Bianca Buitendag (George) carves off the top of a wave at Barra de Tijuca on the way to her career best third place finish in the Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro on Saturday Photo: ASP / Kirstin

South Africa’s Bianca Buitendag achieved the best result of her fledgling professional surfing career when she placed third in the Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro, stop No. 5 of 7 on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), at Barra da Tijuca beach in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday.

The 19 year-old rookie from George in the Southern Cape, competing in just her fifth event at this level, overcame a string of the world’s best female surfers to reach the semi-finals before bowing out to eventual event winner, Tyler Wright (AUS), 19.

“I think it’s the best result of my professional career,” Buitendag said. “I’m really happy with my result and happy to be here in Brazil. It’s good to get my head above water for a change. I’d been in a tough mental space over the last few events and kind of putting myself down and this allowed me to think and surf smarter. Now that this event is over I’ll be able to go back and analyze my performance.”

Buitendag won US $8 000 (approx. R72 000) and an invaluable 6 600 points that saw her move up one place to eighth on the ASP Women’s WCT leaderboard. With two events left in the 2013 season she is now a significant 3 550 points ahead of Malia Manuel in the 10th and final spot for automatic requalification for next year’s elite WCT.

Buitendag started her Rio campaign with a third place finish in Round 1 before bouncing back to defeat Philippa Anderson (AUS) in Round 2. After repeating her third place in Round 3, the South Africa overcame the challenge of ASP No. 13 Pauline Ado (FRA) before holding on to defeat the third seed, Courtney Conlogue (USA), in their quarter-final match-up.

Tyler Wright defeated fellow Australian Sally Fitzgibbons, 22, in a high-scoring final (17.80 to 15.67) to win the Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro in peaky two-to-three foot waves and take the lead on the 2013 ASP Women’s WCT rankings

Wright dominated the Barra da Tijuca line-up from start to finish, posting the high scores of each round with progressive combinations including the final where she unloaded committed forehand combinations and was rewarded a 9.33 and 8.50 to secure the win.

“This feels pretty good,” Wright said. “This whole event has been stepping stones for me. I started off a bit shaky and this is my first even where my family is not here with me. Brooke Farris was here looking after me and thanks to everyone for all of their support.”

Wright’s victory in Rio marks her second of the season following a win on the Gold Coast and the two victories combined with two additional runner-up finishes have launched Wright to the No.1 position over Carissa Moore (HAW), 20.

“It’s awesome to move to the top of the rankings, but I’m honestly not thinking about the World Title,” Wright said. “I’m just having fun surfing and enjoying each event and we’ll see what happens at the end of the year.”

Sally Fitzgibbons, defending event champion, put in an amazing effort in an attempt to retain the Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro Title, ousting Oahu’s Carissa Moore in their semi-final bout, but was unable to put a stop to Wright’s momentum in the final to finish runner-up overall.

“I’m happy to progress though to the final,” Fitzgibbons said. “It’s always exciting to come in to a final against Tyler (Wright) and I knew she’d be tough to beat out there. I love coming to Rio and I always get good results here. Unfortunately I fell at the last hurdle, but I’ll come back bigger and better next year.”

Highlights from the Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro will be available via http://wctbrasil.com/rio13

Event organizers will reconvene this morning at 7:30am local time (12.30pm SA time) for a possible start to Round 2 of Billabong Rio Pro Men’s competition.

When men’s competition resumes, South Africa’s Travis Logie will contest Heat No. 10 against fellow ASP WCT veteran Kieren Perrow (AUS). Jordy Smith advanced directly to Round 3 after winning his opening encounter in Rio last Thursday.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

COLGATE PLAX GIRLS RIO PRO FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Tyler Wright (AUS) 17.80
2 – Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 15.67

COLGATE PLAX GIRLS RIO PRO SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.90 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 11.97
SF 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) 17.94 def. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 13.64

COLGATE PLAX GIRLS RIO PRO QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.50 def. Lakey Peterson (USA) 8.34
QF 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.10 def. Laura Enever (AUS) 10.24
QF 3: Tyler Wright (AUS) 15.83 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 13.74
QF 4: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 12.20 def. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 11.33

ASP WOMEN’S WCT TOP 5 (Following Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro):
1. Tyler Wright (AUS) 40,000 points
2. Carissa Moore (HAW) 38,200
3. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 34,200
4. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 32,100
5. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 26,450

8. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 21,450

BILLABONG RIO PRO ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Gustavo Fernandes (BRA)
Heat 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Messias Felix (BRA)
Heat 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Jack Freestone (AUS)
Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (BRA) vs. Ricardo dos Santos (BRA)
Heat 5: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Yadin Nicol (AUS)
Heat 6: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 7: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
Heat 8: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 9: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 10: Travis Logie (ZAF) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 11: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Heat 12: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Filipe Toledo (BRA)

ENDS

Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact: Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel: 021 534 5738
Email: colin@aspafrica.com

Compiled and Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email: lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the recognized world governing body of professional surfing and has been crowning surfing’s undisputed World Champions since 1976. The ASP sanctions and crowns World Champions for the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, ASP World Junior Tour, ASP World Longboard and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts and other media platforms. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

Bianca Buitendag, 19, (George) breaks her fins free as she carves off the top of a wave on her way to the quarter-finals of the Hunter Ports Women’s Classic at Mereweather Beach in Newcastle, Australia Photo: ASP / Will H-S

Bianca Buitendag, 19, (George) cruised into the last eight in the ASP 6-Star rated Hunter Ports Women’s Classic held in crumbling one metre waves at Mereweather Beach in Newcastle, Australia earlier today

Buitendag posted a comfortable victory in her Round of 24 heat before finishing second behind Alessa Quizon (HAW) and eliminated ASP World Junior Champion Nikki van Dyk (AUS) in the Round of 12 to set up a quarter-final encounter against Lakey Peterson (USA), who was the day’s standout performer.

The South African’s confidence-boosting performances at Newcastle are an excellent warm-up for her debut on the ASP Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT) which gets underway on the Gold Coast on 2 March. There she will be up against the world’s top 17 ranked women in the race for the 2013 world title.

Stephanie Gilmour (AUS), the five-time and reigning ASP Women’s World Champion, was a surprise elimination today when she placed fourth in her Round 24 clash.

South Africans Sarah Baum (25th) and Rosanne Hodge (37th) were ousted in yesterday’s action while Faye Zoetmulder (49th) was sidelined on the opening day of competition.

Hunter Ports Women’s Classic Round of 12:
Heat 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 15.60, Dimity Stoyle (Aus) 14.70, Alize Arnaud (Fra) 7.4
Heat 2: Sage Erickson (USA) 15.43, Pauline Ado (Fra) 13.93, Sofia Mulanovich (Per) 9.70
Heat 3: Lakey Peterson (USA) 18.70, Sally Fitzgibbons (Aus) 10.93, Laura Enever (Aus) 8.27
Heat 4: Alessa Quizon (Haw) 14.70, Bianca Buitendag (Zaf) 12.20, Nikki Van Dijk (Aus) 7.20

Hunter Ports Women’s Classic Round of 24:
Heat 1: Dimity Stoyle (Aus) 17, Sofia Mulanovich (Per) 12.07, Nage Melamed (Haw)9.33, Tatiana Western-Webb (Haw)
Heat 2: Alize Arnaud (Fra) 15.17, Sage Erickson (USA) 14.67, Canelle Ballard (Reu) 11.07, Stephanie Gilmore (Aus) 9.80
Heat 3: Pauline Ado (Fra) 16.10, Courtney Conlogue (USA) 12.54, Johanne Defay (Fra) 11.90, Keely Andrew (Aus) 11.50
Heat 4: Lakey Peterson (USA) 14.04, Alessa Quizon (Haw) 12.23, Felicity Palmateer (Aus) 7.90, Ellie-Jean Coffey (Aus) 7.80
Heat 5: Sally Fitzgibbons (Aus) 17.10, Nikki Van Dijk (Aus) 11.14, Brittani Nicholl (Aus) 5.90, Stephanie Single (Aus) 5.23
Heat 6: Bianca Buitendag (Zaf) 12.53, Laura Enever (Aus) 11.90, Bronte Macaulay (Aus) 11.36, Philippa Anderson (Aus) 6.40

++++++++++++++

Sawyer, de Vries and van Zyl eliminated from Burton Toyota Pro

Steven Sawyer (Jeffreys Bay), Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga) and David van Zyl (Glenashley) have been eliminated from the ASP 6-Star Burton Toyota Pro which is running in conjunction with the Hunter Ports Women’s Classic as part of the Newcastle Surfest in Australia

Sawyer and de Vries finished equal 75th when they placed fourth in their respective Round of 96 heats earlier today, collecting 160 ratings points and US $500 (about R4 250) each. Van Zyl ended equal 97th when he came in 3rd in his Round of 144 heat on Monday.

Shaun Joubert (Mossel Bay) and Mikey February (Kommetjie), the two remaining Saffas in the event, will contest their Round of 96 heats when competition resumes.

Joel Parkinson (AUS) made a successful return to competition surfing after winning his maiden ASP World Title in Hawaii in December when he charged to victory in his Round of 96 heat. Only nine heats of men’s surfing were completed today with 2012 event runner-up Filipe Toledo (BRA) one of the standouts with his high-flying aerial repertoire.

Burton Toyota Pro Round of 96
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (Aus) 17.0, Matt Lewis Hewitt (NZ) 13.23, Wade Carmichael (Aus) 9.14, Steven Sawyer (Zaf) 8.77
Heat 2: Joan Duru (Fra) 16.77, Tomas Hermes (Bra) 15.8, Hiroto Ohhara (Jpn) 11.37, Beyrick De Vries (Zaf) 9.23
Heat 3: Tiago Pires (PRT) 16.17, Oney Anwar (IND)11.67, Michael Powell (USA) 10.17 Mark Occhilupo (Aus) 7.70
Heat 4: Felipe Toledo (Bra) 14.7, Bino Lopes (Bra) 12, Evan Geiselman (USA) 11.60, Billy Stairmand (NZ)
Heat 5: Kalani David (HAW) 15.7, Damien Hobgood (USA) 11.87, Nobuyuki Osawa (Jpn) 10.33, Jay Quinn (NZ) 11.87
Heat 6: Santiago Muniz (Arg), Jesse Adam (Aus), Jack Freestone (Aus), Tanner Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 7: Charles Martin (GLP) 14.34, Jeremy Johnston (USA) 13.34, Frederico Morais (PRT) 9.03, Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 8.07
Heat 8: Mark Lacomare (Fra) 14.33 , Maxime Huscenot (Fra) 13.77, Kolohe Andino (USA) 10.13, Caio Ibelli (Bra) 4.13
Heat 9: Matt Wilkinson (Aus) 17.40, Ian Gouveia (BRA) 14.20, Peterson Crisanto (BRA) 10.69, Matt Banting (AUS) 10.02
All the action at the Newcastle Surfest can be watched live at http://surfest.prosurfinglive.com/
ENDS

Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact: Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel: 021 534 5738
Email: colin@aspafrica.com

Compiled and Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email: lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the recognized world governing body of professional surfing and has been crowning surfing’s undisputed World Champions since 1976. The ASP sanctions and crowns World Champions for the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, ASP World Junior Tour, ASP World Longboard and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts and other media platforms. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

Sarah Baum, 19, (Athlone Park, Durban) in action in the Breaka Burleigh Pro Women’s event where she finished equal 5th overall Photo: ASP / Will H-S

Sarah Baum started her 2013 pro surfing season with a meritorious fifth place finish after reaching the quarter-finals of the ASP Star rated Breaka Burleigh Pro Women’s held in excellent 1.0 to 1.5 metre waves at Burleigh Heads in Australia earlier today (Saturday).

The inform 19 year-old from Athlone Park, Durban, who ended 2012 ranked No. 17 on the ASP Women’s Star Series, progressed through three rounds of four and three-person heats before elimination by current ASP No. 6 Malia Manuel (HAW) in a one-on-one encounter in the quarters.

Baum collected US $1 100 (approx. R10 000) and a valuable 1 560 points from the event which was won by ASP No.2 and event top seed, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), who narrowly defeated Courtney Conlogue (USA), the ASP No. 5, in the final.

South Africa’s Rosanne Hodge (East London), who spent four seasons (2007-2010) competing on the ASP Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT), the highest level of women’s surfing, finished equal 9th at Burleigh.

Bianca Buitendag (George), who starts her rookie year on the Women’s WCT on the Gold Coast in March, placed equal 19th and Faye Zoetmulder (Port Elizabeth) ended equal 55th in her first ASP event after a serious injury that sidelined her for the second half of last year.

The 4-Star ASP rated men’s Breaka Burleigh Pro has been reduced to the last eight with former two-time ASP World Champion, Gold Coast local and current ASP No. 3, Mick Fanning, a surprise elimination after being ousted by fellow Australian Mitch Crews and Marco Fernandez (BRA).

The men’s champion will be crowned on Sunday and all the action can be followed live at http://breakaburleighsurfpro.com.au starting around midnight (SA time) tonight.

David van Zyl (Glenashley) and Steven Sawyer (Jeffreys Bay), the only two SA surfer’s in the men’s draw, finished 49th and 65th respectively.

Breaka Burleigh Pro Women’s Six Star
Final: Sally Fitzgibbons (Aus) 16:00, Courtney Conlogue (USA) 15.90
Semi-Finals:
Semi 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.73, Malia Manuel (Haw) 13.17
Semi 2: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 14.77, Laura Enever (Aus) 14.47
Quarter-Finals
Q 1: Malia Manuel (Haw) 13.17, Sarah Baum (ZAF) 12.10
Q 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (Aus) 15.54, Dimity Stoyle (AUS) 13.40
Q 3: Laura Enever (Aus) 13.67, Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.33
Q 4: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 18.33, Alessa Quizon (HAW) 15.34

Breaka Burleigh Pro Men’s Round of 16
Heat 1: Ricardo Christie (NZ) 14.33, Adam Melling (Aus) 14.13, Bede Durbidge (Aus) 12.54, Ryan Callinan (Aus) 11.90
Heat 2: Marco Fernandez (Bra) 15.60, Mitch Crews (Aus) 14.70, Mick Fanning (Aus) 14.66, Jack Duggan (Aus) 7.83
Heat 3: Owen Wright (Aus) 15.50, Brent Dorrington (Aus) 12.33, Dion Atkinson (Aus) 10.03, Cooper Chapman (Aus) 8.53
Heat 4: Alejo Muniz (Bra) 14.80, Thomas Woods (Aus) 14.03, Frederico Morais (Ptg) 13.97, Davey Cathels (Aus) 11.96

++++++++++++

Rip Curl Pro Puerto Rico gets underway on Saturday

The ASP 4-Star Rip Curl Pro Puerto Rico gets underway at Lobos Beach in Isabella, Puerto Rico on Saturday

Three South Africans will be in action with Benji Brand (Kommetjie) starting his campaign in the Round of 128, his brother Davey in the Round of 96 and ninth seeded Shaun Joubert, formerly from Mossel Bay but now living in California, starting in the Round of 64.

All the action in the Rip Curl Pro Puerto Rico can be followed live at www.live.ripcurl.com

For more information, including the full schedule of ASP events, surfer profiles, news and results, visit www.aspworltour.com

ENDS

Pictured: Sarah Baum, 19, (Athlone Park, Durban) in action in the Breaka Burleigh Pro Women’s event where she finished equal 5th overall
Photo: ASP / Will H-S
Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact: Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel: 021 534 5738
Email: colin@aspafrica.com

Compiled and Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email: lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the recognized world governing body of professional surfing and has been crowning surfing’s undisputed World Champions since 1976. The ASP sanctions and crowns World Champions for the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, ASP World Junior Tour, ASP World Longboard and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts and other media platforms. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

Bianca Buitendag, 19, (George) shows the form that took her to victory in the CHIKO Pro Junior women’s event at Newcastle in Australia last year Photo: Red Monkey

South Africa’s hot young crop of aspiring professional surf stars are heading for all points of the compass as the 2013 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) season gets underway with Star rated events for men in Hawaii and China next week followed by further contests in Australia and Puerto Rico during February.

While the world’s top 34 ranked men and top 17 women only commence the race for the 2013 ASP World Titles on Australia’s Gold Coast early in March, the 11-day waiting period for the 5-Star rated Volcom Pipe Pro starts on Sunday 27 January at Pipeline in Hawaii.

Dale Staples from St Francis Bay, who finished 2012 at No.101 on the ASP Men’s World Rankings, is the sole South African in the 112-man field which is headed by defending event champion and current ASP No. 4, John John Florence (HAW).

Meanwhile four Saffas will participate in the second edition of the 4-Star rated Hainan Classic which runs at Riyuewan Bay on the tropical Chinese island of Hainan from 28-30 January. Kommetjie based brothers, Davey and Benji Brand, and Remi Peterson (Jeffreys Bay) will start in the Round of 96 in China with David van Zyl (Glenashley) seeded directly into the Round of 64.

After China, van Zyl travels to Australia for the 4-Star rated Breaka Burleigh Pro at the iconic Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast of Queensland. There he will be joined by Steven Sawyer (Jeffreys Bay) in the Round of 96 with Mikey February (Kommetjie) on the alternates list for the event, which runs from 3-10 February.

The women’s event at the Breaka Burleigh Pro is a one of just six 6-Star rated events on the ASP Women’s Star tour and has attracted a powerful field including four South Africans. The Saffa contingent is headed by Bianca Buitendag who won 6-Star events in Peru and the Azores last year, resulting in the 19 year-old from George qualifying as the only newcomer amongst the top 17 for the 2013 ASP Women’s World Tour.

Compatriots Sarah Baum (Athlone Park), who was in contention for a spot on the Women’s World Tour herself last year, and former top-tier campaigner Rosy Hodge (East London) will start alongside Buitendag in the Round of 48 in the US $40 000 event with Faye Zoetmulder (Port Elizabeth) opening her challenge one round earlier.

The Brand brothers and Peterson head for the Caribbean after China where they will be joined by California based former Mossel Bay standout Shaun Joubert in the 4-Star Rip Curl Pro Puerto Rico from 9-13 February.

Joubert, 21, ended 2012 ranked No. 95 and will benefit from being one of the top 10 seeds in Puerto Rico as he seeks to maintain a top 100 ranking that guarantees entry into the 6-Star and Prime events with their lucrative prize-money and higher rankings points.

After the Caribbean, Joubert heads for Australia where he and No. 94 ranked Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga) along with February, van Zyl and Sawyer will contest the 6-Star, US $155 000 Burton Toyota Pro at Merewether beach in Newcastle from 18-24 February.

The Newcastle event sees the first competitive appearance of the year for newly crowned ASP World Champion Joel Parkinson.(AUS) and a dozen more of the world’s top 32 ranked surfers.

Sawyer and van Zyl will also compete against more than 100 international surfers aged 20-and-under in the 2-Star Burton Toyota Pro Junior.

The 6-Star Hunter Ports Women’s Classic, which runs in conjunction with the men’s event at Newcastle, presents a second opportunity for the South African quartet of Buitendag, Baum, Hodge and Zoetmulder to accumulate additional cash and rankings points.

While the quality of the women’s field has been strengthened by the entry of five-time ASP Women’s World Champion, Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), who makes her first foray into competition for the year, Buitendag will be encouraged by her results in the beach break waves at Merewether last year where she placed 3rd in the women’s event and won the Pro Junior women’s crown.

The respective men’s and women’s ASP World Championship Tours (WCT) then take centre stage as the $450 000 Quiksilver Pro and the $120 000 Roxy Pro, both presented by Land Rover, run side-by-side from 2-13 March on Australia’s Gold Coast.

South Africa’s Jordy Smith, 24, is determined to improve on his No.12 ranking after an inconsistent 2012 season while Travis Logie, 33, will be looking to build on his career best No.21 ranking after having to re-qualify for the top tier via the Star events a couple of years back.

Bianca Buitendag faces a baptism of fire as the only rookie of the 2013 women’s WCT as she has never before competed at this level, However, a stellar qualifying campaign in 2012 saw her defeat a number of the established campaigners in her first full year on tour and end the year No. 2 in the women’s Star rankings.

Now a year older, wiser, stronger and more confident, Buitendag looks set to not only hold her own, but to upset her more experienced opponents in any conditions.

For more information, including the full schedule of ASP events, surfer profiles, news and results, visit www.aspworldtour.com

ENDS

Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact: Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel: 021 534 5738
Email: colin@aspafrica.com

Compiled and Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email: lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the recognized world governing body of professional surfing and has been crowning surfing’s undisputed World Champions since 1976. The ASP sanctions and crowns World Champions for the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, ASP World Junior Tour, ASP World Longboard and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts and other media platforms. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

Monday 20 December 2010 – Jordy Smith has ended the 2010 ASP World tour Season ranked No. 2, the best result by a South African surfer since 1977 World Champion Shaun Tomson finished second in 1984.

Smith won his maiden event title at the Billabong Pro in Jeffreys Bay in July and also reached the final in two other events, finishing runner-up to Taj Burrow (AUS) in the season opening Quiksilver Pro on Australia’s Gold Coast and to newly crowned 10-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) at the Rip Curl Pro Portugal in October.

The 22 year-old Durbanite started his break-through third year on the Dream Tour, the highest level of competition surfing, with an entirely new strategy. Realising that he performed at his best when relaxed and not under pressure to get results, his mantra became “I’m just going to go out there and have fun and let the results take care of themselves.”

And the new approach really worked as a more relaxed Smith employed his patented aerial attack and futuristic manoeuvres to defeat the cream of the world’s top competitive surfers on a regular basis, only failing to reach the last eight once in the 10 events – when he was bundled out in the Round of 32 by wildcard Manoa Drollet at Teahupoo in Tahiti.

His one victory, two seconds, six fifth place finishes and one 17th, plus a couple of good results in Prime and Star rated events, saw Smith amass US $235 150 (approximately R1.64 million) in prize-money in 2010, taking his career prize-money earnings to just over $526 000 and signing up a slew of new sponsorship deals along the way.

Slater, 38, undeniably the best competitive surfer of all time, reached the final in six of the 10 events, winning four titles, and accumulated $416 000 in 2010, including a bonus of $100 000 for winning the ASP World Title.

The other five event titles were won by Burrow, rookie Jadson Andre (a 20 year-old Brazilian whose father is two years younger than Slater!), the late former three-time ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW), two-time and 2009 ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) and Jeremy Flores (FRA) who became the first European surfer to win an event in Hawaii by capturing the Billabong Pipeline Masters in memory of Andy Irons.

The 2011 ASP World Tour will get underway with the Quiksilver Pro on Australia’s Gold Coast at the end of February.

ASP World Title Race
2010 Final Rankings
1 Kelly Slater (USA)  69 000 points
2 Jordy Smith (ZAF)  52 250
3 Mick Fanning (AUS)  44 750
4 Taj Burrow (AUS)  42 000
4 Dane Reynolds (USA) 42 000
6 Bede Durbidge (AUS) 39 000
7 Adrian Buchan (AUS) 37 250
7 Owen Wright (AUS)  37 250
9 Jeremy Flores (FRA) 35 750
10 Adriano De Souza (BRA) 32 000

South Africans
29 Travis Logie (ZAF)  13 000 points

++++++++++++++++

Smith the only South African on 2011 ASP World Tour

Jordy Smith will be the sole South African on the 2011 ASP World Tours after fellow Durbanite Travis Logie amongst the men and Rosanne Hodge and Nikita Robb (both East London) amongst the women all failed to finish inside the cut-off criteria for requalification.

Logie, 31, did well to survive the mid-year cut from 44 to 34 on the ASP World Tour and was on the cusp of requalifying for 2011 through both the ASP World Title Rankings, where the top 22 automatically requalify, and on the ASP World Rankings, where the top 10 who have not already qualified via the World Tour rankings join the Dream Tour.

However, following a Round 1 loss in the Pipe Masters, Logie ended the year ranked No. 29 on the World Title Race Rankings and even closer on the World Tour Rankings where his 36th place saw him end just 1 723 points (less than 1 750 earned for a 13th place finish) behind Dusty Payne (HAW) who grabbed the No. 32 and final qualifying spot.

Hodge was the model of consistency in 2010, her fourth consecutive year on the ASP Women’s World Tour, reaching Round 3 in the first six events but not managing to advance to the quarterfinals, before placing 17th in the final event. She ended the year ranked No.13, significantly adrift of Rebecca Woods (AUS) who grabbed the 10th and final spot.

Robb struggled to impress the judges in her rookie season at the highest level, only posting two heat tallies of over 10 out of 20 in 14 attempts, and bowed out with three 9ths, three 17ths and a 19th which gave her a yearend ranking of No. 15.

The pair also finished well off the pace in the ASP Women’s Star rated series where the top 6 qualify for the following year’s top tier. Robb was the highest placed SA woman at No. 14 while Hodge ended her season ranked No. 22.

Royden Bryson fared best of the South African campaigners in the Prime and Star rated events, ending the year ranked No. 76. The former East Londoner now living in Cape Town won the 6-Star rated O’Neill Cold Water Classic in Scotland and put himself into contention for the US $50 000 bonus for the five-event Col Water Classic Series title before missing the next two events in that series in Canada and Santa Cruz, California.

Brandon Jackson (Durban North), who came within a whisker on qualifying for the 2010 ASP World Tour, was the only other SA surfer in the top 100, finishing at No. 100. Rudy Palmboom (Bluff) came in at No. 106 in his third campaign and Shaun Joubert, 19, from Mossel Bay, ended his first season at No. 118, achieving his objective of placing amongst the top 120 who are virtually guaranteed a start in all of next year’s Prime rated events.

ASP World Tour Rankings
2010 Men
1 Slater,Kelly   USA 69000 points
2 Smith,Jordy  ZAF 52350
3 Burrow,Taj   AUS 45432
4 Fanning,Mick  AUS 44750
5 Durbidge,Bede  AUS 42463

South Africans (Top 200 of 1089)
36 Logie,Travis  ZAF 16327 points
76 Bryson,Royden  ZAF 9601
100 Jackson,Brandon  ZAF 7015
106 Palmboom,Rudy ZAF 6653
118 Joubert,Shaun  ZAF 5884
154 Fahrenfort,Damien  ZAF 4087
155 Strachan,Klee  ZAF 4072
160 Weare,David  ZAF 3799
170 De Vries,Beyrick  ZAF 3512
172 Gibbens,Brendon  ZAF 3443
173 Basnett,Ricky  ZAF 3432

ASP Women’s World Title Race
2010 Final Rankings
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2 – Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
3 – Carissa Moore (HAW)
4 – Silvana Lima (BRA)
5 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER)

South Africans
13 – Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)
15 – Nikita Robb (ZAF)

ASP World Tour Rankings
2010 Women
1 Fitzgibbons,Sally  AUS 12120 points
2 Enever,Laura  AUS 11520
3 Wright,Tyler   AUS 10920
3 Conlogue,Courtney  USA 10920
5 Ho,Coco   HAW 10380
6 Silva,Jacqueline  BRA 10320

South Africans (Top 50 of 130)
14 Robb,Nikita   ZAF 8520 points
19 Buitendag,Bianca  ZAF 8160
22 Hodge,Rosanne  ZAF 7680
26 Chudleigh,Tarryn  ZAF 7200
36 Baum,Sarah   ZAF 6000
48 Rautenbach,Chantelle  ZAF 4953

+++++++++++++++++++

ENDS

Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact:            Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel:                   021 534 5738
Email:               colin@aspafrica.com

Compiled & Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the recognized world governing body of professional surfing and has been crowning surfing’s undisputed World Champions since 1976. The ASP sanctions and crowns World Champions for the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, ASP World Junior Tour, ASP World Longboard and Masters Championships.
The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts and other media platforms. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico
Stop No. 9 of 10 on the 2010 ASP World Tour
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search Puerto Rico
Stop No. 7 of 8 on the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour
Somewhere, Puerto Rico
October 30 – November 10, 2010

Porta Del Sol/Puerto Rico (Monday, November 1, 2010) – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 22, has claimed her fourth, consecutive ASP Women’s World Title, making history at the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search Puerto Rico.
 
With her Quarterfinal win over Melanie Bartels (HAW), 28, Gilmore amassed enough points to knock sole remaining contender, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 19, out of the running for the 2010 ASP Women’s World Title Race.

“I’m really at a loss for words right now,” Gilmore said. “Mel (Bartels) is one of the most dangerous surfers in the world and has had my number on several occasions. Even on that last wave there, I was certain she’d got the score. I was blown away when they called it out and I’m rapt right now.”
 
The historic occasion marks the first time an athlete has achieved a perfect record in the professional surfing world, with Gilmore claiming the coveted crown in her rookie season and every year since.
 
“I guess I haven’t really been thinking about that,” Gilmore said. “But to hold a record that Layne (Beachley) or even Kelly (Slater) never got is pretty special. I never thought I would even win two, consecutive titles so to win four is a massive achievement for me.”
 
In one of her strongest performances to date, Gilmore’s comprehensive and unabated assault on the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour marks the first time the prodigious natural-footer has clinched the crown before Hawaii.
 
2010 ASP Women’s World Tour Results:
Roxy Pro Gold Coast: WIN
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach: WIN
TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival New Zealand: Equal 9th
Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic: WIN
Movistar Peru Classic: Equal 3rd
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Portugal: Runner-Up
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search Puerto Rico: TBD
Gidget Pro Sunset Beach: TBD
 
Today’s ASP Women’s World Title clinching is the latest in a long list of achievements for the young Australian, which include: ASP Women’s World Tour Rookie of the Year (2007), two-time Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Titles, 15 ASP Women’s World Tour event victories and four consecutive ASP Women’s World Titles.
 
“This Title means a lot to me,” Gilmore said. “The girls on tour this year have been the best they’ve ever been and I’ve been pushed in every one of my heats. The younger girls especially have a whole new approach and they’re gaining in confidence in every surf. The future for the sport is going to be exciting and I can’t wait for it. But for now, I’m going to celebrate my win. Thanks to everyone for all the support.”
 
The Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search Puerto Rico is being webcast LIVE via http://live.ripcurl.com
 
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
 
Ends

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) MEDIA
ASP International Media Manager
Dave Prodan                                                                           
email: dave@aspworldtour.com
USAmobile: +1 949 678 0987
AUS mobile: +61 (0) 400 455 228
 
TV NEWS FEEDS
Many McKinnon
email: mandy.mckinnon@bigpond.com
 
Digital Photographs:
High-resolution digital images for newspapers and Internet sites are available via the ASP Digital Images Department – please contact kirstin@aspworldtour.com
 

Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact:            Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel:                   021 534 5738
Email:               colin@aspafrica.com

Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the recognized world governing body of professional surfing and has been crowning surfing’s undisputed World Champions since 1976. The ASP sanctions and crowns World Champions for the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, ASP World Junior Tour, ASP World Longboard and Masters Championships.
The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts and other media platforms. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

SAN BARTOLO, Lima/Peru (Tuesday, June 8, 2010) – Silvana Lima (BRA), 25, has claimed the Movistar Peru Classic presented by IPD over Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 19, in clean two-to-three foot righthanders in San Bartolo.

Event No. 5 on the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Movistar Peru Classic culminated in dramatic fashion today with some major upsets and stunning performances.

Lima wasted little time in the Final bout, assaulting the glassy righthanders with a barrage of hi-fi fin throws and searing carves, amassing the highest heat total of the event, a 16.50 out of a possible 20, to best her young Australian opponent.

“I feel great!” Lima exclaimed after exiting the water. “I knew I needed to put up high scores early on because Sally (Fitzgibbons) has been surfing so well all event. I have some really good boards and I fell like I have been surfing well. I’m so stoked right now!”

The win marks Lima’s third elite victory of her career and vaults the South American from 7th to 3rd on the ASP Women’s World Tour ranking.

“It’s the biggest result I have had since last year,” Lima said. “It’s really good for me. I feel like I have been surfing well this year but haven’t been making heats. This is very good for my confidence and the rest of the season. I wish we didn’t have such a big break though.”

Fitzgibbons continued her sizzling level of performance in Peru, logging in excellent wave scores in virtually every round of competition. Today’s result marks her third, consecutive Runner-Up finish this season, firmly cementing her place at ASP Women’s World No. 2.

“Another bridesmaid,” Fitzgibbons said. “It’s a good result all the same and great for my rating, but I want to win one really bad. Silvana (Lima) was ripping though. I couldn’t really get into a good rhythm in that heat. I felt good all day, but she got the jump on me and I was never able to answer back. It’s all good though. We’ve had amazing support here in Peru and I’m looking forward to the next one.”

Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 26, former ASP Women’s World Champion (2004) and 2009 Movistar Peru Classic winner, once again pulled out some late heat heroics to best Chelsea Hedges (AUS), 26, in the Quarterfinals but was unable to overcome a rampaging Fitzgibbons in the Semifinals.

“It’s disappointing for sure,” Mulanovich said. “Sally (Fitzgibbons) was surfing really well and I could get the waves I needed. I started out with a strong heat, but got the best waves at the end. It’s another strong result, but I would have liked to make the Final.”

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 22, reigning ASP Women’s World Champion and current ASP Women’s World No. 1, suffered a last-minute defeat at the hands of Lima in their Semifinal bout.

“It was an interesting event and we had challenging conditions throughout,” Gilmore said. “The past few days have been pretty fun on the lefts, but today it felt a bit between swells. It was too small for the left and still kind of big for the right. Equal 3rd is a good result but I felt like I have had a nervous energy about me all event. I hadn’t prepared enough on the righthander and that showed in my wave selection.”

Despite the somewhat uncharacteristic loss, Gilmore still retains a healthy lead in the hunt for her fourth consecutive ASP Women’s World Title, and will use the mid-season break to recharge before the end of the year.

“I’m going to go home and then on some surf trips to Indonesia,” Gilmore said. “I’m working on a film project with Ava Warbick and I’ll use the time to recharge before the US Open in July and then onto Portugal after that.”

The next stop on the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour will be the Rip Curl Pro Portugal from October 7 through 11, 2010.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

High-res image available for complimentary download at: (Copy/Paste URL)

http://64.78.18.131/aspnewsphotos/ed10/slmpc10new.jpg

Pictured: Silvana Lima is the 2010 Movistar Peru Classic Champion! Credit: © ASP / MORRIS

MOVISTAR PERU CLASSIC FINAL RESULT: 

1 – Silvana Lima (BRA) 16.50
2 – Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 10.77

MOVISTAR PERU CLASSIC SEMIFINAL RESULTS:

SF 1: Silvana Lima (BRA) 11.77 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 11.00
SF 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 14.60 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 11.56

MOVISTAR PERU CLASSIC QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:

QF 1: Silvana Lima (BRA) 13.43 def. Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 11.23
QF 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 11.86 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 10.50
QF 3: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 15.27 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 13.70
QF 4: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 14.14 def. Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 13.43

Current ASP Women’s World Tour Top 5 (After Peru):

1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 4716 pts
2 – Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 4224 pts
3 – Silvana Lima (BRA) 3612 pts
4 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 3588 pts
5 – Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 3180 pts

——————————————————————————–

Visit the Press Room on www.aspworldtour.com for news, images, transcribed athlete interviews and more.

Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Media
Dave Prodan
email: dave@aspworldtour.com
USA mobile: +1 949 678 0987

AUS mobile: +61 (0) 400 455 228

Digital Photographs:
High-resolution digital images for newspapers and Internet sites are available via the ASP Digital Images Department – please contact kirstin@aspworldtour.com

——————————————————————————–

About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

——————————————————————————–

SAN BARTOLO, Lima/Peru (Sunday, June 6, 2010) – The ASP Top 17 blitzed San Bartolo’s punchy three-to-four foot (1 metre) lefthanders today as Round 1 of the Movistar Peru Classic presented by IPD was completed.

Event No. 5 on the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Movistar Peru Classic enjoyed its first day of competition, with the world’s best female surfers annihilating the South American lefthander of San Bartolo.

Chelsea Hedges (AUS), 26, former ASP Women’s World Champion (2005) and current ASP Women’s World No. 4, capped off the day’s festivities with the highest heat total of the day, a 16.43 out of a possible 20, for a rampaging forehand assault.

“I was considering the righthander before the heat started but I’m happy I surfed the left,” Hedges said. “Any chance to get to surf my forehand, I like to take advantage. The waves seemed to pulse for that heat there and Coco (Ho) is such a good surfer that it really pushed my surfing.”

With three Equal 3rds and an Equal 9th in her scorecard this season, the powerful goofy-footer is one of the few surfers who can make an assault on current ASP Women’s World No. 1 Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 22.

“I definitely feel like my surfing has been solid this season,” Hedges said. “I made a strategic mistake in the last event that cost me the dearly. Trying to rebound from that and just push my surfing with each heat.”

Gilmore advanced into Round 3 behind former ASP Women’s World Tour campaigner Julia de la Rosa Toro (PER).

Silvana Lima (BRA), 25, 2009 ASP Women’s World Runner-Up and current ASP Women’s World No. 7, brought the South American flair this morning, posting a solid 13.90 out of a possible 20 to best Paige Hareb (NZL), 20, and Sage Erickson (USA), 19, in Round 1 of competition.

“The waves aren’t too bad,” Lima said. “There are some fun waves coming through and it’s much better than everyone thought it was going to be. As the tide gets higher and the swell drops a little bit, I think it will only get better.”

While the young Brazilian has been a perennial threat at all venues since her elite inception, Lima has yet to make catch a fire in 2010, something she hopes to remedy in South America.

“I have had a consistent year but haven’t made a Final yet,” Lima said. “I feel like I am surfing well and I have good boards. Just have to stay focused and keep surfing.”

Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 26, enjoyed the backing of hundreds of spectators on the beach today as the former ASP Women’s World Champion (2004) blasted her way to a Round 1 victory over South Africa’s Rosanne Hodge (East London).

“It’s always an honor to surf at home in Peru,” Mulanovich said. “The support from my family and friends is always appreciated. The waves today were pretty fun. It’s not the best, but it’s clean and contestable. Hopefully the waves improve over the next few days.”

Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 19, current ASP Women’s World No. 2, continued to perform strongly in Round 1 today, posting an impressive win over Amee Donohoe (AUS), 29, and Anali Gomez (PER).

“It always feels good to get through Round 1,” Fitzgibbons said. “I felt pretty good in the heat, but the waves were challenging. I’ve been in Peru for one or two weeks now and it’s been good preparation. I was working at the Red Bull camp and getting used to the waves and the water.”

Coming off two Runner-Up finishes in New Zealand and Sydney, the progressive natural-footer is keen to mount the winner’s dais and sees Peru as the ideal opportunity.

“Sitting in No. 2 on the rankings and in the ASP Women’s World Title hunt is a great place for me,” Fitzgibbons said. “It takes the pressure off and makes me hungry to better myself at the same time. I’ve had a few Runner-Ups and to walk away with a win in Peru would be amazing.”

Melanie Bartels (HAW), 28, current ASP Women’s World No. 4, opened the day’s affairs with an impressive display of backhand prowess amidst the morning’s challenging conditions.

“It’s really challenging out there,” Bartels said. “There’s a lot of water moving and it’s hit or miss with the waves. These aren’t the waves I’m used to – the water is cold and the lefts are lumpy – so I’m stoked to get through Round 1. I can relax a bit and focus on getting a good result in Peru.”

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 8am to assess conditions for a possible 9am start.

When competition resumes, up first will be Bruna Schmitz (BRA), 20, Sage Erickson (AUS), 19, and Anali Gomez (PER) in the opening heat of Round 2. South Africa’s Nikita Robb (East London) then takes on Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) and Valeria Sole (PER) in the second heat of Round 2

Event updates will be available on the ASP Twitter and Facebook pages as well as live scores available at www.aspworldtour.com/2010/ziulscores.asp

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

MOVISTAR PERU CLASSIC ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 11.50, Rebecca Woods (AUS) 10.50, Nikita Robb (ZAF) 9.50
Heat 2: Silvana Lima (BRA) 13.90, Paige Hareb (NZL) 10.97, Sage Erickson (USA) 9.60
Heat 3: Julia de la Rosa (PER) 9.00, Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 8.80, Bruna Schmitz (BRA) 8.73
Heat 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 12.00, Amee Donohoe (AUS) 9.93, Anali Gomez (PER) 8.50
Heat 5: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 13.50, Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 10.04, Valeria Sole (PER) 9.56
Heat 6: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 16.43, Coco Ho (HAW) 13.10, Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 12.77

MOVISTAR PERU CLASSIC ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Bruna Schmitz (BRA), Sage Erickson (USA), Anali Gomez (PER)
Heat 2: Claire Bevilacqua (AUS), Nikita Robb (ZAF), Valeria Sole (PER)

________________________________________

Visit the Press Room on www.aspworldtour.com for news, images, transcribed athlete interviews and more.

Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Media
Dave Prodan
email: dave@aspworldtour.com
USA mobile: +1 949 678 0987
AUS mobile: +61 (0) 400 455 228

Digital Photographs:
High-resolution digital images for newspapers and Internet sites are available via the ASP Digital Images Department – please contact kirstin@aspworldtour.com

________________________________________

About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

SAN BARTOLO, Lima/Peru (Wednesday, June 2, 2010) – The world’s best female surfers will assault the South American continent this week for the fifth stop on the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Movistar Peru Classic presented by IDP.

For the first time in the event’s storied four-year history, the Movistar Peru Classic will whisk the ASP Top 17 away from the lengthy, sandbar lefts of Lobitos and Mancora in exchange for the punchy reefbreaks of San Bartolo in Lima.

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 22, reigning three-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current ASP Women’s World No. 1, has been on a rampage in 2010, collecting three wins from four events and grabbing a stranglehold on the rankings’ lead.

“It has to be the most talented field ever and so this great string of results has surprised me as well,” Gilmore said. “I think the first few events have left everyone questioning the results of the rookies and younger girls, so the focus and expectation grows on them and then allows me to be comfortable and just do my thing.”

While Gilmore has a had a major roll in South America, collecting two wins and a Runner-Up finish in the past three seasons, the iconic Australian admits that this year’s new venue will level the playing field.

“This is my first time to San Bartolo and I don’t really know what to expect but I have been to Lima before and it was a pleasant experience,” Gilmore said. “I’m excited to get there for a new challenge. Peruvians are very passionate about sport and surfing especially because of Sofia (Mulanovich). It’s pretty cool to rock up to a new event venue and see what happens, so Sofia is always a threat especially on home turf, but the conditions are beachbreak stuff so any of the girls are dangerous.”

Gilmore faces Bruna Schmitz (BRA), 20, and one of the Peruvian wildcards in the opening Round of Movistar Peru Classic competition.

Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 26, defending Movistar Peru Winner and current ASP Women’s World No. 3, is one of the only surfers with experience at this year’s venue and with the full support of the South American country behind her, will be a major threat at this season’s event.

“The waves in San Bartolo are small but it can get really fun,” Mulanovich said. “It is a right if swell is small or medium and left is swell is big. I have surfed San Bartolo all my life and really enjoy surfing there.”

Despite her current ASP Women’s World No. 3 ranking, Mulanovich is currently rehabbing a neck injury sustained earlier this season.

“I am just trying to take it heat by heat this season, have fun and see what happens,” Mulanovich said. “I need to improve a bit on my fitness because I have been nursing a bad neck lately.”

Mulanovich will take on Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), 23, and one of the Peruvian wildcards in Round 1 of competition.

Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 19, current ASP Women’s World No. 2, is into her second season amongst the elite and her dedicated preparation is already making the talented natural-footer renowned amongst her peers.

“This will be my first time surfing San Bartolo but I’ve heard good things about the waves in the area,” Fitzgibbons said. “I will be in San Bartolo for a Red Bull camp which will definitely help me with becoming familiar with area. I know a few of the girls have travelled and surfed the location before, but I’d say it’s a pretty even playing field.”

The young Australian has been on a tear this season, rocketing up to second on the ASP Women’s World Tour rankings leading the charge against the Gilmore juggernaut.

“It’s great to be in second on the ratings at this stage of the season – definitely closer to where I want to be,” Fitzgibbons said. “I’m not too focused on the ratings and placings and what not. I just want to carry on being consistent and improve my surfing in the back half of the year. No pressure at this stage, just happy to be fit and ready to surf.”

Fitzgibbons will battle Amee Donohoe (AUS), 29, and a Peruvian wildcard in her Round 1 heat.

Coco Ho (HAW), 19, current ASP Women’s World No. 8, has yet to repeat the results that saw her attain ASP Rookie of the Year Honors in 2009, but feels her surfing is still in top form and results are bound to drop.

“I’ve never been to San Bartolo,” Ho said. “It’s always fun surfing a new venue. Everyone is figuring it out and it always brings good surprises. I definitely hope to find myself in a Final this year. I don’t feel like I’m surfing badly. I’m just making simple mistakes with Mother Nature. My goal at the moment is to crack Top 5. I know I am capable, but I have to put all my focus into conditions and prepare with a game plan.”

Ho will face Chelsea Hedges (AUS), 26, and Claire Bevilacqua (AUS), 27, in the opening round of the Movistar Peru Classic.

Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), 24, and Lee Ann Curren (FRA), 20, have both withdrawn due to injury and Carissa Moore (HAW), 17, is unable to attend due to High School graduation.

Event updates will be available on the ASP Twitter and Facebook pages.

High-res image available for complimentary download at: (Copy/Paste URL)
http://www.aspworldtour.com/photos/LOBITOS09/mulanovich_s4647peru09rowland_n.jpg

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

MOVISTAR PERU CLASSIC ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Melanie Bartels (HAW), Rebecca Woods (AUS), Nikita Robb (ZAF)
Heat 2: Silvana Lima (BRA), Paige Hareb (NZL), Sage Erickson (USA)
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Bruna Schmitz (BRA), TBA
Heat 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Amee Donohoe (AUS), TBA
Heat 5: Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), TBA
Heat 6: Chelsea Hedges (AUS), Coco Ho (HAW), Claire Bevilacqua (AUS)

________________________________________

Visit the Press Room on www.aspworldtour.com for news, images, transcribed athlete interviews and more.

Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Media
Dave Prodan
email: dave@aspworldtour.com
USA mobile: +1 949 678 0987
AUS mobile: +61 (0) 400 455 228

Digital Photographs:
High-resolution digital images for newspapers and Internet sites are available via the ASP Digital Images Department – please contact kirstin@aspworldtour.com

________________________________________

About ASP:
The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

FITZROY BEACH, Taranaki/New Zealand (Thursday, April 8, 2010) – Hot off the heels of the second stop of the year at Bells Beach, the ASP Top 17 have traversed the Tasman Sea to the bountiful beaches of Taranaki for the TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival.

Event No. 3 on the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour, the TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival plays a crucial role in the requalification campaigns of the world’s best female surfers as well as the all important hunt for the prestigious ASP Women’s World Title.

Paige Hareb (NZL), 19, current ASP Women’s World 9, is into her second year on the ASP Dream Tour, the young goofy-footer will be looking turn around an uncharacteristic slow start to the season.

“I haven’t had the best start to my year,” Hareb said. “At this time last year, I had a third and a fifth. This year, I have two ninths so it’s definitely a different position to be in. I’m really looking for a result in New Zealand.”

A result could certainly be in the cards for Hareb. As the first female Kiwi to ever qualify for the prestigious ASP Women’s World Tour, Hareb also has the distinct honor of partaking in the first ASP Dream Tour event in New Zealand.

“It’s amazing that the tour is coming to New Zealand,” Hareb said. “We have so many great waves and I think the girls are really going to enjoy themselves. I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Hareb will face Melanie Bartels (HAW), 27, and Lee Ann Curren (FRA), 20, in the opening round of competition.

South Africa’s Rosanne Hodge, currently ranked equal No. 9, and rookie Nikita Robb, equal No. 17, will be determined to improve their improve their positions on the ASP Women’s leaderboard.

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 22, reigning three-time ASP World Champion, has won the opening two events of the season and will be the form surfer to watch in New Zealand. Gilmore will battle heavily-touted ASP Women’s World Tour rookie Carissa Moore (HAW), 17, in Round 1 of competition.

The TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival will be webcast LIVE via www.nzsurffestival.co.nz

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

TSB BANK WOMEN’S SURF FESTIVAL ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Coco Ho (HAW), Rebecca Woods (AUS), Amee Donohoe (AUS)
Heat 2: Melanie Bartels (HAW), Paige Hareb (NZL), Lee Ann Curren (FRA)
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Carissa Moore (HAW), TBA
Heat 4: Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), Nikita Robb (ZAF)
Heat 5: Silvana Lima (BRA), Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), Claire Bevilacqua (AUS)
Heat 6: Chelsea Hedges (AUS), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Bruna Schmitz (BRA)

High-res image available for complimentary download at: (Copy/Paste URL)

http://www.aspworldtour.com/photos/SEARCHW09/hareb2694search09kirstin_n.jpg

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Visit the Press Room on www.aspworldtour.com for news, images, transcribed athlete interviews and more.

Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Media
Dave Prodan
email: dave@aspworldtour.com
USA mobile: +1 949 678 0987

AUS mobile: +61 (0) 400 455 228
Digital Photographs:
High-resolution digital images for newspapers and Internet sites are available via the ASP Digital Images Department – please contact kirstin@aspworldtour.com

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About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.