One contest down, many more to go, and the 2009 World Qualifying Series is off and running. While the results of the first and only contest of the year are hardly indicative of how the year will turn out, it’s interesting to see a few names now topping the list, who don’t typically even come close to factoring into the final rankings at year end. In an unusual situation, that will certainly change as the season goes on, Americans dominate the rankings. In a few months’ time, the top rankings will become a truly international affair.
Nathaniel Curran (USA) at number 1 is no surprise, since this is the same position he finished at in 2008. Aaron Cormican (USA) at number 2 is in an enviable position, after finishing runner-up to Curran at the SI Pro. Blake Jones (USA), a virtual unknown outside of his native Florida, is sitting at number 3. Former World Tour surfer and Florida native, Cory Lopez is back near the top of the rankings, where he belongs, at number 4. Sharing number 5 in the rankings are former World Tour surfer, Ben Bourgeois (USA) and WQS campaigner, Brett Simpson (USA). Tied for 7th are Hawaii’s Jesse Merle-Jones and Puerto Rico’s Alejandro Moreda. In a four-way tie for 9th are Americans, Brad Ettinger, Darrell Goodrum, Nate Yeomans and Brent Reilly. American’s also split equal 14th, shared between Jesse Heilman, 2009 World Tour surfer, Gabe Kling, Alek Parker and Austin Ware. 17th place sees an eight-way American split, between Danny Estes, Eric Geiselman, Blake Howard, Matt King, Sean Marceron, Asher Nolan, Sterling Spencer and Oliver Kurtz. Also seeing an eight-way split was 25th place, shared by Ryan Helm (USA), Noi Kaulukukui (USA), Jacob Kirschenbaum (USA), Justin McBride (USA), Che Stang (USA), Brian Toth (PRI), Gony Zubizarreta (ESP) and Matt Mohagen (USA).
The next event this season is the 2 star, Copa Movistar, presented by Rip Curl and Samsung, held in San Bartolo, Peru from January 23-25. What it lacks in points, it will make up for in location and local attention. Following that, we will see the next big ticket event from February 9th-15th, when the 5 star, Hang Loose Pro runs on Fernando de Noronha island, Brazil. Stay tuned, as the 2009 season is just getting started.
ASP World Qualifying Series top 25, following the O’Neill Sebastian Inlet Pro
1 Nathaniel Curran (USA) 1500
2 Aaron Cormican (USA) 1313
3 Blake Jones (USA) 1125
4 Cory Lopez (USA) 1069
5 Ben Bourgeois (USA) 975
5 Brett Simpson (USA) 975
7 Jesse Merle-Jones (HAW) 919
7 Alejandro Moreda (PRI) 919
9 Brad Ettinger (USA) 825
9 Darrell Goodrum (USA) 825
9 Nathan Yeomans (USA) 825
9 Brent Reilly (USA) 825
13 Jesse Heilman (USA) 694
13 Gabe Kling (USA) 694
13 Alek Parker (USA) 694
13 Austin Ware (USA) 694
17 Danny Estes (USA) 675
17 Eric Geiselman (USA) 675
17 Blake Howard (USA) 675
17 Matt King (USA) 675
17 Sean Marceron (USA) 675
17 Asher Nolan (USA) 675
17 Sterling Spencer (USA) 675
17 Oliver Kurtz (USA) 675
25 Ryan Helm (USA) 525
25 Noi Kaulukukui (USA) 525
25 Jacob Kirschenbaum (USA) 525
25 Justin McBride (USA) 525
25 Che Stang (USA) 525
25 Brian Toth (PRI) 525
25 Gony Zubizarreta (ESP) 525
25 Matt Mohagen (USA) 525
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