Français
Ajoe Reefer Surf Club resident Athanäé Blanchard contested his 1st world final at the Gran Canaria Fronton King, an event which ends on October 25 in Spain. A prestigious place he won at a successful IBC (International Bodyboard Corporation) stage in Morocco last February. This time, for his first major world final in the Canaries, against the cream of world surfing, the junior from Saint Barth didn't manage to reach the same rank. Nevertheless, after a bronze medal at the French championships last month, surfing on a legendary surfing spot and competing in a world final remains a great achievement, synonymous with progress and hope for the surfer from Ajoe and the Aquitaine pole. He spoke to Le Journal de Saint Barth about this unique experience.
JSB: Athanäé, how do you feel after missing out on the quarter-finals, which you reached in Morocco last February?
Athanäé Blanchard: I'm disappointed to have just missed out on the quarter-finals, but happy nonetheless, because it's a great first experience to surf this spot, which is as mythical as it is dangerous. In my Round of 16, I had to contend with some not-so-great weather and sea conditions, and unfortunately that's what cost me my place.
How did your heats go in this world final?
In my first series, I managed to win in fairly solid conditions, which enabled me to go straight through to the final tournament and avoid the repechage. In my second series, conditions were a little less favorable, but I still managed to do well, which sent me to the RoundThat sent me through to Round4, where the waves were very small and not very good, which prevented me from expressing myself well.
What distinguishes this grand final from previous stages held in Morocco or Chile, for example?
In this competition, in the junior category, you can only take part if you've managed to qualify for another stage such as Morocco or Chile, and have played in at least the quarter-finals, which is what happened to me in Morocco. We can also see that it is on this competition in particular that the place of world champion and the ranking for the year is determined.
What does the Gran Canaria Fronton represent for bodysurfers, and perhaps for you in particular?
The Fronton is the most dangerous spot on the tour! In the juniors, we're obliged to wear a helmet because of the very dry reef, which means there's not much water where we have to make landings, and there was no shortage of that this year... For example, in the Open R4, I think one of the competitors injured his skull and needed about ten stitches, which just goes to show how dangerous this spot is.
How does it feel to be a regular member of the world's top 8 juniors now?
Honestly, I didn't expect to stay this high in the rankings, and especially not for this long. I'm really happy!
What are your goals for the coming months, until you can compete again next year in the bodyboarding Grand Final in the Canaries?
My very short-term goal is the French championship, which starts this weekend in Les Landes and runs until the end of the month. And in the long term, I'm simply going to try to requalify for the competition in Morocco, so as to be able to compete again in this world final.
Athanäé Blanchard, who will be on the beaches of Hossegor, Seignosse and Capbreton for the French bodyboard championships, from October 24 to 31.
