|
|
|
 |
| Maldives ready to host WQS showdown of the year |
29.05.2005
|
25th May 2004 - Less than two weeks remain until the 5th edition of the O'Neill Deep Blue Open, the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), 6 star prime World Qualifying Series (WQS) surf event, gets underway in the Maldives (6th - 12th June 2005). Over the past four years this premier stop on the WQS tour has attracted some of the world's most notorious competitors and the 5th edition will be no different; hosting a diverse field that includes former world champions, current world Championship title contenders as well as a vast talent pool of surfing's future legends.
In total, 16 of surfing's elite performers from the World Championship Tour (WCT) will be dropping in on the Indian Ocean Island chain directly after their Fijian date. This entry list of 144 includes 3 former winners of the event: Tim Curran (US) winner in 2002, Trent Munro (AUS) current WCT tour ratings leader and 2003 event champ and Toby Martin (AUS), the defending champion from 2004. Three-time world champion ('85, 86, '90) Tom Curren is also expected to be making his debut appearance at the event. At the age of 41, Curren is on a mission to re-qualify for the World Championship Tour so with 2750 tour points and US$5000 on offer for winning he'll be looking to make the Maldives date pay dividends. Alongside the top WQS troopers to fall-in, 4 local surfers from the Maldivian Surfing Association (MSA) will also engage 4 vacant berths in the main event via the trials. (Full entry list available from www.aspworldtour.com)
"The Deep Blue Open is considered to be an immensely important event on a number of fronts." Began contest director Matt Wilson. " Being a 6-star prime event it obviously has great significance to the WQS tour both in terms of points and prize money. A good result here provides a solid launch pad for WCT qualification. However, this year, in light of the devastating effects of the tsunami, the event holds greater significance. We are now in the unique position of being able to help the people of the Maldives through the event and international media it will reach. The message we will convey to the world is that the Maldives is well and truly open for tourism business. Plus, the Maldivians get a certain amount of pride in playing host to such a prestigious event and that is sure to lift their spirits as they continue to recover from the tragic events of December 26, 2004." He added.
The O'Neill Deep Blue Open is a mobile boat-drop event and boasts a weeklong waiting period. This flexible format allows the contest organizers to ensure the event again rolls out in the most optimum conditions on offer in the North Male Atoll. Again, 3 wave locations will provide a diverse wave platter for the worlds top surfers to feast upon: the long and fast walling left-hander of Lohis; the perfect, rifling right-hander of Jails and the thick, heavy and hollow, right-hander known as Colas.
While the winning boat-drop formula hasn't been altered, changes have been implemented to contest format for 2005. The last seeded round of surfers is now the round of 96 instead of the round of 64, this decreases the advantage that the higher seeded surfers have had over the rest of the field and evens out the playground for all competitors. The most significant change, however, will see man on man heats (like the WCT) from the quarterfinals onwards. This will add a new dimension in strategy and tactics to the event never before seen and serve as an even more nail biting climax to an already super charged competition.
O'Neill Deep Blue Open Minisite
The O'Neill Deep Blue Open minisite can be accessed via www.oneilleurope.com and will provide daily coverage from the event. News updates, video news highlights, live ASP scoring, imagery and a comprehensive press section are just some of the features that will help provide a blow-by-blow account of the event. The event is set to kick off with the opening ceremony on the 5th of June, after the formalities are out of the way the gloves are off for another knockout edition of the O'Neill Deep Blue Open.
<ENDS>
Notes:
The effects of the Indonesian tsunami on the Maldives
Ever since tourism started in the Maldives more than three decades ago, visitors have been amazed and intrigued by the natural beauty of the islands. The Maldives has been described by its visitors as paradise on earth.
The Maldives tourism industry is in operation, with the same product qualities that have mystified many a million tourists, who have visited the Maldives over the years. While the tourism industry experienced comparatively minimum effects, as a result of the earthquake and consequential Tsunami off the west coast of Northern Sumatra, Indonesia on December 26, 2004, the devastation caused to the nation's 200 inhabited islands has been widespread. 80 Maldivian fatalities were reported while more are reported missing. Many island communities have been displaced and over 12,000 locals were homeless. This is quite significant numbers for the Maldives that's population totals 287,000.
Despite the tourism recovering relatively quickly from the disaster, the United Nations predicts that the Maldives will suffer the worst economic impact of any affected country. According to the Asian Development Bank, the total bill for reconstruction in the Maldives may top US$406 million.
Tourism contributes to over 30% of the GDP, and the future livelihood of the locals depends heavily on the tourism industry's recovery. While the Maldivians strive hard to bring back normalcy to their everyday lives, they are more than eager to welcome international tourists from around the world in a bid to save the economic well-being of the island communities that exist within one of the world's most fragile yet beautiful natural environments.
O'Neill Europe hopes to be able to provide a small boost to the recovery effort by bringing the 5th O'Neill Deep Blue Open back to the Maldives and helping to send a clear message to the world that the Maldives is back and very much open for business.
Sources: Maldivian Tourist Board
Lonely Planet
For the virtual O'Neill Deep Blue Open experience check out: www.oneilleurope.com <http://www.oneilleurope.com>
For all further information on the O'Neill Deep Blue Open '05, O'Neill team riders or other O'Neill events please contact:
Julian Howkins (Event Press Officer)
Norbert Pollemans (European PR Manager)
P: +31 71 56 00 800
E: press@oneilleurope.com
|
|
| |
|
 |
Contact ASPeurope.com
.............