Gold Coast, Queensland Wednesday 9th April, 2014 – This weekend sees the opening to the 2014 Chiko Queensland Championship Circuit (QCC), the Alley Classic, which has Queensland’s elite professional and amateur surfers champing at the bit for a piece of the AUD$20,000 series prize purse.
It’s the infamous Currumbin Alley that will play host to the opening event, which event organisers anticipate to be the most exciting and eventful opening to the QCC yet. With forecasts predicting a playful 2-3ft southerly swell, competitors and spectators are destined for two heated days of competition.
This weekend’s shape up will see a vast range of competing athletes including ex-world tour competitors Mark ‘Richo’ Richardson (Currumbin, QLD) and Jay ‘Bottle’ Thompson (Burleigh Heads, QLD). However, it’s both Thomas and Hayden Cervi (Sunrise Beach, QLD) that will not only bring their rich surfing heritage to the famed Currumbin Alley, but also a sturdy presence of competition to the table. The well renowned 2014 Chiko MP Classic, which was upgraded from a QCC event to an ASP ‘one star’ sanctioned event, saw Thomas Cervi make it to the quarterfinals alongside world tour competitors Bede Durbidge (Nth Stradbroke, QLD) and Adam Melling (Lennox Head, NSW).
Also competing in this weekend’s event is North Stradbroke’s Lincoln Taylor, ranked 21st in the World Qualifying Series. Events manager and contest director Adam Yates said “I love seeing the level of competition that guys from the North Stradbroke region bring to events like the QCC. Like Bede, Lincoln proves to be a strong competitor who will be in strong contingency for a win over the Chiko QCC series.”
A question mark still hangs over the head of defending Alley Classic Champion, Mitch Crews (Snapper Rocks, QLD), who has now qualified as a world tour surfer. Crews’ early exit from the Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach may now see him compete in this weekend’s event. “Having Mitch’s presence at the Alley Classic will only bolster the events turnout and add a world tour level of excitement to the playing field,” continued Yates.
The QCC Series
CHIKO Alley Classic: May 11-12 3-Star / $6,000
CHIKO Sunshine Coast Pro: May 25-26 3-Star / $6,000
CHIKO Burleigh Classic: June 15-16 4-Star / $8,000
Competitors and spectators can call the Surfing Queensland Event Hotline after 6:30am each morning of competition for a confirmed start time and location Ph# (07) 30306388
Spectators and competitors are encouraged to interact via Instagram under the Hashtag #alleyclassic
Stay tuned to www.surfingqueensland.com for news, photos and updates relating to the events.
‘Like’ Surfing Queensland on Facebook www.facebook.com/surfingqueenslandinc and check to see if you’re photo is tagged across the events.
‘Follow’ Surfing Queensland on Instagram: @surfingqueenslandinc #SQLD
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