The French Surfing Federation has announced that two of their best surfers, ASP World Tour top 45, Jeremy Flores and Mikael Picon will join their team during the upcoming Billabong ISA World Surfing Games taking place in Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica, from August 1 - 8.
By acquiring two of the best surfers in the world, France has set the standard for the rest of the international field. Will other surfing power nations follow suit? Are we going to see Kelly Slater, Bobby Martínez, CJ Hobgood and Dane Reynolds support the USA? Will we see Joel Parkinson, Taj Burrow, Mick Fanning and Bede Durbidge defending Australia? Will Andy Irons, Bruce Irons, Fred Patacchia and Kekoa Bacalso join Team Hawaii? Can Adriano de Souza, Heitor Alves, Jihad Kohdr and Jadson André help Brazil repeat their 2000 win?
The announcement of Flores and Picon to the French National Team, made by Patrick Flores, coach of the French team and Jeremy’s father, is a strong statement indicating the serious attempt France is mounting to finally achieve the Gold Medal in Team Standings. Over the last decade, France has always placed in the top ten at the ISA World Surfing Games: 4th in 2008 at Costa de Caparica, Portugal, 6th in 2006 at Huntington Beach, USA, 7th in 2004 at Salinas, Ecuador, 4th in 2002 at Durban, South Africa, 5th in 2000 at Maracaípe, Brazil, 5th in 1998 at Carcavelos, Portugal and 6th in 1996 at Huntington Beach, USA.
This year they’re looking forward to more than Copper Medal results as obtained in Portugal and South Africa. Surf stars like Jeremy Flores and Micky Picon significantly help their chances.
