J Bay dropped from ASP WT Schedule

[prjwebb]

Looks like Billabong are feeling the squeeze. J Bay has been downgraded to a 6 Star so the WT event won't be there this year. Tragic :(
Only 10 events now, what's next to be cut?
http://www.aspworldtour.com/2012/02/...star-for-2012/

The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, Event No. 5 of 11 on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour, has been officially downgraded to an ASP 6-Star event for 2012.

In an official statement today, Billabong said: “The change in event status follows a broader review in which we are seeking to identify cost savings throughout the business. By retaining an event at Jeffreys Bay, it now provides two qualifying events back to back in the South African region. The move to an ASP 6-Star also opens the event up to South Africa’s aspiring pro surfers for the first time in 20 years and ensures continuity of the event for the local businesses in Jeffreys Bay.”

The downgrade drops the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour calendar from 11 events to 10, with surfers now counting their best 8 out of 10 results towards their ASP World Title ranking.

“We agreed as a Board that whilst very regrettable, the commercial realities are such that a pragmatic approach by ASP at this time seemed sensible,” Richard Grellman, ASP Executive Chairman, said. “Billabong have been long-time supporters of professional surfing and still sponsor three of the ten World Championship Tour events and we look forward to our deep relationship with them continuing.”

[buzzy]

That sucks. It also demonstrates the stupidity of allowing board short companies to control pro surfing for so long. Surely there's a South African major sponsor who can step in and provide the big bucks necessary, with Billabong becoming a secondary or third tier sponsor?

[prjwebb]

Yeah you'd think so. The structure of events and sponsorship needs to change that's for sure.

[iggy]

How they downgrade one of the most perfect right hander waves in the world??. This is sad...very sad.

[saxman1]

Crazy, I never thought it would get this bad. The surf companies do need to get out of the events as the main backers. Where would the money come from though?

[kdropin]

the way nike is throwing around sponsor money you'd think they'd sack up and sponsor a event or two

[Wandi]

It will be interesting to see which pro's decide they will go to J Bay this year
Just because they get to surf this perfect right, one of the best waves in the world with no one out

[prjwebb]

If the forecast is perfect I bet there will be a few. Shame the webcast will be down graded too.

[Wandi]

Look for Sean Holmes to shine once again

[core personal training]

i can see deon winning it with his go-pro filming it all..!!!...