Registered or Premium Member? LOG IN | Not a Premium Member? TRY PREMIUM FREE NOW
|
ICE COLD TUBES
Russell Winter scores perfect 10 to win inaugural O'Neill Highland Open in Scotland
By:
ASP Press Release
Photos: All photos: ASP Europe/O'Neill Europe
|
May 2, 2006
|
|
It was a spectacular ending for a spectacular surfing event.
Before proud parents and an enthusiastic local crowd, British surfer Russell Winter scored a gigantic standup barrel to post a perfect 10 and win the inaugural O'Neill Highland Open in Thurso, on the north coast of Scotland.
|
|
Previous
|
"I couldn't have asked for a better final," an elated Winter said before receiving the trophy. "I just held my nerve. After a slow start, things finally started to come together halfway through the heat. I wasn't about to give up, and to get that 10, that just sort of sealed the deal. It was an amazing barrel." Winter's parents, who frantically paced up and down the beach throughout the final, were absolutely ecstatic after the win. "I'm on top of the world," Russell's mother, Anita Winter, said. "There are no words for it. I'm so pleased for Russ. He's got the ability and the judges have recognized it. He just deserves this so much. This is just great… this is just the best." Russell made the final by defeating Australian young gun Luke Munro, while Miranda qualified by edging out Basque Country powerhouse Aritz Aranburu. All four semifinalists have won spots in the upcoming O'Neill Mission, which takes place from the 27th May to 3rd June. Dubbed the ultimate freesurf challenge, the Mission will place a total of eight surfers aboard a luxury yacht to compete and hunt for waves around the paradise islands of Tahiti and Moorea. "After a slow start, things finally started to come together halfway through the heat. I wasn't about to give up, and to get that 10, that just sort of sealed the deal. It was an amazing barrel."
--Russell Winter
Aranburu, who hails from the small Basque town of Zarautz, said he could not believe his luck. After scoring amazing surf on the north of Scotland, he said he's ready to head south and get barreled in warmer climes. "It sounds like a dream," Aranburu said. "I was just stoked to get through the heats and now I'm even going to Tahiti. I've never been there. It's like a dream." But to Winter, it was victory on his home turf that meant the most: "It's great to have my parents here and have them see me do well. They're quite proud of me and that means a lot. I'm just really happy right now." MORE SURF NEWS SURFLINE HOME PAGE |
|
