RIP CURL WOMEN'S PRO BACK AT BELLS BEACH NEXT WEEK

BELLS BEACH, Australia (Friday, Mar. 30, 2007) – The second stop on the ASP Women's World Tour, the Rip Curl Women's Pro at Bells Beach, will see the event's triumphant return to the ASP calendar after a 2006 absence.

Running from April 3-8, 2007, the Rip Curl Women's Pro can be completed in two full days of surfing. It will run in tandem with the men's division of the Rip Curl Pro which takes four days to run and has a waiting period that stretches an additional five days until April 13, 2007.

Though an ASP Women's World Tour event was held at Bells Beach in 2005, the venue hasn't enjoyed a cemented spot on the ASP calendar since 2001. Only six of the current Top 17 were elite tour competitors at that time.

Defending Rip Curl Pro Champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER) will join three-time Bells Beach victor Layne Beachley (AUS) and 2000 event champion Megan Abubo (HAW) as the only surfers competing in the 22nd installment of women's competition at Bells with wins to their credit.

Several girls will be surfing Bells Beach as elite-tour competitors for the first time.

Despite making their World Tour debuts there next week, competitors like ASP Women's World Tour rookie Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) and second-year tourer Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) are likely to have logged more time at the break than many of their cohorts courtesy of national junior competitions.

"I love Bells," Miley-Dyer said. "I've been surfing it since I was a kid and watching goofy-footers like Damian Hardman and Occy tearing the place apart when the Rip Curl Pro was on. I'm stoked that we have a comp there and I can finally pretend to be them!"

Miley-Dyer will meet Hawaii's Megan Abubo and Brazil's Jacqueline Silva in Heat 6 of Round 1.

Gilmore has drawn fellow rookie Caroline Sarran (FRA) and Rebecca Woods (AUS) in Round 1. The surfers finishing first and second in Round 1 advance straight to Round 3. The surfer finishing third in Round 1 has to surf Round 2 and risk elimination.

"I think it always helps to get some quality time in before the comp starts," Gilmore said. "Lucky for me I've done a few years of pro junior events at Bells leading up to qualifying. That and I tend to like any right hander really."

Gilmore won two ASP Women's World Tour events as a wildcard before qualifying for this year's tour, and as such, will not underestimate how far a surfer free from the pressure of ratings points and expectations can go.

The Rip Curl Women's Pro Wildcard has been awarded to local surfer and four-time Victoria state champ Amy Stewart (AUS). The 20-year-old natural-footer hails from Jan Juc and will have a home-break advantage not enjoyed by anyone else in the draw.

"It's a tricky but fun wave when you get it down," Stewart said. "It's only up the road from me so I've spent a fair bit of time out there."

Stewart will draw current World No. 1 Chelsea Hedges (AUS) and Samantha Cornish (AUS) in Heat 3 of Round 1 when the Rip Curl Women's Pro commences.

Additional information is available online at www.aspworldtour.com and www.ripcurlpro.com

RIP CURL WOMEN'S PRO BELLS BEACH ROUND ONE MATCH-UPS
HEAT 1: Silvana Lima (BRA), Claire Bevilacqua (AUS), Melanie Bartels (HAW)
HEAT 2: Rebecca Woods (AUS), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Caroline Sarran (FRA)
HEAT 3: Chelsea Hedges (AUS), Samantha Cornish (AUS), Amy Stewart (AUS)
HEAT 4: Layne Beachley (AUS), Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Rochelle Ballard (HAW)
HEAT 5: Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS), Amee Donohoe (AUS), Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)
HEAT 6: Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), Megan Abubo (HAW), Jacqueline Silva (BRA)

OFFICIAL RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH PRESS LAUNCH DETAILS
WHAT: Media Launch - 2007 Rip Curl Pro Surfing Festival at Bells Beach
WHERE: Bells Beach Carpark, Bells Beach
WHEN: Monday, April 2nd, 2007
TIME: 11am to 12.30pm
WHO: Kelly Slater (USA), Andy Irons (HAW), Mick Fanning (AUS), Ben Dunn (AUS), Layne Beachley (AUS), Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) and Chelsea Hedges (AUS)

SLATER RARING TO RING THE BELL AT THE RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH

BELLS BEACH, Australia (Wednesday, Mar. 28, 2007) – Despite surfing incredibly consistently and securing his record eighth Foster's ASP World Title with two events to spare in 2006, Kelly Slater (USA) has not won an elite tour event since the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach last year.

Slater beat former Rip Curl Pro champion Joel Parkinson (AUS) in the 2006 event final to tie Tom Curren (USA) for the most elite tour events won by single surfer. Both Curren and Slater have 33 event titles to their credit at present.

"It seems strange that I haven't had a win since Bells and that it has been a full year since I won an event, because I had such a great year last year," Slater said. "I made a couple of finals and had a few thirds but I think I may have been suffering from a mental block about passing Tom's event win record. It's been on weighing on my mind and maybe if I could have put that to bed it would have freed me up to clinch a couple more wins last year."

The ASP event wins record is one of the only accolades in professional surfing that Slater does not own outright. He is hoping to change that when the Foster's ASP World Tour heads to Torquay, Australia for the 35th Annual Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach next week.

"I would love to have a win at Bells," Slater said. "In a way it would be more meaningful to win my 34th there, just because Tom is so synonymous with Rip Curl and Bells Beach in general. I was hoping to put [the record] to rest at Trestles last year because Tom and I both won our first professional events there and I thought that would have been pretty ironic, but it would be special to do it in Torquay too."

Adding to the history and prestige of Australia's longest running surf event, will be the attendance of several surfing icons synonymous with the event and the sport.

"I just turned 35 last month and it's the 35th anniversary of the Rip Curl Pro, so Bells and I are sort of in alignment right now," Slater joked. "It hasn't been one of my better events on tour, but with Tom and some of the other greats' presence there for the anniversary celebrations, if I could for some reason pull off a win it would be pretty special."

Slater will face rest of the Foster's 45, wildcards Owen Wright (AUS) and Matt Wilkinson (AUS) and the winner of the Victoria Place To Be Trials (who will earn the third and final wildcard) when competition commences next week.

The Rip Curl Pro waiting period starts Tuesday, Apr. 3 and stretches until Apr. 13. Stop 2 of the ASP Women's World Tour, the Rip Curl Women's Pro Bells Beach, will run in tandem with the Foster's ASP World Tour event.

OFFICIAL RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH PRESS LAUNCH DETAILS

WHAT: Media Launch - 2007 Rip Curl Pro Surfing Festival at Bells Beach

WHERE: Bells Beach Carpark, Bells Beach

WHEN: Monday, April 2nd, 2007

TIME: 11am to 12.30pm

WHO: Kelly Slater (USA), Andy Irons (HAW), Mick Fanning (AUS), Mark Occhilupo (AUS), Ben Dunn (AUS), Layne Beachley (AUS), Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) and Chelsea Hedges (AUS)

FANNING AND HEDGES ENTER 35TH ANNUAL RIP CURL PRO ASP RATINGS LEADERS

BELLS BEACH, Australia (Thursday, Mar. 22, 2007) –The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, the second event on the Foster's ASP World Tour and ASP Women's World Tour, will celebrate its 35th anniversary in the magical amphitheater that is Bells from April 3-13, 2007.

The longest-running surf event in Australia, the annual pilgrimage to Bells Beach continues with the world's best surfers and their fans congregating on the famed break's cliffs again this Easter.

Adding to the already historic aura that envelops the event will be a gala celebration to honor the former Rip Curl Pro champions who have made their mark on the event's 35-year history.

Honorees will include Simon Anderson [1977, 1981], Tom Curren [1985, 1990], Tom Carroll [1986] and Damien Hardman [1988, 1993] among others.

Honorees still donning contest rashvests this year will be Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Megan Abubo (HAW) and reigning world champion Layne Beachley (AUS) on the women's side and defending Rip Curl Pro and world champion Kelly Slater (USA), Mark 'Occy' Occhilupo (AUS), Andy Irons (HAW), Joel Parkinson (AUS), injury replacement Trent Munro (AUS) and current World No. 1 Mick Fanning (AUS) for the men.

"Everything that has happened over the past 35 years has continued to add and build up the huge prestige around the Rip Curl Pro," current World No. 1 Mick Fanning said. "Everyone that has won the Rip Curl Pro has pretty much gone on to do something fairly huge. You've got guys like MP [1973, 1974 and 1975 Rip Curl Pro Champion Michael Peterson], Mark Richards [1978, 1979, 1980, 1982], Kelly Slater [1994, 2006], Andy Irons [2002, 2003] and Occy [1998] – it's pretty much the who's who of surfing. 'The Bell' is a pretty bloody good trophy to have on your mantelpiece!"

To win the Rip Curl Pro and subsequently 'Ring the Bell' is considered one of the sport's highest honors. Fanning rang it as a wildcard in 2001. His best result at the Rip Curl Pro since was an equal 3rd finish in 2003.

"It was an amazing feeling," Fanning said. "Ever since I was a little kid I had been watching people ring the Bell and talk about the feeling you get, so to do it that one time was huge. I wish I was a little bit stronger so I could have lifted it above my head, but I am really excited to try and win it again – hopefully this year."

After a strong finish to his 2006 campaign, Fanning shot to No. 1 on the ratings with a win at the first event on the 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour earlier this month.

"I think that if you can get a good start in the first two events it really helps towards setting up a world title chance," said Fanning. "Being in Australia for the start of the year always helps too and everyone is looking towards getting a really strong result at the Rip Curl Pro."

Chelsea Hedges (AUS), who won an ASP Women's World Title in 2005 and the first event on this year's calendar, is also hoping to post back-to-back victories at home in Australia.

"After seeing Mel Redman-Carr win three events in a row last year, anything is possible," Hedges said. "It will be great to get back down to Bells again. I love surfing on my backhand and I love surfing Bells so it will interesting to see what happens down there."

The ASP Women's World Tour was notably absent from the 2006 Rip Curl Pro calendar but a welcome addition to the roster this year. Beachley, who posted Bells Beach victories in 1994, 1998 and 1999, is among the female competitors thrilled to be back at the prestigious venue.

"I'm really looking forward to getting down to Bells," Beachley said. "It's been a few years since we've been there regularly. I own three and I would love to own four."

A Rip Curl Pro Surf & Music Festival is run in conjunction with the ASP World Tour events. For more information visit www.aspworldtour.com and www.ripcurl.com/ripcurlpro.

PAST RIP CURL PRO MEN'S EVENT CHAMPIONS
2006: Kelly Slater (USA)
2005: Trent Munro (AUS)
2004: Joel Parkinson (AUS)
2003: Andy Irons (HAW)
2002: Andy Irons (HAW)
2001: Mick Fanning (AUS)
2000: Sunny Garcia (HAW)
1999: Shane Dorian (HAW)
1998: Mark Occhilupo (AUS)
1997: Matt Hoy (AUS)
1996: Sunny Garcia (HAW)
1995: Sunny Garcia (HAW)
1994: Kelly Slater (USA)
1993: Damien Hardman (AUS)
1992: Richie Collins (USA)
1991: Barton Lynch (AUS)
1990: Tom Curren (USA)
1989: Martin Potter (GBR)
1988: Damien Hardman (AUS)
1987: Nicky Wood (AUS)
1986: Tom Carroll (AUS)
1985: Tom Curren (USA)
1984: Cheyne Horan (AUS)
1983: Joe Engel (AUS)
1982: Mark Richards (AUS)
1981: Simon Anderson (AUS)
1980: Mark Richards (AUS)
1979: Mark Richards (AUS)
1978: Mark Richards (AUS)
1977: Simon Anderson (AUS)
1976: Jeff Hackman (HAW)
1975: Michael Peterson (AUS)
1974: Michael Peterson (AUS)
1973: Michael Peterson (AUS)

PAST RIP CURL PRO WOMEN'S EVENT CHAMPIONS
2005: Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
2001: Neridah Falconer (AUS)
2000: Megan Abubo (HAW)
1999: Layne Beachley (AUS)
1998: Layne Beachley (AUS)
1997: Lisa Anderson (USA)
1996: Pauline Menczer (AUS)
1995: Lisa Anderson (USA)
1994: Layne Beachley (AUS)
1993: Pauline Menczer (AUS)
1992: Lisa Anderson (USA)
1991: Pauline Menczer (AUS)
1990: Lisa Anderson (USA)
1989: Wendy Botha (AUS)
1985: Frieda Zamba (USA)
1984: Frieda Zamba (USA)
1982: Debbie Beacham (USA)
1980: Margo Oberg (USA)
1979: Lynne Boyer (USA)
1978: Margo Oberg (USA)
1977: Margo Oberg (USA)

OFFICIAL RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH PRESS LAUNCH DETAILS

WHAT: Media Launch - 2007 Rip Curl Pro Surfing Festival at Bells Beach
WHERE: Bells Beach Carpark, Bells Beach
WHEN: Monday, April 2nd, 2007
TIME: 11am to 12.30pm
WHO: Kelly Slater, Andy Irons, Mick Fanning, Ben Dunn, Layne Beachley, Jessi Miley-Dyer, Stephanie Gilmore and Chelsea Hedges

OXBOW RETURNS TO THE FOLD TO PRESENT WORLD LONGBOARD TOUR EVENT

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Wednesday, February 14, 2007) – The world's best Longboard riders are buzzing with the news that clothing manufacturer Oxbow has returned after a three-year hiatus and will host an official ASP World Longboard Tour event in April this year.

The event, which at the time of going to press could very well crown 2007's world longboard champion, will be known as the Oxbow Pro and will take place at les Cavaliers, Anglet, France.

The format of the event will be identical to that of shortboard surfing's penultimate professional series – the Foster's ASP World Tour – which has a 48-man draw where surfers compete in man-on-man heats from round two.

The event which has $US50,000 up for grabs will attract the world's best longboarders including former world champions Bonga Perkins (HAW), Joel Tudor (USA), Colin McPhillips (USA) and reigning world champion Josh Constable (AUS).

For Constable who recently "had a dream come true" when he stood alongside the likes of eight-time Foster's ASP World Tour champion Kelly Slater (USA) and seven-time ASP Women's World Tour champion Layne Beachley (AUS) when accepting his trophy at a gala ceremony heading to the Basque coast of France will be a much anticipated affair.

Known as the cradle of European surfing, the Basque Coast offers numerous world-class surf locations that are perfect for hosting a world longboard championship.

"I think going to Anglet is a great thing," said Constable. "There will be a few different peaks so it will separate everyone and unlike a point break where everyone sits in the same takeoff spot there will be more waves ridden and it won't be as fierce competition to catch waves.

"For me I'm really happy to be going to Anglet on the beach breaks," said Constable. "Hopefully it will have some size and last year at Costa Rica the waves were just that – head high beach breaks – and I did well there so I'm pumped."

As far as competitive threats go, Constable spoke of many who could potential steal his thunder and going into the event he will watching his back all the way through.

Not only are many of the world class "older school" the ones to watch but in recent years the sport has enticed many youngsters to step up to the plate.

"You'd have to look out for Joel Tudor, Bonga Perkins, Colin McPhillips,' said Constable. "They are all such great surfers as they've shown before by winning world titles but also there are a few new faces that will need to be watched… Guys like Matthew Moore from South Africa, Taylor Jensen from the USA then "Snow" who was runner up last year… And the list goes on. Being another year too you never know which kids have stepped up and will be in contention. I just can't wait to get over there and get amongst it and see what happens."

About Oxbow:
On the strength of its long and focused involvement in the sport, its association with some of the greatest surfers in the world, and its 12 world championship contests at exotic spots like Haleiwa, Malibu, Saint Leu, Makaha, Jeffrey's Bay, Cabo San Lucas, and Raglan, Oxbow can justly claim to be the brand that has brought back the eminence of longboarding. After creating the first longboard world championship in 1992 with Nat Young, this French brand takes it on again, with this event reinforcing the Oxbow image as an innovative and dependable brand. With this new project, Oxbow shows it supports longboarding and intends to play a prominent role in the creation of a bona fide longboard world tour.

Since its creation, Oxbow relies on its bases: creativeness, originality, and technicality. Across fashion lines, involvement in event and its support to team riders, Oxbow is one of the Board Riding Sport Brand leaders.

FANNING FIRST TO CLAIM SECOND VICTOR IN QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Wednesday, Mar. 7, 2007) – Mick Fanning (AUS) has set the pace for the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour today, winning the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Samsung at his home break of Snapper Rocks for the second time in three years.

Beating fellow local and unsponsored surfer Bede Durbidge (AUS) in barrelling five to six foot (one and a half to two metre) Snapper Rocks waves, Fanning slotted himself into a series of deep barrels and executed some of his patented searing turns to emerge from the water victorious much to the delight of the 10,000 plus strong crowd.

Crowd favorite Fanning, as expected, was elated with his form.

“To win here in front of everyone is a dream come true,” Fanning said. “I’m just ecstatic. And to surf with Bede in the final… he’s been ripping and he’s always been an amazing surfer. He is surfing this year without a sponsor so I’ve been saying to industry people, ‘You should pick him up because he is going to do some damage this year,’ and then out he comes and makes the final.”

Fanning can now claim to be the first to have scored two Quiksilver Pro victories and in front of his fellow Snapper Rocks buddies, 2002 and 2003 winners Joel Parkinson (AUS) and Dean Morrison (AUS) (who are known affectionately as the ‘Coolangatta Kids,’) he can stand up and be counted as being one of the best to surf the world class wave.

“I’m so pumped, it was always going to be a race of the boys as to who was going to get two,” said Fanning. “What better way to start the year than in perfect Snapper and surfing with a mate. Just to win at home, it’s awesome.”

His win today, his seventh Foster’s ASP World Tour victory, has thrust Fanning into pole position to go after his maiden world title.

Fanning finished the 2005 and 2006 seasons in 3rd place and won events in Jeffreys Bay and Brazil in last year.

“I made three out of six finals in the second half of last year,” Fanning said. “I was pretty confident in my surfing and I just tried to roll that into this year. I stayed really relaxed the whole time and it paid dividends here in this event. Even when I was in bad situations I just felt the waves were coming and yeah… it’s just a great day.”

Fanning won the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast for the first time in 2005 – an amazing feat citing it was his first event back after at horrific hamstring injury which sidelined him for months.

“I think this second win at Snapper is a little bit different,” Fanning said. “Last time I was in this position (on top of the ratings after the first event) I had just come back from a big injury it was a huge relief but this year I’m more focused and I really believe that I can take the world title. Plus I’m just enjoying it a lot more.”

Durbidge upset top seeded surfers Kelly Slater (USA) and Joel Parkinson (AUS) to find himself in the event final – his second since he landed on tour in 2005.

Durbidge posted his first Foster’s ASP World Tour win at Trestles in California last year.

“It was great to make the final,” Durbidge said. “It would have been a little bit sweeter if I had got first though. That was probably the worst heat I have had the whole event. I just didn’t come out of a few barrels that I wanted to make; it would have been a bit different if I had made them. It’s an awesome way to start though and I’m looking forward to the next event.”

Durbidge’s semifinal match-up with the reigning world champ was the stuff surf fantasies are made of.

Durbidge opened the heat strong with two massive scores, leaving Slater needing a combination of excellent scoring rides to emerge from the heat alive.

Fighting his way back the way only an eight-time world champ can, Slater notched up the scores he needed and took the lead but last minute heroics by Durbidge changed the situation once again.

"What do you do?” said Slater. “I did good to come back to get the lead and then that wave came. The waves were there to be had and he was just in better sync than me; he had the advantage with that 9.93. I didn’t think that I was going to get back in there. You can’t be bummed losing a heat like that. We both scored high, we both surfed well and he surfed better than me."

Slater leaves the Quiksilver Pro equal 3rd and, while happy with his result, is wary that the other semifinalists now have the upperhand.

"You have to have semifinal finishes and better to get a title,” Slater said. “The guys I’m expecting to be there are Taj (Burrow) and Mick (Fanning). I’ll match one of them (with this result) and the other guy will get more in the finals.”

Also finishing equal 3rd was Burrow, last year’s Quiksilver Pro runner-up. Burrow lost his semifinal heat to Fanning.

“I’m really disappointed, but it’s still a really good result,” Burrow said. “I was just feeling like I couldn’t do anything right. Mick had that local knowledge where he was just getting the smaller ones because it was lower tide. I got a couple of bigger ones that looked sick when I pulled in, but they just pinched me. He was just getting those sick little drainers. He nailed it. I’m bummed, but whatever, I’ll take a third."

En route to the final, Fanning came precariously close to losing his quarterfinal clash with Foster’s ASP Rookie Josh Kerr (AUS).

Kerr left Fanning needing a near-perfect heat score to advance. Fanning found it and beat Kerr 19.53 to 19.10 in easily one of the highest scoring heats in ASP history.

The Foster’s ASP World Tour will now head south to the frigid waters of Bells Beach for the Rip Curl Pro, which will kick off April 3.

Final Results:
Final: Mick Fanning (AUS) def. 16.17 Bede Durbidge (AUS) 12.00

Semifinal Results: 1st advances to Final, 2nd is eliminated
Semifinal 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 19.40 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 18.73
Semifinal 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.13 vs. Taj Burrow (AUS) 7.33

Quarterfinal Results: 1st advances to Semifinals, 2nd is eliminated
Quarterfinal 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 18.34 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 10.33
Quarterfinal 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.83 def. Michael Campbell (AUS) 13.57
Quarterfinal 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) 19.53 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 19.10
Quarterfinal 4: Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.96 def. Ben Dunn (AUS) 11.00

Quiksilver Pro Round 4 Results: 1st advances to Quarterfinals, 2nd is eliminated
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 19.10 def. Bruce Irons (HAW) 7.83
Heat 2: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 11.67 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 7.33
Heat 3: Michael Campbell (AUS) 13.67 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 5.00
Heat 4: Kelly Slater (USA) 18.33 def. Greg Emslie (ZAF) 11.34
Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.50 def. Daniel Wills (AUS) 12.43
Heat 6: Josh Kerr (AUS) 9.16 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 7.67
Heat 7: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.43 def. Travis Logie (ZAF) 12.50
Heat 8: Ben Dunn 10.77 (AUS) def. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 8.17

Ratings after Stop No.1 on the Foster’s ASP World Tour, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast
1 Mick Fanning(AUS) 1200
2 Bede Durbidge(AUS) 1032
3 Kelly Slater(USA) 876
3 Taj Burrow(AUS) 876
5 Joel Parkinson(AUS) 732
5 Michael Campbell(AUS) 732
5 Josh Kerr(AUS) 732
9 Ben Dunn(AUS) 732
9 Taylor Knox(USA) 600
9 Bruce Irons(HAW) 600
9 Daniel Wills(AUS) 600
9 Greg Emslie(ZAF) 600
9 Travis Logie(ZAF) 600
9 Raoni Monteiro(BRA) 600
9 Jeremy Flores(FRA) 600
9 Kai Otton(AUS) 600
17 Bobby Martinez(USA) 410
17 Damien Hobgood(USA) 410
17 Tom Whitaker(AUS) 410
17 Dean Morrison(AUS) 410
17 Cory Lopez(USA) 410
17 Phillip MacDonald(AUS) 410
17 C.J. Hobgood(USA) 410
17 Adriano de Souza(BRA) 410
17 Chris Ward(USA) 410
17 Luke Stedman(AUS) 410
17 Pancho Sullivan(HAW) 410
17 Ricky Basnett(ZAF) 410
17 Leonardo Neves(BRA) 410
17 Trent Munro(AUS) 410
31 Andy Irons(HAW) 225
31 Tim Reyes(USA) inj 225
31 Fredrick Patacchia(HAW) 225
31 Shaun Cansdell(AUS) 225
31 Michael Lowe(AUS) 225
31 Mark Occhilupo(AUS) 225
31 Victor Ribas(BRA) 225
31 Troy Brooks(AUS) 225
31 Adrian Buchan(AUS) 225
31 Royden Bryson(ZAF) 225
31 Dayyan Neve(AUS) 225
31 Neco Padaratz(BRA) 225
31 Bernardo Miranda(BRA) 225
31 Gabe Kling(USA) 225
31 Rodrigo Dornelles(BRA) 225
31 Luke Munro(AUS) 225

Mick Fanning is the 2007 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Champion

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Wednesday, Mar. 7, 2007) - In a stunning final that saw both competitors hold the lead, Mick Fanning emerged victorious over local dark horse Bede Durbidge.

Durbidge opened up the Final with a deep tuberide followed by a series of vicious slashes on his forehand netting him a 8-point ride and the lead.

However Fanning was not to be outdone, racking in a series of tubes and ferocious forehand bashes to take the lead.

A last minute tube from Durbidge was not enough to regain the lead and Fanning not only has the 2007 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast title, but also the lead in the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Title race.

Final Results:
Final: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.17 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 12.00

Semifinal Results:
Semifinal 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 19.40 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 18.73
Semifinal 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.13 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 7.33

Quarterfinal Results:
Quarterfinal 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 18.34 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 10.33
Quarterfinal 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.83 def. Michael Campbell (AUS) 13.57
Quarterfinal 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) 19.53 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 19.10
Quarterfinal 4: Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.96 def. Ben Dunn (AUS) 11.00

Quiksilver Pro Round 4 Results:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 19.10 def. Bruce Irons (HAW) 7.83
Heat 2: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 11.67 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 7.33
Heat 3: Michael Campbell (AUS) 13.67 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 5.00
Heat 4: Kelly Slater (USA) 18.33 def. Greg Emslie (ZAF) 11.34
Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.50 def. Daniel Wills (AUS) 12.43
Heat 6: Josh Kerr (AUS) 9.16 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 7.67
Heat 7: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.43 def. Travis Logie (ZAF) 12.50
Heat 8: Ben Dunn 10.77 (AUS) def. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 8.17

CHAMPION TO BE CROWNED AT QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST TODAY

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Wednesday, Mar. 7, 2007) – Heat 3 of Round 4 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Samsung will hit the water this morning at 7am.

With a solid swell pulsing along the Snapper Rocks bank, event organizers are looking to run right through to the Finals today.

"We're on today starting at 7am," Contest Director Rod Brooks said. "We're on an hour earlier today to catch the better tides. Waves are in the 5 to 6 foot range out on Snapper and we expect to run right through and complete the finals before 2pm."

With two heats of Round 4 being run yesterday afternoon, local boys Joel Parkinson (AUS) and Bede Durbidge (AUS) have already made the quarterfinals.

The remaining Round 4 match ups will see rookie sensations Josh Kerr (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA) and Ben Dunn (AUS) attempt to continue their successful maiden event runs as they go up against seasoned veterans such as Taylor Knox (USA), Mick Fanning (AUS), Travis Logie (ZAF), Raoni Monteiro (BRA), reigning and eight-time Foster’s ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) and others.

The event will be webcast LIVE on www.aspworldtour.com.

For images, video, heat-by-heat notes and audio downloads of all the action thus far, be sure to log onto the Media Center at www.aspworldtour.com.

Remaining Round 4 Match Ups:
Heat 3: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Michael Campbell (AUS)
Heat 4: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs. Kelly Slater (USA)
Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Daniel Wills (AUS)
Heat 6: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
Heat 7: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 8: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Raoni Monteiro (BRA)

SLATER SCORES SWEET REVENGE IN ROUND 3 OF THE QUIKSILVER PRO

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Tuesday, Mar. 6, 2007) – Despite their epic early-round appearances, wildcards Jake Paterson (AUS) and Julian Wilson (AUS) were no match for top-rated Foster’s ASP World Tour surfers Kelly Slater (USA) and Mick Fanning (AUS)in Round 3 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Samsung today.

Slater, a rare Round 2 entity, was relegated to the early elimination round by Wilson on Day One of the Quiksilver Pro. Posting a near-perfect 19.87 out of 20.00 in clean four foot (1.2 metre) conditions at Snapper Rocks today, the eight-time Foster’s ASP World Champ left Wilson defenseless.

“Losses can be really good because they tend to get you a little more focused and if you use them right they will improve what you’re doing,” Slater said. “It’s a balance. Take a loss, figure out what you did wrong, where your head was at, whatever else was getting in the way and then sort it out and get back out there. Today was the best heat I’ve had in a couple of years.”

Slater earned the first perfect 10.00 ride of the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour season by performing nearly every radical maneuver known to man midway through his heat. Drawing on deep tube rides, full-rail carves and innovative aerials, the reigning world champ pulled everything out of his bag of tricks to amass the flawless score.

Paterson meanwhile, was responsible for eliminating former three-time Foster’s ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW) in Round 2, but was no match for Fanning in what might be the final Foster’s ASP World Tour heat for Paterson’s illustrious career. Fanning, who won the Quiksilver Pro in 2005, posted an 18.07 to Paterson’s 12.93.

“Yeah it all went good, just watching Kelly the heat before, he went mad and I was just pretty excited to get out there,” Fanning said. “This is probably the best I’ve seen Snapper for the contest. I surf it all the time and usually there’re a thousand people in the way and you can’t really do a turn.”

Fanning and friends chaired the now-retired Paterson out of the ocean after their heat.

“Just to surf out there with Jake in his last event, after the tens of years he’s been on tour, it was pretty special for me,” Fanning said. “Ever since I’ve been on tour he’s been there to help me out. I’m just stoked I got to share that last heat with him.”

Top seeded surfers Joel Parkinson (AUS) and Taj Burrow (AUS) also advanced, though both surfers were forced to dig deep to find the form they needed to move to Round 4.

Parkinson overcame Brazilian rookie Leonardo Neves in the first heat of the day, but the 2002 Quiksilver Pro champion was admittedly rattled afterward.

“Leonardo (Neves) is going to be a really fierce competitor this year,” Parkinson said. “I really think that he will do some damage; drawing him won’t be a walk in the park at all. He had me on the ropes there for a while. I just had to have faith that the waves would come. I don’t look forward to the next match – he’s pretty good.”

Burrow barely scraped through his heat against injury alternate Trent Munro (AUS). Needing a solid score with time ticking down, Burrow pulled out all the stops on his final wave to net a 7.50 out of a possible 10.

"I still feel a little uneasy, like I didn’t make it because it was so close,” Burrow said. “I’m stoked! I just tried to concentrate on that last wave and get the 7.50 and only just scraped it in, so I’m really stoked. But definitely a stressful one.”

First-year Foster’s ASP World Tour member Kai Otton (AUS) claimed a major scalp in last year’s Rookie of the Year Bobby Martinez (USA).

"I was trying to have some fun and I didn’t know what to expect,” Otton said. “I was even a little confused out there with the priority and didn’t know where to sit at the end, but I’m just rolling with it and hopefully keep rolling. Bobby is an amazing surfer, I got lucky, hopefully I can keep it rolling.”

Other rookies advancing today were Josh Kerr (AUS) and Ben Dunn (AUS). Kerr, who is often considered a purely aerial surfer, showed he has some big turns in his repertoire as well, eliminating last year’s ASP World No. 8 Tom Whitaker today.

"It’s a great confidence booster,” Kerr said. “First contest of the year and to be able to beat one of the top 10 already, at my home break, in front of my home crowd… it’s really good. I’m going to try and make the final first and then to try and win the event. It’s been my dream since the contest came to town when I was growing up. I’m just excited to give it a good shot.”

At press time, contest organizers had opted to run the first two heats of Round 4 featuring Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Bruce Irons (HAW) and Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Kai Otton (AUS). Results will be available on www.aspworldtour.com.

Quiksilver Pro Round 3 Results: 1st moves to Round 4, 2nd is eliminated
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.94 def. Leonardo Neves (BRA) 16.17
Heat 2: Bruce Irons (HAW) 12.77 def. Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 11.50
Heat 3: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 15.17 def. Luke Stedman (AUS) 13.50
Heat 4: Kai Otton (AUS) 15.33 def. Bobby Martinez (USA) 12.07
Heat 5: Taylor Knox (USA) 13.67 def. Ricky Basnett (ZAF) 10.83
Heat 6: Mick Campbell (AUS) 18.07 def. Dean Morrison (AUS) 12.00
Heat 7: Greg Emslie (ZAF) 17.57 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.64
Heat 8: Kelly Slater 19.83 (USA) def. Julian Wilson (AUS) 12.50
Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.07 def. Jake Paterson (AUS) 12.93
Heat 10: Daniel Wills (AUS) 17.00 def. Chris Ward (USA) 14.17
Heat 11: Josh Kerr (AUS) 17.43 def. Tom Whitaker (AUS) 10.84
Heat 12: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 17.40 def. Tom Whitaker (AUS) 15.26
Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.67 def. Trent Munro (AUS) 14.50
Heat 14: Travis Logie (ZAF) 15.50 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 11.34
Heat 15: Ben Dunn (AUS) 10.30 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 3.90
Heat 16: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 16.17 def. Phillip Macdonald (AUS) 14.44

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 3 HITS THE WATER TODAY

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Tuesday, Mar. 6, 2007) – Round 3 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Samsung will hit the water this morning at 8am.

The improved conditions and increased swell have prompted event organizers to send the remaining 32 members of the ASP Foster’s 45 out to do battle.

"We have ideal conditions this morning at Snapper Rock," Contest Director Rod Brooks said. "It's about 4 foot with clean offshore winds and the men's Round 3 will hit the water at 8am."

Following the elimination Round 2’s big upsets that sent former three-time Foster’s ASP World Champ Andy Irons (HAW), Fred Patacchia (HAW), Shaun Cansdell (AUS) and former event champion Michael Lowe (AUS) all home early, the race for the ASP ratings lead is on and Round 3 will showcase some of the most dynamic match ups of the event.

Heat 4 will see last year’s Foster’s ASP World Tour rookie of the year Bobby Martinez (USA) do battle against in-form ’07 rookie Kai Otton (AUS) in a goofy-footer showdown, Heat 9 will see reigning and eight-time Foster’s ASP World Champ Kelly Slater (USA) try to avenge his first round loss in a rematch with wildcard Julian Wilson (AUS), and all the local Coolangatta boys will be looking to grab the ASP ratings lead with a big result at the Quiksilver Pro.

The event will be webcast LIVE on www.aspworldtour.com.

For images, video, heat-by-heat notes and audio downloads of all the action thus far, be sure to log onto the Media Center at www.aspworldtour.com.

Round 3 Match Ups
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Leonardo Neves (BRA)
Heat 2: Bruce Irons (HAW) vs. Pancho Sullivan (HAW)
Heat 3: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Luke Stedman (AUS)
Heat 4: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)
Heat 5: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Ricky Basnett (ZAF)
Heat 6: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Michael Campbell (AUS)
Heat 7: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs. Adriano de Souza (BRA)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Jake Paterson (AUS)
Heat 10: Daniel Wills (AUS) vs. Chris Ward (USA)
Heat 11: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 12: Cory Lopez (USA) vs. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 14: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 15: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 16: Phillip MacDonald (AUS) vs. Raoni Monteiro (BRA)

HEDGES HOLDS OFF TEEN PHENOM TO WIN ROXY PRO AND TAKE RATINGS LEAD

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Monday, Mar. 5, 2007) – Chelsea Hedges, 23, has won the first event on the 2007 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by Samsung, at what amounts to her home break of Snapper Rocks in Coolangatta, Australia today.

Hedges (formerly Georgeson) moved to Coolangatta from Avoca Beach in Sydney two years ago and has moved to ASP World No. 1 with her win today.

The 2005 ASP Women’s World Champion defeated prodigious Roxy Pro Wildcard Carissa Moore (HAW), 14, the youngest finalist in ASP elite-tour history, in three foot (one metre) waves this afternoon.

“It’s a pretty amazing feeling,” Hedges said. “I really wanted to win here because I’ve never won at Snapper before and my family was on the beach too so I’m pretty amped. After watching Carissa surf earlier, I was waiting for her to grab a bomb (set wave) and score a 9.0 or something but luckily for me she didn’t.”

Hedges has moved to World No. 1 with the win.

“Even though I wasn’t really thinking about the ratings, with Carissa coming in 2nd (NB: Carissa is not an ASP World Tour rated surfer) it puts me a great position for the start of the year and now I’m looking forward to heading down to Bells Beach the next event.”

Hedges had to overcome the world’s brightest up-and-coming talent to make the event final today. She defeated uber-rookie Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) in the Quarterfinals and second-year surfer Silvana Lima (BRA) in the Semifinal before meeting Moore.

“It’s always difficult when you draw a dark horse or any of the younger girls because they surf so crazy these days, they have so much drive,” Hedges said. “Steph has beaten me out here before and today I got her back so it was really good for my confidence because I have a lot of respect for her. Silvana has been on fire for the whole contest but luckily in my heat she couldn’t pull it off. Carissa is a great surfer and the next few years are going to be unbelievable for her.”

Moore, who after winning the Roxy Pro Trials was surfing in her first-ever ASP Women’s World Tour event, posted 9.33 single wave scores in her Round 3, Quarterfinal and Semifinal heats but only managed a 6.70 two-wave total in the final against Hedges.

“I was just excited to be out there,” Moore said. “I was a little nervous, but just excited. I’m totally stoked with the turn out and I’m just really happy for Chelsea (Hedges) - she did awesome. Just being able to surf out at Snapper with some of the best girls in the world, it was just really nice."

Honing her competitive edge in various trials and junior events, Moore took out seven-time ASP World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS), veteran competitor and former World No. 2 Megan Abubo (HAW) and 2005 ASP Rookie of the Year Rebecca Woods (AUS) en route to the final.

Woods will leave Snapper Rocks sitting equal 2nd on the ASP Women’s World Tour ratings.

“A semifinal finish is a good way to start the year, but it is one step short of a final and that’s definitely somewhere I would like to be,” Woods said. “I think this was my fourth semi so I’ve really got to work on that. Tricky conditions - I just wanted to get a couple of scores, but it wasn’t really going my way, bit of a shame.”

Tying Woods with an equal Roxy Pr 5th was Brazil’s Silvana Lima. Lima eliminated reigning Roxy Pro Gold Coast Champion, Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS), when she posted the highest single wave score (a 9.80 out of 10.00) and heat total (18.80 out of 20.00) of the event in the Quarters, but she was unable recreate that magic in her Semifinal against the eventual Roxy Pro winner.

“I was so ready to surf the final,” Lima said. “I was surfing a good heat and then my leash broke and I couldn’t get the score I needed, so bad luck. A semifinal finish is good, but I was ready for the final. I'm still happy though.”

The next stop on the ASP Women's World Tour is Bells Beach, Australia for the Rip Curl Pro. After a one-year hiatus from the elite-tour calendar, the historical venue will be back from Apr. 3-8, 2007.

“After last seeing Mel Redman-Carr win three events in a row last year, anything is possible,” Hedges said. “After this I’m going to take some time out and refocus. It will be great to get back down to Bells again. I love surfing on my backhand and I love surfing Bells so it will interesting to see what happens down there.”

Roxy Pro Final Results
Final: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 11.33 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 6.60

Roxy Pro Semifinal Results: 1st advances to Final, 2nd is eliminated.
Semifinal 1: Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.43 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 10.50
Semifinal 2: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 13.33 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 12.50

Roxy Pro Quarterfinal Results: 1st advances to Semifinals, 2nd is eliminated.
Quarterfinal 1: Rebecca Woods (AUS) 16.16 def. Amee Donohoe (AUS) 13.83
Quarterfinal 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 16.50 def. Megan Abubo (HAW) 7.64
Quarterfinal 3: Silvana Lima (BRA) 18.80 def. Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) 5.43
Quarterfinal 4: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 14.33 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 9.16

ASP Women’s World Tour Ratings after the Roxy Pro, Stop No. 1 on the ASP Women’s World Tour
1. Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 1200 points
2. Silvana Lima (BRA) 756 points
2. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 756 points
4. Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) 552 points
4. Megan Abubo (HAW) 552 points
4. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 552 points
4. Amee Donohoe (AUS) 552 points
8. Layne Beachley (AUS) 360 points
8. Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 360 points
8. Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 360 points
8. Samantha Cornish (AUS) 360 points
8. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 360 points
8. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 360 points
8. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 360 points
8. Caroline Sarran (FRA) 360 points
16. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 180 points
16. Rochelle Ballard (HAW) 180 points

ROXY PRO GOLD COAST CHAMP TO EMERGE TODAY

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Monday, Mar. 5, 2007) –The Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by Samsung, the first event on the 2007 ASP Women’s World Tour, will crown its champion today, Mar. 5, 2007. The Quarterfinals will kick off at Snapper Rocks at 10am; seven heats of competition remain. The Roxy Pro final is slated to hit the water shortly after 1pm.

Quarterfinal 2 will pit Megan Abubo (HAW) against Carissa Moore (HAW), the 14-year-old wildcard who eliminated seven-time World Champion Layne Beachley in Round 3. Abubo made the Roxy Pro final in 2005.

“I grew up watching Carissa develop as a surfer,” Abubo said. “She’s only 14-years-old and I think she is the most progressed female surfer even at that age. She’s actually very competitive and savvy, she has surfed a lot of heats in her life, even at her young age.”

Quarterfinal 4 will see local favorites Chelsea Hedges (AUS) and Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) go head to head.

Gilmore won the event in 2005. Reigning Roxy Pro Champion Melanie Redman-Carr will surf against Silvana Lima (BRA) in Quarterfinal 3.

Logon to www.aspworldtour.com to watch it all LIVE!

Roxy Pro Quarterfinal Match-ups: 1st advances to Semifinals, 2nd is eliminated.
Quarterfinal 1: Amee Donohoe (AUS) vs. Rebecca Woods (AUS)
Quarterfinal 2: Megan Abubo (HAW) vs. Carissa Moore (HAW)
Quarterfinal 3: Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) vs. Silvana Lima (BRA)
Quarterfinal 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Chelsea Hedges (AUS)

PATERSON SNAKES IRONS IN ROUND 2 OF THE QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Sunday, Mar. 4, 2007) –Three-time Foster’s ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW) was eliminated by Quiksilver Pro wildcard Jake Paterson (AUS) in Round 2 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Samsung at Snapper Rocks today, Sunday, Mar. 4, 2007.

Paterson, who announced his retirement at the end of 2006 after a decorated 17 years on tour, was given a wildcard into the event and without the pressure of tour ratings points being on the line, rose to the occasion putting on a phenomenal display of power surfing.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better way to wrap up my career, not that it’s completely over or anything, but this was a dream heat today,” Paterson said. “I was pretty disappointed with my first round performance so I really wanted to make sure that I got a couple of good waves. Andy couldn’t put a foot right and everything that came to me was a dream – it was meant to be I guess.”

Spurred on by unbridled patriotism, Paterson left Irons needing a combination of two good scoring rides to advance into Round 3.

Irons, realizing that he could not catch up exited the water with two minutes left in the heat.

“Andy and I have had a huge rivalry over the years so it was good that I got one up on him,” Paterson said. “My goal was to hopefully knock out one of the title contenders early on – aside from one of the Australians – I want to see Australia bring home the title, so I hope I helped out the boys a little bit.”

Unfortunately for Paterson, if he wants to advance out of Round 3, it will be at the expense of fellow Australian and title-hope Mick Fanning. They will meet in Heat 9 of the next round.

After losing to Wildcard Julian Wilson (AUS) in Round 1, reigning and eight-time Foster’s ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) left no opportunity for another upset, easily defeating local wildcard Dale Richards (AUS).

"I think Dale fell of a bunch of times but I fell of a bunch of times too,” Slater said. “There wasn’t that much wave pushing back out there.”

Slater will again draw Wilson in Heat 8 of Round 3.

Adriano de Souza (BRA) thrilled the throngs of Brazilians on site with his victory over Troy Brooks (AUS). One of five Brazilians surfing Round 2 today, de Souza was the only South American to advance. He will join fellow countrymen Leonardo Neves (BRA) and Raoni Monteiro (BRA) in Round 3.

“I found a couple of nice waves behind the rocks and I’m pretty excited to get through here at Snapper Rocks,” De Souza said. “I have a lot of Brazilian fans sitting on the sand, the flags are up, so I’m pretty stoked. Every guy from my country is going for me in the water so I’m pretty happy.”

Pancho Sullivan held it down for the Hawaiians, beating Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 14.76 to 12.80.

“Going into it I felt a little nervous, I was watching Shaun in the first round and he looked really lose and comfortable out there,” Sullivan said. “I’ve been carrying an injury since about the start of the year, so I haven’t been able to surf a lot. I spent all of last week trying to build up my surf conditioning and even though I didn’t feel 100 percent that heat, tactically I surfed a pretty smart. I didn’t hit my stride on any particular wave, but I felt like I got it done.”

South African Travis Logie defeated local icon Mark Occhilupo (AUS) late in the day, putting in an incredible performance on his backhand.

"I’ve looked up to Occy my whole life,” Logie said. “He was the reason I started surfing and he was one of my heroes. Coming up against him is difficult because you feel bad beating someone you have looked up to so much. He was a really tough competitor so I was really nervous. I was really hoping to get through, really, really, really!"

Several excellent scoring rides in the 9.0 range were posted today. Those scores belong to: De Souza 9.07, Tom Whitaker (AUS) 9.50, Phil Macdonald (AUS) 9.23, CJ Hobgood (USA) 9.10 and Damien Hobgood (USA) 9.10.

Movie stars Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson spent the afternoon checking out the Quiksilver Pro from the surfer’s area. The Hollywood duo is currently filming a feature in Australia. McConaughey was sighted with Slater at Snapper Rocks last weekend as well.

“I’m just starting to get into surfing,” McConaughey said. “Even if I get out there and have a crappy day and I’m just sitting around and I don’t catch a wave, I think, ‘look where you are, you’re in the water on the beach, good sights all around, got sunshine!’ So even when I’m not getting a wave, I’m getting out there everyday as much as I can.”

The next call for competition will be at 6am tomorrow.

In the mean time, check out all today’s action at www.aspworldtour.com.

Quiksilver Pro Round 2 Results: 1st advances to Round 3, 2nd is eliminated
Heat 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.16 def. Dale Richards (AUS) 8.53
Heat 2: Jake Paterson (AUS) 16.00 def. Andy Irons (HAW) 10.07
Heat 3: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.66 def. Luke Munro (AUS) 14.10
Heat 4: Damien Hobgood (USA) 16.43 def. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) 13.07
Heat 5: Tom Whitaker (AUS) 17.17 def. Gabe Kling (USA) 14.60
Heat 6: Cory Lopez (USA) 15.67 def. Bernardo Miranda (BRA) 13.27
Heat 7: Phillip MacDonald (AUS) 13.73 def. Neco Padaratz (BRA) 9.30
Heat 8: Bruce Irons (HAW) 15.67 def. Dayyan Neve (AUS) 8.90
Heat 9: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 17.43 def. Royden Bryson (ZAF) 14.33
Heat 10: Michael Campbell (AUS) 15.26 def. Fred Patacchia (HAW) 11.10
Heat 11: Daniel Wills (AUS) 15.34 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 11.16
Heat 12: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 16.57 def. Troy Brooks (AUS) 12.53
Heat 13: Chris Ward (USA) 12.83 def. Victor Ribas (BRA) 10.34
Heat 14: Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 14.76 def. Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 12.80
Heat 15: Travis Logie (ZAF) 15.44 def. Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 12.80
Heat 16: Luke Stedman (AUS) 14.66 def. Michael Lowe (AUS) 14.17

Quiksilver Pro Round 3 Match Ups: 1st advances to Round 4, 2nd is eliminated
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Leonardo Neves (BRA)
Heat 2: Bruce Irons (HAW) vs. Pancho Sullivan (HAW)
Heat 3: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Luke Stedman (AUS)
Heat 4: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)
Heat 5: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Ricky Basnett (ZAF)
Heat 6: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Michael Campbell (AUS)
Heat 7: Greg Emslie (ZAF) vs. Adriano de Souza (BRA)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Jake Paterson (AUS)
Heat 10: Daniel Wills (AUS) vs. Chris Ward (USA)
Heat 11: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 12: Cory Lopez (USA) vs. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 14: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 15: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 16: Phillip MacDonald (AUS) vs. Raoni Monteiro (BRA)

FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD PHENOM ESCORTS 7X ASP WORLD CHAMP OUT OF ROXY PRO

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Saturday, Mar. 3, 2007) –At 14-years-old Carissa Moore (HAW) is 20-years younger than seven-time ASP Women's World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS). Twenty-nine minutes into their 30-minute clash in Round 3 of the Roxy Pro today, the only numbers that mattered were those being doled out by the judges.

Moore's 9.33 single wave score (the day’s highest) was just one-tenth of a point less than Beachley's combined heat total of 9.34 – an equation that left Beachley needing a combination of two good scoring rides to win their Round 3 clash.

Moore, who earned entry into the main event after winning the Roxy Pro Trials on Monday, beat Beachley 15.66 to 9.34 to advance.

“I’m super stoked, but I was honored just to be out there with Layne," Moore said. "She’s such a great person, so I’m just excited.”

Moore watched fellow competitor and 2007 ASP Women’s World Tour Rookie Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) win the event as a wildcard in 2005, but, in her signature style, remained humble about whether she thinks she could accomplish the same feat.

"Steph definitely destroyed that contest - she did awesome," Moore said. "I don’t know if I can do that but I’m looking forward to having fun and surfing in the contest.”

Beachley, the reigning ASP Women’s World Champion, is no stranger to drawing wildcards and has come up short in a couple of highly-publicized bouts against them – namely in Gilmore. As the No. 1 seed, and with Gilmore now a tour staple, Beachley can now add Moore to her list of grommets (young surfers) to be wary of.

“She’s such a polite girl,” Beachley said. “When we were coming in she was like, 'Thank you so much for surfing against me,' and I was like, 'Well thank you so much for smashing me!' When you are the top seed you’re going to come up against unpredictable 14-year-old wildcards that are going to kick your butt. Carissa had nothing to lose out there, nothing to prove and she went out there with such confidence.”

Beachley, who finished runner-up to Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) in the Roxy Pro last year, was quick to give Moore the credit she deserved.

“I can’t find any excuses for what happened to me today," Beachley said. "I’m not going to beat myself up too hard about it. I think the conditions today were quite good and obviously if Carissa could score a 9.00, then being seven-time World Champ, I should be able to too. It was just a matter of being patient and I was impatient towards the end of the heat – that’s what got me.”

Gilmore’s Round 3 win over Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) will see her through to the Quarterfinals. She sits opposite the draw from Moore and could potentially draw her if they both advance through their Quarter and Semifinal heats.

“I would love to make the final with Carissa, although she would probably smash me," Gilmore said. "It will be really interesting to see how far she will go in this event, and no doubt, it will be pretty far."

Gilmore, a Snapper Rocks regular, will now meet fellow local and close friend Chelsea Hedges (formerly Georgeson) in the next round.

"I was kind of hoping that wouldn't happen, because I would love to make the final with Chelsea," Gilmore said. "We’ll meet up in the Quarters, which will be really difficult, but hopefully I’ll just do my best and make it through. She’s surfing just amazing right now so it’s going to be pretty hard."

Hedges, who won a world title in 2005 and finished the 2006 season No. 4 in the world, would love to win at home but is equally disappointed about having to face her friend Gilmore in the next round.

"It’s a bummer that we’re meeting up in the Quarters, but it’s going to be a good heat and I’m look forward to it for sure.”

Silvana Lima (BRA) missed the Hawaiian leg of the 2006 ASP Women's World Tour due to injury and a subsequent knee operation, but found the strength to post the day's highest heat total, 16.33 out 20.00 possible points.

Lima eliminated fellow Brazilian and 2004 Roxy Pro Gold Coast Champion Jacqueline Silva to advance.

Reigning Roxy Pro Gold Coast Champion Redman-Carr, Amee Donohoe (AUS), Rebecca Woods (AUS) and Megan Abubo (HAW) are also through to the Quarterfinals after winning their Round 3 heats today.

The Foster’s Surf Showdown, the dynamic new nation versus nation exhibition format replacing last year’s Foster’s Expression Session, ran this afternoon in front of a capacity crowd at Snapper Rocks. Featuring six teams in Australia, America, Brazil, South Africa, Hawaii and the Foster’s Rookies, the Surf Showdown was a resounding success as the two-man teams comprised of the Foster’s 45 battled it out in the 2 to 3 foot (0.6 to 0.9 metre) surf.

“This was the inaugural Foster’s Surf Showdown and we were treated to some exciting nation versus nation action in a teams format,” Foster’s Surf Ambassador Toby Martin said. “We’re excited that today’s event went so well, and although we’re still toying with the format, we expect that the exhibition will be a great success this season. Today proved that the Foster’s Rookies were the top dogs to beat showing an incredible array of talent.”

The Foster’s Rookies, captained by local Josh Kerr (AUS) who surfed alongside Jeremy Flores (FRA), took down a heavily favored team Australia comprised of Mick Fanning (AUS) and Joel Parkinson (AUS).

“I’m just so stoked we’ve come out on top,” Kerr said. “Jeremy (Flores) and I just went out there and tried to go big. I’ve been surfing here my whole life so it feels great to get one off of Joel (Parkinson) and Mick (Fanning). I’m really excited, we have a really deep talent pool in the rookies and I’m looking forward to the rest of the event.”

The next call will be made at 6am tomorrow morning.

Roxy Pro Round 3 Results - 1st advances to Quarterfinals, 2nd eliminated
Heat 1: Amee Donohoe (AUS) 12.83 def. Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 11.16
Heat 2: Rebecca Woods (AUS) 11.00 def. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 10.93
Heat 3: Megan Abubo (HAW) 10.16 def. Samantha Cornish (AUS) 6.96
Heat 4: Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.66 def. Layne Beachley (AUS) 9.34
Heat 5: Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) 11.67 def. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 7.67
Heat 6: Silvana Lima (BRA) 16.33 def. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 12.66
Heat 7: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 14.33 def. Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 7.67
Heat 8: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) def. Caroline Sarran (FRA)

Roxy Pro Quarterfinal Match-ups - 1st advances to Semifinals, 2nd eliminated

Quarterfinal 1: Amee Donohoe (AUS) vs. Rebecca Woods (AUS)
Quarterfinal 2: Megan Abubo (HAW) vs. Carissa Moore (HAW)
Quarterfinal 3: Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) vs. Silvana Lima (BRA)
Quarterfinal 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Chelsea Hedges (AUS)

ROXY PRO ROUND 3 HITS THE WATER AT 8AM

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Saturday, Mar. 3, 2007) – Round 3 of the Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by Samsung will hit the water this morning at 8am in clean three to four foot (1 to 1.2 metre) waves at Snapper Rocks.

"Today we'll commence with the women for Round 3 of the Roxy Pro beginning at 8am," Contest Director Rod Brooks said. "Conditions are light and variable with good clean faces, almost glassy. Winds are expected to pick up later in the morning and we hope to get through the quarterfinals before running the Foster's Surf Showdown for the men - the international nation versus nation exhibition event - at 2pm."

Heats 1-8 will hit the water shortly. A bevy of dynamic match-ups await spectators including Heat 4 where reigning and seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS) will look to avenge her Round 1 loss against 14-year-old wildcard Carissa Moore (HAW).

LAY DAY CALLED AFTER ROXY PRO GOES MOBILE

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Wednesday, Mar. 2, 2007) – After a mission which saw the world’s best female surfers scour the coast in search of quality waves, event organizers of the Roxy Pro have decided to call a lay day.

Early this morning, there were some positive signs that Round 3 of the event – the first on the ASP Women’s World Tour – would get underway, and the girls were sent out for the Samsung Expression Session to test the waters and show the massive crowd on hand their wares.

Chelsea Hedges (AUS) took honors for best wave while Megan Abubo stood out for best maneuver. Both girls were awarded $2000 worth of Samsung gear for their troubles.

Unfortunately, the conditions deteriorated with a heavy onshore wind thus leading to the event organizers attempting to move the event 45 minutes north where winds were more favorable.

On arrival at a location known as The Spit, an artificial reef constructed in front of world famous Surfer’s Paradise, it was deemed that conditions were unsuitable for competition and the event was called off for the day.

“Well, we’ve been chasing our tail all day trying to give ourselves the opportunity to finish the event before the cyclone potentially hits,” Reigning ASP Women’s World Champ Layne Beachley (AUS) said. “We started with the Expression Session hoping that northwest winds would turn northeast while we were out in the water. That didn’t eventuate so then we went up to the Spit because it’s really clean in this wind and that wasn’t really rideable. We came to Narrowneck and crash test dummied it, but that didn’t work either. We’ve exhausted every possible option and decided that surfing two-foot blown out Snapper would be better that two-foot blown out Narrowneck, so we’re off for today.”

Organizers will once again convene at Snapper Rocks tomorrow morning and will make a call regarding the continuation of either the Roxy Pro of the Quiksilver Pro events.

When competition resumes, Round 3 match-ups are:

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)

ROXY PRO GOLD COAST HAS GONE MOBILE TO ‘THE SPIT’

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Friday, Mar. 2, 2007) – After holding the women’s Samsung Expression Session in wind-affected conditions at Snapper Rocks this morning, Round 3 of the Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by Samsung has been relocated to a break 45-minutes north of the contest site known as ‘The Spit.’

"We've had really good reports from ‘The Spit,’” Contest Director Rod Brooks said. “It's at the northern most end of the Surfer's Paradise area. Before you get to South Stradbroke, there's the entrance to the Seaway. At the Seaway, there's a rock wall that protects the boats coming in and out of the Seaway. We've got a report of waves there. We've got a northerly wind now which means it's offshore and we're hoping to run Round 3 of the Roxy Pro at noon."

Winners of this morning’s Samsung Expression Session were Chelsea Hedges (AUS) for ‘Best Wave’ and Megan Abubo (HAW) for ‘Best Maneuver.’ The winners were awarded $2,000 worth of Samsung merchandise.

Pending the Top 17’s arrival at ‘The Spit,’ competition should commence at noon. Unfortunately, there will be no live webcast, but heat by heat updates, video highlights and images will be available later in the day.

Round 3 Roxy Pro Match-Ups: 1st advances to Quarterfinals, 2nd is eliminated
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)