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 SANTA
CRUZ, Calif. (Sunday, October 22, 2006) – Toby Martin (Sydney, Aus.) won
the O’Neill Cold Water Classic presented by Jeep today in pumping overhead
surf at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz, California.
Martin,
who is currently ranked 43rd on the prestigious Foster’s ASP Men’s World
Tour, had been in sizzling form all event utilizing his experience amongst the
world’s best to claim the victory at his first ever Cold Water Classic campaign. “I’m
wrapped right now with this win,” Martin said. “In all the years I’ve
been competing, I’ve never had the time to come up here and do the event.
Santa Cruz is such a legendary place and the Cold Water Classic is so prestigious
that I had to come up here this year because I finally had the time.” Martin,
who hails from the pointbreak-ridden Dee Why region of Sydney, held on to a slender
lead throughout the heat despite the onslaught from opponents Nathaniel Curran
(Ventura, Calif.), Jesse Merle-Jones (Sunset, Haw.) and Josh Loya (Santa Cruz,
Calif.). “I grew up on a wave that is very similar to
Steamer’s,” Martin said. “I feel really comfortable out there.
I knew the conditions were deteriorating so I just tried to get some scores under
my belt. It’s so great to have such amazing local support from the Santa
Cruz crew up here. It’s been a phenomenal week.” Josh
Loya (Santa Cruz, Calif.) was the sole local competing in the finals. Gaining
entry into the event through the O’Neill Trials, Loya surfed a substantial
amount of heats more than his opponents and was fatigued in the final. “I
would have loved a win out here – I mean, I really really would have loved
a win out here,” Loya said. “Unfortunately, I surfed a few more heats
than everyone else and ran out of steam out there. A win would have been nice,
but it’s still cool to make the final. I really appreciate all the local
support all week long.” Tim Reyes (Huntington Beach, Calif.),
current No. 11 on the Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour, suffered a horrific
wipeout in his semifinal heat. Following the execution of a lengthy floater, Reyes
impacted awkwardly upon landing straining his back knee. The injury forced the
competitor to exit the water where he was taken to the local hospital. “He’s
getting x-rays but it’s more than likely a re-injury,” event director
Darren Brillhart said. “He said that it didn’t feel torn, but probably
a hyper-extension again. It’s a terrible shame and we hope he recovers quickly.” Nathan
Yeomans (San Clemente, Calif.) clinched the Macy’s California Trifecta Surf
Series presented by Jeep title today with Nathaniel Curran (Ventura, Calif.) coming
in a close second. Yeomans who has surfed consistently well in the three Trifecta
events (the Body Glove Surfbout presented by Adio at Lowers, the Newport Beach
Pro and the O’Neill Cold Water Classic presented by Jeep) held on to the
ratings lead today despite a last-minute charge by Curran. “I
was so nervous watching the final that I couldn’t even be here – I was
watching it at home online,” Yeomans said. “I’m really ecstatic
that I won – I thought I’d clinched it yesterday and I was really bummed
when I found out that I didn’t. Today was a nail-biter, but I’m psyched
that Macy’s put up the money for these three events and it’s a reflection
on the guys who surf all year.” The 2006 ASP North America
season has come to a close, but be sure to follow our surfers as they compete
in Brazil and Hawaii in the coming weeks for opportunities to qualify for the
elite ASP World Tour in 2007. Follow both the qualifiers and the elite level surfers
at www.aspworldtour.com. RESULTS - Final O’Neill Cold
Water Classic
1 – Toby Martin (AUS) 11.73
2 – Nathaniel Curran
(USA) 11.60
3 – Jesse Merle-Jones (HAW) 9.93
4 – Josh Loya (USA)
8.16 | 
