ASP World Tour Rookie of the Year?

there is usually a perfect spot to be in just in front of the breaking wave

Pro Surfing and Contests

By ASP Addict · November 6, 2008

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With only one contest left this season, let’s take a look at how the rookies have fared and who is lined up for Rookie of the Year. This year’s rookie class includes Jordy Smith (ZAF), Dane Reynolds (USA), Heitor Alves (BRA), Daniel Ross (AUS), Jay Thompson (AUS), Tiago Pires (PRT), Aritz Aranburu (EUK), and Jihad Khodr (BRA).

Where do the rookies currently sit on the rankings?

16) Dane Reynolds (USA)

24) Heitor Alves (BRA)

25) Jordy Smith (ZAF)

30) Tiago Pires (PRT)

32) Jay Thompson (AUS)

38) Daniel Ross (AUS)

43) Jihad Khodr (AUS)

44) Aritz Aranburu (AUS)

Obviously, Dane Reynolds is the clear front runner at 16th. If he can keep up the momentum he’s built throughout the season, the Rookie of the Year title is his. The only thing that can stop his win is if Heitor Alves takes a win in Hawaii.

Heitor Alves has really stepped up his game in the back half of the year, with a couple of 5th place finishes. He sits at 24th in the rankings, with a strong chance of upping his number in Hawaii.

Jordy Smith has shown his fantastic talent in heats, but hasn’t backed up his uncanny surfing skills with big results. With only three 9th place finishes as highs, he sits at 25th, just a few heats away from requalifying or not requalifying. He’ll have to hope he can put up a ranking that counts in Hawaii.

Tiago Pires has shown moments of brilliance, like when he received an equal 3rd in Indonesia after knocking out Kelly Slater. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to back up that 3rd with another big result. At 30th place, he’ll have to make a big finish in Hawaii.

Jay Thompson has had a lackluster rookie year, with only one 9th place finish as a high. At 32nd in the rankings, he’s likely to sit next year’s World Tour out. His last hope for requalification is with the WQS, where he currently sits at 40th. Even then, he better win or place in the top 3 at both Hawaiian 6 Star Primes.

Daniel Ross sits in the same situation as Jay Thompson. He’s 38th on the World Tour and 41st on the WQS. He better go big in the Hawaiian WQS events.

Jihad Khodr is sitting at 43rd on the World Tour, having never finished higher than 17th in an event. He has a strong chance of requalifying for the World Tour through the WQS if he can finish strong in Hawaii, as he currently sits at 20th on the WQS.

Aritz Aranburu admittedly had an unfortunate injury from the start of this season. What might have been a season ender forced him to sit out four contests. He’s clearly the front runner for an injury wildcard requalification on the World Tour, but not even in consideration for Rookie of the Year.

Again, by all accounts, it looks like Dane has a lock on Rookie of the Year. Stay tuned to see how things go down in Hawaii.

Discussion

One comment for “ASP World Tour Rookie of the Year?”

You Bradda’s get a clue, I might be bias, but Kekoa “Bam” Bacalso smoke all these guy on a regular basis.

Posted by Maui Dave | July 5, 2009, 12:15 am

Pro Surfing and Contests