Huscenot to Lead Europe’s Young Guns in Billabong ASP World Junior Championships

CAPBRETON, France (Wednesday, December 24, 2008) - ASP Europe’sbest Under-21surfers will meetin a week in Narabeen, Sydney, for a shot atthecovetedASP WorldJunior Title,the most prestigious Junior crownon Earth. 2008 ASP European Junior champion Maxime Huscenot (REU), 16, will beEurope’s favorite against the world’s best surfing nations including local Australian team led by world famous wonderkid Julian Wilson (AUS). At sixteen years of age, Huscenot has had a stellaryear becoming the youngest surfer ever to clinch the ASP European Junior title against some solid opponents including Marc Lacomare (FRA) who will attend the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.

“I have always wanted to surf in the event and show what I could do against the world’s best,” Huscenot said.”Iknow it is going to be very tough but I believe I can do something. Very few of the guys know me so I will go there and show my surf and we will see what happens. Being the youngest surfer there will help as well because I will have nothing to lose and less pressure.”

Huscenot, who has been training with Patrick Flores, father and coach of ASP World Tour No. 10 Jeremy Flores (FRA), has been to Narabeen the past four years and knows what the waves can be when it gets consistent. Born and raised on the shallow reefbreaks of Reunion Island, Huscenot should be a serious opponent to any of the 47 other young men in contention for the crown.

“You just to have to give 150% every time you surf in a heat or you are out of the game,” Huscenotsaid.”Making the Semifinals would be amazing but it is very tough because even when you make it that far you have to step up and take your level further.”

Huscenot will lead a seven-man batallion to Australia with Marc Lacomare (FRA), Medi Veminardi (REU), Jatyr Berasaluce (EUK), Pierre Valentin Laborde (FRA), Jules Thomet (FRA) and ASP International wildcard and former ASP World Junior No. 3 Charles Martin (GLP). No European has ever won the prestigiouscrown,Martin and Laborde placing respectively 3rd in 2007 and 5th in 2006, while recent Dream Tour qualifier Michel Bourez (PYF) placed second in 2005, a result that was a first step towards his ASP World Tour campaign.

Europe’s top Junior female surfers will battle in the women’s division, ASP European Junior Women’s champion Alizee Arnaud (FRA) and Pauline Ado (FRA) representing the rising nation in surfing after regional No. 2 Lee-Ann Curren (FRA) pulled out for personal reasons.

Arnaud, who eventually clinched her maiden regional crown after several runner-up or Top 3 finishes, surfed with surprising verticality and comitment all year to pursue her goal and grab the spot for Narabeen’s gathering. At 18-years-old, Arnaud has the potential to cause some damage in the jungle of under-21 raw talents rising every year in the women’s division and pushing women’s surfing to the next level.

MEN
Maxime Huscenot (REU)
Marc Lacomare (FRA)
Medi Veminardi (REU)
Jatyr Berasaluce (EUK)
Pierre Valentin Laborde (FRA)
Jules Thomet (FRA)
Charles Martin (GLP)

WOMEN
Alizee Arnaud (FRA)
Pauline Ado (FRA)