he Royal Moroccan Surfing Federation presents Quiksilver Pro Casablanca at Anfaplace resumed this morning in four-to-five foot surf to decide the inaugural event's quarter-finalists before the final day on Saturday.
Talented Polynesian Keoni Yan (PYF) 20, collected his third heat win to advance into the quarters with yet another solid heat in the Round of 32. Besting his best result so far on European soil, Yan found the powerful waves of Casablanca to his taste and displayed great confidence in the moving lineup.
Keoni Yan (HAW). Quiksilver Pro Casablanca 2015 Yan's backhand proved lethal in Casablanca "I'm happy to get solid waves and make my way to the quarters," Yan confirmed. "I was stopped in that round in the last couple of events so it feels great to get through. I hope the waves are just as fun tomorrow and I'll try to be smart in the man-on-man heats now and using the priority situation. It's my first time here in Morocco and I enjoy it a lot. I want to thank Jerome our host here, it's been great staying with him."
Lliam Mortensen (AUS) 18, kept the ball rolling on the second day of action in Casablanca to sent a few more surfers packing, including top form Frenchman Nomme Mignot (FRA) 18 in the third round. The young Australian built momentum at each of the four European events he surfed to finally make the finals day in Morocco.
"I had a pretty bad European campaign, a lot of learning, so yeah it feels good to finally make a few heats," Mortensen stated. "I've maintained more focus here and stayed away from the distractions in my first year traveling through Europe. I like going to all these different places and experiencing different cultures. Casablanca is totally different from what I expected with the urban setup and all the different people but I like it here a lot."
A discrete surfer so far in this event, Timothee Bisso (GLP) 18, managed to make his way into the quarters as well at the expense of previous form surfers Teale Vanner (AUS) and Dylan Lightfoot (ZAF). Bisso reaches the man-on-man stage of a QS event for the first time in his young career and will look to surf more heats in preparation of the upcoming big Junior finale next week in Lanzarote.
Timothe Bisso ( GLP). Quiksilver Pro Casablanca 2015 Bisso put on a strong show on Day 4 "I had no idea I was getting to the quarters actually I really just wanted to get through more heats," Bisso admitted. "Conditions are difficult, in my last two heats I had a hard time finding the right waves. I'm happy with my performance so far and haven't really concentrated on who I was surfing against, it's a great way to keep a rhythm before the last Junior event next week."
Pedro Henrique (PRT) 33, came out on top of a crucial heat in the final matchup of the day, eliminating France's Nelson Cloarec (FRA) and Vicente Romero (ESP), both still in the European Title race until then. Henrique paved his own way towards a maiden regional crown, as the Portuguese is now one heat away from claiming the title.
Quiksilver Pro Casablanca 2015 Henrique looks strong in the European title race "I was a bit confused in that last heat but luckily I found a couple of nice waves at the end there," Henrique said. "I think conditions are looking great for tomorrow, probably just the right size for this bank and I can't wait for finals day. At this point anyone can win so I'll take it heat by heat and try my best."
The last Moroccan hopes for an event title in Casablanca sat on Ramzi Boukhiam's shoulders, but unfortunately the talented goofy-footer couldn't keep his composure in the round of 32 and placed 17th.
Surf Report, official forecaster of the Quiksilver Pro Casablanca, announces waves in the three-to-five foot range for the final day of action on Saturday and light to moderate winds.
Competitors and event officials will reconvene at 10:30AM on Saturday for the final call of the 2015 Quiksilver Pro Casablanca.