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Buchanan Back In Competitive Arena At ASP World Masters |
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Written by Ben Kennings
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Friday, 22 July 2011 |
One of New Zealand’s most internationally renowned surfers and holder of a record five national titles, Iain Buchanan (Piha) is set to re-enter the competitive arena when he competes at the Association for Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Masters Championship in Brazil next week (26th – 31stJuly).
Buchanan will compete in the Over 50s Men’s Division against an all-star
cast of surfers that shaped the way we surf today. He is the only Kiwi invited to compete at the
event.
Speaking from his winter base of Biarritz,
France,
Buchanan was over the moon to be invited to the prestigious event which caters
for sixteen of the most iconic surfers this planet has produced.
“I
was originally the Head Judge for the event” commented Buchanan who now plies
his trade as one of the world’s top judges.
He continued “but some invitees couldn't make it, and I was next on the
list, so the ASP asked if I wanted to compete.”
The
event takes the shape of a round robin format where all sixteen surfers compete
against each other several times to gain points with the top eight surfers moving
through to the semifinals and on to the finals with $25,000 on the line for
first prize.
Buchanan
will need to transfer his vast judging experience back into the water at this
event to come away with a good result, something he is confident in doing.
“I've
been judging the best surfing in the world for the past few years so I know
what the judges are looking for, but all the guys I'm up against are seasoned
competitors, and know how to win heats and indeed have won major contests and
world titles. It’s going to very
competitive for sure.”
Highlighting
the calibre of surfers he will face in the Over 50s Division, Buchanan will
surf against Shaun Thomson (ZAF), Simon Anderson (AUS) and Terry Fitzgerald
(AUS) in his first round match up – three legends that revolutionised surfing
in the 70s and 80s.
It
will be the first time Buchanan has entered a serious competition since the
2003 National Championships held in Dunedin
where he took away two titles in the Over 35s and Over 40s Divisions.
The
event will be staged at Arpoador, Ipanema, Rio De Janeiro, the same location as the ASP
World Title event held in May. The wave,
a beach break but predominantly a fast breaking lefthander, will suit Buchanan
who spends most of his time surfing the Piha Bar at the south end of Piha Beach,
also a lefthander.
Information
For more information on the New Zealand
surfer’s performances please contact Ben Kennings on 07 8250022 or 021 2278732.
Alternatively email benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz.
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