[Photo credit: Aquashot/aspeurope.com by Bonnarme] Marc Lacomare (Capbreton, FRA), 18, is the nw ASP European Junior Champion and is guaranteed a spot into this year’s ASP World Junior Championships (WJC) at Narabeen

TENERIFE, Canary Islands (Friday, September 4, 2009) – Marc Lacomare (Capbreton, FRA), 18, was crowned the 2009 ASP European Junior champion today after closest title contender Jatyr Berasaluce (Sopelana, EUK), 20, was eliminated from the ASP Grade-3 Santa Surf Pro Junior in the Canarian island of Tenerife. Leading the regional ratings since his recent win in the Rip Curl Pro Junior at Hossegor a couple of weeks ago, Lacomare sealed the deal today closing a great year of performance to claim his maiden regional title and get his ticket for this year’s ASP World Junior Championships (WJC) taking place at Narabeen in Australia next January.

“The title wasn’t done for me even if I was in the lead before Tenerife,” Lacomare said. “I was really focused on my heats and did not think about the title until it would be confirmed and I am just over the moon right now. I’ve had a long year competing on both ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) and Pro Junior events. I had an injury in June and July and I got back to competition to focus on the junior series, and it finishes perfectly with that title.”

Lacomare, who had a great year where he placed 3rd in the world at Narabeen before clinching the opening ASP Grade-2 B! Pro Junior in Portugal last April, was considered a favorite throughout the seven-event season that saw several exceptional battles take place including his duel with title contender Berasaluce in the Semifinals at Hossegor where Lacomare took a serious lead before the final contest at Tenerife.

“Getting the ticket for Narabeen is really another great thing for me,” Lacomare said. “I did well last time with a 3rd but I am going to back there and try and better that result. The event is great and that wave really fits my surfing so I am looking forward to taking that opportunity again and go for a big result.”

After coming close to the regional crown last year, Lacomare’s determination and talent gave him the keys to success in 2009, an exceptional year that saw the 18-year-old Capbreton resident come onto the frontline of professional surfing with an equal 3rd place finish in the ASP WQS 4-Star Protest Vendee Pro in France.

“To win the regional title is great and it’s another step in my career,” Lacomare said. “I am not sure if I will be back to defend this crown next year as I am thinking of going full-time on the ASP World Qualifying Series. Narabeen will be very important for me and I am looking forward to wrapping-up my junior season well there.”

With another couple of days to go before the tour finishes in Tenerife, Lacomare will try and clinch a third event this year and from what he has shown so far, he’s got all skills to shine again in the consistent surf on offer thus far.

2009 ASP EUROPEAN JUNIOR BEST RESULTS
1st, ASP Grade-2 B! Pro Junior, Carcavelos – Portugal
3rd, ASP Grade-1 Vans Pro Junior, San Sebastian – Euskadi
1st, ASP Grade-3 Rip Curl Pro Junior, Hossegor/Seignosse – France
TBA, ASP Grade-3 Santa Surf Pro Junior, Los Realejos, Tenerife – Canary Islands