Favorites Dominate on Day 1 of the Rip Curl Pro Junior Mademoiselle

SEIGNOSSE, France (Tuesday, August 26, 2008) – The ASP Grade-2 Rip Curl Pro Junior Mademoiselle got underway today at the world famous beachbreak of Les Bourdaines with Round 1 and 2 being completed in good quality four foot (1.2 meter) waves and under beating sun.

With all favorites not surfing in Round 1, unknown surfers and locals were able to enjoy their time out before big names started firing.

Bruna Schmitz (BRA), 18, current No.6 on the ASP WQS ratings, was the best performer of the day posting an excellent 18.50 point heat tally (out of a possible 20) including solid 9.50 and 9.00 points ride (out of a possible 10).

“I feel very relaxed,” Schmitz said. ” The surfing conditions are very good and it is sunny and warm. I took many waves but two were pretty good and I am stoked to score that big.”

Schmitz got through two rounds today dominating all her opponents en route to Quartefinals. Schmitz, who has had an excellent year among the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Women’s World Qualifying Series (WQS), has no pressure.

” I don’t have any specific goals,” Schimitz said. ” I am in Seignosse to spend some time with my boyfriend who lives here and I have decided to enter this competition just for fun.”

Schmitz will now face experienced under-21 surfers Laetitia Sudre (FRA), Marie Dejean (FRA) and Leticia Canales Bilbao (EUK) in Quarterfinal No. 4 tomorrow morning and could create some serious upsets when competition resumes.

Alizée Arnaud (FRA) 18, current regional leader, was in good form today as well defeating Marjolaine Ado (FRA), Idoia Meabe (EUK) and Ana Morau (FRA) in Round 2. Arnaud secured her Quarterfinal ticket posting a solid 7.75 point ride (out of a possible 10) and will go for an unprecedent third consecutive event win tomorrow.

” I am stoked,” Arnaud said. ” I had two sets to secure enough points to take the lead then I tried many maneuvres and it was a lot of fun.”

Arnaud who has won two events this year, including the ASP Grade-2 Kana Miss Cup in Hourtin, France and the ASP Grade-2 Billabong Pro Junior in Ericeira, Portugal, is in top form and feels confident.

” I was critically ill at the beginning of the year and it has given me a real boost to surf my best in competitions,” Arnaud said. I would really like to win the event and get the wildcard for the Rip Curl Pro Mademoiselle.”

Arnaud is currently leading the regional ratings and will go for her maiden regional championship this year.

Pauline Ado (FRA), 17, won Heat 5 scoring a good 14.25 point heat tally (out of a possible 20) but was not very satisfied with her today’s performance.

“I did not surf my best”, Ado said. ” I did not take the best waves and show what I can really do. I hope I will improve my surfing. Swell predictions are looking good for tomorrow so it’s going to be fun.”

Ado, ranked No. 2 in the ASP Junior ratings, who got back-to-back excellent results in France – a win at Lacanau and a runner-up finish at Hourtin – is another of the regional favorites to be in good form.

“I want to keep the pressure away so I just take one heat at a time” Ado said. “I will try to go as far as possible and give my best to qualify for the ASP World Junior Championships in Australia.”

All 16 competitors will meet at 9.30 AM (GMT+2)  tomorrow, Wednesday, August 27, and the Rip Curl Pro Junior champion will be crowned by the afternoon.