KERAMAS, Bali/Indonesia (Friday, October 12, 2012) – Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) has taken out the ASP Women’s World Junior Title after defeating Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) in an epic Final at the Oakley ASP World Junior Championships Bali. The surf was in the 6 foot (2 meter) range, with flawless tubes and walls reeling down the reef at Keramas setting the perfect stage for the battle for an ASP World Junior Title.
The 2012 ASP World Junior Championships Bali will go down as an historic event as it’s the first event in Indonesia to crown an ASP World Champion and also because it featured some of the best waves ever for a Women’s Final. Van Dijk and Buitendag were well deserving Finalists, between the two of them they scored six of the top 10 highest wave scores of the event.
Van Dijk held the lead for the whole Final, using her smooth style to glide down the line and unleash some crisp and powerful carves. She surfed strong, smart and beautifully and will go down as the first surfer from Victoria, Australia to win and ASP World Junior Title.
“I’m feeling the best I’ve ever felt!” Van Dijk said. “I was nervous the whole heat! I was shaky when I was trying to stand up, I think I was just so excited to be out there in such perfect waves. I’m so honoured to win! This is what I dream of, it’s amazing! To be here with my sister and friends is amazing. I know all my family and friends at home will be so excited!”
Buitendag was a standout surfer all event, using powerful backhand surfing to storm through the draw that is stacked with the best junior surfers in the world. In the Final she was unable to find the best waves to execute the moves that saw her post the big scores in the early rounds, but still managed to impress all the spectators on the beach and all over the world on the webcast. Buitendag will join next year’s elite top 17 on the ASP Women’s World Championship Tour and will be one to watch.
“I’m really happy with second,” Buitendag said. “I came here with no expectations and to Finish like this has been great. I just want to thanks my Oakley for putting this event on, and God for giving us great surf. Nikki (Van Dijk) surfed really well, I’m very happy for her. This event has been a great warm-up for me to get ready to surf on next year’s ASP Women’s World Championship Tour.”
The Oakley ASP World Junior Championships Bali Men’s Round 3 is on now LIVE, the event will run from October 6 – 17. For LIVE webcast, event videos and more check www.oakleyprojunior.com.
OAKLEY ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS WOMEN’S FINAL:
Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 13.24 def. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 8.93
Photographer: Steve Robertson.
