Courtney Conlogue (USA) 19, has won the ASP 6-Star Swatch Girls Pro France defeating Paige Hareb (NZL) 22, in 2-3Ft wind affected waves at Les Bourdaines, Seignosse, France. Perfect conditions greeted competitors this morning with a building swell and an offshore breeze allowing the event to start again after a lay-day yesterday. Quarter-finals of the Pro Junior opened today’s proceedings before moving to the main event and running it all the way to the crowning of Courtney Conlogue this afternoon.
Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 18, claimed the Swatch Girls Pro France Pro Junior title defeating Cannelle Bulard (REU) 18, in a one sided final that saw Buitendag in control throughout, despite Bulard fighting back in the final minutes.
Conlogue started off strong in the final with an 8.83 for a combination of two strong maneuvers on a running righthander and kept the lead throughout the clash, further consolidating her dominance with a 7.00 out of 10. Conlogue was the most in form surfer today scoring the only perfect 10 point ride of the event and kept building momentum until the final.
“The final went really well and conditions definitely got super tricky towards the end there,” said Conlogue. “I just tried to go on a few waves and stick to the wall it was a lot of trouble out there but I’m super stoked to have won. I was just really trying hard to do well in this event having done it for the last three years. I really wanted it and hopefully it’ll be a good boost for Biarritz.”
The young Californian, who is currently ranked 4th on the ASP Women’s World Championship Tour, has gained consistency this season and is looking strong for the 2012 back end of the year’s ASP World Title race. Number one surfer on the Swatch Pro Team, Conlogue already placed third in last year’s edition of the Swatch Girls Pro France and climbed up a couple spots to win today.
“It’s definitely really cool to win the Swatch event” commented Conlogue. “They did such a great job this whole week. I had so much fun at this contest this year it’s probably one of my favourite contests right now. Yesterday’s beach activities I think probably amped me up to kick butt today!”
Taking her surfing to a whole new level in 2012, Courtney Conlogue consistantly stepped up her performances this week in France to claim the Swatch Girls Pro France 2012 title in a fantastic fashion.
“I’m kind of simplifying things this year, I’m not trying to make it so complicated and then I’m riding Tim Stamps surfboards which have been working really well in the beachbreaks,” Continued Conlogue. “I’ve been working with him, figuring things out and what works best in those conditions. I want to be in the Top 3 on the World Tour, that’s my goal for this year!”
Paige Hareb, was the defeated finalist today, a second place result confirming her great form this year. The goofy-footer placed third this year in New Zealand at the third stop of the ASP Women’s World Championship Tour and is enjoying her strongest season at the elite level showing once again in France that she’s a strong competitor.
“I would have liked to have won off course but this has been my best result on the Star tour since pretty much five years ago when I first started so I’m pretty happy!” said Hareb. “I’m still pretty up-and-down, I’m still trying to be more consistent with the results but yeah I was happy with that result in my hometown and this one now so hopefully I can just try to keep the ball rolling!”
Hareb, sitting in 10th position on the ASP Women’s World Championship Tour rankings, has been surfing extremely strong all week, eliminating Hawaiians Alana Blanchard and recent World Junior Champion Leila Hurst on her way to the final. Hareb found two good waves in the final and had a heat total that would have seen her win many other heats of the event, but just fell short against an unbeatable Conlogue.
“I’m just having fun and not really thinking about it too much and it just sort of happens” Hareb stated. “I love France. I got fifth here last year and now this result, plus I love the food and the people so I’ll be back for sure !”
