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Only the Englishman Russell Winter managed to maintain a presence in European surfing at the depths of the ASP circuit rankings. But French nay. However, everyone has dreamed for two years of finally seeing Micki Picon promoted. But it is her compatriot from Landes, Marie-Pierre Abgrall, 27, who has just entered the women's Top 16.
She is one of the six surfers who, ranked well in 2002 in the World Qualifying Surfing _ the second division of the world's top _ are qualified for these elite competitions, in which Lisa Andersen or the five-time world champion, the Australian Layne Beachley.
From Congo to Landes
Marie-Pierre, who lived until the age of 19 in Congo, has belonged to the Hossegor Surf-Club for six years and to the Rip Curl team. She made a sensational entry into competition, during her second French championships, by beating the unbeatable Basque from Anglet, Emmanuelle Joly.
Obstinate, the adopted Landes woman had almost gambled her accession to the elite this season, after having failed by one place last year. This time she won the Grail.
A portrait of Marie-Pierre Abgrall in 2004 at the Lacanau Pro in Gironde.
Fabien Cottereau / South West Archives
“We had two competitions on the Nordshore this year, including one in Haleiwa, 6 stars and a second in Turtle Bay. Following these two competitions, I found myself in eleventh place in the WQS, says the champion who returned from Hawaii. I was first on the waiting list to qualify. There was therefore one WCT event left in Maui and Rochelle Ballard and Megane Abubo had to find themselves in the Top 10 at the end of this competition. By qualifying and placing in the top ten, it allowed me to take his place. As in football for the qualification of certain teams, I actually depended on their results to pass. It was Delphine Stein, responsible for ASP competitions in Europe, who announced to me by telephone that I was the first European to enter the Top 16.”
Rub shoulders with the best
“This Monday will remain one of the most beautiful days of my life,” adds the surfer. For four years I fought and sometimes struggled on the circuit and this represents a form of reward for me. When I heard the news, I thought first of the relatives who encouraged me, my parents who live in Toulouse, of Jérôme Barets from the Hossegor Surf-Club who was one of the people who always believed in me and who have always supported me. This will allow me to compete with the best. This entry is all the more interesting for me because there is a certain renewal. The Peruvian Sophia Mulanovitch and the American Julia Christian enter the top. In addition, the Australian Séréna Brooke who did not have a good season is moving back to WQS. »
