VENDEE SURF PRO - PAYS DE LA LOIRE WQS 4****
BRETIGNOLLES SUR MER - Vendée
Day 6 ERIC REBIERE WINS 2005 VENDEE SURF PRO

Sunday, 24 April, 2005 (La Sauzaie, Bretignolles sur-Mer, France) Eric Rebiere today won the 2005 Vendee Surf Pro a men's ASP 4 star World Qualifying Series (WQS) sanctioned event. After waiting for the high tide organisers gave the green light this afternoon to run the quarter-finals and kept the momentum rolling through to the 30-minute final of the US$75,000 event.

Strong on-shore winds and very difficult 6ft (2m) conditions were on offer for the remaining competitors at the main break of La Sauzaie. Despite conditions not being as good as yesterday afternoon the clear skies and mild temperatures helped the situation as we waited through the morning for the tide to come in with our patience being rewarded with acceptable waves for the final rounds.

Rebiere (FRA) a former top 44 surfer needed only 15 minutes to lock in two solid waves and pocket a cool US$10,000 and 1500 valuable points for the WQS ratings. The French-Brazilian had the support of the local crowd and left no stone unturned in a truly commanding performance with his opponents left battling it out for the minor placings. He now jumps to #4 on the WQS ratings.

Jaime Thomson (AUS) finished runner-up after having got through his semi on his last wave in the dying moments. The young Australian was unable to find any decent waves but put up a strong effort and came closest to pegging back Rebiere.

Jarrad Sullivan (AUS) placed third receiving US$3,000 and a well needed result on the WQS circuit. After surfing brilliantly in his semi posting the highest single score of the day 9.0 the natural footer was left “comboed” in the final.

Fourth place went to Maz Quinn (NZL) who was unlucky not to find any high scoring waves and was never in contention despite having stormed through the quarters and a low-scoring semi. The New Zealander however showed no signs of remorse as he collected his prize money and trophy.

After such trying climatic conditions earlier on in the week the 2005 Vendee Surf Pro went from strength to strength with improving weather conditions, organisation and some great surfing action at the main break of La Sauzaie leaving the strong international field with a taste of what the Vendee region has to offer.

You can find full event results, photos and a video summary of all today's action on www.aspeurope.com

Bretignolles sur-Mer proudly sponsors the 2005 Vendee Surf Pro with Pays de la Loire, Cote de Luminere, France Station Nautique and Office de Tourisme with co-sponsors Europe 89.4, Sport +, Super U, Ocean Surf Report, Akena, Bobard and France Telecom.

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