Taylor Jensen : photo Steve Robertson/Surfing Australia
GSI Noosa Festival of Surfing
Presented by Goldenbreed
ASP 1 Star LQS Mens & Womens event
Noosa, Queensland
15 - 22 March 2009
Taylor Jensen wins Golden Breed Pro and Chelsea Williams
wins Banana Boat Pro in epic conditions at Noosa Heads
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 21 March, 2009 : - - With perfect 1.25m surf pouring through the idyllic point breaks at Noosa Heads today, USA surfer Taylor Jensen (San Diego) and Australia’s Chelsea Williams (Tweed Heads/NSW) have won high scoring finals of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) events, the Golden Breed Pro and Banana Boat Women’s Pro.
It was Taylor Jensen’s first final at Noosa despite travelling to this event for the past five years and the former three time USA Longboard Champion won the final in convincing fashion posting three outstanding 9 point plus rides , finishing on a final score tally on his top two rides of 18.70 to Australia’s Josh Constable on 17.15 (out of a possible 20).
“ The waves out there today were unbelievable, just about as good as it possibly gets for surfing longboards and I pretty much knew before the final started that the winner would need to score a pair of 9 point plus rides – With waves like these that peel so perfect the scope to score big is just endless and it worked out perfectly for me today” said Jensen after his 30 minute final.
“I’ve had plenty of great battles with Constable over the years and he beat me in the semi finals of the 2006 ASP World Titles which he went on and won so I feel I have just got one back on him today.”
Taylor Jensen : photo Steve Robertson/Surfing Australia
Constable did all he could to chase down Jensen’s lead in the final and at the half way stage was in contention when he scored an excellent 8.5 ride but shortly after Jensen delivered a 9.6 ride and the chase was as good as over with all three opponents chasing a combination of two scoring rides to catch Jensen’s 18.70 tally.
“ Taylor has been the form surfer all week and he deserved today’s win” said Constable. “I’m stoked to have made the final and placed second – The last six weeks I’ve spent recovering from pneumonia so I am pleased with my result, it’s early in the year and getting a good result here sets me up for a good year ahead.”
Today’s Banana Boat final was just as exciting with Chelsea Williams displaying enormous competitive spirit requiring a 9.3 ride late in the final and posting a 9.5 ride to take the lead with five minutes remaining.
“I knew if I could catch the right wave I had a high 9 point ride plus ride in me. Melissa had a great start and had two excellent scores early but I always figured with such perfect waves out there that a winning ride was going to pop up for me and fortunately that’s exactly what happened” said Williams.
Chelsea Williams : photo Steve Robertson/Surfing Australia
“When Noosa breaks like this there’s just about no better wave for surfing longboards and todays final was nearly as good as it gets “ added Williams.
Final scores and placing’s in the Banana Boat Pro were Chelsea Williams on 17.70 to Melissa Combo (Ballina/NSW) on 17.50 with Selby Riddle (Qld) third on 13.25 and Isabelle Brayley (Byron Bay) fourth on 12.3.
The GSI Noosa Festival of Surfing continues tomorrow with finals across all divisions including Pro Noseriding and Tandem and with excellent surf likely it should be a classic conclusion.
Final Results
Golden Breed Pro
Jensen,Taylor USA 1
Constable, Josh Qld 2
Wach,Christian USA 3
Roach, Harrison Qld 4
Banana Boat Women’s Pro
Williams,Chelsea 1
Combo,Melissa NSW 2
Riddle,Selby Qld 3
Braley,Isabelle NSW 4
Check the Full Results
Previous reports:
# 1 : GSI Noosa Festival of Surfing streamlines for March '09
# 2 : GSI Noosa Fest hosts the Firstlight 5k SUP paddle race
# 3 : GSI Noosa Festival of Surfing to host 'generations' event
# 4 : Golden Breed Noserider Inv. ready to launch at Noosa
# 5 : Julian Wilson dominates Day #1 of GSI Noosa Festival..
# 6 : Pro division quarterfinalists decided for GSI Noosa Fest
# 7 : Finalists decided at Golden Breed Pro, Banana Boat Pro
# 8 : Noosa Festival features One Design with GSI Meyerhoffer
# 9 : Noosa: Golden Breed Pro & Banana Boat Pro set to wrap
# 10 : GSI Noosa Festival set for great weekend of finals action
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www.noosafestivalofsurfing.com
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Trudy Croad/Steve Robertson
Festivals - Surfersvillage
