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Final preparations for O'Neill Mission challenge
by George Mojo
14/05/2007:// With less than a month to go before the starting date, organizers of O’Neill The Mission are making final preparations ahead of the second edition of the ultimate freesurfing challenge.
Following an extended period of meticulous research and reconnaissance at several of the world’s surfing Meccas, organizers of The Mission have announced a welcome return to the warm waters of French Polynesia.
After arriving in the Tahitian capital of Papeete, eight of the world’s best surfers will make their way to the chain of atolls in the Tuamotus, where no fewer than 12 staff will welcome them aboard the 120ft Haumana yacht.
Once settled into their luxurious floating surroundings, the invited surfers will embark on a week-long freesurfing quest to discover and tame some of the heaviest reef breaks in the region.
Reigning The Mission Champion Ian Walsh, O’Neill team riders Roy Powers, Justin Mujica and Jarrad Howse – fresh from a potentially season-defining second place finish at the 6 Star Prime WQS O’Neill Highland Open – will all be onboard for the duration.
Joining them aboard the Haumana will be Tahitian big wave charger Manoa Drollet and three wild card surfers.
O’Neill’s Caroline Sarran, the only European woman competing on the ASP Women’s World Tour in 2007, will also be welcomed aboard as a special guest. Unfortunately, newly-crowned Highland Open Champion Nathan Hedge is unable to make the trip due to pre-arranged commitments.
An innovative peer-based video judging system will motivate all invited surfers to impress one another more than ever in an effort to claim their part of the spoils.
Every wave surfed will be filmed ahead of the end-of-week judging session, when surfers will be invited to select their best waves before judging one another’s screamers alongside two guest judges.
With the winner of O’Neill The Mission 2007 set to pocket exactly half the total prizemoney, current champion Ian Walsh is not surprisingly looking to finish on top once again this year: “The Mission was insane last year. Eight guys getting together and basically having fun, surfing and hanging out. Of course I’d like it to be me again, but right now I’m just stoked to be part of The Mission once again.”
The event is being staged from May 25th to June 4th
The 2008 Beachley Classic got underway this morning, completing Rounds 1 and 2 as well as the opening two heats of Round 3 at nearby Freshwater Beach in clean two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves
Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, has officially announced her retirement from full-time competition, effective at the end of the year
Former Exeter University student Josh Lewin first heat at the Ocean and Earth Pro in the Canary Islands has been delayed because the 2ft surf was deemed uncontestable
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