SEIGNOSSE, France (Friday, September 26, 2008) - Michel Bourez (Tahiti, PYF), 23, current ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) No. 14 and wildcard in the Quiksilver Pro France, ended his run in the Quarterfinals of the event after defeating three of the top 20 surfers including ASP World Tour No. 3 and 4 Bede Durbidge (AUS) and Joel Parkinson (AUS) respectively in Round 3 and 2.
Bourez, a former ASP European Champion and ASP World Junior No. 2, has been rising among the world's best qualifiers for a couple of years now and proved his surfing and mental could definitely match with the world's elite. Not only did Bourez defeat some of the world's best but he also posted the highest heat score of the event, an impressive 19.57 point heat tally (out of a possible 20) leaving the Quiksilver Pro France with great confidence.
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That last heat was pretty disappointing because I really thought I had the score to advance through to the Semifinals," Bourez said. "
I am still stoked with the event and to be able to surf against the best. The surfing displayed and the level was just amazing. I still need to improve and the last heat is an example; I thought I had given my best and it was not enough."
Bourez left France for a week holiday in Reunion Island before getting back to the ASP World Qualifying Series showdown starting in Brazil next week and wrapping up at the world famous venue of Sunset Beach on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, in December.
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I have to focus back 100% on the WQS," Bourez said. "
I need one final or a couple of quarterfinals to get my ticket for next year's ASP World tour and join all these guys on tour so I hope the wildcard I got this year will go to a young local next year."
The Quiksilver Pro France revealed current ASP World Tour No. 10 Jeremy Flores (FRA) in 2005 before his stellar year on the WQS he ended up winning, and lots of people in France and in Europe hope for a similar destiny for the French Polynesian competitor who should cause some major damage to the ASP Top 45 if he qualifies for next year's Dream Tour.
Bourez, who started as a professional junior surfer in Europe in 2004, is getting closer to his ultimate goal and with such a potential, there is a good chance to se him join his friend Tim Boal (FRA) among the ASP Top 45.
Check Michel Bourez's profile at
http://www.aspeurope.com/2008/
