Sopelana Movistar Pro
Source: www.ibaworldtour.com
posted on 16th August 2007
Big rollup for Round 3 of the IBA International Men's World Tour. It's shaping up as the most popular leg of the 2007 IBA International MWT (Men's World Tour) with back to back events on the old country attracting the cream of World bodyboarding. Ben Player, fresh off two victories (Shark Island & Chile) has arrived early to adjust to the smaller beach break type conditions.
Looking very relaxed but highly focused whilst heading for a practice session with long time friend and rival Damian King he commented "I'm fresh off a few wins and I feel like everyone wants to take me out but I like that stuff."
"There's no friends in the water and it's hard because we have to travel with mates around the world and compete against each other and generally what happens in the water stays in the water. It's simply professional sport."
After two high rating events at quality venues it will take a shift in both mental and technical approach to adjust to the smaller beach break conditions. "I grew up at Avalon surfing small waves like this every summer and to tell you the truth it doesn't bother me. I think that having a variety of conditions on the MWT means that the guy that wins it is a truly rounded competitor."
Ben has been in outstanding form all year and two wins in a row sets him up for potentially another excellent result here in Spain in his bid to reclaim the title in 2008.
"Seeing Jeff win the title in Hawaii really made me motivated to get it back. My whole focus this year has been on training hard & surfing all conditions and having fun in small surf and I feel that this is making me a more complete competitor. "
Former two-time World champion Damian King reflected on his year and trip to Europe. " It's been a full on year. I had an operation on my ears that put me out for three months and made me miss Chile. Some of the biggest threats at this event will come from the locals who have a very high standard of small wave riding."
"My boards and gear bags went missing for a few days and that spun me out a bit. They rocked up today though and I had a fun warm-up at the contest site and my confidence is back to really challenge for this event."
Others to look out for in Sopelana include 9 times World Champion Mike Stewart and reigning World Champ Jeff Hubbard both from Hawaii as well as former World Champion Guilherme Tamega (Brazil) and Mark McCarthy (South Africa)
The consistency of the waves at Sopelana Beach has been a worry for event director Gonzaga Prada but a fresh pulse in wave height is forecast just in time for the start of competition on Thursday.
All results can be found on the event site and watch it online live via the link at www.ibatour.com
The Sopelana Movistar Pro is made possible by Coca-Cola, Arin, ElCorreo, Seland Beach & edubartolome.com
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