Pro Surfing and Contests

Marlon Lipke makes the 2009 World Tour!

I just received an email from Melvin Lipke, confirming that his big brother Marlon has been given a much deserved wildcard spot on the 2009 World Tour. 

Following a stellar season on the World Qualifying Series, Marlon Lipke, everyone’s favorite German national/Portugese local, found himself one spot shy of making the 2009 World Tour.  Marlon still had another chance to make the tour if his fellow countryman and World Tour surfer, Tiago Pires (PRT) could pull out a strong finish at Pipeline.  A strong Pipe finish would mean double qualification for Tiago, leaving his WQS slot open for the next in line.  Tiago was no stranger to good results in heavy lefthand waves, with a 3rd place finish at the Rip Curl Somewhere in Indo event and a 9th place finish at the Billabong Pro Mundaka.  Unfortunately, sidelined with a nagging back injury, Tiago was forced to sit out the final event of the year, leaving his friend Marlon high and dry.  Marlon’s hard work, focus and determination was finally rewarded following the Billabong Pipeline Masters, when he was awarded one of three, much coveted wildcard slots for the 2009 World Tour.  Marlon took the third wildcard spot, alongside fellow European, Aritz Aranburu (EUK) and Cooly Kid, Dean Morrison (AUS), who both received injury wildcards.  Together they join the top 27 from the 2008 World Tour plus the top 15 from the 2008 WQS to round out the top 45 for 2009. 

Congratulations, Marlon!  You truly earned this!

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