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Photo: Marc Lacomare (Hossegor, FRA), 18, was the best French and European surfer of the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships (WJC) at North Narabeen, finishing equal 3rd after losing to Kai Barger (HAW) in the Semifinals

CAPBRETON, France (Wednesday, January 7, 2009) – Marc Lacomare (Hossegor, FRA), 18, placed equal 3rd in the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships at North Narabeen last night, finishing his great run in the Semifinals of the prestigious event where he lost to Kai Barger (HAW). Lacomare, who secured the best result of his Pro Junior career, was the best European surfer in the event and flew the French flag until the final day equalling last year's best European surfer in the event Charles Martin (GLP) with his World No. 3 rank.

Lacomare, who finished the year ranked No. 2 on the ASP European Junior ratings, showed how strong his surfing was for his second appearance at the ASP World Juniors getting through four rounds and defeating top seeds Owen Wright (AUS) and Jayke Sharp (AUS) respectively in Round 3 and 4 before besting fellow French surfer Maxime Huscenot (REU) in the Quarterfinals.

At 18 years old only, Lacomare stands as one of Europe's best competitors and confirms his few stellar performances including his equal 9th place at the ASP WQS 6-Star Prime Rip Curl Pro Hossegor/Seignosse in 2007. Lacomare's equal 3rd place finish at Narrabeen still earns him the preferred seeding into several ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) events in 2009, an opportunity to cut his teeth against the world's best surfers chasing a qualification for the coveted ASP World Tour.

"I'm going to stay in Australia for one month and do a few Pro Juniors in Queensland and then maybe some ASP WQS here as well," Lacomare said. "I may be able to get the wildcard because I think Jadson (Andre) and Tanner (Gudauskas) may not need it so it is handed down to me. So I'm not exactly sure what is going on for me this year."

Maxime Huscenot (REU), 16, was stopped by Lacomare in the Quarterfinals of the event but still placed equal 5th, a very promissing result for the Reunion Island born surfer competing for the first time against the world's best Under-21 surfers. Huscenot, reigning ASP European Junior Champion and one of the youngest surfers in the event, expressed his talent during the 3-day event getting through tricky heats against Brazil's Alex Ribeiro and Hawaiian surf phenomenon Dusty Payne (HAW), a contender in this year's Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.

"I knew it would be hard to beat Dusty (Payne) because he is one of the best guys in the event," Huscenot said. "I was very nervous during the heat but I got a bomb and it helped me stay calm. I was stoked to win that heat and I am happy with the overall result."

Lacomare, Huscenot and ASP Women's World Junior Champion Pauline Ado (FRA) flew the European flag high again at this year's Billabong ASP World Junior Championships and will be much expected to perform in 2009 on both regional and international tours. Ado will be awarded a wildcard to compete next to the ASP Women's WQS top seeds and possibly make her way into the end-of-the-year Top 6 and become the third French and European female surfer to qualify for the ASP Women’s World Tour.

Highlights from the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships are available via www.billabongpro.com

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships is proudly supported by Sony, Virgin Blue, Warringah Council, Waves, VonZipper, Kustom, Nixon and ASP International.

Billabong ASP World Junior Championships

Men's European Results
3rd, Marc Lacomare (FRA)
5th, Maxime Huscenot (REU)
17th, Medi Veminardi (REU)
17th, Jatyr Berasaluce (EUK)
17th, Charles Martin (GLP)
33rd, Pierre Valentin Laborde (FRA)
33rd, Jules Thomet (FRA)

Women's European Results
1st, Pauline Ado (FRA)
9th, Alizee Arnaud (FRA)

Nation's Results
1st, Hawaii
2nd, Australasia
3rd, South America
4th, Europe