 |
|
www.waxheads.com
comp 20 3 08 Event No. 2 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Rip Curl Women’s Pro saw reigning ASP Women’s World Champion and defending event champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) net the day’s highest heat total of a 17.40 out of a possible 20. “It feels really good to get through the first round,” Gilmore said. “Both Jacqueline (Silva) and Alana (Blanchard) are really good surfers and are capable of getting big scores so I just went out and tried to start off strong and post a few bigger scores.” Gilmore, now into Round 3, will look to put a solid result on the board at Bells, having stumbled with an equal 9th place finish at the season opener on the Gold Coast of Australia. “It takes a fair bit of hard work (defending your title),” Gilmore said. “Everyone is surfing so well this season and everyone’s hungry for the win. It’s definitely going to be a bit harder than last year. However, I’m just taking it heat by heat. I was focusing on that last heat, and now I’m just looking ahead and focusing on my Round 3 heat.”
Sofia Mulanovich (PER), former ASP Women’s World Champion (2004) and current ratings leader on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, edged through her heat today, narrowly advancing over opponents Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) and 2008 rookie Karina Petroni (USA). “It was a bit tricky as there seemed to be a lot of waves in the heat before, but not so many in our heat,” Mulanovich said. “It was pretty slow, and I think we all had the lead at one point. Both Jessi (Miley-Dyer) and Karina (Petroni) are really solid and can get the scores they need when they have to. Stoked to be through and into Round 3.” Miley-Dyer and Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) advanced through to Round 3 today as well, competing for the first time in 2008. The two missed the opening event on the Gold Coast, with Miley-Dyer out with a knee injury and Redman-Carr spending time with her newborn baby, but both surfers looked to be back in full form today netting solid scores in the opening heats. Samantha Cornish (AUS), current World No. 2, stumbled in her Round 1 heat, only to rebound and post the highest scoring wave of Round 2, an 8.17 out of a possible 10. Cornish has begun her Rip Curl Women’s Pro campaign in similar fashion to her Gold Coast start, which saw her finish runner-up, and the stylish natural-footer will look to repeat at Bells Beach. “I guess I do a bit better in the pressure situations,” Cornish said. “These Round 2 starts seem to be becoming a bit of a tradition for me now. I think it’s a reality check for you and it always fires me up to surf through Round 2.” Trials winner Alana Blanchard (HAW) and current World No. 4 Julia De La Rosa (PER) were eliminated from Rip Curl Women’s Pro competition this afternoon, narrowly failing to advance in the deteriorating conditions. Although the ASP Top 45 were initially scheduled to begin Round 1 of the Rip Curl Pro presented by Snickers following the completion of Round 2 of the girls, a rain squall came through quickly, turning the wind onshore and prompting event organizers to call competition off for the day. Event organizers will meet again tomorrow at 7:30am to make the official call. Both the Rip Curl Pro pres. by Snickers and the Rip Curl Women’s Pro pres. by Ford Fiesta will be webcast LIVE via www.aspworldtour.com For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com Rip
Curl Women’s Pro pres. by Ford Fiesta Round 1 Results Rip
Curl Women’s Pro pres. by Ford Fiesta Round 2 Results Rip
Curl Women’s Pro pres. by Ford Fiesta Round 3 Match-Ups special thanks aspworldtour.com |
