- WSL / Laurent Masurel
- WSL / Laurent Masurel

PLAYA DE SAN JUAN, Teguise - Lanzarote / Canary Islands - In two days, the very best European under-20 surfers will take on the iconic lefthand pointbreak of San Juan for the final Junior series in the region.

The ASP 1-Star Teguise 2014 Franito Pro Junior will decide the Men and Women's European Junior champions as well as qualifiers for the coveted ASP World Junior to be held in Portugal at the end of October.

Vasco Ribeiro (PRT), 19, is current rankings leader, with a win in the opening event of the season and fresh off a solid 3rd place in Lacanau. With this momentum, he's looking strong for a maiden title in Lanzarote this week.

“I feel pretty good, no pressure,” Ribeiro said. “Just got my third national title last weekend so for sure a confidence boost for this last stage! I've been training hard this year, trying some sick new boards and having fun.”

Anyone wanting to overtake Ribeiro will need to reach at least the Semis and hope the Portuguese up-and-comer crumbles in the final stage. An experienced competitor on national, regional and international levels, Ribeiro will look to contain his opponents as the tour culminates in the Canary Islands.

“It represents the pinnacle of my European junior career, the last three seasons I've been so close and since this is my last year, I want to win the title!” Ribeiro added. “I've never been to Lanzarote, so for me it will be a complete new adventure. I really like to go every year to the Canary Islands, I've already won two events there so it's always a place I look forward to returning to. I think the landscapes are incredible and local surfers are also very friendly.”

In a similar scenario, Guadeloupe's Tessa Thyssen (GLP) 17, who reached an impressive Semifinal in the Hossegor event, has all the cards in her hand to net the coveted European trophy for the first time in her young career.

A promising forecast will most likely give all contenders equal chances to showcase their abilities on the high-performance wave of San Juan. Event officials have called for a 10 a.m. first call on Wednesday.

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