{"id":9397,"date":"2009-07-26T13:32:29","date_gmt":"2009-07-26T20:32:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/?p=9397"},"modified":"2009-07-26T17:21:23","modified_gmt":"2009-07-27T00:21:23","slug":"brett-simpson-takes-the-hurley-100000","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/?p=9397","title":{"rendered":"Brett Simpson Takes the Hurley $100,000"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Bsusopen09Winbig\"<\/a><\/p>\n

If we were writing a surfing screenplay there would have been no better story than Brett Simpson’s<\/strong> march to the title at the 2009 US Open of Surfing<\/a><\/strong>. In a final with very few waves and in front of what will likely be the largest live surfing event crowd ever, the local surfer rocked the world by edges former world champion Mick Fanning<\/strong> to take the $100,000 check in only his second ASP WQS win ever.<\/p>\n

Simpson was pretty much beside himself after getting carried up the beach following the finals. “I’d like to thank everybody. You guys are awesome. All the support has been just amazing. Every time you think you’re a little bit tired just t energy level goes up a even more just from hearing everybody,” Simpson said from the stage. “I’d like to thank them and Bob and Paul and everybody at Hurley. It’s my main sponsor and they put on an awesome event. And Rob mentioned they should put in $100 grand and they end up doing it and I end up winning it so it’s even more better.”<\/p>\n

Mick Fanning was a gracious in his defeat as he was committed to winning the event. “Brett I was there when you just missed out on qualifying, an mate winning in front of your hometown crowd is amazing,” Fanning said. “I am so stoked for you mate. That’s awesome.”<\/p>\n

Brett said that the single most important thing to his win was sleeping at home and being able to run his normal routine even though a contest was going on. He was stoked. “It’s a dream come true,” he said.<\/p>\n

Click here for full results from all the US Open events including the women’s event and Pro Jr.’s<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Transworld Surf Photo Gallery<\/strong> and ASP official press release after the jump. . .<\/p>\n

[Link: <\/strong>US Open of Surfing<\/a><\/strong>]<\/strong>
\n<\/object><\/p>\n

Brett Simpson Rampages to Historic Victory at Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing
\nHUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Sunday, July 26, 2009) \u2013 Brett Simpson (Huntington Beach, CA), 24, has claimed the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing over former ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (Coolangatta, AUS), 28, in front of an ecstatic hometown crowd, netting surfing\u2019s biggest victory purse ever \u2013 US$100,000.<\/p>\n

An event that will go down in surfing history, the 2009 Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing was treated to incredible surf (waves reaching as high as ten-to-twelve feet), an unprecedented number of elite ASP Dream Tour competitors in attendance as well as the biggest winner\u2019s prize in surfing history. The young local\u2019s emphatic victory in front of the hundreds of thousands on the beach provided the storybook ending and vaulted the event to unprecedented heights.<\/p>\n

Simpson wasted no time in putting his opponent on the ropes in the Final, collecting a 6.83, a 7.83 and a 9.10 in the opening half of the heat with razor-sharp turns, explosive aerial maneuvers and a supernatural rapport with the Huntington Beach sandbanks.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew the tide was coming up and there weren\u2019t going to be as many waves,\u201d Simpson said. \u201cI knew I needed a quick start. We (Mick Fanning and I) both got off to pretty quick starts. We both picked up some good scores off the bat and I was able to build a little momentum throughout my opening waves. I couldn\u2019t believe it when the heat finished \u2013 I\u2019m still at a loss. I can\u2019t ask for more than to beat Mick Fanning in the Final at home. With that, and the $100,000 and the 2,500 \u2019QS points, I\u2019m nearly in tears at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Each one of Simpson\u2019s maneuvers was met with a thunder of cheers from the hundreds of thousands of spectators on the beach, and the young Californian\u2019s win was caused an unparalleled eruption of excitement to ripple through the Hurley U.S. Open event site.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019re riding on the ski in front of the crowd and you hear the applause it definitely pumps you up,\u201d Simpson said. \u201cEvery time I was feeling a bit tired, the energy level of the crowd would lift me right up. It\u2019s unbelievable to have all the support and my family and friends here with me. This is the best day of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to taking away professional surfing\u2019s biggest first prize in history (US$100,000), Simpson earned 2,500 ASP WQS points solidifying his campaign in the qualification race for the 2010 ASP Dream Tour. The progressive natural-footer is in excellent position for a berth next season at professional surfing\u2019s most elite level, the ASP World Tour.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what to say,\u201d Simpson said. \u201cIt hasn\u2019t sunk in yet. I\u2019m just stoked. It\u2019s my best result ever. It\u2019s so important to my qualifying campaign and such a huge boost of confidence to me. My goal has always been to compete on the World Tour and I\u2019m definitely focused on finishing the season strong. I don\u2019t know what else to say. I\u2019m really excited and I can\u2019t wait for the rest of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fanning was in phenomenal form this morning, eliminating two fellow ASP World Tour campaigners en route to his Finals berth, but the current ASP World No. 7 was unable to navigate the decreasing afternoon conditions. Despite missing out on the US$100,000 first prize, the Australian exhibited true sportsmanship, congratulating Simpson as well as the event.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been an amazing week for me,\u201d Fanning said. \u201cI haven\u2019t been here for seven years and to come back into an event like this is just amazing. The setup, the crowd, the waves, it\u2019s all been a dream. Congratulations to Brett (Simpson), he\u2019s a true champion and we look forward to seeing him next year on tour.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adriano de Souza (Sao Paulo, BRA), 22, former ASP World Junior Champion (2004) and current ASP World No. 3, caused the upset of the event this morning, defeating nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (Cocoa Beach, FL), 37, in Quarterfinal 3. Despite the impressive feat, the young Brazilian was unable to overcome a rampaging Fanning in the Semifinals.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m disappointed that I couldn\u2019t find the waves against Mick (Fanning),\u201d De Souza said. \u201cIt\u2019s still a great event \u2013 so many people and good waves, sunny. Obviously, my highlight was beating Kelly (Slater) this morning. There weren\u2019t many waves in that heat, but I was able to get on the better ones and surf pretty well. Kelly can<\/p>\n

C.J. Hobgood (Melbourne Beach, FL), 30, current No. 2 on the elite ASP World Tour ratings, was another ASP Dream Tour campaigner to shine at Huntington Beach. A consistent high-scorer throughout the rounds, Hobgood came up short to eventual winner Simpson in the Semifinals.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so stoked it all came together for this event,\u201d Hobgood said. \u201cAll the people and the waves were great. I\u2019m bummed I missed out on the Final, but I had a great week so I\u2019m happy I came here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Patrick Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 23, who narrowly missed out on qualification for this season\u2019s elite ASP Dream Tour, was another strong Southern California performer at the Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing, finishing equal 5th, further solidifying his position within the Top 10 on the ASP WQS ratings.<\/p>\n

The next stop for the men on the 2009 ASP WQS will be the ASP WQS 5-Star Relentless Boardmasters in assoc. with Vans from August 4 \u2013 9, 2009 in Newquay, England.<\/p>\n

Running in conjunction with the Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing was the ASP Grade-2 Nike 6.0 Pro Junior, Stop No. 5 of 9 on the 2009 ASP North America Pro Junior Series. Today\u2019s Final was an incredible assemblage of global talent, with Kai Barger (HAW), 19, taking the big win over Tonino Benson (HAW), 19, Dillon Perillo (Malibu, CA), 19, and Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA), 18.<\/p>\n

Barger, reigning ASP World Junior Champion, went on an absolute rampage in the star-studded junior Final, smashing both rights and lefts to net an impressive 15.50 out of a possible 20.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is hands down the best contest ever,\u201d Barger said. \u201cBiggest crowd, great waves, lots of sun, big money. Best event ever. I don\u2019t really go out into heats thinking about what I need or what I want to accomplish. I go out to win. That\u2019s what I did out there today and I\u2019m having a great year!\u201d<\/p>\n

Highlights from the Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing are available at www.usopenofsurfing.com<\/p>\n

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com and www.aspnorthamerica.org<\/p>\n

Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing Results: ASP WQS 6-Star Men\u2019s Event<\/p>\n

Final: Winner Receives US$100,000
\n1 \u2013 Brett Simpson (USA) 16.93
\n2 \u2013 Mick Fanning (AUS) 12.50<\/p>\n

Semifinals: 4 surfers remaining (winner advances)
\nSF 1: Brett Simpson (USA) 13.00 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 8.90
\nSF 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.07 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 10.47<\/p>\n

Quarterfinals: 8 surfers remaining (winner advances)
\nQF 1: Brett Simpson (USA) 13.50 def. Nathaniel Curran (USA) 10.27
\nQF 2: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 16.76 def. Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 13.77
\nQF 3: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.10 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 10.00
\nQF 4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.27 def. Michel Bourez (USA) 12.40<\/p>\n

Nike 6.0 Pro Junior Results: ASP Grade-2 Pro Junior
\n1 \u2013 Kai Barger (HAW) 15.50
\n2 \u2013 Tonino Benson (HAW) 14.30
\n3 \u2013 Dillon Perillo (USA) 12.53
\n4 \u2013 Nat Young (USA) 9.53<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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