La Sauzaie (Monday, April 25, 2011) -- Tim Boal (Anglet, FRA) 27, has won the
Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 4-Star Protest Vendee Pro
defeating Alain Riou (Tahiti, PYF) 27, in a close fought Final that saw the
lead swap several times in 3ft (1m) shifting peaks at the main event site of
La Sauzaie.
Boal, who won the Vendee contest in 2007, led early with two solid rides
before Riou turned the tables on the former Asp Dream Tour member with a
long deep barrel and a succession on turns to score an 8.43 out of 10, the
highest of the Final and place Boal on the ropes.
"It was fun for sure that Final but not when Alain got that 8.50.(laughs) I
thought it was going to be won with maximum two sevens because the waves are
getting really inconsistent and it is hard to get the good waves. Then I saw
that wave of his and thought 'There goes my plan'", commented Boal on his
opponents excellent barrel ride.
With less than 10 minutes remaining, a mistake on priority by Riou was
capitalized upon by Boal who laid down three forehand smashes to claim 7.50
out of 10 and secure the lead and the narrowest of wins by only 0.03 of a
point.
"He let me go on that last one and I wasn't sure if I had the score or not.
I was expecting him to paddle for it but I needed a high score and it didn't
look that good at first so in his position I would have left it too. In the
end it turned out to be a good wave and it went my way I guess."
Boal, who claimed the Asp 5-Star event held in Gran Canaria last November,
has gained even more confidence leading into the upcoming all important Asp
Prime rated events scheduled for the first half of the season.
