COOLANGATTA, Australia (Thursday, Mar. 1, 2007) – Round 1 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Samsung was full of upsets after the ASP Foster’s 45 did battle in the three to four foot (1 to 1.2 metre) surf at Snapper Rocks today, Mar. 1 2007.
Julian Wilson (AUS), who gained entry into the Quiksilver Pro as a wildcard, wasted little time in his inaugural opportunity against the world’s best, scoring a sensational upset in defeating reigning and eight-time Foster’s ASP World Tour champion Kelly Slater (USA).
“I’m stoked – I have never surfed in a big comp like this before and my expectations weren’t this high,” Wilson said. “I’m trying to keep them high, but it’s pretty hard when you’re looking into a lineup like the one I have ahead of me. I’m just taking it one step at a time and hopefully I’ll do all right.”
Slater, who is the defending Quiksilver Pro champion, was relegated to Round 2 while Wilson has been seeded directly into Round 3.
“Julian is a good surfer – he is one of those guys who you’ve started to hear about in the last two/three years and he has the talent,” Slater said. “He is one of those guys who comes from a free surfing background but he is starting to develop into a good contest surfer – obviously, he won that heat.”
Slater will next meet 19-year-old local wildcard Dale Richards (AUS), who alongside former three-time Foster’s ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW), was sent to Round 2 at the hands of South African Greg Emslie.
“I get Dale Richards now who obviously knows the wave real well,” Slater said. “He hasn’t had the chance to surf these events before so we’ll see if he can get himself real calm and just focus on what he is doing. If he doesn’t get too distracted, he could do real well.”
Richards won the Quiksilver Pro trials to earn main event entry and, in doing so, has become the first-ever indigenous Australian in a Foster’s ASP World Tour event.
“I guess I am the first indigenous surfer to make it one of these events so I feel real privileged to be that surfer,” Richards said. “I’ve actually never really thought about competing against Slater, but I’m looking forward to it now, definitely. I’ve just seen him in the movies and watched his first heat, that’s all.”
Taj Burrow (AUS) was the third of the Top 5 seeded Foster’s 45 surfers failing to advance straight through to Round 3 today. Although netting an impressive 9.27 out of a possible 10 for a beautiful series of carves and aerials, it was too little too late and he will have to battle his way out of the elimination Round 2.
Mick Fanning (AUS), No. 3 seed in the Quiksilver Pro, led a local charge today that saw Gold Coast surfers Joel Parkinson (AUS), Dean Morrison (AUS) and rookie sensation Josh Kerr (AUS) advance through their respective heats straight into Round 3.
Bobby Martinez (USA), 2006 Foster’s ASP World Tour Rookie of the Year, is proving just as dangerous in 2007 – netting the day’s high heat score 17.90 out of a possible 20.
“This is a bonus to skip a round,” Martinez said. “It’s nice because then you get to have a day off and you don’t have to worry about the 33rd round which is never any fun. Last year I was just trying to requalify and that’s what I am going to do again this year. I’m not trying to get ahead of myself. I’m just taking it heat by heat."
Of the 10 new faces on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour, six advanced straight to Round 3 today –
Leonardo Neves (BRA), Kai Otton (AUS), Ben Dunn (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA) and Ricky Basnett (ZAF) among them.
Event organizers are expecting an increase in swell size over the next few days due to a cyclone off of the Northern Queensland coast.
Next call will be 6am tomorrow.
Quiksilver Pro Round 1 Results: 1st advances to Round 3; 2nd and 3rd surf Round 2
Heat 1: Dean Morrison (AUS) 13.52, Bernardo Miranda (BRA) 12.46, Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 9.97
Heat 3: Leonardo Neves (BRA) 14.17, Tom Whitaker (AUS) 10.77, Luke Stedman (AUS) 10.50
Heat 4: Kai Otton (AUS) 15.34, Damien Hobgood (USA) 10.00, Michael Lowe (AUS) 8.73
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.50, Travis Logie (ZAF) 13.46, Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) 10.46
Heat 6: Bobby Martinez (USA) 17.90, Luke Munro (AUS) 15.66, Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 14.97
Heat 7: Trent Munro (AUS) 14.93, Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.50, Chris Ward (USA)8.34
Heat 8: Julian Wilson (AUS) 14.40, Kelly Slater (USA) 11.93, Daniel Wills (AUS) 8.20
Heat 9: Greg Emslie (ZAF) 14.40, Andy Irons (HAW) 12.86, Dale Richards (AUS) 10.33
Heat 10: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.83, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.83, Jake Paterson (AUS) 8.47
Heat 11: Ben Dunn (AUS) 13.73, Cory Lopez (USA) 12.50, Victor Ribas (BRA) 12.17
Heat 12: Josh Kerr (AUS) 15.33, Phillip MacDonald (AUS) 13.07, Troy Brooks (AUS) 8.90
Heat 13: Raoni Moneteiro (BRA) 14.76, Bruce Irons (HAW) 13.34, Neco Padaratz (BRA) 13.17
Heat 14: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 15.10, Dayyan Neve (AUS) 11.50, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 10.92
Heat 15: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 15.33, Royden Bryson (ZAF) 7.13, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 5.60
Heat 16: Ricky Basnett (ZAF) 13.40, Fred Patacchia (HAW) 12.13, Michael Campbell (AUS) 11.77
QUIKSILVER PRO ROUND 1 TO COMMENCE TODAY AT SNAPPER ROCKS
COOLANGATTA, Australia (Thursday, Feb. 9, 2007) – Round 1of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Samsung will begin this morning at 8am in 3 to 4 foot (1 to 1.2 metre) waves at Snapper Rocks.
Following a lengthy deliberation, event organizers and surfers have opted to run Round 1 of the men’s event to ensure that competition gets underway in the best possible conditions.
"We will run Round 1 today and while conditions are onshore, they are better than yesterday," Contest Director Rod Brooks said. "We know the wave face is clean, but there are onshore winds. These conditions are expected to continue for the next three or four days ahead of a tropical cyclone. We're not sure at this stage whether the cyclone will be favorable or unfavorable so we're covering our options by running Round 1 of the men's today."
A slew of dynamic match-ups will comprise the 16 heats of Round 1 including Heat 9 where local indigenous Australian and Trials Winner Dale Richards (AUS) will face off against former Foster’s ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW), and Heat 8 where wildcard Julian Wilson (AUS) will do battle with reigning and eight-time Foster’s ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA).
Quiksilver Pro Round 1 Match Ups
Heat 1: Dean Morrison (AUS), Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Bernardo Miranda (BRA)
Heat 2: Taylor Knox (USA), Mark Occhilupo (AUS), Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 3: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Luke Stedman (AUS), Leonardo Neves (BRA)
Heat 4: Damien Hobgood (USA), Michael Lowe (AUS), Kai Otton (AUS)
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Travis Logie (ZAF), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 6: Bobby Martinez (USA), Shaun Cansdell (AUS), Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 7: Taj Burrow (AUS), Chris Ward (USA), Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA), Daniel Wills (AUS), Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 9: Andy Irons (HAW), Greg Emslie (ZAF), Dale Richards (AUS)
Heat 10: Mick Fanning (AUS), Adriano de Souza (BRA), Jake Paterson (AUS)
Heat 11: Cory Lopez (USA), Victor Ribas (BRA), Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 12: Phillip MacDonald (AUS), Troy Brooks (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 13: Bruce Irons (HAW), Raoni Monteiro (BRA), Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 14: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 15: C.J. Hobgood (USA), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 16: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Michael Campbell (AUS), Ricky Basnett (ZAF)
Following a lengthy deliberation, event organizers and surfers have opted to run Round 1 of the men’s event to ensure that competition gets underway in the best possible conditions.
"We will run Round 1 today and while conditions are onshore, they are better than yesterday," Contest Director Rod Brooks said. "We know the wave face is clean, but there are onshore winds. These conditions are expected to continue for the next three or four days ahead of a tropical cyclone. We're not sure at this stage whether the cyclone will be favorable or unfavorable so we're covering our options by running Round 1 of the men's today."
A slew of dynamic match-ups will comprise the 16 heats of Round 1 including Heat 9 where local indigenous Australian and Trials Winner Dale Richards (AUS) will face off against former Foster’s ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW), and Heat 8 where wildcard Julian Wilson (AUS) will do battle with reigning and eight-time Foster’s ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA).
Quiksilver Pro Round 1 Match Ups
Heat 1: Dean Morrison (AUS), Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Bernardo Miranda (BRA)
Heat 2: Taylor Knox (USA), Mark Occhilupo (AUS), Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 3: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Luke Stedman (AUS), Leonardo Neves (BRA)
Heat 4: Damien Hobgood (USA), Michael Lowe (AUS), Kai Otton (AUS)
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Travis Logie (ZAF), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 6: Bobby Martinez (USA), Shaun Cansdell (AUS), Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 7: Taj Burrow (AUS), Chris Ward (USA), Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA), Daniel Wills (AUS), Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 9: Andy Irons (HAW), Greg Emslie (ZAF), Dale Richards (AUS)
Heat 10: Mick Fanning (AUS), Adriano de Souza (BRA), Jake Paterson (AUS)
Heat 11: Cory Lopez (USA), Victor Ribas (BRA), Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 12: Phillip MacDonald (AUS), Troy Brooks (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 13: Bruce Irons (HAW), Raoni Monteiro (BRA), Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 14: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 15: C.J. Hobgood (USA), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 16: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Michael Campbell (AUS), Ricky Basnett (ZAF)
LAY DAY CALLED FOR QUIKSILVER AND ROXY PROS
COOLANGATTA, Australia (Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2007) – Less than ideal conditions have prompted event organizers to call a lay day for both the Quiksilver and Roxy Pros presented by Samsung.
"We've called a lay day due to the northeasterly wind and we're expecting this wind to remain all day and even into tomorrow," Contest Director Rod Brooks said. "We're not planning to run anything today and the next call will be 6am tomorrow morning. We remain optimistic about the forecast for the weekend and hope to be back in the water as early as possible."
Despite today’s average conditions, a cyclone brewing off of the coast of Northern Queensland has competitors excited about the possibility of excellent surf for the event.
“As a whole, I feel super relaxed and confident,” rookie competitor Royden Bryson (ZAF) said. “I’ve checked out the charts and I’ve seen the waves that are coming and it looks really good. What more could one want than to surf his first heat on the World Tour in pumping waves?”
Bryson, just one of the handful of new rookies on this season’s Foster’s ASP World Tour, is eager to pull on his jersey for the first time as an elite-tour member and compete with the world’s best.
“The day before yesterday, we had two hours where the women and guys could surf,” Bryson said. “It’s good just to get out in the water with the guys you’re going to be competing against. I’ve spent four or five years on the World Quaifying Series (WQS), and it’s almost like an imaginary barrier (between the WQS and World Tour) and it’s almost like I’ve crossed that now. Just being out in the water, looking at the guys you’re going to be surfing against, it’s a good feeling. It’s insane.”
The next call will be made at 6am tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2007. Should the call be made to run the Roxy Pro, competition will resume with Heat 1 of Round 3. Quiksilver Pro competition has yet to commence.
Quiksilver Pro Round 1 Match Ups
Heat 1: Dean Morrison (AUS), Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Bernardo Miranda (BRA)
Heat 2: Taylor Knox (USA), Mark Occhilupo (AUS), Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 3: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Luke Stedman (AUS), Leonardo Neves (BRA)
Heat 4: Damien Hobgood (USA), Michael Lowe (AUS), Kai Otton (AUS)
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Travis Logie (ZAF), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 6: Bobby Martinez (USA), Shaun Cansdell (AUS), Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 7: Taj Burrow (AUS), Chris Ward (USA), Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA), Daniel Wills (AUS), Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 9: Andy Irons (HAW), Greg Emslie (ZAF), Dale Richards (AUS)
Heat 10: Mick Fanning (AUS), Adriano de Souza (BRA), Jake Paterson (AUS)
Heat 11: Cory Lopez (USA), Victor Ribas (BRA), Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 12: Phillip MacDonald (AUS), Troy Brooks (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 13: Bruce Irons (HAW), Raoni Monteiro (BRA), Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 14: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 15: C.J. Hobgood (USA), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 16: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Michael Campbell (AUS), Ricky Basnett (ZAF)
Roxy Pro Round 3 Match Ups
Heat 1: Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) vs. Amee Donohoe (AUS)
Heat 2: Rebecca Woods (AUS) vs. Melanie Bartels (HAW)
Heat 3: Megan Abubo (HAW) vs. Samantha Cornish (AUS)
Heat 4: Layne Beachley (AUS) vs. Carissa Moore (HAW)
Heat 5: Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) vs. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)
Heat 6: Silvana Lima (BRA) vs. Jacqueline Silva (BRA)
Heat 7: Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
Heat 8: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) vs. Caroline Sarran (FRA)
"We've called a lay day due to the northeasterly wind and we're expecting this wind to remain all day and even into tomorrow," Contest Director Rod Brooks said. "We're not planning to run anything today and the next call will be 6am tomorrow morning. We remain optimistic about the forecast for the weekend and hope to be back in the water as early as possible."
Despite today’s average conditions, a cyclone brewing off of the coast of Northern Queensland has competitors excited about the possibility of excellent surf for the event.
“As a whole, I feel super relaxed and confident,” rookie competitor Royden Bryson (ZAF) said. “I’ve checked out the charts and I’ve seen the waves that are coming and it looks really good. What more could one want than to surf his first heat on the World Tour in pumping waves?”
Bryson, just one of the handful of new rookies on this season’s Foster’s ASP World Tour, is eager to pull on his jersey for the first time as an elite-tour member and compete with the world’s best.
“The day before yesterday, we had two hours where the women and guys could surf,” Bryson said. “It’s good just to get out in the water with the guys you’re going to be competing against. I’ve spent four or five years on the World Quaifying Series (WQS), and it’s almost like an imaginary barrier (between the WQS and World Tour) and it’s almost like I’ve crossed that now. Just being out in the water, looking at the guys you’re going to be surfing against, it’s a good feeling. It’s insane.”
The next call will be made at 6am tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2007. Should the call be made to run the Roxy Pro, competition will resume with Heat 1 of Round 3. Quiksilver Pro competition has yet to commence.
Quiksilver Pro Round 1 Match Ups
Heat 1: Dean Morrison (AUS), Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Bernardo Miranda (BRA)
Heat 2: Taylor Knox (USA), Mark Occhilupo (AUS), Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 3: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Luke Stedman (AUS), Leonardo Neves (BRA)
Heat 4: Damien Hobgood (USA), Michael Lowe (AUS), Kai Otton (AUS)
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Travis Logie (ZAF), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 6: Bobby Martinez (USA), Shaun Cansdell (AUS), Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 7: Taj Burrow (AUS), Chris Ward (USA), Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA), Daniel Wills (AUS), Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 9: Andy Irons (HAW), Greg Emslie (ZAF), Dale Richards (AUS)
Heat 10: Mick Fanning (AUS), Adriano de Souza (BRA), Jake Paterson (AUS)
Heat 11: Cory Lopez (USA), Victor Ribas (BRA), Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 12: Phillip MacDonald (AUS), Troy Brooks (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 13: Bruce Irons (HAW), Raoni Monteiro (BRA), Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 14: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 15: C.J. Hobgood (USA), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 16: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Michael Campbell (AUS), Ricky Basnett (ZAF)
Roxy Pro Round 3 Match Ups
Heat 1: Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) vs. Amee Donohoe (AUS)
Heat 2: Rebecca Woods (AUS) vs. Melanie Bartels (HAW)
Heat 3: Megan Abubo (HAW) vs. Samantha Cornish (AUS)
Heat 4: Layne Beachley (AUS) vs. Carissa Moore (HAW)
Heat 5: Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) vs. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)
Heat 6: Silvana Lima (BRA) vs. Jacqueline Silva (BRA)
Heat 7: Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
Heat 8: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) vs. Caroline Sarran (FRA)
CHELSEA HEDGES HIGH-SCORES IN OPENING ROUNDS OF ROXY PRO GOLD COAST
COOLANGATTA, Australia (Monday, Feb. 27, 2007): Former World Champion Chelsea Hedges (formerly Georgeson) ushered in the first day of 2007 ASP Women’s World Tour competition with a stellar performance at her home break of Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast of Australia today, Feb. 27, 2007.
Hedges is one of a handful of local elite-tour surfers who have not yet earned ultimate honors at Snapper Rocks. Her performance today indicates that could change at the 2007 Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by Samsung.
"I think that local advantage has proven itself over the last few years,” Hedges said. “Joel (Parkinson), Mick (Fanning) and Dean (Morrison) have all won an event here; Steph (Gilmore) has won here. You can read which wave to take off on and you have extra confidence too. We'll just see what happens."
The 2005 ASP Women’s World Champion high-scored in Round 1 of the Roxy Pro, posting the day’s highest heat total, an 18.40 out 20.00, after earning a near-perfect 9.57 (out of 10.00) in the dying seconds of her heat.
"My last wave was a bit of a wide one and I just barely got onto it,” Hedges said. “It had a nice open face and I did one hit off the top and then it walled up again and again. I got off a little floater on the inside and then it walled up again. I don't really remember my whole wave, but I remember it was fun!"
Stephanie Gilmore, also a Snapper Rocks local and the 2005 Roxy Pro winner, competed in her first event as an official ASP Women’s World Tour competitor today. Gilmore has surfed numerous elite-tour events as a wildcard and has won two.
"I feel a bit experienced,” Gilmore said. “I feel like I have some tour-time up my sleeve so I guess that's an important thing if I want to do well in an event. Hopefully, I will end up in the final and it will be a really good start to the year. “
Gilmore’s maiden performance slotted her just behind Hedges statistically with a 17.40 heat total.
“Chelsea's really hungry. I can see it in her surfing,” Gilmore said. “She's my favorite female surfer and she always improving. Chelsea is my pick for this event, if it's not Layne [Beachley] or Carissa [Moore]."
Carissa Moore (HAW), the 14-year-old who won the Roxy Pro Trials to earn the main-event wildcard, managed to win her Round 1 heat over reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS), who finished second, and Jacqueline Silva (BRA) who came third and was relegated to Round 2.
“I think Snapper is the perfect wave and it’s my dream come true just to be here,” Moore said. “It’s not that big of a deal that I won, I just had fun surfing against Layne. I was very honored so I’m just stoked.”
Beachley was not as ‘stoked,’ but did avoid Round 2 and will meet Moore again in Round 3.
“It wasn’t really a great way to start the year,” Beachley said. “I don’t know whether I’m too relaxed or just exhausted, but either way, I’m not putting on a good show and I need to step it up to keep up with these teenagers.”
Beachley has indicated that it is rising talent such as Moore that has kept her on tour again this year while she searches for her record eighth world title.
“I can’t take anything away from Carissa Moore,” Beachley said. “She surfed well, her wave selection was impeccable and her heat strategy for a 14-year-old was just well and truly beyond her years. I’m really proud of her and I’m looking forward to coming up against her again.”
Rookies Roseanne Hodge (ZAF) and Caroline Sarran (FRA) both survived Round 2 elimination today. Elite-tour veteran Rochelle Ballard (HAW) and 2004 World Champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER) were not as lucky and are no longer in Roxy Pro crown contention.
The Roxy Pro is being held in conjunction with the Quiksilver Pro, a Foster’s ASP World Tour event. Another call on competition status will be made tomorrow morning at 6am.
Round 1 Roxy Pro Gold Coast Results: 1st and 2nd move to Round 3 and 3rd surfs Round 2Heat 1: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 15.73, Silvana Lima (BRA) 15.16, Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 11.24Heat 2: Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 14.17, Megan Abubo (HAW) 10.10, Amee Donohoe (AUS) 10.00Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.00, Layne Beachley (AUS) 12.37, Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 10.16Heat 4: Samantha Cornish (AUS) 13.84, Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) 9.80, Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 8.80Heat 5: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 18.40, Caroline Sarran (FRA) 8.77, Rochelle Ballard (HAW) 8.27Heat 6: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 17.40, Rebecca Woods (AUS) 11.86, Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 11.50
Round 2 Roxy Pro Gold Coast Results: 1st moves to Round 3; 2nd is eliminatedHeat 1: Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 13.17, Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 12.70, Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 10.06Heat 2: Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 14.50, Amee Donohoe (AUS) 13.13, Rochelle Ballard (HAW) 9.84
Round 3 Roxy Pro Match-UpsHeat 1: Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) vs. Amee Donohoe (AUS)Heat 2: Rebecca Woods (AUS) vs. Melanie Bartels (HAW)Heat 3: Megan Abubo (HAW) vs. Samantha Cornish (AUS)Heat 4: Layne Beachley (AUS) vs. Carissa Moore (HAW)Heat 5: Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) vs. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)Heat 6: Silvana Lima (BRA) vs. Jacqueline Silva (BRA)Heat 7: Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)Heat 8: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) vs. Caroline Sarran (FRA)
Hedges is one of a handful of local elite-tour surfers who have not yet earned ultimate honors at Snapper Rocks. Her performance today indicates that could change at the 2007 Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by Samsung.
"I think that local advantage has proven itself over the last few years,” Hedges said. “Joel (Parkinson), Mick (Fanning) and Dean (Morrison) have all won an event here; Steph (Gilmore) has won here. You can read which wave to take off on and you have extra confidence too. We'll just see what happens."
The 2005 ASP Women’s World Champion high-scored in Round 1 of the Roxy Pro, posting the day’s highest heat total, an 18.40 out 20.00, after earning a near-perfect 9.57 (out of 10.00) in the dying seconds of her heat.
"My last wave was a bit of a wide one and I just barely got onto it,” Hedges said. “It had a nice open face and I did one hit off the top and then it walled up again and again. I got off a little floater on the inside and then it walled up again. I don't really remember my whole wave, but I remember it was fun!"
Stephanie Gilmore, also a Snapper Rocks local and the 2005 Roxy Pro winner, competed in her first event as an official ASP Women’s World Tour competitor today. Gilmore has surfed numerous elite-tour events as a wildcard and has won two.
"I feel a bit experienced,” Gilmore said. “I feel like I have some tour-time up my sleeve so I guess that's an important thing if I want to do well in an event. Hopefully, I will end up in the final and it will be a really good start to the year. “
Gilmore’s maiden performance slotted her just behind Hedges statistically with a 17.40 heat total.
“Chelsea's really hungry. I can see it in her surfing,” Gilmore said. “She's my favorite female surfer and she always improving. Chelsea is my pick for this event, if it's not Layne [Beachley] or Carissa [Moore]."
Carissa Moore (HAW), the 14-year-old who won the Roxy Pro Trials to earn the main-event wildcard, managed to win her Round 1 heat over reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS), who finished second, and Jacqueline Silva (BRA) who came third and was relegated to Round 2.
“I think Snapper is the perfect wave and it’s my dream come true just to be here,” Moore said. “It’s not that big of a deal that I won, I just had fun surfing against Layne. I was very honored so I’m just stoked.”
Beachley was not as ‘stoked,’ but did avoid Round 2 and will meet Moore again in Round 3.
“It wasn’t really a great way to start the year,” Beachley said. “I don’t know whether I’m too relaxed or just exhausted, but either way, I’m not putting on a good show and I need to step it up to keep up with these teenagers.”
Beachley has indicated that it is rising talent such as Moore that has kept her on tour again this year while she searches for her record eighth world title.
“I can’t take anything away from Carissa Moore,” Beachley said. “She surfed well, her wave selection was impeccable and her heat strategy for a 14-year-old was just well and truly beyond her years. I’m really proud of her and I’m looking forward to coming up against her again.”
Rookies Roseanne Hodge (ZAF) and Caroline Sarran (FRA) both survived Round 2 elimination today. Elite-tour veteran Rochelle Ballard (HAW) and 2004 World Champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER) were not as lucky and are no longer in Roxy Pro crown contention.
The Roxy Pro is being held in conjunction with the Quiksilver Pro, a Foster’s ASP World Tour event. Another call on competition status will be made tomorrow morning at 6am.
Round 1 Roxy Pro Gold Coast Results: 1st and 2nd move to Round 3 and 3rd surfs Round 2Heat 1: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 15.73, Silvana Lima (BRA) 15.16, Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 11.24Heat 2: Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 14.17, Megan Abubo (HAW) 10.10, Amee Donohoe (AUS) 10.00Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.00, Layne Beachley (AUS) 12.37, Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 10.16Heat 4: Samantha Cornish (AUS) 13.84, Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) 9.80, Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 8.80Heat 5: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 18.40, Caroline Sarran (FRA) 8.77, Rochelle Ballard (HAW) 8.27Heat 6: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 17.40, Rebecca Woods (AUS) 11.86, Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 11.50
Round 2 Roxy Pro Gold Coast Results: 1st moves to Round 3; 2nd is eliminatedHeat 1: Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 13.17, Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 12.70, Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 10.06Heat 2: Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 14.50, Amee Donohoe (AUS) 13.13, Rochelle Ballard (HAW) 9.84
Round 3 Roxy Pro Match-UpsHeat 1: Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) vs. Amee Donohoe (AUS)Heat 2: Rebecca Woods (AUS) vs. Melanie Bartels (HAW)Heat 3: Megan Abubo (HAW) vs. Samantha Cornish (AUS)Heat 4: Layne Beachley (AUS) vs. Carissa Moore (HAW)Heat 5: Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) vs. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)Heat 6: Silvana Lima (BRA) vs. Jacqueline Silva (BRA)Heat 7: Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)Heat 8: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) vs. Caroline Sarran (FRA)
ROXY PRO GOLD COAST TO COMMENCE AT SNAPPER ROCKS
COOLANGATTA, Australia (Monday, Feb. 27, 2007): The first official heat of 2007 ASP Women’s World Tour competition will commence at 8am local time on the Gold Coast of Australia today, Monday, Feb 27, 2007.
Rounds 1 and 2 of the Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by Samsung will run at Snapper Rocks in three to four foot (one metre) waves. Two girls will be eliminated from competition today – the very first day of their 2007 season.
“The girls are starting at 8am and will run through 12pm; it is the perfect tide for that time of day and we have three to four foot, perfect lines running through Snapper,” Contest Director Rod Brooks said.
Making their ASP Women’s World Tour debuts will be France’s Caroline Sarran, South Africa’s Roseanne Hodge and Australia’s Stephanie Gilmore. Back on tour after short hiatuses from the elite-tier competition will be Hawaiian Melanie Bartels and Australia Amee Donohoe.
Fourteen-year-old Carissa Moore (HAW) won yesterday’s Roxy Pro Trials to earn a wildcard into the main event. She will meet reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS) and Jacqueline Silva (BRA) in Heat 3 of Round 1.
At noon, the Foster’s 45 will surf in an exhibition to trial a new competition format conceptualized by eight-time Foster’s ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA). In the format, two two-man heats are in the water at the same time with each heat surfing priority-free for the first half of the heat and with man-on-man priority in place for the second.
“At 12pm we will trial Kelly Slater’s new format,” Brooks said. “That format is four men in the water, surfing two separate heats, with priority for one surfer in each heat. We are trialing the format for the final event of the year at Pipeline where having four men in the water at once is mandatory.”
If the format is successful, it could also be adopted in situations where there is waning time in an event waiting period as it cuts the time it takes to run a contest in half.
ROUND 1 ROXY PRO GOLD COAST MATCH-UPS
Heat 1: Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Silvana Lima (BRA), Melanie Bartels (HAW)
Heat 2: Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), Megan Abubo (HAW), Amee Donohoe (AUS)
Heat 3: Layne Beachley (AUS), Jacqueline Silva (BRA), Carissa Moore (HAW)
Heat 4: Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS), Samantha Cornish (AUS), Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)
Heat 5: Chelsea Hedges (AUS), Rochelle Ballard (HAW), Caroline Sarran (FRA)
Heat 6: Rebecca Woods (AUS), Claire Bevilacqua (AUS), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
Rounds 1 and 2 of the Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by Samsung will run at Snapper Rocks in three to four foot (one metre) waves. Two girls will be eliminated from competition today – the very first day of their 2007 season.
“The girls are starting at 8am and will run through 12pm; it is the perfect tide for that time of day and we have three to four foot, perfect lines running through Snapper,” Contest Director Rod Brooks said.
Making their ASP Women’s World Tour debuts will be France’s Caroline Sarran, South Africa’s Roseanne Hodge and Australia’s Stephanie Gilmore. Back on tour after short hiatuses from the elite-tier competition will be Hawaiian Melanie Bartels and Australia Amee Donohoe.
Fourteen-year-old Carissa Moore (HAW) won yesterday’s Roxy Pro Trials to earn a wildcard into the main event. She will meet reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS) and Jacqueline Silva (BRA) in Heat 3 of Round 1.
At noon, the Foster’s 45 will surf in an exhibition to trial a new competition format conceptualized by eight-time Foster’s ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA). In the format, two two-man heats are in the water at the same time with each heat surfing priority-free for the first half of the heat and with man-on-man priority in place for the second.
“At 12pm we will trial Kelly Slater’s new format,” Brooks said. “That format is four men in the water, surfing two separate heats, with priority for one surfer in each heat. We are trialing the format for the final event of the year at Pipeline where having four men in the water at once is mandatory.”
If the format is successful, it could also be adopted in situations where there is waning time in an event waiting period as it cuts the time it takes to run a contest in half.
ROUND 1 ROXY PRO GOLD COAST MATCH-UPS
Heat 1: Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Silvana Lima (BRA), Melanie Bartels (HAW)
Heat 2: Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), Megan Abubo (HAW), Amee Donohoe (AUS)
Heat 3: Layne Beachley (AUS), Jacqueline Silva (BRA), Carissa Moore (HAW)
Heat 4: Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS), Samantha Cornish (AUS), Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)
Heat 5: Chelsea Hedges (AUS), Rochelle Ballard (HAW), Caroline Sarran (FRA)
Heat 6: Rebecca Woods (AUS), Claire Bevilacqua (AUS), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
ALL SYSTEMS ARE GO ON THE GOLD COAST FOR QUIKSILVER AND ROXY PROS
COOLANGATTA, Australia (Monday, Feb. 26, 2007) – The world’s best surfers have congregated on Australia’s Gold Coast for the opening events of the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour and ASP Women’s World Tour, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast and Roxy Pro Gold Coast respectively.
This morning’s Quiksilver Pro press junket featured reigning and eight-time Foster’s ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 2006 Foster’s ASP World Tour runner-up Andy Irons (HAW), and Australian superstars Joel Parkinson (AUS) and Jake Paterson (AUS) as the international press corps fired off questions about world titles, event favorites and new faces.
Slater, who has been absent from the water as of late, assured all that he is both motivated and relaxed as he prepares for the opening days of competition.
Kelly Slater on QS Pro
“I haven’t surfed in about three weeks so I’m excited to get in the water each time now,” Slater said. “I have a bunch of new boards and I’m on a bit of a health kick right now. I’m juicing every morning and watching the surf – I feel very relaxed and in a good place at the moment.”
Although guarded about his aspirations for an unprecedented ninth Foster’s ASP World Title, Slater made clear his intention at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.
“I’m here now and I’m just focused on winning this next contest,” said Slater. “That’s how you win titles – just by winning the next heat.”
Andy Irons on QS Pro
Last year’s Foster’s ASP World Tour runner-up Andy Irons (HAW) is hungry to regain his former world champion form, however a current bout of the flu has the powerful Hawaiian cautious when measuring up his competition on the Gold Coast.
“The locals here definitely have the advantage,” Irons said. “They know the wave so well; they know how to surf it properly. Those are definitely the guys you have to look out for.”
The former three-time Foster’s ASP World Champion won’t have to look long as he has drawn local indigenous Australian, and Quiksilver Pro Trials Winner, Dale Richards (AUS) in the opening round of competition.
Out of a star-studded trials final that included reigning ASP World Junior Champion Jordy Smith (ZAF), former Foster’s ASP World Tour competitor Kirk Flintoff (AUS) and Tahitian powerhouse Michel Bourez (PYF), it was the 19-year-old Richards who stole the win and the remaining Quiksilver Pro wildcard from the rest of the fold.
“It’s all a bit too much for me right now – I guess it really hasn’t set it yet,” Richards said. “I couldn’t hear the scores or anything out there, just my mates hooting every time I took off. I’m really stoked. I’m frothing so hard to be in the main event right now, I don’t even care who I draw.”
Roxy Pro
Reigning and seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS) fielded a barrage of questions at this morning’s Roxy Pro press launch about her motivations for another world title.
Surrounded by former ASP World Champion Chelsea Hedges (AUS) and highly-touted rookie Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), the veteran competitor assured the media that the swarm of talented rookie faces will have her as motivated as ever to prove her mettle against the world’s best.
“I am really looking forward to surfing Snapper,” Beachley said. “It’s one of the best waves in the world and I’m looking forward to seeing how the girls have improved over the last few months, and especially the likes of Stephanie (Gilmore) and Caroline (Sarran) and Amee (Donohoe) and all the new girls coming on. That’s one of the main things that has motivated me to stay on tour this year is the young crop of surfers coming on because they really inspire me to be a better surfer.”
Beachley will have her first chance to surf against the future in the opening round of competition as she has drawn Roxy Pro Trials Winner, 14-year-old Carissa Moore (HAW). Moore left the field of fellow trialists finalists needing two rides to catch her after netting 17.20 out of a possible 20.
“We just arrived two days ago, and I’ve been surfing a lot with my friend Coco (Ho),” Moore said. “I’m very thankful for this opportunity that Roxy has given me and I am looking forward to the main event. Layne (Beachley) will be a tough first draw, but I am just going to keep surfing how I am surfing.”
Former Roxy Pro Gold Coast Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) is the heavy rookie favorite for both this year’s Roxy Pro and potentially the ASP Women’s World Title, yet despite the substantial hype surrounding this season, the prodigious natural-footer remains calm.
“I am feeling pretty relaxed this year,” Gilmore said. “No more trials, I’m straight in there. I know there are a few expectations floating around, but I’m just really excited. I want the tour to start already so I can get straight into it and see how I do.”
The waiting period for the Quiksilver and Roxy Pros begins tomorrow, Feb. 27th, 2007. Be sure to catch all the action at www.aspworldtour.com, www.quiksilver.com and www.roxy.com.
This morning’s Quiksilver Pro press junket featured reigning and eight-time Foster’s ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 2006 Foster’s ASP World Tour runner-up Andy Irons (HAW), and Australian superstars Joel Parkinson (AUS) and Jake Paterson (AUS) as the international press corps fired off questions about world titles, event favorites and new faces.
Slater, who has been absent from the water as of late, assured all that he is both motivated and relaxed as he prepares for the opening days of competition.
Kelly Slater on QS Pro
“I haven’t surfed in about three weeks so I’m excited to get in the water each time now,” Slater said. “I have a bunch of new boards and I’m on a bit of a health kick right now. I’m juicing every morning and watching the surf – I feel very relaxed and in a good place at the moment.”
Although guarded about his aspirations for an unprecedented ninth Foster’s ASP World Title, Slater made clear his intention at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.
“I’m here now and I’m just focused on winning this next contest,” said Slater. “That’s how you win titles – just by winning the next heat.”
Andy Irons on QS Pro
Last year’s Foster’s ASP World Tour runner-up Andy Irons (HAW) is hungry to regain his former world champion form, however a current bout of the flu has the powerful Hawaiian cautious when measuring up his competition on the Gold Coast.
“The locals here definitely have the advantage,” Irons said. “They know the wave so well; they know how to surf it properly. Those are definitely the guys you have to look out for.”
The former three-time Foster’s ASP World Champion won’t have to look long as he has drawn local indigenous Australian, and Quiksilver Pro Trials Winner, Dale Richards (AUS) in the opening round of competition.
Out of a star-studded trials final that included reigning ASP World Junior Champion Jordy Smith (ZAF), former Foster’s ASP World Tour competitor Kirk Flintoff (AUS) and Tahitian powerhouse Michel Bourez (PYF), it was the 19-year-old Richards who stole the win and the remaining Quiksilver Pro wildcard from the rest of the fold.
“It’s all a bit too much for me right now – I guess it really hasn’t set it yet,” Richards said. “I couldn’t hear the scores or anything out there, just my mates hooting every time I took off. I’m really stoked. I’m frothing so hard to be in the main event right now, I don’t even care who I draw.”
Roxy Pro
Reigning and seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS) fielded a barrage of questions at this morning’s Roxy Pro press launch about her motivations for another world title.
Surrounded by former ASP World Champion Chelsea Hedges (AUS) and highly-touted rookie Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), the veteran competitor assured the media that the swarm of talented rookie faces will have her as motivated as ever to prove her mettle against the world’s best.
“I am really looking forward to surfing Snapper,” Beachley said. “It’s one of the best waves in the world and I’m looking forward to seeing how the girls have improved over the last few months, and especially the likes of Stephanie (Gilmore) and Caroline (Sarran) and Amee (Donohoe) and all the new girls coming on. That’s one of the main things that has motivated me to stay on tour this year is the young crop of surfers coming on because they really inspire me to be a better surfer.”
Beachley will have her first chance to surf against the future in the opening round of competition as she has drawn Roxy Pro Trials Winner, 14-year-old Carissa Moore (HAW). Moore left the field of fellow trialists finalists needing two rides to catch her after netting 17.20 out of a possible 20.
“We just arrived two days ago, and I’ve been surfing a lot with my friend Coco (Ho),” Moore said. “I’m very thankful for this opportunity that Roxy has given me and I am looking forward to the main event. Layne (Beachley) will be a tough first draw, but I am just going to keep surfing how I am surfing.”
Former Roxy Pro Gold Coast Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) is the heavy rookie favorite for both this year’s Roxy Pro and potentially the ASP Women’s World Title, yet despite the substantial hype surrounding this season, the prodigious natural-footer remains calm.
“I am feeling pretty relaxed this year,” Gilmore said. “No more trials, I’m straight in there. I know there are a few expectations floating around, but I’m just really excited. I want the tour to start already so I can get straight into it and see how I do.”
The waiting period for the Quiksilver and Roxy Pros begins tomorrow, Feb. 27th, 2007. Be sure to catch all the action at www.aspworldtour.com, www.quiksilver.com and www.roxy.com.
FUEL TV EXPANDS DEAL WITH ASP TO PRODUCE ASP WOMEN’S WORLD TOUR TV SERIES
COOLANGATTA, Australia (Monday, Feb. 26, 2007) – The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) and FUEL TV have expanded their rights agreement for the ASP Women’s World Tour to include an exclusive television production of each 2007 tour stop, as announced today by Brodie Carr, ASP CEO, and CJ Olivares, FUEL TV Senior Vice President and Assistant General Manager.
“The women pros on the ASP Women’s World Tour are performing at an unprecedented level and deserve to have a consistent home that showcases their talents and personalities,” Olivares said. “We’re excited to provide our audience this unique coverage.”
"FUEL TV has been a long time promoter of the ASP and the men's tour, so we’re thrilled that they have stepped up to support the ASP Women's World Tour,” Carr said. “FUEL TV's demographics are so closely aligned with the ASP's that we are guaranteeing every eyeball glued to the television is the audience we want."
Often deemed the “Dream Tour,” the ASP Women’s World Tour is a seven-stop pilgrimage that couples the world’s best female surfers with the world’s best surf breaks. From the sandy beaches of Brazil and Spain to the time honored breaks of Bells Beach, Australia and Sunset Beach, Hawaii, the top 17 female surfers circumnavigate the globe battling it out for prize money, bragging rights and ultimately an ASP Women’s World Title.
Beginning in February at the Roxy Pro Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, FUEL TV will film each competition showcasing marquee surfers such as seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley, 2005 ASP Women’s World Champion Chelsea Hedges, 2004 ASP Women’s World Champion Sofia Mulanovich, Melanie Redman-Carr and Jessi Miley-Dyer among other top contenders.
In addition to women’s event coverage, starting April 1, FUEL TV will televise the ten stop 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour.
“In 2006, FUEL TV produced and aired exclusive shows for several of the ASP Women’s World Tour contests, so the surfers know the quality and style we provide,” FUEL TV VP of Production and Programming Scott Paridon said. ”We look forward to building on our solid foundation during the upcoming 2007 season.”
“I am 100 percent stoked that FUEL TV is backing us and producing a program about our tour,” ASP Women’s World Tour starlet Claire Bevilacqua said. “FUEL TV is the best channel out there and the only channel I watch on cable. I’ve done projects with them before so I know they will do a really great gob of portraying us and capturing who we are and what we do. Those guys are on it!”
For specific air dates and times, visit www.fuel.tv. For more information on the Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour visit www.aspworldtour.com.
2007 WOMEN'S ASP WORLD TOUR SCHEDULERoxy Pro, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia; Feb 27-Mar 11Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia; Apr 3-8Billabong Girls, Praia da Tiririca, Itacare, Bahia, Brazil; Aug 20-27Rip Curl Girls Festival, Santander, Liencres, Spain, Sept 1-9Havaianas Beachley Classic, Northern Beaches, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Oct 8-14Roxy Pro, Sunset Beach, Oahu, Hawaii; Nov 23-Dec 6Billabong Pro, Honolua Bay, Maui, Hawaii; Dec 8-20
2007 FOSTER'S ASP WORLD TOUR SCHEDULEQuiksilver Pro, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia; Feb 27-Mar 11Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia; April 3-13Billabong Pro Teahupoo, Teahupoo, Taiarapu; Tahiti, May 4-14Rip Curl Pro Search, Somewhere in Chile; June 20-July 1Billabong Pro, Jeffreys Bay, South Africa; July 11-22Boost Mobile Pro of Surf presented by Hurley, Trestles, CA, USA; September 7-18Quiksilver Pro France, South West Coast, France; September 21-30Billabong Pro, Mundaka, Euskadi, Spain; October 1-14Nova Schin Pro Brasil presented by Billabong, Santa Catarina, Brazil; October 30-Nov 7Billabong Pipeline Masters, Banzai Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii; December 8-20
“The women pros on the ASP Women’s World Tour are performing at an unprecedented level and deserve to have a consistent home that showcases their talents and personalities,” Olivares said. “We’re excited to provide our audience this unique coverage.”
"FUEL TV has been a long time promoter of the ASP and the men's tour, so we’re thrilled that they have stepped up to support the ASP Women's World Tour,” Carr said. “FUEL TV's demographics are so closely aligned with the ASP's that we are guaranteeing every eyeball glued to the television is the audience we want."
Often deemed the “Dream Tour,” the ASP Women’s World Tour is a seven-stop pilgrimage that couples the world’s best female surfers with the world’s best surf breaks. From the sandy beaches of Brazil and Spain to the time honored breaks of Bells Beach, Australia and Sunset Beach, Hawaii, the top 17 female surfers circumnavigate the globe battling it out for prize money, bragging rights and ultimately an ASP Women’s World Title.
Beginning in February at the Roxy Pro Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, FUEL TV will film each competition showcasing marquee surfers such as seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley, 2005 ASP Women’s World Champion Chelsea Hedges, 2004 ASP Women’s World Champion Sofia Mulanovich, Melanie Redman-Carr and Jessi Miley-Dyer among other top contenders.
In addition to women’s event coverage, starting April 1, FUEL TV will televise the ten stop 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour.
“In 2006, FUEL TV produced and aired exclusive shows for several of the ASP Women’s World Tour contests, so the surfers know the quality and style we provide,” FUEL TV VP of Production and Programming Scott Paridon said. ”We look forward to building on our solid foundation during the upcoming 2007 season.”
“I am 100 percent stoked that FUEL TV is backing us and producing a program about our tour,” ASP Women’s World Tour starlet Claire Bevilacqua said. “FUEL TV is the best channel out there and the only channel I watch on cable. I’ve done projects with them before so I know they will do a really great gob of portraying us and capturing who we are and what we do. Those guys are on it!”
For specific air dates and times, visit www.fuel.tv. For more information on the Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour visit www.aspworldtour.com.
2007 WOMEN'S ASP WORLD TOUR SCHEDULERoxy Pro, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia; Feb 27-Mar 11Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia; Apr 3-8Billabong Girls, Praia da Tiririca, Itacare, Bahia, Brazil; Aug 20-27Rip Curl Girls Festival, Santander, Liencres, Spain, Sept 1-9Havaianas Beachley Classic, Northern Beaches, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Oct 8-14Roxy Pro, Sunset Beach, Oahu, Hawaii; Nov 23-Dec 6Billabong Pro, Honolua Bay, Maui, Hawaii; Dec 8-20
2007 FOSTER'S ASP WORLD TOUR SCHEDULEQuiksilver Pro, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia; Feb 27-Mar 11Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia; April 3-13Billabong Pro Teahupoo, Teahupoo, Taiarapu; Tahiti, May 4-14Rip Curl Pro Search, Somewhere in Chile; June 20-July 1Billabong Pro, Jeffreys Bay, South Africa; July 11-22Boost Mobile Pro of Surf presented by Hurley, Trestles, CA, USA; September 7-18Quiksilver Pro France, South West Coast, France; September 21-30Billabong Pro, Mundaka, Euskadi, Spain; October 1-14Nova Schin Pro Brasil presented by Billabong, Santa Catarina, Brazil; October 30-Nov 7Billabong Pipeline Masters, Banzai Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii; December 8-20
SLATER AND BEACHLEY HONORED AT FOSTER’S ASP WORLD CHAMPIONS CROWNING
COOLANGATTA, Australia (Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007) – The world’s best surfers swapped wetsuits for gowns and formal wear last night to attend the 25th Annual Foster’s ASP World Champions Crowning held at Conrad Jupiter’s Casino on the Gold Coast of Australia.
Professional surfing’s superstars, both past and present, turned out in force for the red carpet affair.
Hawaiian Senator Fred Hemmings, who (along with Randy Rarick) founded the International Professional Surfers (IPS) which laid the framework for when ASP would takeover in 1983, made a special appearance at the event.
“Thirty years ago, Randy Rarick and I knew where we wanted to go, but we didn’t know how to get there,” Hemmings said. “I have to tell you we’re so thrilled to let you know we’re there. We were surfers with dreams. We dreamed that our sport would be respected in the pantheon of athletics, dreamed that our sport would be healthy and vibrant, that our athletes would be respected. Layne Beachley and Kelly Slater, and all the surfers on tour, I want to tell you that you are our dreams.”
Eight-time Foster’s ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) and seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS) took center stage for their official crowning as king and queen of the sport, with both champions imparting insightful words to the 600-strong audience.
“Two of my very good friends, Sunny Garcia and Rob Machado, very narrowly lost world titles when I won them, and no matter how great it was to me at that time, it was so bittersweet,” Slater said. “Contests are fun though, and that’s why we’re all here – this is what’s bringing us together. Without these competitions, we wouldn’t have these friends, we wouldn’t have these experiences, we wouldn’t have these wins and losses and be able to experience such highs and lows in life and see such broad pictures.”
Beachley, who encouraged fellow world champion Slater to continue his competitive tenure, was also gracious and humble despite achieving what few other female athletes in sport have accomplished.
“I feel grateful and very honored to be able to call surfing my profession,” Beachley said. “I am overwhelmed with the fact that I was able to come back and win a seventh world title, and ultimately, I want to thank surfing for giving us the life that we all have and we all share. I’m just thankful for my job and I look forward to an incredibly competitive season this year.”
Runner-up awards were bestowed upon Andy Irons (HAW) and Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) for the Foster’s ASP World Tour and ASP Women’s World Tour respectively.
Other award winners included ASP Men’s World Junior Champion Jordy Smith (ZAF), ASP Women’s World Junior Champion Nicola Atherton (AUS), ASP Women’s World Tour Rookie of the Year Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) and Foster’s ASP World Tour Rookie of the Year Bobby Martinez (USA).
The inaugural Peter Whitaker award, an honor given to the individual who displays exemplary poise and selflessness in service to the sport of surfing, went to 2006 Foster’s ASP World Tour rookie Pancho Sullivan (HAW).
Retiring surfers Jake Paterson (AUS), Peterson Rosa (BRA) and Trudy Todd (AUS) were also recognized for their commendable careers on the ASP’s elite tours.
The Foster’s ASP World Champion’s Crowing Honourees included:
• Foster’s ASP World Tour Champion – Kelly Slater (AUS)
• Foster’s ASP World Tour Runner Up – Andy Irons (HAW)
• ASP Women’s World Tour Champion – Layne Beachley (AUS)
• ASP Women’s World Tour Runner-Up – Melanie Redman Carr (AUS)
• ASP Men’s World Junior Champion – Jordy Smith (ZAF)
• ASP Women’s World Junior Champion – Nicola Atherton (AUS)
• Foster’s ASP World Tour Rookie of the Year – Bobby Martinez (USA)
• ASP Women’s World Tour Rookie of the Year – Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
• Foster’s ASP World Tour Most Improved Surfer – Tim Reyes (USA)
• ASP Women’s World Tour Most Improved Surfer – Rebecca Woods (AUS)
• ASP Men’s World Longboard Champion – Josh Constable (AUS)
• ASP Women’s World Longboard Champion – Schuyler McFerran (USA)
• ASP World Qualifying Series #1 Ranked Man – Jeremy Flores (FRA)
• ASP World Qualifying Series #1 Ranked Woman – Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
Professional surfing’s superstars, both past and present, turned out in force for the red carpet affair.
Hawaiian Senator Fred Hemmings, who (along with Randy Rarick) founded the International Professional Surfers (IPS) which laid the framework for when ASP would takeover in 1983, made a special appearance at the event.
“Thirty years ago, Randy Rarick and I knew where we wanted to go, but we didn’t know how to get there,” Hemmings said. “I have to tell you we’re so thrilled to let you know we’re there. We were surfers with dreams. We dreamed that our sport would be respected in the pantheon of athletics, dreamed that our sport would be healthy and vibrant, that our athletes would be respected. Layne Beachley and Kelly Slater, and all the surfers on tour, I want to tell you that you are our dreams.”
Eight-time Foster’s ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) and seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS) took center stage for their official crowning as king and queen of the sport, with both champions imparting insightful words to the 600-strong audience.
“Two of my very good friends, Sunny Garcia and Rob Machado, very narrowly lost world titles when I won them, and no matter how great it was to me at that time, it was so bittersweet,” Slater said. “Contests are fun though, and that’s why we’re all here – this is what’s bringing us together. Without these competitions, we wouldn’t have these friends, we wouldn’t have these experiences, we wouldn’t have these wins and losses and be able to experience such highs and lows in life and see such broad pictures.”
Beachley, who encouraged fellow world champion Slater to continue his competitive tenure, was also gracious and humble despite achieving what few other female athletes in sport have accomplished.
“I feel grateful and very honored to be able to call surfing my profession,” Beachley said. “I am overwhelmed with the fact that I was able to come back and win a seventh world title, and ultimately, I want to thank surfing for giving us the life that we all have and we all share. I’m just thankful for my job and I look forward to an incredibly competitive season this year.”
Runner-up awards were bestowed upon Andy Irons (HAW) and Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) for the Foster’s ASP World Tour and ASP Women’s World Tour respectively.
Other award winners included ASP Men’s World Junior Champion Jordy Smith (ZAF), ASP Women’s World Junior Champion Nicola Atherton (AUS), ASP Women’s World Tour Rookie of the Year Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) and Foster’s ASP World Tour Rookie of the Year Bobby Martinez (USA).
The inaugural Peter Whitaker award, an honor given to the individual who displays exemplary poise and selflessness in service to the sport of surfing, went to 2006 Foster’s ASP World Tour rookie Pancho Sullivan (HAW).
Retiring surfers Jake Paterson (AUS), Peterson Rosa (BRA) and Trudy Todd (AUS) were also recognized for their commendable careers on the ASP’s elite tours.
The Foster’s ASP World Champion’s Crowing Honourees included:
• Foster’s ASP World Tour Champion – Kelly Slater (AUS)
• Foster’s ASP World Tour Runner Up – Andy Irons (HAW)
• ASP Women’s World Tour Champion – Layne Beachley (AUS)
• ASP Women’s World Tour Runner-Up – Melanie Redman Carr (AUS)
• ASP Men’s World Junior Champion – Jordy Smith (ZAF)
• ASP Women’s World Junior Champion – Nicola Atherton (AUS)
• Foster’s ASP World Tour Rookie of the Year – Bobby Martinez (USA)
• ASP Women’s World Tour Rookie of the Year – Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
• Foster’s ASP World Tour Most Improved Surfer – Tim Reyes (USA)
• ASP Women’s World Tour Most Improved Surfer – Rebecca Woods (AUS)
• ASP Men’s World Longboard Champion – Josh Constable (AUS)
• ASP Women’s World Longboard Champion – Schuyler McFerran (USA)
• ASP World Qualifying Series #1 Ranked Man – Jeremy Flores (FRA)
• ASP World Qualifying Series #1 Ranked Woman – Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
FOSTER’S ASP WORLD CHAMPIONS CROWNING TO HONOR THE BEST OF 2006
COOLANGATTA, Australia (Friday, Feb. 23, 2007) – It’s a safe bet that persons patronizing Conrad Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast of Australia Saturday night, Feb. 24, will be rubbing shoulders with surf royalty.
Kelly Slater (USA) and Layne Beachley (AUS) will be among those stepping out of extra slick Aston Martin vehicles and straight onto the red carpet to attend the 25th Annual Foster’s ASP World Champion’s Crowning.
Recognized as the “surfers’ night”, the 600-person gala affair is organized to honour the achievements of ASP athletes each year and, in this instance, their 2006 performances.
Held just prior to the launch of the 2007 Foster’s ASP and ASP Women’s World Tours at Snapper Rocks, the World Champion’s Crowning will acknowledge a bevy of accomplishments by surfers of all disciplines.
Headlining the evening’s festivities will be the official crowning of eight-time Foster’s ASP World Champion Kelly Slater and seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley.
Rewriting the record books yet again, both athletes continue to indisputably illustrate that they are the greatest surfers of all time.
“To win seven and eight world titles in any discipline is an amazing feat, so to have athletes of this calibre with careers as long and decorated as Kelly and Layne’s is a testament to our sport,” said ASP CEO Brodie Carr. “The fact that they are both revved up to go back on tour and do again this year is even better!”
The Foster’s ASP World Champion’s Crowning Honourees on Saturday Evening will include:
• Foster’s ASP World Tour Champion – Kelly Slater (AUS)
• Foster’s ASP World Tour Runner Up – Andy Irons (HAW)
• ASP Women’s World Tour Champion – Layne Beachley (AUS)
• ASP Women’s World Tour Runner-Up – Melanie Redman Carr (AUS)
• ASP Men’s World Junior Champion – Jordy Smith (ZAF)
• ASP Women’s World Junior Champion – Nicola Atherton (AUS)
• Foster’s ASP World Tour Rookie of the Year – Bobby Martinez (USA)
• ASP Women’s World Tour Rookie of the Year – Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
• ASP Men’s World Longboard Champion – Josh Constable (AUS)
• ASP Women’s World Longboard Champion – Schuyler McFerran (USA)
• ASP World Qualifying Series #1 Ranked Man – Jeremy Flores (FRA)
• ASP World Qualifying Series #1 Ranked Woman – Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
Following the event, 20 of the top surfers will compete for a $5000 donation to their nominated charity in the Conrad Jupiter’s ASP World Champions Poker Showdown.
Kelly Slater (USA) and Layne Beachley (AUS) will be among those stepping out of extra slick Aston Martin vehicles and straight onto the red carpet to attend the 25th Annual Foster’s ASP World Champion’s Crowning.
Recognized as the “surfers’ night”, the 600-person gala affair is organized to honour the achievements of ASP athletes each year and, in this instance, their 2006 performances.
Held just prior to the launch of the 2007 Foster’s ASP and ASP Women’s World Tours at Snapper Rocks, the World Champion’s Crowning will acknowledge a bevy of accomplishments by surfers of all disciplines.
Headlining the evening’s festivities will be the official crowning of eight-time Foster’s ASP World Champion Kelly Slater and seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley.
Rewriting the record books yet again, both athletes continue to indisputably illustrate that they are the greatest surfers of all time.
“To win seven and eight world titles in any discipline is an amazing feat, so to have athletes of this calibre with careers as long and decorated as Kelly and Layne’s is a testament to our sport,” said ASP CEO Brodie Carr. “The fact that they are both revved up to go back on tour and do again this year is even better!”
The Foster’s ASP World Champion’s Crowning Honourees on Saturday Evening will include:
• Foster’s ASP World Tour Champion – Kelly Slater (AUS)
• Foster’s ASP World Tour Runner Up – Andy Irons (HAW)
• ASP Women’s World Tour Champion – Layne Beachley (AUS)
• ASP Women’s World Tour Runner-Up – Melanie Redman Carr (AUS)
• ASP Men’s World Junior Champion – Jordy Smith (ZAF)
• ASP Women’s World Junior Champion – Nicola Atherton (AUS)
• Foster’s ASP World Tour Rookie of the Year – Bobby Martinez (USA)
• ASP Women’s World Tour Rookie of the Year – Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
• ASP Men’s World Longboard Champion – Josh Constable (AUS)
• ASP Women’s World Longboard Champion – Schuyler McFerran (USA)
• ASP World Qualifying Series #1 Ranked Man – Jeremy Flores (FRA)
• ASP World Qualifying Series #1 Ranked Woman – Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
Following the event, 20 of the top surfers will compete for a $5000 donation to their nominated charity in the Conrad Jupiter’s ASP World Champions Poker Showdown.
BEACHLEY, GILMORE & GEORGESON HEADLINE ROXY PRO GOLD COAST LINE-UP
COOLANGATTA, Australia (Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007) – Seven-time World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS) will be formally honored for her 2006 title at the Foster’s ASP World Champion’s Crowing this weekend, but from next week forward, it’s all about 2007 and ASP Women’s World Title No. 8.
“Starting the season defending the world title and having the first event on my home turf is a great way to start the tour and I’m really looking forward to getting off to a good start,” Beachley said. “I’m also looking forward to seeing how the new girls like Stephanie Gilmore, Caroline Sarran and Rosy Hodge perform in their debut event as ASP World Tour surfers.”
The 34-year-old champion, whose career spans a very decorated 18 years, will be drawing challengers nearly half her age when the Roxy Pro Gold Coast, the first stop on the 2007 ASP Women’s World Tour, kicks off next week. Beachley’s confidence remains unfaltering.
“Mentally, I’m one of the toughest competitors you can come up against so I don’t really need to work too much on my mental strength,” Beachley said. “My preparation has really been about spending more time in the water and more time working on my equipment.”
Beachley has won countless ASP Women’s World Tour events, but has never clinched a Roxy Pro Gold Coast crown. Local girl and tour rookie Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) has.
Gilmore won the Roxy Pro as a wildcard in 2004 and beat Beachley in the final of the inaugural Havaianas Beachley Classic to post her second elite tour win as a wildcard last October.
“I know that Stephanie (Gilmore) probably knows this wave better than anyone – she proved that in 2004,” Beachley said. “But at the end of the day, it comes down to competitiveness, being confident with your surfing ability and just being patient. Every girl on tour is a good surfer, everyone has the ability to win events so it just comes down to who wants it the most, who’s willing to work hardest for it and who’s going to be the most patient in the lineup.”
Gilmore has spent more time in the Snapper Rocks line-up than the rest of the world’s Top 17 female surfers, but expectations and media speculation surrounding Gilmore’s rookie year could place additional pressure on the 19-year-old.
“There are definitely a lot of expectations floating around, but I think a lot of them are ones I have put on myself because I really want to perform at my best and prove to everyone that I am here to stay,” Gilmore said. “I'm thinking the best way to deal with it is to try to put it out of my mind and have some fun. Plus, I think I have a little bit of an advantage living here - I surf Snapper almost every day. Hopefully I'll be able to take that local knowledge and use it to get myself all the way to the final.”
And on Beachley and their budding rivalry: “I have come out on top in the couple of heats I've had against Layne, so I think she is pretty keen to put me back in my place and show me who's boss,” Gilmore said. “It will be pretty interesting if we draw each other again at Snapper. Layne is a seven-time world champ with nothing to prove, so I think that's the advantage she'll have, less pressure.”
Sitting slightly under Beachley and Gilmore on the radar but reveling in that fact, is another local, 2005 ASP Women’s World Champion Chelsea Hedges (formerly Georgeson).
"I would say that Steph is definitely going to be one of the hardest girls to beat out there because she's got so much experience and she’s been surfing this wave ever since she could stand up on a board,” Hedges said. “Steph will be really good for our tour, as is Layne (Beachley) having seven world titles now. All the focus is probably going to be on those two girls, which is good for me because I can just cruise along quietly and do my own thing. It's going to be a really good year for us and I think this event is going to really set the standard for the rest of the year. It's going to be really exciting."
“Starting the season defending the world title and having the first event on my home turf is a great way to start the tour and I’m really looking forward to getting off to a good start,” Beachley said. “I’m also looking forward to seeing how the new girls like Stephanie Gilmore, Caroline Sarran and Rosy Hodge perform in their debut event as ASP World Tour surfers.”
The 34-year-old champion, whose career spans a very decorated 18 years, will be drawing challengers nearly half her age when the Roxy Pro Gold Coast, the first stop on the 2007 ASP Women’s World Tour, kicks off next week. Beachley’s confidence remains unfaltering.
“Mentally, I’m one of the toughest competitors you can come up against so I don’t really need to work too much on my mental strength,” Beachley said. “My preparation has really been about spending more time in the water and more time working on my equipment.”
Beachley has won countless ASP Women’s World Tour events, but has never clinched a Roxy Pro Gold Coast crown. Local girl and tour rookie Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) has.
Gilmore won the Roxy Pro as a wildcard in 2004 and beat Beachley in the final of the inaugural Havaianas Beachley Classic to post her second elite tour win as a wildcard last October.
“I know that Stephanie (Gilmore) probably knows this wave better than anyone – she proved that in 2004,” Beachley said. “But at the end of the day, it comes down to competitiveness, being confident with your surfing ability and just being patient. Every girl on tour is a good surfer, everyone has the ability to win events so it just comes down to who wants it the most, who’s willing to work hardest for it and who’s going to be the most patient in the lineup.”
Gilmore has spent more time in the Snapper Rocks line-up than the rest of the world’s Top 17 female surfers, but expectations and media speculation surrounding Gilmore’s rookie year could place additional pressure on the 19-year-old.
“There are definitely a lot of expectations floating around, but I think a lot of them are ones I have put on myself because I really want to perform at my best and prove to everyone that I am here to stay,” Gilmore said. “I'm thinking the best way to deal with it is to try to put it out of my mind and have some fun. Plus, I think I have a little bit of an advantage living here - I surf Snapper almost every day. Hopefully I'll be able to take that local knowledge and use it to get myself all the way to the final.”
And on Beachley and their budding rivalry: “I have come out on top in the couple of heats I've had against Layne, so I think she is pretty keen to put me back in my place and show me who's boss,” Gilmore said. “It will be pretty interesting if we draw each other again at Snapper. Layne is a seven-time world champ with nothing to prove, so I think that's the advantage she'll have, less pressure.”
Sitting slightly under Beachley and Gilmore on the radar but reveling in that fact, is another local, 2005 ASP Women’s World Champion Chelsea Hedges (formerly Georgeson).
"I would say that Steph is definitely going to be one of the hardest girls to beat out there because she's got so much experience and she’s been surfing this wave ever since she could stand up on a board,” Hedges said. “Steph will be really good for our tour, as is Layne (Beachley) having seven world titles now. All the focus is probably going to be on those two girls, which is good for me because I can just cruise along quietly and do my own thing. It's going to be a really good year for us and I think this event is going to really set the standard for the rest of the year. It's going to be really exciting."
ASP FOSTER'S 45 GEAR UP FOR QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST
COOLANGATTA, Australia (Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007) – With the clock ticking down for event No. 1 on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour – the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast – many of the world’s biggest surfing superstars have descended upon the world class wave of Snapper Rocks, Australia to get in some early practice.
With a solid swell pounding the coastline in the week leading up to the event, the world’s best have had ample opportunity to become acquainted with the famed break’s sandbar and with a forecasted swell on the way, the Quiksilver Pro could begin as early as day one of the official waiting period – Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007.
Reigning and eight-time Foster’s ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) will be back to defend both his World and Quiksilver Pro Titles when competition commences.
Slater took out Taj Burrow (AUS) to win the Quiksilver Pro last year and despite the extra media attention he’ll receive when he’s honored at this weekend’s Foster’s World Champion’s Crowing at Conrad Jupiters Casino, Slater remains focused on the job at hand.
“You have to just get into the surf and the vibe, and not worry too much about the hoopla,” Slater said. “There's a lot of music, gambling, etc., but the best thing about the Gold Coast is the surf; getting excited thinking about the waves is the best way to prepare.”
Slater is the only non-Australian in the five-year history of the event to walk away with a Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast crown. He has acknowledged that defending his title may prove slightly more difficult citing a number of Australian challengers eager to see the trophy back in the hands of a countryman.
“Joel (Parkinson) could be a threat, coming off a great end of the year run,” Slater said. “Mick (Fanning) is always ready and I think Taj (Burrow) was amongst those thinking they may have let some opportunities pass them by last year.”
Of the 11 rookies on this year’s tour, five are Australian and two, Josh Kerr and Luke Munro, are local.
“The rookies will surprise some people too,” Slater said. “Josh is the dark horse because the World Tour guys don't know much about him and Luke, who has surfed Snapper as a wildcard, has already had some experience here.”
The Quiksilver Pro will also host the inaugural exhibition of the Foster’s Surf Showdown specialty event. This innovative new exhibition format will pit nation against nation in an exciting team competition.
The world’s best will be divided into five national teams: North America, South America, Hawaii, South Africa, Australia and Foster’s Rookie team.
Captained by Taylor Knox (USA), Victor Ribas (BRA), Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Greg Emslie (ZAF), Tom Whitaker (AUS) and Foster’s Rookie Josh Kerr (AUS) respectively, the captains will select two members from their teams to compete in the new format which replaces the Foster’s Expression Session.
“The Foster’s Surf Showdown will provide an excellent forum to showcase the already friendly yet passionate rivalries between the different nations on tour,” said ASP CEO Brodie Carr. “The exhibition will provide the perfect compliment to the high-performance action that spectators get through the Foster’s ASP World Tour events already.”
The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Trials will be held on Monday, Feb. 26, 2007 and will feature an array of internationally recognised and dynamic surfers.
Competing for highly-coveted event wildcard will be 16 trialists: Joan Duru (FRA), Clay Marzo (HAW), Teale Vanner (AUS), Maz Quinn (NZL), Ry Craike (AUS), Dale Richards (AUS), Michel Bourez (PYF), Mar Ohno (JPN), Dean Bowen (AUS), Dave Reardon-Smith (AUS), Corey Ziems (AUS), Brent Dorrington (AUS), Wade Goodall (AUS), Kirk Flintoff (AUS), Jay Thompson (AUS) and a final trialist to be determined later in the week.
The winner of the trials will join Julian Wilson (AUS) and Jake Paterson (AUS) as one of three Quiksilver Pro Wildcards – each will draw top seeds in round one of competition.
With a solid swell pounding the coastline in the week leading up to the event, the world’s best have had ample opportunity to become acquainted with the famed break’s sandbar and with a forecasted swell on the way, the Quiksilver Pro could begin as early as day one of the official waiting period – Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007.
Reigning and eight-time Foster’s ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) will be back to defend both his World and Quiksilver Pro Titles when competition commences.
Slater took out Taj Burrow (AUS) to win the Quiksilver Pro last year and despite the extra media attention he’ll receive when he’s honored at this weekend’s Foster’s World Champion’s Crowing at Conrad Jupiters Casino, Slater remains focused on the job at hand.
“You have to just get into the surf and the vibe, and not worry too much about the hoopla,” Slater said. “There's a lot of music, gambling, etc., but the best thing about the Gold Coast is the surf; getting excited thinking about the waves is the best way to prepare.”
Slater is the only non-Australian in the five-year history of the event to walk away with a Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast crown. He has acknowledged that defending his title may prove slightly more difficult citing a number of Australian challengers eager to see the trophy back in the hands of a countryman.
“Joel (Parkinson) could be a threat, coming off a great end of the year run,” Slater said. “Mick (Fanning) is always ready and I think Taj (Burrow) was amongst those thinking they may have let some opportunities pass them by last year.”
Of the 11 rookies on this year’s tour, five are Australian and two, Josh Kerr and Luke Munro, are local.
“The rookies will surprise some people too,” Slater said. “Josh is the dark horse because the World Tour guys don't know much about him and Luke, who has surfed Snapper as a wildcard, has already had some experience here.”
The Quiksilver Pro will also host the inaugural exhibition of the Foster’s Surf Showdown specialty event. This innovative new exhibition format will pit nation against nation in an exciting team competition.
The world’s best will be divided into five national teams: North America, South America, Hawaii, South Africa, Australia and Foster’s Rookie team.
Captained by Taylor Knox (USA), Victor Ribas (BRA), Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Greg Emslie (ZAF), Tom Whitaker (AUS) and Foster’s Rookie Josh Kerr (AUS) respectively, the captains will select two members from their teams to compete in the new format which replaces the Foster’s Expression Session.
“The Foster’s Surf Showdown will provide an excellent forum to showcase the already friendly yet passionate rivalries between the different nations on tour,” said ASP CEO Brodie Carr. “The exhibition will provide the perfect compliment to the high-performance action that spectators get through the Foster’s ASP World Tour events already.”
The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Trials will be held on Monday, Feb. 26, 2007 and will feature an array of internationally recognised and dynamic surfers.
Competing for highly-coveted event wildcard will be 16 trialists: Joan Duru (FRA), Clay Marzo (HAW), Teale Vanner (AUS), Maz Quinn (NZL), Ry Craike (AUS), Dale Richards (AUS), Michel Bourez (PYF), Mar Ohno (JPN), Dean Bowen (AUS), Dave Reardon-Smith (AUS), Corey Ziems (AUS), Brent Dorrington (AUS), Wade Goodall (AUS), Kirk Flintoff (AUS), Jay Thompson (AUS) and a final trialist to be determined later in the week.
The winner of the trials will join Julian Wilson (AUS) and Jake Paterson (AUS) as one of three Quiksilver Pro Wildcards – each will draw top seeds in round one of competition.
ROXY PRO WILCARD TO DRAW LAYNE BEACHLEY;HOPEFULS LINE-UP IN ROXY PRO TRIALS
COOLANGATTA, Australia (Tuesday, Feb 20, 2007): The world’s top female surfers will have a steady eye trained on the Roxy Pro Trials next Monday, Feb 26, to see if yet another wildcard giant-killer will emerge to claim scalps in event number one on the ASP Women’s World Tour – the Roxy Pro Gold Coast.
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), now a 2007 ASP Women’s World Tour rookie, took the world by storm when she earned the Roxy Pro Gold Coast wildcard and went on to win the main event as a 17-year-old in 2005.
Gilmore was granted an automatic wildcard into last year’s tournament as the defending champion; hence no Roxy Pro Trials were staged in 2006.
This year, the highly coveted opportunity to surf against the world’s best will go to the winner of the class-field of eight Australian and four international trialists.
The 12 surfers will battle it out at Snapper Rocks, the main Gold Coast tournament site, early next week.
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) has proved time and again that age and experience are no barrier to her enormous talent and the 16-year-old is expected to be one of the main challengers for the coveted wildcard.
“It is great to have the opportunity to surf in an event with such prestige and it’s also a tough trials line-up,” Fitzgibbons said. “It’s definitely going to be no easy feat to win the trials and I would be over the moon to win the wildcard. It’s going to be a blast, I can’t wait.”
The wildcard winner will dive straight into deep water up against seven-time world champion Layne Beachley (AUS) and another world ranked opponent in the opening round of the main event.
“Competing against Layne and another one of the world’s best surfers would be a dream come true,” Fitzgibbons said. “That heat would be a learning curve on tactics and positioning for waves.
“I am sure it will be fun and I’ll hopefully handle the atmosphere and the moment the best way I can,” Fitzgibbons said.
Laura Enever (AUS) is another whose recent form has been impressive with the 15-year-old breaking through for her first ASP Junior event victory earlier this month.
“To pit myself against the world’s best would be amazing,” Enever said. “I’m just so happy I have been given the opportunity to surf out at Snapper with only a few other girls and be able to show the best girls in the world what I can do.”
Enever is in no way intimidated by the fact she is taking on one of the sport’s greatest athletes and is in fact excited by the prospect.
“It would pretty much be a dream to surf up against the world champ,” said Enever. “I would probably be ‘frothing’ to the max and it will also give me the opportunity to pick up a few pointers as well as gain an invaluable experience you can only get when you surf in a world tour event.”
Joining Fitzgibbons and Enever in the Roxy Pro Trials are Carissa Moore (HAW), Alize Arnaud (FRA), Pauline Ado (FRA), Ashleigh Smith (AUS), Airini Mason (NZ), Laurina McGrath (AUS), Rebecca Oakley (AUS), Sheridan Shields (AUS), Angela Keighran (AUS) and Lindsay Noyes (AUS).
The Quiksilver Pro Trials will also be staged at Snapper Rocks on Monday, February 26th with 16 surfers fighting for the chance to be included in the Foster’s ASP World Tour event.
The US$80,000 Roxy Pro presented by Samsung will be staged in conjunction with the US$300,000 Quiksilver Pro presented by Samsung.
Both tournaments have waiting periods from February 27th to March 11th.
The worlds top 45 men and top 17 female surfers will descend on the Gold Coast this month and all fingers will be crossed for a cyclone swell so the world famous “Superbank” stretching from Snapper Rocks all the way through to Kirra Beach can crank up the action.
Both opening world tour events are mobile, granting access to some of the best surf breaks on the planet. The tournament will be based at Snapper Rocks, yet it can travel from Stradbroke Island to Duranbah Beach on the Queensland/New South Wales state border in search of optimum conditions.
Venues such as Snapper Rocks, Greenmount, Kirra and Burleigh will hold priority, with visions of long, right-hand barrels filling competitors' minds in the lead up. All spots offer great viewing for spectators to soak up the phenomenal surfing assured to take place.
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), now a 2007 ASP Women’s World Tour rookie, took the world by storm when she earned the Roxy Pro Gold Coast wildcard and went on to win the main event as a 17-year-old in 2005.
Gilmore was granted an automatic wildcard into last year’s tournament as the defending champion; hence no Roxy Pro Trials were staged in 2006.
This year, the highly coveted opportunity to surf against the world’s best will go to the winner of the class-field of eight Australian and four international trialists.
The 12 surfers will battle it out at Snapper Rocks, the main Gold Coast tournament site, early next week.
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) has proved time and again that age and experience are no barrier to her enormous talent and the 16-year-old is expected to be one of the main challengers for the coveted wildcard.
“It is great to have the opportunity to surf in an event with such prestige and it’s also a tough trials line-up,” Fitzgibbons said. “It’s definitely going to be no easy feat to win the trials and I would be over the moon to win the wildcard. It’s going to be a blast, I can’t wait.”
The wildcard winner will dive straight into deep water up against seven-time world champion Layne Beachley (AUS) and another world ranked opponent in the opening round of the main event.
“Competing against Layne and another one of the world’s best surfers would be a dream come true,” Fitzgibbons said. “That heat would be a learning curve on tactics and positioning for waves.
“I am sure it will be fun and I’ll hopefully handle the atmosphere and the moment the best way I can,” Fitzgibbons said.
Laura Enever (AUS) is another whose recent form has been impressive with the 15-year-old breaking through for her first ASP Junior event victory earlier this month.
“To pit myself against the world’s best would be amazing,” Enever said. “I’m just so happy I have been given the opportunity to surf out at Snapper with only a few other girls and be able to show the best girls in the world what I can do.”
Enever is in no way intimidated by the fact she is taking on one of the sport’s greatest athletes and is in fact excited by the prospect.
“It would pretty much be a dream to surf up against the world champ,” said Enever. “I would probably be ‘frothing’ to the max and it will also give me the opportunity to pick up a few pointers as well as gain an invaluable experience you can only get when you surf in a world tour event.”
Joining Fitzgibbons and Enever in the Roxy Pro Trials are Carissa Moore (HAW), Alize Arnaud (FRA), Pauline Ado (FRA), Ashleigh Smith (AUS), Airini Mason (NZ), Laurina McGrath (AUS), Rebecca Oakley (AUS), Sheridan Shields (AUS), Angela Keighran (AUS) and Lindsay Noyes (AUS).
The Quiksilver Pro Trials will also be staged at Snapper Rocks on Monday, February 26th with 16 surfers fighting for the chance to be included in the Foster’s ASP World Tour event.
The US$80,000 Roxy Pro presented by Samsung will be staged in conjunction with the US$300,000 Quiksilver Pro presented by Samsung.
Both tournaments have waiting periods from February 27th to March 11th.
The worlds top 45 men and top 17 female surfers will descend on the Gold Coast this month and all fingers will be crossed for a cyclone swell so the world famous “Superbank” stretching from Snapper Rocks all the way through to Kirra Beach can crank up the action.
Both opening world tour events are mobile, granting access to some of the best surf breaks on the planet. The tournament will be based at Snapper Rocks, yet it can travel from Stradbroke Island to Duranbah Beach on the Queensland/New South Wales state border in search of optimum conditions.
Venues such as Snapper Rocks, Greenmount, Kirra and Burleigh will hold priority, with visions of long, right-hand barrels filling competitors' minds in the lead up. All spots offer great viewing for spectators to soak up the phenomenal surfing assured to take place.
SURFING'S ELITE GATHER DOWN UNDER TO KICK OFF 2007 WORLD TOURS
COOLANGATTA, Australia (Monday, Feb. 19, 2007) – The 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour and ASP Women’s World Tour will kick off at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast of Australia with the Quiksilver and Roxy Pros presented by Samsung next week.
In addition to a plethora of dynamic rookies, improved judging technology and an innovative nation versus nation team event, the Foster’s Surf Showdown, will add to the anticipation of the Gold Coast event.
This season’s Foster’s ASP World Tour will match last season’s record 14 new faces set to storm the top ranks.
In addition, returning veterans Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA), Neco Padaratz (BRA), Bernado Miranda (BRA) and former ASP world tour runner-up Mick Campbell (AUS), are back in action after their various absences from the top-tier tour.
The ASP Women’s World Tour will also feature some fresh faces this year. South African Rosanne Hodge, Frenchwoman Caroline Sarran and Australian Stephanie Gilmore will each make their ASP Women’s World Tour debuts, with Hawaiian Melanie Bartels and Australian Amee Donohoe returning after a brief hiatus from the ASP World Tour stage.
“This season’s rookies are really going to shake things up,” ASP CEO Brodie Carr said. “On the men’s side, you have aerial freak Josh Kerr and the prodigious Jeremy Flores, and on the women’s side, we have the giant slayer Stephanie Gilmore. It’s going to be exciting to see how the old guard deals with the onslaught of new faces this year.”
The ASP Women’s World Tour will join the men’s tour in Bells Beach before branching off and heading to Itacare, Brazil; Santander, Spain; Sydney, Australia; Sunset Beach, Hawaii and Maui, Hawaii.
Both the men’s and women’s tours will benefit from the addition of an instant replay system this season, increasing the precision of the already top-notch judging panel.
The instant replay system will further ensure that scoring and the delivery of scoring is as accurate and immediate as possible.
All the action kicks off on February 24, 2007 with the Foster’s ASP World Championship Crowning Banquet.
The evening will see the crowning of the 2006 Foster’s ASP World Champion, Kelly Slater (USA), and 2006 ASP Women’s World Champion, Layne Beachley (AUS), as well as the ASP World Junior champions Jordy Smith (ZAF) and Nicola Atherton (AUS).
In addition to a plethora of dynamic rookies, improved judging technology and an innovative nation versus nation team event, the Foster’s Surf Showdown, will add to the anticipation of the Gold Coast event.
This season’s Foster’s ASP World Tour will match last season’s record 14 new faces set to storm the top ranks.
Foster’s ASP World Tour Rokies
Ten of the new comers include complete rookies such as Australians Luke Munro, Kai Otton, Ben Dunn, Josh Kerr and Dayyan Neve, along with South Africans Ricky Basnett and Royden Bryson, Brazilian Leonardo Neves, American Gabe Kling and Frenchman Jeremy Flores.In addition, returning veterans Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA), Neco Padaratz (BRA), Bernado Miranda (BRA) and former ASP world tour runner-up Mick Campbell (AUS), are back in action after their various absences from the top-tier tour.
The ASP Women’s World Tour will also feature some fresh faces this year. South African Rosanne Hodge, Frenchwoman Caroline Sarran and Australian Stephanie Gilmore will each make their ASP Women’s World Tour debuts, with Hawaiian Melanie Bartels and Australian Amee Donohoe returning after a brief hiatus from the ASP World Tour stage.
“This season’s rookies are really going to shake things up,” ASP CEO Brodie Carr said. “On the men’s side, you have aerial freak Josh Kerr and the prodigious Jeremy Flores, and on the women’s side, we have the giant slayer Stephanie Gilmore. It’s going to be exciting to see how the old guard deals with the onslaught of new faces this year.”
Foster’s ASP World Tour Schedule
Following the 2007 ASP World Tour season opener at Snapper Rocks, the Foster’s ASP World Tour will travel to the dream venues of Bells Beach, Australia; Teahupoo, Tahiti; ‘Somewhere’ in Chile; Jeffreys Bay, South Africa; Lower Trestles, California; Hossegor, France; Mundaka, Spain; Imbituba, Brazil and Pipeline, Hawaii.The ASP Women’s World Tour will join the men’s tour in Bells Beach before branching off and heading to Itacare, Brazil; Santander, Spain; Sydney, Australia; Sunset Beach, Hawaii and Maui, Hawaii.
Both the men’s and women’s tours will benefit from the addition of an instant replay system this season, increasing the precision of the already top-notch judging panel.
The instant replay system will further ensure that scoring and the delivery of scoring is as accurate and immediate as possible.
All the action kicks off on February 24, 2007 with the Foster’s ASP World Championship Crowning Banquet.
Foster’s ASP World Championship Crowning Banquet
A gala event where the world’s best swap wetsuits for lavish gowns and penguin suits and enjoy a night of revelry and honor, the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Championship Crowning Banquet will take over the world famous Jupiter’s Casino on Australia’s Gold Coast Saturday night.The evening will see the crowning of the 2006 Foster’s ASP World Champion, Kelly Slater (USA), and 2006 ASP Women’s World Champion, Layne Beachley (AUS), as well as the ASP World Junior champions Jordy Smith (ZAF) and Nicola Atherton (AUS).
Kelly Slater will defend his Gold Coast Victory
Snapper Rocks, Queensland, Australia (Monday, 12th February) - Current eight-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater (Florida, USA) has confirmed he will be back on Australian shores to defend his Quiksilver Pro presented by Samsung title when the Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour commences later this month.
Only Slater knows whether he will go on to compete for an unbelievable ninth world title and possibly hasn’t even made that decision himself as yet. “This year I'll just take whatever approach seems to make most sense to be relaxed and not worry about results so I'll be able to perform in the most free way,” said Slater.
Considered the greatest surfer of all time, Slater has continued to blow minds and shatter records with his surfing style, technical ability and focus. He won his first world title in 1992, then enjoyed five consecutive wins from 1994 to 1998 before coming back from retirement in 2002 to claim the 2005 and 2006 world crowns.
His season-opening win over Taj Burrow (Yallingup, W.A. AUS) in the final of last years Quiksilver Pro at Duranbah Beach was pivotal in his decision to go on to defend his 2005 world title. The result kick started the 34 year-old’s most consistent year ever, placing fifth or higher in every tournament to win his eighth world crown with two events remaining on the 2006 calendar.
“I was just relaxed,” said Slater. “When you don't expect anything, good things happen. When you expect to win something, there's no upside. It all just came together.”
Gold Coast surfers have proven to be Slater’s most dangerous rivals in the opening world tour event. All three ‘Coolangatta Kids’ have claimed victory at their local break of Snapper Rocks with world no.6 Joel Parkinson winning in 2002, world no.10 Dean Morrison in 2003 and world no.3, Mick Fanning in 2004.
The world champion knows that local wave knowledge is a key factor at Snapper Rocks but is confident in the fact that he broke through for his first Gold Coast victory since 1998 with his 2006 Quiksilver Pro win.
“Good surfing usually wins on the Gold Coast but there's also knowing the waves and which ones to take,” said Slater. “I love the waves there and got over that hump of not winning on the Gold Coast for a long time last year, so I'm ready for some fun. I'm looking forward to it for sure.”
The new surfing guns in the 2007 line-up will no doubt lift the performance bar again this year and with the inclusion of aerial expert Josh Kerr (Coolangatta, AUS) and former event wildcard Luke Munro (Currumbin, AUS) the number of local Gold Coast contenders has swelled to eight. Big things are expected of Kerr who is being touted as the rookie to watch despite never having contested a men’s world tour event.
The 22 year-old is not only preparing for his world debut, but also for the birth of his daughter who is expected to arrive just days before the tournament commences. “I’m a bit nervous all round,” said Kerr. “It’s a good advantage having the event at Snapper though. I’ve been surfing there all my life. I just want to get off to a good start.”
Kerr who is aiming for a top ten finish says that there are at least five surfers who can win this year’s world title.“You always have to look out for Kelly he has his act together but Andy Irons, Taj Burrow, Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson, are all contenders again this year,” added Kerr. “It just depends what rolls your way when you are competing, other factors can affect your result including nature and that has been rolling Kelly’s way.”
When asked if the 2007 rookies would raise surfing standards this year Slater said, “It's incremental each year and this one will be no different. Luke Munro and Josh Kerr will surprise a few people for sure.” As a previous four-time Quiksilver Pro wildcard Munro has experience on his side and remains unfazed by the added pressure of competing for ratings points this time round.
“I am going into this with no nerves, as it is my home break and I have surfed in this event for four years now and I know what to expect,” said Munro. “To have the first contest at home is always a good thing for the Gold Coast guys.” Twenty-three year Munro knows however that it will take more than local knowledge to defeat Slater.
“Kelly is the best surfer ever and the most dangerous thing is that he knows it,” added Munro. “He can beat any one at any break and when you have that over your competitors, it gives you the edge.”
World no.15 Bede Durbidge (Currumbin, Qld, AUS), 1999 world champion and world no.26 Mark Occhilupo (Coolangatta, Qld, AUS) and world no.33 Troy Brooks (Tugun, Qld, AUS) could all prove lethal on home turf.
ASP tour rookie of the year Bobby Martinez (Santa Barbara, Cal, USA) is also expected to be amongst the top performers in the $300,000 Quiksilver Pro. Martinez, who lists Slater as his favourite surfer, impressed all when he debuted at last year’s event.
The tournament will be staged in conjunction with the USD$80,000, Roxy Pro presented by Samsung. Both tournaments have waiting periods from February 27th to March 11thth.
The world’s top 45 men and top 17 female surfers will descend on the Gold Coast this month and all fingers will be crossed for a cyclone swell so the now world famous “Super bank” stretching from Snapper Rocks all the way through to Kirra can crank up the action.
Both opening world tour events are mobile, granting access to some of the best surf breaks on the planet. The tournament will be based at Snapper Rocks, yet can travel from Stradbroke Island to Duranbah Beach on the Qld/NSW state border in search of optimum waves.
Venues such as Snapper Rocks, Greenmount, Kirra and Burleigh will hold priority, with visions of long, right-hand barrels filling competitors' minds in the lead up. All spots offer great viewing for spectators to soak up the phenomenal surfing assured to take place.
With US$380,000 prize money on offer, as well as an early ratings lead for the eventual winner, all focus will be on the Gold Coast as the dream tour gets underway.
Only Slater knows whether he will go on to compete for an unbelievable ninth world title and possibly hasn’t even made that decision himself as yet. “This year I'll just take whatever approach seems to make most sense to be relaxed and not worry about results so I'll be able to perform in the most free way,” said Slater.
Considered the greatest surfer of all time, Slater has continued to blow minds and shatter records with his surfing style, technical ability and focus. He won his first world title in 1992, then enjoyed five consecutive wins from 1994 to 1998 before coming back from retirement in 2002 to claim the 2005 and 2006 world crowns.
His season-opening win over Taj Burrow (Yallingup, W.A. AUS) in the final of last years Quiksilver Pro at Duranbah Beach was pivotal in his decision to go on to defend his 2005 world title. The result kick started the 34 year-old’s most consistent year ever, placing fifth or higher in every tournament to win his eighth world crown with two events remaining on the 2006 calendar.
“I was just relaxed,” said Slater. “When you don't expect anything, good things happen. When you expect to win something, there's no upside. It all just came together.”
Gold Coast surfers have proven to be Slater’s most dangerous rivals in the opening world tour event. All three ‘Coolangatta Kids’ have claimed victory at their local break of Snapper Rocks with world no.6 Joel Parkinson winning in 2002, world no.10 Dean Morrison in 2003 and world no.3, Mick Fanning in 2004.
The world champion knows that local wave knowledge is a key factor at Snapper Rocks but is confident in the fact that he broke through for his first Gold Coast victory since 1998 with his 2006 Quiksilver Pro win.
“Good surfing usually wins on the Gold Coast but there's also knowing the waves and which ones to take,” said Slater. “I love the waves there and got over that hump of not winning on the Gold Coast for a long time last year, so I'm ready for some fun. I'm looking forward to it for sure.”
The new surfing guns in the 2007 line-up will no doubt lift the performance bar again this year and with the inclusion of aerial expert Josh Kerr (Coolangatta, AUS) and former event wildcard Luke Munro (Currumbin, AUS) the number of local Gold Coast contenders has swelled to eight. Big things are expected of Kerr who is being touted as the rookie to watch despite never having contested a men’s world tour event.
The 22 year-old is not only preparing for his world debut, but also for the birth of his daughter who is expected to arrive just days before the tournament commences. “I’m a bit nervous all round,” said Kerr. “It’s a good advantage having the event at Snapper though. I’ve been surfing there all my life. I just want to get off to a good start.”
Kerr who is aiming for a top ten finish says that there are at least five surfers who can win this year’s world title.“You always have to look out for Kelly he has his act together but Andy Irons, Taj Burrow, Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson, are all contenders again this year,” added Kerr. “It just depends what rolls your way when you are competing, other factors can affect your result including nature and that has been rolling Kelly’s way.”
When asked if the 2007 rookies would raise surfing standards this year Slater said, “It's incremental each year and this one will be no different. Luke Munro and Josh Kerr will surprise a few people for sure.” As a previous four-time Quiksilver Pro wildcard Munro has experience on his side and remains unfazed by the added pressure of competing for ratings points this time round.
“I am going into this with no nerves, as it is my home break and I have surfed in this event for four years now and I know what to expect,” said Munro. “To have the first contest at home is always a good thing for the Gold Coast guys.” Twenty-three year Munro knows however that it will take more than local knowledge to defeat Slater.
“Kelly is the best surfer ever and the most dangerous thing is that he knows it,” added Munro. “He can beat any one at any break and when you have that over your competitors, it gives you the edge.”
World no.15 Bede Durbidge (Currumbin, Qld, AUS), 1999 world champion and world no.26 Mark Occhilupo (Coolangatta, Qld, AUS) and world no.33 Troy Brooks (Tugun, Qld, AUS) could all prove lethal on home turf.
ASP tour rookie of the year Bobby Martinez (Santa Barbara, Cal, USA) is also expected to be amongst the top performers in the $300,000 Quiksilver Pro. Martinez, who lists Slater as his favourite surfer, impressed all when he debuted at last year’s event.
The tournament will be staged in conjunction with the USD$80,000, Roxy Pro presented by Samsung. Both tournaments have waiting periods from February 27th to March 11thth.
The world’s top 45 men and top 17 female surfers will descend on the Gold Coast this month and all fingers will be crossed for a cyclone swell so the now world famous “Super bank” stretching from Snapper Rocks all the way through to Kirra can crank up the action.
Both opening world tour events are mobile, granting access to some of the best surf breaks on the planet. The tournament will be based at Snapper Rocks, yet can travel from Stradbroke Island to Duranbah Beach on the Qld/NSW state border in search of optimum waves.
Venues such as Snapper Rocks, Greenmount, Kirra and Burleigh will hold priority, with visions of long, right-hand barrels filling competitors' minds in the lead up. All spots offer great viewing for spectators to soak up the phenomenal surfing assured to take place.
With US$380,000 prize money on offer, as well as an early ratings lead for the eventual winner, all focus will be on the Gold Coast as the dream tour gets underway.
ASP WORLD TOUR SURFERS SCORE PREMIUM SURFLINE MEMBERSHIPS
COOLANGATTA, Australia (Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2006) – The men and women of the Foster’s ASP World Tour and ASP Women’s World Tour approach their surfing like a science. Thanks to a recent deal brokered between the ASP and Surfline, the world’s Top 45 men and 17 women now have state-of-the-art surf forecasting at their fingertips.
"Surfline has worked with many of the world's best surfers for over 20 years and is stoked to formalize our relationship with the ASP by providing the surfers with premium Surfline memberships,” Sean Collins, President/Founder of Surfline said.
“Our primary goal will always be to score the best waves in the world, because we know that success will surely follow for the ASP World Tour and the entire surfing community when surfers everywhere can logon to the webcast to witness the best surfing on the planet," Collins said.
Because the ASP is committed to putting the world’s best surfers in the world’s best waves and Surfline’s mission is to identify the planet’s most idyllic conditions at any given moment, the arrangement was a no-brainer.
“We travel the world in search of perfect waves and I am thrilled to be able to give our surfers access to the world’s best surf forecasting,” Brodie Carr, ASP CEO, said. “Surfline has been a long time supporter of the ASP and it is great to extend our partnership further.”
Surfline's Premium Forecasts, which will furnish the Foster’s ASP World Tour and ASP Women’s World Tour surfers with comprehensive surf conditions from Australia, Hawaii and every tour stop in between, are updated and accurate up to five days in advance.
In addition, the surfers can now log onto LOLA, the world's only computer-generated, automated surf forecasting tool, to forecast waves down the street or at their favorite secret spots between ASP World Tour events.
“There is not an internet session that goes by that I don't look at LOLA,” Kelly Slater, eight-time ASP World Champion said. “It's so cool to check out the places you have been or are going to get an up-to-the-minute look at what's happening.”
"Surfline has worked with many of the world's best surfers for over 20 years and is stoked to formalize our relationship with the ASP by providing the surfers with premium Surfline memberships,” Sean Collins, President/Founder of Surfline said.
“Our primary goal will always be to score the best waves in the world, because we know that success will surely follow for the ASP World Tour and the entire surfing community when surfers everywhere can logon to the webcast to witness the best surfing on the planet," Collins said.
Because the ASP is committed to putting the world’s best surfers in the world’s best waves and Surfline’s mission is to identify the planet’s most idyllic conditions at any given moment, the arrangement was a no-brainer.
“We travel the world in search of perfect waves and I am thrilled to be able to give our surfers access to the world’s best surf forecasting,” Brodie Carr, ASP CEO, said. “Surfline has been a long time supporter of the ASP and it is great to extend our partnership further.”
Surfline's Premium Forecasts, which will furnish the Foster’s ASP World Tour and ASP Women’s World Tour surfers with comprehensive surf conditions from Australia, Hawaii and every tour stop in between, are updated and accurate up to five days in advance.
In addition, the surfers can now log onto LOLA, the world's only computer-generated, automated surf forecasting tool, to forecast waves down the street or at their favorite secret spots between ASP World Tour events.
“There is not an internet session that goes by that I don't look at LOLA,” Kelly Slater, eight-time ASP World Champion said. “It's so cool to check out the places you have been or are going to get an up-to-the-minute look at what's happening.”
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