CANSDELL DEFEATS REYES TO WIN LACANAU PRO

Sunday, August 21, 2005 (Plage Centrale, Lacanau , France ) Shaun Cansdell (AUS) defeated Tim Reyes (USA) to win the 2005 Soöruz Lacanau Pro a men's ASP 6 star World Qualifying Series (WQS) event. Organisers decided to wait for the incoming tide and an improvement in conditions before running the semis through to the 30-minute grand finale. The two form surfers of the contest did not let the thousands of spectators, who lined the beach, down as it came down to the wire with the young Australian eventually hanging on to pocket the US$15,000 winner's cheque.

Waves in the 3-4 ft range were on offer with a notoriously strong cross-shore wind tearing through the contest area. Clear skies brought out a huge crowd which was treated to some world class surfing on the thumping shore break at Plage Centrale Lacanau.

Cansdell showed nerves of steel as the final became a real cat and mouse struggle. After a slow start both surfers had one scoring wave and went looking for there back-up. It was Cansdell using his priority and his powerful backhand repertoire to score a 6.03 and was left waiting his opponent's response. With less than three minutes remaining Reyes gave it his best shot on a long right with a series of rapid forehand snaps but came up short by 0.19 receiving a 7.67.

An emotion Cansdell was swarmed by friends, media and fans as he fought his way back to the contest site. Trembling with emotion the goofy footer found it very difficult to put his feelings into words.

“It's the best.” began a smiling Cansdell. “I've been doing the WQS for so long it feels so good to have a win. I'm so stoked I can't believe it.”

“I was just praying that he didn't get the score and I was so lucky,” continued Cansdell. “He didn't but it was a really close final. There weren't too many waves. I was expecting more to come through but I can't believe I won.”

Runner-up Tim Reyes was a true gentleman in defeat and after cruising to the final came up short by the smallest of margins. The Californian surfed brilliantly with a display of fast powerful modern surfing and jumps to #17 on the WQS ratings.

“Almost,” began Reyes. “but almost isn't good enough but I'm happy I got second. It was a good week. It's definitely my best result for the year for sure and I'm really stoked about that one.”

“I think both of us had some of the highest heat scores throughout the contest,” stated Reyes. “So I knew it would be a really close and good final. I'm happy to get second by just a little bit (laughs) but it's ok I'm stoked."

Equal third was Adriano de Souza (BRA) and Australian Dan Ross.

De Souza held a titanic struggle against Cansdell in the first semi which was without doubt “the heat” of the contest. With a 6.83 to gain the lead and then extend it with a big snap followed by a huge front-side air for a 9.0 the young Brazilian looked set for a finals birth. However De Souza could do little more than watch as his opponent nailed him with his two last waves.

“Incredible,” began a shell shocked de Souza. “I lost with a 9.0 and a 6.8 but I'm stoked I made a third place and I'm still in the race for the title so I'm happy about this but let's go to Hossegor.”

“It was great, continued the youngster about the contest. “It's the second time I have come to Lacanau and I got a third and I take the barrels and see all my friends so it's good.”

Ross lucked out in his semi but claimed his best ever result in a WQS event. The 22-year-old had the bitter sweet taste of being so close yet so far in his low scoring match up against Reyes.

“ It's my best result for sure in a WQS, began Ross. “It's great to get this far but it's always disappointing to lose. I just couldn't find the right waves even though the waves are a lot better than in the last couple of contests and I don't mind when it's a bit bigger and messy like this.”

“It's disappointing to get knocked out, continued Ross. “because I know I surf as good as these guys and it would have been good to win but see how I go in the next one.”

Finishing equal fifth today were Ben Bourgeois (USA), Paulo Moura (BRA) and Australians Josh Kerr and Glenn Hall.

An unlucky Ben Bourgeois while holding priority let Cansdell slip under his guard and claim victory in the dying seconds of their quarter-final clash. A disappointed Bourgeois none the less obtained his best result so far this year and jumps from # 26 to #20 on the WQS ratings.

“ I gave him that wave at the end. It didn't look like a good wave and I knew there was still a minute to go so I let him go,” stated Bourgeois and then added. “ I'm stoked I mean I could have lost first heat.”

Glenn Hall who needed a perfect 10 point ride was never in the race against a steam rolling de Souza. The 23-year-old from the central coast NSW was none the less pleased with his result which goes into his best three for 2005.

“Definitely one of my top counters for points so I'm stoked but I had a shocking heat,” began a philosophical Hall. “Once your coming from behind it's always harder. He (de Souza) surfs so good. Without doubt he's been the best surfer this year definitely, good luck to him.”

You can find all today's results, video highlights and daily releases on the links above and on www.aspeurope.com

This 26 th edition of the Lacanau Pro has been proudly sponsored by Soöruz, a new up and coming French surf wear clothing company. On www.sooruz.com you will find more information about themselves and their large range of surf and street wear.

WQS RATINGS AFTER SOORUZ LACANAU PRO