MAIN BEACH BUNDORAN, Ireland (Saturday, June 30, 2012) – William Aliotti 18, has won the Barefoot Wines Expression Session in assoc. with Billabong in a thrilling final pulling off a massive backhand air-reverse in peaky wind affected 3-4ft waves at Main Beach, Bundoran in front of a huge crowd of appreciative on-lookers.
It came down to a titanic struggle during the 30-minute final with all surfers taking to the air in a ‘Best Manoeuvre – Winner Takes All’ format. Victory and the 1,500 Euros winner’s cheque swapped hands on several occasions as the aerial acrobatics were continuously being surpassed to higher levels of performance.
Aliotti secured his name on this year’s Barefoot Wines Expression Session in assoc. with Billabong title and could not have been happier with the final result as he emerged from the line up to the applause of the crowd.
‘Finally I have won an event and I am really stoked. It’s cool. I love it here in Ireland. The people, fun, cool, the festival yesterday was great and tonight again. The waves were good, it was a bit windy but I felt at home which was good. It has been well worth the trip here to Ireland and with all the other activities happening it is so cool and I hope to come back next year and see the spots with some really good waves.’
Reubyn Ash (GBR) took home 500 Euros for his second place performance which brought smiles all around. Despite being one of the hot favourites and inform surfers of the day, he was unable to pull back the rampaging Aliotti in the final heat.
‘It was good fun out there and I got a few little waves so I am stocked with that. Even though the waves were tough I managed to have some fun little heats and I felt pretty good and it is a really cool little event. Coming up against William (Aliotti) was interesting and the guy rips so it was a good final for sure.’
Local Irish surfer Stephen Kilfeather (IRL) 24, went home with a free boat trip to Indonesia courtesy of Tradewinds Adventures for finishing up with the best manoeuvre from an Irish surfer in the event. Relying on his speed and sharp eye for clean ramps and sections to punch out his manoeuvres the young Irishman will now be able to fine tune his skills in the warm waters and perfect waves of the Indonesian archipelago.
‘Conditions were quite good for doing airs with quite punchy waves so I got through a few heats which was great but the boys were killing it out there. I have never been to Indonesia so it will be an incredible trip for me because I have never done a board trip anything like that. The only boat I catch is here to surf so it will be sick in Indonesia for sure.’
Pete Craig, Barefoot Wines Expression Session in assoc. with Billabong event organiser was thrilled with the quality and international blend of surfers this year’s event obtained. The tricky conditions did force some logistical changes of set up during the day however the end result proved to be well worth the effort according to Pete.
‘We got perfect rampy waves and that was what we were looking for and the format was set up to take advantage of whatever swell we get and I don’t know how many airs I have seen today so I am really happy. It has been good the support from Barefoot Wines, Billabong and Tradewinds Adventures. It was set up so there were lots of different prizes just to make the guys surf as hard as they can in every heat. I think some of the grommets were blown away to see their local beach surfed like that. Also good to see William (Aliotti) pushing the level not only for the local guys but for the UK surfers too.’
For all photos, news and information on the Barefoot Wines Expression Session in assoc. with Billabong and Sea Session Surf & Music Festival log-on to www.seasessions.com or www.aspeurope.com
The Barefoot Wines Expression Session in assoc. with Billabong had a waiting period from 29 June to July 1 and was made possible with the support of the following event partners: Barefoot Wines, Billabong and Tradewinds Adventures.
Barefoot Wines Expression Session in assoc. with Billabong Results Winner – William Aliotti (FRA) Runner-up – Reubyn Ash (GBR) Third Place – Lewis Clinton (GBR) Fourth Place – Stuart Campbell (GBR) Best Irish Surfer – Stephen Kilfeather (IRL)
