Note: Taylor Jensen graduated in 2002 from Coronado High School.
ANDORA, Italy The ASP World Longboard Tour (WLT) Bear Pro presented by Jeep has been won by Kai Sallas (Waikiki, HAW) 30, defeating Taylor Jensen (Coronado, CA) 27, in a high-scoring final 17.17 to 13.50 in clean, small 1-2ft waves at the back up site of Andora, 180kms NW of the main event site in Levanto. Jensen’s runner up finish was sufficient for the talented Californian to clinch his maiden ASP WLT World title.
Taylor Jensen after clinching the ASP WLT World title with his semi-final win over countryman Tony Silvagni (USA) was carried up the beach by his fellow competitors to celebrate his title. The natural footer had been, along with Sallas, the inform surfer of the Bear Pro presented by Jeep showing his full array of longboarding skills in the tough conditions.
“I haven’t got it all in yet but I will feel pretty good tonight for sure,” began Jensen. “I was stressed out. I’ve been stressed out all week with running or not running so we got into the event and it is a relief. In the last couple of minutes he (Silvagni) needed a 9 and the conditions were tough. I mean Kai (Sallas) got a 9.5 in the heat before but it is very hard to get one. As long as I didn’t let him get a good wave I was okay. I just held on and it worked.”
“Those were the most stressful last five minutes of my life,” continued Jensen. “It is over now so I can sort of relax. I have been doing this since I was 17 and I’ve come really close before so finally to put it away is a good one for sure.”
Jensen was aware of the importance of his title win on Italian soil and made special mention of the town of Levanto and to the many victims of recent flooding which had devastated the area prior to the event starting. The official handing over of the ASP WLT World Champion trophy was held in Levanto with all competitors returning to participate in the celebrations.
Read the entire Transworld Surf article here.
