nunes, who has the record for highest score at the tournament - 17,73 points -, and was considered the favorite to win the title. But Daniel Hardman started in the lead with two good barrels. Nunes received a 8,93 for a longer barrel and took the lead ten minutes later, with a short tube. However, the south-african caught a big wave when there were only eight minutes left to the end of the heat. He surfed a wonderful barrel, disappeared behind the water curtain and reappeared, receiving the highest score of the five-day tournament in South America.

With a 9,67 score, Warwick Wright opened 8,68 points in the lead over Marcelo Nunes, who still tried three times to change the result. In the last attempt, during the final seconds, he surfed another beautiful barrel, but the judges gave him a 7,77. The victory of the south-african was confirmed with the final score of 17,60 x 16,70. "I saw the whole beach cheer up for Marcelo and thought I had lost it in the end, but I am very happy with the result. This is the second time I came here and I think this is a wonderful place, with good waves and many barrels. I didn't know I was the first foreigner to win here and that makes me even happier", said Wright, who was carried by his friends from South Africa, which, along with the United States, formed the biggest group of foreigners at the 2004 Hang Loose Pro Contest. Each country was represented by tem athletes.

"That wave was really long. I got in the tube and kept looking for an exit. I could hear my friends screaming from the beach. I expected an 8, but almost didn't believe when I almost got a 10. I am young on the circuit, this is my first final on the WQS, my first victory and I want to call my mom to tell her. After that, I'm going to party with my friends until tomorrow, when I am going to Torres (the host of the third event of the WQS, from Thursday until Sunday), but next year I will be back", promised the champion. In the first heat of the last day of the 2004 Hang Loose Pro Contest, he was in last place, and in the final seconds caught a fantastic barrel, gaining the lead and classifying for the semifinals, eliminating two of the big favorites, the current world champion of the WQS, who was defending the title at Fernando de Noronha, Neco Padaratz (SC), and Danylo Grillo.

Even though he did not win, Marcelo Nunes was happy with the second place, which gave him U$ 5,000 and 1.290 points at the 2004 WQS. "I wanted to win, but he was luckier. It was an important result for me , a second place in the first event of the season. He deserved to win, because he surfed really well thoughout the championship and comes from a poor country like ours", said Marcelo Nunes, who was sorry for not catching another good wave to win his second title of the Hang Loose Pro Contest. He won the title of the event in 1997, at Baía de Maracaípe (PE). "it's a shame that my last barrel wasn't long enough. But I was able to do well here and that motivates me to do well again in upcoming events of the WCT. Now let's go to Torres to try to repeat this good result", said Marcelo Nunes.

With the presentation of Nova Schin, the 2004 Hang Loose Pro Contest was sponsored by Hang Loose and Nova Schin, co-sponsored by Reef, Arnette and Picasso Textile, supported by surf shops Bali, Overboard, Central Surf, Uluwatu, Surf Trip, Ophicina, Bleat, Styllos, Star Point and Hot Water, and also the State Government of Pernambuco, Island of Fernando de Noronha Administration, Grafica Formag's, Fluir Magazine, Waves and Nivana Turismo websites. All the results and news of the tournament can be found at ASP South America's website – www.aspsouthamerica.com.br - or aat http://waves.terra.com.br/

João Carvalho - Hang Loose Pro Contest Media Officer - (48) 9972-7804 – jcarvalho@abrasp.com.br