A Day on the Rock with Cory Lopez
HALEIWA, Oahu/Hawaii (Wednesday, November 17, 2010) – Cory Lopez (USA), 33, who competed on the ASP World Tour for 11 years (1997-2007), has been in excellent form throughout this year’s ASP PRIME Series and after a three-year hiatus, the talented Floridian is a top contender to find his way back amongst the elite for 2011.
Lopez, who is currently rated 30th on the ASP World Ranking, was unsure of his commitment towards qualification for a position amongst the elite ranks, but after an impressive equal third place finish at the ASP PRIME Drug Aware Pro at Margaret River, Lopez honed his focus on a spot on the 2011 ASP World Tour.
“When I started this year I wasn’t sure if I wanted to try and qualify or not,” Lopez said. “Once I got a third at Margaret River, I thought I’d try. That’s when I started trying. I skipped a lot of events and didn’t do any of the Brazilian events and skipped a lot of the European events, but luck has been on my side at the PRIME events so I’m hoping to continue that luck and keep going here in Hawaii. I’d love to be on tour next year. I’m looking forward to it.”
Although Lopez is in excellent standing on the ASP World Ranking, he’s looking to solidify his position amongst next year’s elite with another keeper result in the final ASP PRIME events of the year, the Reef Hawaiian Pro and O’Neill World Cup.
“I’ve been coming to Hawaii since I was a kid and went to school here for a couple of years,” Lopez said. “I got lucky to get on a roll and get some scores on the board early and that kind of set the tone for the rest of the heat. I’ve done well here at Haleiwa before. I finaled here a long time ago with Andy (Irons) when he won and I want to keep going.”
Lopez, who is known for punting massive airs, is hungry to go for broke on the ASP Dream Tour where he feels the revised judging criteria will reward his committed approach to progressive maneuvers.
“I’m just looking to compete on the highest level again and showing what I can do,” Lopez said. “I want to go big. Guys are getting big scores for airs now and that’s one of my specialties so I’m looking forward to that and hopefully I can be there next year.”
To watch Cory Lopez compete in Hawaii, tune in to the Reef Hawaiian Pro via http://www.triplecrownofsurfing.com/reefhawaiianpro/live
For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com
For more on Lopez, check out his ASP profile via www.aspnorthamerica.org
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