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Australian surfers Michael
Campbell (Port Macquarie, NSW) and Josh Kerr (Coolangatta, QLD) have confirmed
their spots on next year's Foster's ASP Men's World Tour by finishing first and
second respectively at this year's 20th Anniversary Rip Curl Pro Super Series
in Seignosse, France. 
For
Campbell, aged 32, it is his second consecutive World Qualifying Series contest
win after his first place finish at the 2006 Lacanau Pro last week. The double
result has shot him straight into first place on the ASP Men's WQS Ratings, 274
ratings points ahead of 18-year-old sensation Jeremy Flores (FRA). 
The
Rip Curl Pro Super Series is the highest rating WQS contest of the season and
this year's 20th anniversary helped draw some of the biggest names in surfing.
Foster's ASP World Tour stars such as Mick Fanning (AUS), Nathan Hedge (AUS) and
Adriano de Souza (BRA) mixed with former greats like Tom Curren (USA), Rob Machado
(USA) and Tom Carroll (AUS) who in-turn mixed with future phenoms such as Flores,
Ben Dunn (AUS) and Matt Wilkinson (AUS). 
In
the end though it all came down to two surfers and a 35-minute man-on-man final. Campbell
started the heat in the ideal way, posting a 9.17 score on his first decent ride.
He added a quick 4.83 score and quickly took control of the heat. 
Kerr
fought hard to strike back, but failed to find the scores he had continually tallied
all week. When Campbell added an 8.17 late in the heat Kerr was put in a 'combination
situation', which meant he had to total two high scoring rides to fight back at
the goofy-footer. The result was all but over. "It's pretty
amazing - I can't really believe it's all happening this quick," said Campbell.
"I don't think it will sink in until I go home and reflect by myself, but
I'm just really happy right now and stoked for Josh and the other Aussie guys
that qualified for the WCT at this event. It's been an amazing day of surfing
for me and a great day for Australian surfing." 
"Sometimes
when you're on a roll, you're on a roll and I guess luck has probably played a
big part in my wins here and in Lacanau," continued Campbell, when asked
about his relationship with the conditions this week. "It feels good to be
in tune with the waves though right now and it's awesome to get another win." 
"I'm
going to enjoy the rest of the year and not take it too seriously. I'm going to
go home now and have some fun, then put my work hat back on next month, keep training
and finish the year strongly." The second place finish
was Kerr's best result of the season and has cemented his position in fourth on
the ASP WQS ratings. The 22-year-old surfed an amazing final day, taking down
Andre Silva (BRA) in the quarter-finals and then former ISA World Junior champion
Ben Dunn (AUS) in semi-final 1. When it came to the final encounter against Campbell
though, Kerr was under-gunned but happily settled for second. "I
didn't really know what I was doing in the final, but I wasn't really thinking
about it - I was more celebrating the fact that I've qualified for the WCT now,"
joked Kerr after the final. "This is such a prestigious event, plus it's
the highest rated 'QS on the tour, so I've had my sights set on it all year and
I'm just stoked to do so well in it." "I have been
working so hard and trying to stay focused all year," continued the 22-year-old.
"It's kind of hard sometimes with the travelling and parties all the time
on the 'QS, but I've had a great year - I've got married and now I've qualified
for the 'CT, so it can't get much better. It's really good, but I've got a massive
year next year!" "Mick's confidence is through the
roof right now and every turn he makes he puts in 150 per cent," answered
Kerr, when quizzed on Campbell's hot form. "I knew Mick was going to take
plenty of energy into the final, which he did, but unfortunately it all fell apart
for me. I'm stoked with second though!" The 2005 Rip Curl
Pro Super Series was dominated by Brazilian surfers last year, but this year saw
an all-out Australian assault on the title. Australian surfers filled six of the
eight quarter-final spots and then all four of the semi-final slots. Young
gun and 2006 Foster's ASP World Tour hopeful Ben Dunn (AUS) won the first heat
of the morning, eliminated local favourite Jeremy Flores (FRA) in strong form
at 9.30am. Flores was the WQS ratings leader coming into the event and knocked
out Rip Curl Pro favourite Mick Fanning (AUS) in the round of 16 yesterday. Dunn's
luck ran out in semi-final 1 though, losing to Kerr and earning =3rd place. "I'm
so stoked about this result and about beating Jeremy in the quarters," said
Dunn. "I'm right on the edge of qualifying so to score this big result is
awesome." Semi-final 2 saw Campbell scrape past Dayyan
Neve (AUS) to advance through to the final. Neve has had a great week and can
take great confidence into the next WQS event in Portugal this week. Rip
Curl Pro Super Series WQS Results:
1. Michael Campbell (AUS)
2. Josh Kerr
(AUS)
=3. Ben Dunn (AUS)
=3. Dayyan Neve (AUS)
=5. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
=5.
Andre Silva (BRA)
=5. Kai Otton (AUS)
=5. Sam Page (AUS)
=9. Gabe Kling
(USA)
=9. Mick Fanning (AUS)
=9. Pablo Paulino (BRA)
=9. Patrick Gudauskas
(USA)
=9. Marlon Lipke (DEU)
=9 Ricky Basnett (ZAF)
=9. Matt Wilkinson
(AUS)
=9. Leonardo Neves (BRA) | 
