surfing

THE GIRLS

HAWAII’S ALANA BLANCHARD WINS VANS HAWAIIAN PRO

RESULTS:
FINAL: Alana Blanchard (HAW), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Rebecca Woods (AUS)

Movistar Peru Classic):

Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 26, has taken out the Movistar Peru Classic presented by Rip Curl over reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and two-time defending event winner in Peru, Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21.

Event No. 5 of 7 on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Movistar Peru Classic culminated in offshore three-to-four foot (1 – 1.5 metre) waves at Lobitos today, and delivered all the drama and action the fans had been waiting for.

Mulanovich, who suffered a horrific wipeout yesterday, was a standout in the hard-fought Final, muscling through one section after another on her backhand, to post an impressive 15.00 out of a possible 20. While the lead would seesaw back and forth between the Peruvian and the Australian, it was ultimately Mulanovich who would come away with the win in front of a raucous crowd on the sand.

“It doesn’t even feel real that this is happening right now,” Mulanovich said. “I have wanted to win this event for so long, and have always been disappointed. To do it here, in front of my friends and family and in good waves at Lobitos is a dream come true. Viva Peru!”

The win boosts the former ASP Women’s World Champion (2004) from fourth to third on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour ratings and puts her within striking distance of the crown heading into the business end of the season.

“I haven’t had the best season and I was really waiting for a breakout result,” Mulanovich said. “To finally get it at home is really special. I am just so stoked.”

Gilmore’s Runner-Up finish today marks her third of the season, and while missing out on making it three-inrow in Peru, the Australian is still pleased with her performance.

“Definitely been pretty consistent with making Finals,” Gilmore said. “Obviously I was looking for another win. But in a way, it is pretty special to see Sofia (Mulanovich) win, like, it is crazy. There are thousands of people on the beach here in the middle of nowhere, it is just phenomenal. To make another Final felt good. I had a lot of fun. It was good to see Sofia up there and not Silvana (Lima) or Coco (Ho), it is going to make the ratings really interesting and it’s keeping things really tight and close between everyone. It is going to be an exciting finish in Hawaii.”

Gilmore retains a slender lead over challengers as she contests for a third, consecutive ASP Women’s World Title, but retains collected frame of mind heading into Hawaii.

“The world title is in your head sometimes,” Gilmore said. “It is just event by event. This event was a good one as everyone was surfing so good and so after a fifth in Portugal, I wanted to come here and perform really well and I put my mind to it and I did it, the title race is hot.”

Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 18, 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie, matched her best result of the year with an equal 3rd at the Movistar Peru Classic. Arguably one of the most in-tune performers at Lobitos, Fitzgibbons lost a nail-biter Semifinal to eventual winner Mulanovich.

“I’m definitely happy with my performance,” Fitzgibbons said. “I have felt good this whole event and it came down really close there at the end. I knew that set was on the horizon and I couldn’t hold on in the end. It would be amazing to make it through to a Final. I will take the third place but it is always nice to be there on the podium and in the Final. I will just keep trying and doing what I am doing and hopefully crack it pretty soon.”

Coco Ho (HAW), 18, 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour rookie and winner of the previous event in Portugal, was a major standout at the Movistar Peru Classic. Ho took down fellow Hawaiian rookie Alana Blanchard (HAW), 19, and stylish natural-footer Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), 22, before falling agonizingly close to Gilmore in the Semifinals.

“It’s always hard having a 9 and waiting for your second score but that’s what surfing with the Champ is all about,” Ho said. “It was frustrating seeing the waves I needed coming in after the heat, but that’s okay. Competing against Steph definitely pushes my surfing and I’m happy with an Equal 3rd.”

Despite missing out on a Final’s berth in Peru, Ho is looking forward to finishing the year at home in Hawaii and the finale of the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour Rookie of the Year race.

“I’m definitely looking forward to heading home and finishing the season in Hawaii,” Ho said. “Rookie of the Year and a Top 5 finish has always been my goal, but Sally (Fitzgibbons) is right there and it will come down to the wire.”

Highlights from the Movistar Peru Classic are available via www.aspworldtour.com

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Coco Ho (HAW), 18, 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie, collected her inaugural victory on the ASP Women’s World Tour today, taking out the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search over former ASP Women’s World Champion (2005) Chelsea Hedges (AUS), 26, in punchy two-to-three foot (1 metre) surf at Belgas.

Round 1 of the Rip Curl Women’s Search

Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic

Goes’ To

Silvana Lima has won this year’s Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic, beating Aussie Stephanie Gilmore in stormy four foot waves at Dee Why in Sydney, NSW. After taking Steph down at Bells to claim her first ever World Tour win, the pocket sized Brazilian dynamo has again countered the Aussie when it counts. Gilmore, who has made every final this year, still sits atop the ratings by a small margin. A great rivalry is in the making, with the two girls sitting head and shoulders above the rest of the Top 17, Lima is the only surfer who refuses to roll over and die.

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BELLS BEACH, Victoria (Friday, October 2, 2009) – Laura Enever (North Narrabeen, NSW) battled massive waves and challenging conditions today as she conquered the Billabong Pro Junior Bells Beach in style.

Defeating Felicity Palmateer (Trigg Beach, WA) in an epic final, Enever was crowned queen of the famed surfing colosseum winning her fourth ASP Australasia Pro Junior title of the year and cementing the ASP Australasian Pro Junior Series win.
Arriving as expected, the massive three metre waves battered the Victorian Surf Coast with corduroy lines pulsing through Bells Beach setting stage for an epic finale between two of Australia’s most revered junior competitors.

Showing no fear and a host of ss, Enever revelled in the solid, blustery and stormy seas posting an impressive 14.00 (out of a possible 20, which included an eight-point ride, in the final.

“I’m so stoked,” she said after taming the Bells line-up.

“To finish off the year with a win in these conditions is amazing.”

Not afraid to mix it up in the big stuff, Enever was appreciative of being able to show her wares in the testing conditions.

“I’m thankful that we were afforded the opportunity to surf in these conditions,” Enever stated.

“It’s great for all the girls to push themselves and continue to bridge the gap between the boys.”

Having blazed a trail throughout the entire 2009 series, Enever not only won a massive four events, but qualified as the top Australasian seed for the prestigious Billabong ASP World Junior Titles.

“I’m so excited,” Enever continued.

“Going to the Billabong ASP World Junior Titles at my home break is going to be something special.”

“I can’t wait,” she continued.

Not to be outshone was runner-up Palmateer who more than impressed all spectators and officials alike with her fearless approach.

“I much prefer the bigger conditions,” she said.

“It’s always fun to surf Bells when it’s big and pumping, especially in a final.”

Surfing in only two events all year, Palmateer managed to finish first and second in both – heralding her big future and star on the rise, finishing 13th on the ASP Australasian Pro Junior ratings.

“I’m happy with the results I got this year,” she said.

“I only surfed twice on Junior Series this year and made the final both times so that gives me plenty of confidence going into next year.”

With the male side of the draw to be completed tomorrow in similar conditions, anticipation and excitement is high as precious places for the Billabong ASP World Junior Titles are still up for grabs.

The Billabong Pro Junior Bells Beach will take place from 29 September – 3 October 2009.

Lay Day for Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic

DEE WHY, New South Wales (Thursday, October 1, 2009) – Event officials have called Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic competition off today due to the lack of waves on offer this morning on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. With plenty of time remaining in the event waiting period, surfers

The Taranaki Women’s Surf Festival

The ASP Women’s World Tour will be getting a boost next season with the addition of New Zealand’s Taranaki region as a dream tour venue.

The Taranaki Women’s Surf Festival will host the world’s best female surfers from April 14 – 18, 2010 along Taranaki’s Surf Highway 45, with mobile venue options including famed locations such as Fitzroy Beach, Rocky Point, Stent Road and Opunake.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to be adding New Zealand to the ASP Women’s World Tour schedule,” Brodie Carr, ASP Intl CEO, said. “The region is ripe with world class waves and it’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase the talents of our outstanding female athletes.”

Paige Hareb (NZL), 19, 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie and current ASP World No. 3, is New Zealand’s first female ambassador at surfing’s elite level of competition, and the addition of another ASP Dream Tour event in her backyard could prove advantageous to the young goofy-footer’s bid for an ASP Women’s World Title.

“I’m pretty happy about the ASP Women’s World Tour coming to my home town in New Zealand next year,” Hareb said. “I know a lot of the girls have never been before and have wanted to come here for a long time. The surf is really consistent around that time of the year so I can’t wait to show the girls what my coast has to offer. It’s going to be pretty exciting!”

The addition of New Zealand to the ASP Women’s World Tour in 2010 is the latest in a string of successes for professional women’s surfing, having recently confirmed the Gidget Pro Sunset Beach event for November this year and with the 2010 season shaping up to be one of its’ best ever.

“This is the first ever World Tour event to be held in New Zealand making this a historic step for both professional surfing and sports in the country,” Brooke Farris, ASP Women’s World Tour Manager, said. “It’s fantastic to see the people of New Zealand putting all their support behind tour rookie Paige Hareb. It will be very exciting to see Paige bring the tour to her local town and perform in front of the masses.”

New Zealand’s Taranaki, for their part, are ecstatic to host the world’s best female surfers next season. In addition to adding an ASP Women’s World Tour event to the 2010 schedule, Taranaki will also host an ASP Grade-3 Girl’s Pro Junior, boasting the richest prize purse on the ASP Australasia Pro Junior Girl’s Series, AUD $8,000.

“Surfing sits at the heart of Taranaki’s innovation and culture,” Stuart Trundle, Chief Executive of Venture Taranaki Trust, said. “We’re stoked that Taranaki has been selected as the venue to host the New Zealand leg of the ASP Dream Tour next year. This event gives us the opportunity to showcase our world-class athletes, the legendary point breaks they call home, and the innovative surf industry that’s grown here.”

The next stop on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour will be the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic at Sydney’s Northern Beaches from September 30 through October 5, 2009.

www.aspworldtour.com

Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic

DEE WHY, New South Wales (Monday, August 31, 2009) – After a lengthy mid-season break, the world’s best female surfers are re-igniting with the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic, Layne_Beachley Event No. 3 of 7 on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour, running at Sydney’s Dee Why Point from September 30 through October 5, 2009.

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21, reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current ASP Women’s World No. 1, will look to further cement her ratings’ lead as she hunts down a third, consecutive ASP Women’s World Title, but will first need to refocus following the five-month break.

“Throughout the break I have enjoyed a fair bit of downtime,” Gilmore said. “I’ve been exploring California, seeing the sights, filming for my sponsors and taking pleasure in a few surf trips here and there. In the last few weeks I have really started to focus on the recommencement of the ASP Women’s World Tour and I am looking forward to putting the contest vest on and racking up another win.”

For the first time in the event’s four-year history, the Commonwealth Beachley Classic will move venue’s from the beachbreaks of Manly to the nearby pointbreak of Dee Why, a move that Gilmore believes will be to her advantage.

“I just got back from some great pointbreaks where the paddles were long and hard, so I feel fit and ready to tackle whatever current comes my way at Dee Why,” Gilmore said. “I am ready to slot into some backdoor action at the Point, lets hope it turns on.”

A two-time past winner at the event (2006, 2007), Gilmore’s bid for a three-peat was demolished early on in 2008, and the young Australian knows that the competition will be even fiercer at this season’s incarnation of the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic.

“With five rookies on tour this year it is like we have a whole lot of wildcards,” Gilmore said. “Sure, wildcards are hard, but that is just a part of the challenge. If you want to win the event you have to push past all of the other 17 surfers. Layne Beachley will be tough. But saying that, all the girls will be a threat at this year’s event. After such a long break, it will be interesting to see how everyone comes back.”

Tyler Wright (AUS), 15, defending Beachley Classic winner and the youngest ever winner of an elite ASP Women’s World Tour event, holds the added prestige of having taken out Gilmore at last season’s event. The two Australians will certainly meet again in 2009, having been paired up against one another in Round 1 of competition.

“I’m not really sure how to manage my nerves against someone like Steph (Gilmore),” Wright said. “I guess I just get so excited to surf against her that I forget about that stuff. The ASP Women’s World Tour has five new rookies this season so the event is going to be harder than ever, but I’m looking forward to it.”

Despite returning as event champion, Wright still feels little pressure competing on the world’s stage at such a young age and hopes experiences of the last season will only serve to make her a stronger competitor.

“I’ve only just turned 15 so I still have nothing to lose and everything to gain,” Wright said. “I still have a lot to learn and having another opportunity like this is unbelievable. Since last year, I’ve grown at least a centimeter so hopefully I have a bit more power behind my turns.”

Gilmore and Wright will take on the world’s best female surfers including current ASP Women’s World No. 2 Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, former seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS), 37, at the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

Rip Curl’s Surfboards in the Sand

Huntington Beach, CA (Vocus) August 27, 2009 — On September 19, 2009 surfers will stand with their surfboards to support coastal preservation at the Rip Curl “Surfboards in the Sand” 0_hbmvbsitslogo

event on the sands of Huntington Beach. Expect two of those boards to belong to women’s surfing champions of the past and present, Linda Benson and Courtney Conlogue.

Courtney Conlogue, the 2009 winner of the Hurley US Open of Surfing

Benson, the first US Women’s Surfing champion in 1959, and Conlogue, the 2009 winner of the Hurley US Open of Surfing, will come together with Peter “PT” Townend, pro surfing’s first World Champion, and other surf stars, Hollywood celebrities and thousands of surf fans at Rip Curl’s Surfboards in the Sand. The event benefits the Surfrider Foundation and Orange County Coastkeepers. An epic photo of the collaboration of surfers and boards on the beach will be shot and published by Transworld SURF. An autograph signing will take place after the photograph.

The girls in the sand

Linda Benson has been involved with surfing for over 40 years. After winning the first US Women’s surfing championship in 1959, she held onto her title from 1960-1961, ‘64 and ‘68. Benson also acted as a movie surfing double for stars such as Annette Funicello and has been inducted into both the Surfing Walk of Fame and the International Hall of Fame.

Courtney Conlogue, a Huntington Beach native, has been surfing in the US Open since she was twelve years old and this year, at the age of sixteen, took home the $10,000 champion’s prize. She also recently won two gold medals at the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games. Conlogue is an active supporter of the environment, who says that she “would really like to see our world healthy

ROXY JAM LONG BOARDS BIARRITZ 2009

Tyler Wright Wins Arnette NSW Junior Surfing Titles

RESULTS

18 Girls
1. Tyler Wright – 19.50pts Wright2
2. Codie Klein – 11.00pts
3. Rachel Campbell – 8.00pts
4. Philipa Anderson – 5.35pts

16 Girls
1. Ellie-Jean Coffey – 12.50pts
2. Stephanie Single – 9.75pts
3. Fiona Casey – 6.40pts
4. Sarah Kokkin – 2.75pts

courtney2 Courtney Conlogue Wins 6-Star Hurley U.S. Open

(Sunday, July 25, 2009) – Courtney Conlogue (Santa Ana, CA), 15, won the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star Hurley U.S. Open today over defending event champion Malia Manuel (Wailua, HI), 15, who claimed the U.S. Open Nike 6.0 Pro Junior, in a high-scoring Final in six-to-eight foot (2 metre) surf today at South Huntington Beach Pier.

Surfers competing at the prestigious Hurley U.S. Open event are battling for the important ratings points on offer towards qualification for the ASP World Tour.

Conlogue won the hard-fought battle over the young Hawaiian with huge backside blasts on the steep lefthanders in the Final to log a 9.00 and an 8.17 in her score line, placing the defending champion in a combination situation. Each of the impressive scores earned by the Huntington Beach local were awarded with one single maneuver, allowing her to take out her first major ASP WQS victory.

SURF MAG TO PROMOTE THE GIRLS

COOLANGATTA, Australia – The ladies of the ASP Women’s World Tour will be receiving substantially more press in the near future, having just inked a partnership with US-based media powerhouse SURFING Magazine.

stephanie gilmore

Starting with the November 2009 issue, SURFING will be instituting the monthly “GIRL” segment, a two-page spread covering an ASP Top 17 surfer, both in and out of the water.

“I am stoked, I love girls!” Travis Ferre, SURFING Magazine Editor-In-Chief, said. “But seriously, we’re huge fans of the girls on tour right now and this is a great opportunity for us to help get their stories out to the world. Not to mention it’s a chance to hang out with a bunch of girls who rip.”
As the first official print media supporter of the ASP Women’s World Tour, SURFING Magazine will provide ground-breaking coverage of the world’s best female surfers, offering audiences an intimate look into the lives of the ASP Top 17.

TOP RANKINGS

1 Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2 Silvana Lima (BRA)
3 Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
3 Paige Hareb (NZL)
5 Melanie Bartels (HAW)
6 Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
6 Coco Ho (HAW)                         ;
8 Rebecca Woods (AUS)
9 Samantha Cornish (AUS)
9 Jacqueline Silva (BRA)
9 Chelsea Hedges (AUS)
9 Bruna Schmitz (BRA)
13 Amee Donohoe (AUS)
13 Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)
13 Alana Blanchard (HAW)
16 Layne Beachley (AUS) -
16 Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
16 Megan Abubo (HAW)

was completed today in clean-yet-shifty three-to-four foot (1 metre) waves at the backup venue of Belgas.

Event No. 4 of 7 on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search commenced immediately following the completion of the Rip Curl Pro Search (won by Mick Fanning (AUS), 28) this morning at Supertubos, but event organizers opted to hunt down the best possible conditions on offer at midday, setting on the offshore, punchy peaks of Belgas.

Melanie Bartels (HAW), 27, current ASP Women’s World No. 4, took to reeling Belgas walls with style, punch and bite, securing the highest-scoring wave of the day, an 8.00 out of a possible 10, for blasting a roping left with some sharp hits on her backhand. Her heat total (also the highest of the day) of a 13.17 out of a possible 20 was enough to edge past opponents Samantha Cornish (AUS), 29, and Alana Blanchard (HAW), 19.

“It’s always good to find some place different to surf and to have the Rip Curl Search Pro and you don’t know where it will be, it is really good,” Bartels said. “I’ve been looking forward to this event all year. I am just happy to get a good start on the first day of competition.”

Bartels is hoping her past experience in Portugal will serve her well throughout the course of the event, as the progressive Hawaiian eyes another solid result to boost her ASP Women’s World Tour rating.

“I have been here twice before and everywhere I have been it has been so good,” Bartels said. “Stoked to be here and experience a different break, I am just stoked to be here and be surfing.”

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21, reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current ASP Women’s World No. 1, was another standout in the Round 1 action at Belgas, casually dismantling the shifting peaks at Belgas on her backhand to secure a 12.00 out of a possible 20 heat total and advance through to Round 3. Having witnessed the majority of the men’s action from the past week, Gilmore is keen to apply the inspiration to a strong performance of her own in Portugal.

“I was saying to a couple of the girls that I feel like the event is over,” Gilmore said. “We have watched the boys and it was awesome to see Mick (Fanning) do well. He has been on fire the whole European leg and it was good to watch and learn from that and use that in my own game out here.”

Presently embroiled in a tight race for the 2009 ASP Women’s World Title with current ASP Women’s World No. 2, Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, Gilmore is unfazed when discussing the battle, citing the several events remaining in the season and numerous scenarios that can play out.

“The pressure is on both of us to perform well,” Gilmore said. “Silvana (Lima) has probably got the pressure of the whole of Brazil on her shoulders to bring home a world title and same goes for me. I am pretty confident in my abilities. It is just going to be exciting. We still have four events left including this one so it is anyone’s game.”

The surprise loss of the day went to former ASP Women’s World Champion (2005) and current ASP Women’s World No. 3, Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 26, went was relegated to the elimination Round 2 by an in-form Chelsea Hedges (AUS), 26, and Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), 23.

While conditions appeared pristine at the start of Round 1, shifting winds wreaked havoc on the lineup, prompting officials to call competition off before Round 2.

Event organizers will reconvene at 7:30am at the backup site of Belgas to assess conditions for a possible Round 2 start.

When competition resumes, first up will be Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 26, Alana Blanchard (HAW), 19, and Pauline Ado (FRA), 19, in Heat 1 of the elimination Round 2.

Surfline, official foreers for the 2009 Rip Curl Pro Search, are calling for the current surf to slightly over the next 24 hours before another swell is expected to hit the region.

Highlights from the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search are available via http://live.ripcurl.com

Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search online media center is available at http://www.box.net/shared/o3avphdb6z

Event No. 4 of 7 on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search saw some of the best conditions of the year at the backup venue of Belgas, and throughout the two days of competition, it was the youngster Ho who proved most adept at navigating the hollow beachbreak peaks.

Ho exercised excellent judgment in the Final, patiently waiting while her elder opponent kept herself busy. With conditions deteriorating, the young Hawaiian let loose with a barrage of backhand hits on the dumpy lefthanders, collecting a 7.50 and an 8.33 to combo Hedges and take the win.

“I knew Chelsea (Hedges) would be dangerous on the left after seeing her this morning getting those barrels,” Ho said. “This afternoon it turned into a more rippable wave and it was hard on the forehand, but I was lucky to get the waves I did.”

With this win, Ho moves from 5th to 3rd on the ASP Women’s World Tour rankings and announces herself as a major force heading into the final three events of the year.

“It feels so good to be on top,” Ho said. “I’m trying not to think about too much. I love my trophy. When I started the year, I set a goal to make Quarterfinals or better at every event in order finish Top 5 by the end of the year, and I’m doing my best to accomplish that.”

For Hedges, today’s return to form marks the first time the inspiring goofy-footer has seen a Finals’ berth since 2007, and moves her from 8th to 6th on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour ratings. Her dominance in the earlier rounds of the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search cannot be overlooked as she consistently dominated the playful pits of Belgas, even eliminating reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current ASP Women’s World No. 1, Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21, in the Quarterfinals.

“It was close but no cigar,” Hedges said. “It feels good to be back on the podium. It’s my best result this year. I came into the event forgetting about world titles and just wanted to improve on my results. Coco (Ho) was ripping and she got the better waves out there this afternoon. I am happy with my 2nd and I will work on that from here.”

The former ASP Women’s World Champion took a sabbatical from competition in 2008 to give birth to a daughter, Meika, and was given the ASP Women’s World Tour wildcard to compete this season. Today’s Runner-Up finish is Hedges’s best of the season, and she’ll be a major threat in the final three events of the season.

“This year, I was kind of questioning my ability a bit at the first event with these young girls like Coco (Ho) and Sally (Fitzgibbons),” Hedges said. “They are surfing so good and it really pushes my surfing and makes me look at what I am doing. It felt really good to take out Steph (Gilmore). She is the best out there in my opinion, her surfing still has that little edge. I still feel that, come the end of the year, she is going to be the one to beat.”

Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), 22, was the surprise juggernaut of the event, claiming three heats today before falling to eventual Runner-Up Hedges in the Semifinals. Despite missing out on a Final’s berth, Hodge took some major scalps in the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search and moved from 12th to 11th on 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour.

“I’m really very happy with my performance in Portugal,” Hodge said. “It’s been a very important competition for me with the WQS having already finished. I need some good results in the last four events and this event has given me a good start.”

Silvana Lima (BRA), 25, current ASP Women’s World No. 2, was in impressive form throughout the final day of competition, edging past Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), 23, before dispatching of Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 18, in the Quarterfinals. Although failing to advance past eventual winner Ho, Lima’s Semifinal finish moved her even closer to Gilmore in the race for the 2009 ASP Women’s World Title.

“For sure I am happy with making the Semis here,” Lima said. “The conditions got pretty tough towards the end, but I’m happy with my result and looking forward to the next event. I saw Steph (Gilmore) lose to Chelsea (Hedges) but it doesn’t change the way I surf. I just surf my heat. Steph is an amazing surfer and competing against her this year is great. She is so powerful and it’s so good for surfing. This year I’m a lot more focused and I think that’s why I am doing better.”

The next stop on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour will be the Movistar Peru Classic presented by Rip Curl from November 3 through 8, 2009 at Lobitos in Northern Peru. The ASP Top 17 will be traversing the Atlantic en route to South America in the next couple of days to contest the long, lefthand points of Peru.

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO SEARCH FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Coco Ho (HAW) 15.83
2 – Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 9.37

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO SEARCH SEMIFINALS RESULTS:
SF 1: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 11.17 def. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 5.10
SF 2: Coco Ho (HAW) 14.84 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 8.66

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO SEARCH QUARTERFINALS RESULTS:
QF 1: Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 8.30 def. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 7.13
QF 2: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 12.16 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 11.73
QF 3: Silvana Lima (BRA) 11.67 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 9.34
QF 4: Coco Ho (HAW) 15.06 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 9.16

CURRENT ASP WOMEN’S WORLD TOUR TOP 5 (After RC Pro Women’s Search):
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 3793 points
2 – Silvana Lima (BRA) 3636 points
3 – Coco Ho (HAW) 2923 points
4 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 2691 points
5 – Melanie Bartels (HAW) 2535 points

The Movistar Peru Classic culminated in offshore three-to-four foot (1 – 1.5 metre) waves at Lobitos today, and delivered all the drama and action the fans had been waiting for.