HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Association of Surfing Professionals World Qualifying Series warrior Brett Simpson, 24, produced a crucial third-place result at the ASP WQS 6-Star Oakley presents the Rio Surf Pro International at Arpoador in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil this
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Association of Surfing Professionals World Qualifying Series warrior Brett Simpson, 24, produced a crucial third-place result at the ASP WQS 6-Star Oakley presents the Rio Surf Pro International at Arpoador in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil this past week, bumping him up from the No. 8 position to No. 6 on The Grind.
The third-place result for the American standout significantly helps his cause towards qualification for the 2010 ASP Dream Tour, with each improved spot in the ratings proving to be vital entering the Hawaiian leg of The Grind, states a press release from the ASP.
“I’m still stoked and a third place is a good result for me,” Simpson said. “Simao Romao won here last year, and definitely this is his place, he is surfing amazing, so congratulations to him. I didn’t have a good result at Guaruja last week so to come here and make the semifinals, it’s still a good result for me. We finally had a day of sun and fun waves. That’s how I like to think about Brazil, and today we certainly had the best waves of the entire event.”
Simpson, who claimed the richest ASP WQS prize purse in surfing history when he won the Hurley U.S. Open this past summer, has been a top threat amongst the international field of talent and is out to find a spot alongside next year’s ASP Dream Tour surfers. His showing in Brazil was no exception. The Orange County native ousted Australian talent Brent Dorrington, 22, and current ASP WQS No. 3 Owen Wright, 19, before falling to eventual event winner Simao Romao of Brazil.
Patrick Gudauskas, 23, who is currently rated fourth overall on the ASP WQS and is the highest rated American on the international series, eared a fifth-place result at the Brazilian event.
That result further solidifies his position on The Grind and his chance for a seat on next year’s ASP Dream Tour.
The next crucial stop for all surfers looking to qualify for the 2010 ASP World Tour will be the ASP 6-Star O’Neill Cold Water Classic Canada, which will run from Oct. 25-31.
