VENDEE SURF PRO - PAYS DE LA LOIRE WQS 4****
BRETIGNOLLES SUR MER - Vendée
Day 5 GREAT CONDITIONS AT VENDEE SURF PRO

Saturday, 23 April, 2005 (La Sauzaie, Bretignolles sur-Mer, France ) Today saw the best day of competition so far at the 2005 Vendee Surf Pro. The men's ASP 4 star World Qualifying Series (WQS) event ran the 1/8 finals and despite continuing good conditions this afternoon organisers have taken a gamble and decided to run the final stage tomorrow of this US$ 75,000 event.

The swell picked up throughout the day with solid 6ft (2m) peaks lining up along La Sauzaie reef break with a moderate cross-shore wind not hampering the quality of the waves. With the added return of warm temperatures and bright sunshine the Saturday afternoon crowd enjoyed the performances of the strong international field.

Adrian Buchan (AUS) got the ball rolling with the strongest display of the day in heat #1. The young Australian got off the mark with a long right-hander, drawing out his bottom turns and smashing the lip with powerful back-hand re-entries to score a 9.5 and take the lead which was never in threat during his 25-minute heat.

Yerin Brown (AUS) then added fuel to the fire and got the large crowd cheering with a long stand-up barrel on the inside bowl and for good measure laid down a series of fore-hand snaps in the pocket to post a near perfect 9.8 the single highest score of the competition. The natural footer then got the back-up score he needed with only minutes to spare and advance to the quarter finals.

Shaun Cansdell (AUS) had yet another high scoring clash in heat #7. The Australian followed up yesterday's excellent performance with another display of power surfing with former WCT surfer Eric Rebiere (FRA) hot on his heels with a solid showing.

The swell is currently on the increase and we all have our fingers crossed that the predicted return of strong on-shore winds and rain holds off for another 24 hours to allow the running of quarter-finals through to the grand finale.

Next call is Sunday 2pm (local time)

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.

VENDEE SURF PRO - PAYS DE LA LOIRE WQS 4****
BRETIGNOLLES SUR MER - Vendée
Day 4. ROUND OF 64 COMPLETED AT VENDEE SURF PRO

Friday, 22 April, 2005 (La Sauzaie, Brettignolles sur-Mer, France) The 2005 Vendee Surf Pro ran through the final 8 heats of the round of 64 this afternoon at the main break of La Sauzaie after having to wait till 3pm for the higher tide. The men's 4 star ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) event witnessed some excellent surfing action from the remaining top seeds and is set for the final run home to the US$ 75,000 prize money.

Strong on-shore winds, torrential rain and cold temperatures lasted throughout the day with an increasing 4-5ft (1.3-1.5m) swell one of the only positive aspects to the weather situation. Random peaks shifted across the reef break making wave selection crucial as the guys tried to locate anything that allowed them to link a series of manoeuvres. Despite the rain and wind a hardy group on-lookers enjoyed the efforts of all who entered the water while the majority of people watched the conditions from the warmth of their cars in the site car park.

Australian Shaun Cansdell was the stand out surfer today with a complete display of dominance in his 25-minute heat. The young goofy-footer lead from start to finish and literally ripped everything in sight making it look easy as he stormed home with a combined total of 17.34.

Pablo Solar (SPA) won the day's most interesting heat against all predictions with a long left that he smashed with a series of backhand gouges to post a 9.0 while Justin Mujica (PRT) finished runner-up in the dying seconds to oust Australian Drew Courtney by only 0.1 points.

Leigh Sedley and Nic Muscroft finished tied on 13.77 points. The pair of Australians gave it all they had eliminating the seeded surfers in their heat with Sedley winning on a count back as both advance to the round of 32.

With two days remaining in the waiting period and a further increase in swell predicted officials are confident of getting a result despite the extreme climatic conditions.

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.

VENDEE SURF PRO - PAYS DE LA LOIRE WQS 4**** 21 April 2005
BRETIGNOLLES SUR MER - Vendée
ROUND OF 64 COMMENCES AT VENDEE SURF PRO

VENDEE SURF PRO - PAYS DE LA LOIRE WQS 4**** 20 April 2005
BRETIGNOLLES SUR MER - Vendée
COMPETITION CONTINUES AT VENDEE SURF PRO

Wednesday, 20 April, 2005 (Bretignolles sur-mer, France ) The 2005 Vendee Surf Pro stepped up a gear today despite the extreme weather conditions. Organisers decided to relocate the men's 4 star ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) event to nearby Plage de Dunes to make the most of the lower tide where round 128 was completed before moving back to the main site with the higher tide to complete 10 heats of round 96. With continuing difficult conditions the strong international field demonstrated that they really are world class surfers with some incredible displays of power surfing as they vie for a stake of the US$75,000 prize money.

4-5ft (1.3-1.5m) waves entered the Vendee region and with the gale force on-shore winds, water temperatures at 10º and inconsistent peaks all competitors found the going extremely tough in today's heats.

Bobby Morris (USA), Daniel Jones (HAW), Australians Josh Dowthwaite and Leigh Sedley as well as local Frenchman Tim Boal were the standout surfers in today's rounds impressing both judges and spectators alike as they destroyed the rare opportunities that were on offer with fast, clean, power surfing. Those who could adapt to the freezing conditions both in and out of the water and were lucky enough to find a wave that offered a section or two to be smashed also managed to get through the round and pray that tomorrows forecast of off-shore winds and a continuing swell comes true.

Next call is tomorrow at 8.30 am. (Local time)

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.

VENDEE SURF PRO - PAYS DE LA LOIRE WQS 4**** 19 April 2005
BRETIGNOLLES SUR MER - Vendée
COMPETION COMMENCES AT VENDEE SURF PRO

Tuesday, 19 April, 2005 ( La Sauzaie, Britignolles sur Mer, France) Today saw the start of the Vendee Surf Pro at the reef break of La Sauzaie. The men's 4 star ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) event ran through half of the first round and with a lowering tide and an increase in the quality of the waves predicted for tomorrow officials decided to call a holt to the US$ 75,000 event.
Difficult 4-6ft (1.5-2m) waves were on offer throughout the day with a strong on-shore wind forcing competitors to fight for every wave during their 25-minute heats.

Leandro Bastos (BRA) completely dominated his first round clash scoring the highest single score and combined total of the day. With driving turns on a long left the natural footer secured a solid 6.8 and then backed it up with a series of powerful fore-hand snaps to receive an 8.5. Zach Plopper (USA) finished runner-up and also advances to the next round.

Anthony Petruso (USA) then overcame Blake Johnston (AUS) in a closely fought, high scoring heat. The American showed great style and composure posting an excellent 8.5 with strong flowing turns and lightening fast snaps. Despite the difficult conditions Johnston came home strongly with a solid 7.0 and 6.17 in his two-wave total.

Young Australian Rhys Smith easily advanced to the next round in his first round heat. Choosing only the larger outside waves which allowed room for some strong fore-hand gouges the Australian easily advanced with Abdel El Harim (MAR).

VENDEE SURF PRO WQS****
Vendée Surf Pro WQS**** Pays de la Loire, une épreuve de haut niveau.
Cette compétition est une étape majeure du circuit WQS. Avec ses 4 *, elle reste ouverte à tous et offre à chacun la possibilité de progresser dans le classement de l'ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals). Une victoire à Brétignolles sur Mer peut permettre d'accéder aux Super Series, compétitions réservées à l'élite du surf international.

A ce jour, 116 surfeurs du monde entier sont déjà inscrits pour le Vendée Surf Pro WQS**** Pays de la Loire. Parmi eux, on retrouve les français qui ont le vent en poupe : Miky Picon, Éric Rebiere, Tim Boal, Patrick Beven et Alain Riou respectivement 46e, 54e, 83e, 94e et 95e au classement ASP.

Sans oublier les têtes d'affiche internationales : l'anglais Winter Russell, 8e au classement ASP, l'espagnol Eneko Acero, 9e, l'australien Jay Thompson, 27e, l'américain Ryam Helm, 37e, et le jeune espagnol Aritz Aranburu qui vient de créer la surprise en remportant le Goanna Pro, compétition WQS*, le week-end de Pâques en Espagne. La plupart se retrouveront au Portugal du 14 au 16 avril pour disputer une nouvelle épreuve WQS* avant de se rejoindre à Brétignolles sur Mer quelques jours plus tard pour le début des épreuves de qualification.

L'ASP vient de réouvrir à titre exceptionnel les inscriptions afin que chaque surfeur ait la possibilité de participer à cette compétition. Les derniers inscrits perdront en contrepartie leur classement et seront contraints de participer aux épreuves qualificatives avant de pouvoir accéder à la compétition en elle-même.

Un prize money équitable
La totalité des gains (75 000 USD) est répartie entre les 49 premiers de la compétition. Le premier remporte 10 000 USD, le second 5 000, le troisième 3 000, le quatrième 2 400 et les 54 600 dollars restants sont distribués de manière équitable entre les 45 surfeurs suivants.

Brétignolles sur Mer, un « spot » unique
« La Sauzaie est un spot bien spécifique », explique Lucas Levézac, directeur de la compétition, « Le site se prête particulièrement bien au spectacle et c'est ce qui en fait tout son attrait. Il faut attendre que la marée soit haute pour surfer. Les vagues culminent entre 1 et 2 mètres et permettent aux surfeurs d'enchaîner tout le panel des figures possibles à moins de 20 mètres de la côte. Une aubaine pour le grand public !»

Clin d'œil particulier aux deux clubs locaux de surf : le Breteam et Surfing St Gilles. Tous les adhérents des clubs de Brétignolles-sur-Mer et de St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie porteront main forte à l'organisation de la compétition. Une aide précieuse et particulièrement appréciée par l'ensemble des organisateurs et des concurrents.

L'accès au site est entièrement gratuit pour l'ensemble du public. Tous les renseignements concernant les animations ou les différentes réservations pour les hébergements sont disponibles auprès de l'office de tourisme de Brétignolles sur Mer au 02 51 90 12 78 ou sur le site internet : http://www.bretignolles-sur-mer.com