09.03.03
Press Release

August 28, 2003 (ASP Int'l, Aus) — The Boost Mobile Pro presented by Quiksilver at Lower Trestles, CA, is now just one week from its scheduled start date. Being the only ASP World Championship Tour (WCT) event on the US mainland, the famed venue is sure to highlight some of the most progressive competitive surfing ever witnessed as the race for this year's world crown heats up.

The Boost Mobile Pro presented by Quiksilver will be held September 4-13th, with the 5-day competition period selected by forecasting the best swell window. The event will be the seventh leg of the 12 round World Championship Tour, following events in equally pre-eminent wave locations in Australia, Tahiti, Fiji, Japan and South Africa. The World's top 45 surfers, plus three wildcards, will compete for over US$250,000 in prizemoney.

An epic showdown between reigning world champion Andy Irons (Kauai, Haw) and six-time world champ and current #2 Kelly Slater (FL, USA) is gearing up as the main attraction. Irons, who won the first WCT staged at Trestles in 2000, still holds a comfortable lead this year following three major wins in Australia, Fiji and Japan, but snapping closest to his heels is none other than Slater. The Floridian won his first professional event at Trestles more than a decade ago, but more recently displayed incredible form to secure his second tournament win of the year at Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa, last month. Still some 600 points behind, the 31-year-old knows the importance of the Boost Mobile Pro presented by Quiksilver and will have all guns blazing as he strives to clinch an unprecedented seventh world crown in 2003.

"It'll be a really important event," said Slater of competing at Trestles." "I feel like my surfing is always at its top level when I'm out there. It's a really easy wave for my approach, so if I can just keep my confidence together and the approach going the way it is, I think it'll work out."

ASP President Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew summed up the sentiments of most, as the countdown for the Boost Mobile Pro presented by Quiksilver continues. "Last years event is a very hard act to follow, but we are in the absolute best window for surf, and the fact that Andy Irons and Kelly Slater have dominated the past five WCT's brings a great Title race to Californian shores. Lowers is THE high performance wave, that's what the WCT is about, and this is the showdown a lot of people have been waiting for."

Boost Mobile team rider Luke Egan (Gold Coast, Aus) stormed away with the 2002 title in perfect conditions and is fired up to give this year's event another solid bash.

"Stoked that we are back at Trestles again," said Egan. "If we get half the good waves that we had last year I'll be happy. And I would like to pre-thank the locals for letting us have the break for the contest. The top 45 are thankful for being able to bring WCT surfing to the kids of southern California in the best waves around the area. I think the surfing will be even better than last year, as everyone has been ripping and have definitely raised the bar since Trestles last year."

Ratings #24 Trent Munro (Scotts Head, Aus) will be another major contender. The Australian suffered ligament damage to his knee during last year's event and ultimately missed the conclusion of the 2002 season. Nonetheless, he had already secured enough points to re-qualify and on this year's World Qualifying Series (WQS) he's been virtually unstoppable, winning three of the major tournaments — including the past two 6-Star events in France this month.

Contest directors Mike Parsons (USA) will be making the tough decision next Monday — September 1st — as to the actual days competition will be held at Trestles, since State Park permit restrictions don't allow a wait-and-see approach. Forecasts are looking promising for an immediate start, though organizers aren't able to run on both of the following weekend days, regardless of conditions. Further details will be posted when chosen dates are known.

   Send to a friend  | Submit your photo or video
   Top Rated Photos |  Top Rated Videos |  Most Sent