Pro Surfing: July 2007

BURROW DEFEATS SLATER TO WIN THE BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Saturday, July 21, 2007) – Australian Taj Burrow beat eight-time Foster's ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) to win the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay today. The victory is Burrow's second on the 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour and has moved him to World No. 2 on the ASP ratings.

"It feels amazing!" Burrow said. "I'm so stoked to have won two events. I've had so many bridesmaids over the last couple of years and to get this monkey off my back, it just feels really good!

Burrow overcame current ratings leader Mick Fanning (AUS) and World No. 5 Joel Parkinson (AUS) en route to his victory over Slater today.

"I had a pretty tough draw, but if you start getting hard guys early in you just gain momentum and confidence and everything," Burrow said. "It was a pretty gnarly draw but it all ended up working pretty well!"

Burrow featured in the final at the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay last year but finished 2nd. His win today is his first at the venue.

"This win is huge for me," Burrow said. "It's one event that I've always just loved. I love coming here and I always feel comfortable. The water is the same temperature as home, the weather is pretty similar and any kind of right hander like this gets me pretty excited! It's an event that I've always wanted to do well in and it has all come together!"

Current world No. 1 Mick Fanning (AUS), world No. 7 Damien Hobgood (USA) and world No. 3 Andy Irons (HAW) have also won events this year, but Burrow is the only surfer with two in his scoreline this season.

"I had a 1st and 3rd and then a 9th and a 17th, which isn't so good," Burrow said. "The whole event I'm going, 'Win this thing and you'll have a 1st, 1st and a 3rd!' I just kept thinking that and I'm pretty stoked because I have three keepers now. I'm bummed about those other ones, but this is all I can do at this event so I'm stoked!"

Slater, who won the event in 1996, 2003 and 2005, caught 12 waves to Burrow's four but still needed a combination of excellent scoring waves to beat Burrow.

"The mind even got tired out there," Slater said. "I was just tired, I don't know the last time I surfed four heats in a day. In the final I was going to need a wave that scored 8.00 plus to keep in that heat and I didn't have one. I had one in the beginning which I fell on, which might have kept me in there with a chance. I was just tired mentally and physically at that point and Taj put it together. He made me sit out in the water and wait a bit which I was kind of bummed about. But it paid off for him."

Slater's final berth today is his first of the 2007 season. The reigning world champion featured in five finals last year. He won the first two events of 2006 but finished runner-up in Mundaka, Spain; Lower Trestles, California and Pipeline, Hawaii.

"It's a little bit frustrating but I have had a number of finals go my way too," Slater said. "I think I've won four out of five finals I have been in in the past and now I have only won one out of the last five, or two out of the last six. That's a little frustrating, but I guess it is something for people to talk about. If I let it get to me, it'll put a little pressure on me, but sometimes that's the thing to get you going. I was thinking in the water, 'Maybe this 2nd will bring me to life, more than winning would.' This will probably get me a bit more motivated for the next one."

Slater peaked in the Quarterfinals when he scored 19.23 out of 20.00 possible points – the highest heat total of the event. His 9.70 and a 9.53 in that heat were the 2nd and 3rd highest wave scores of the event –only Burrow's perfect 10.00 in Round 2 was higher.

Slater has moved from 6th to 4th in the ratings with his result in Jeffreys Bay today and can now be considered a threat in the 2007 ASP World Title race.

"It looks like a few people are shaping up to be in the hunt," Slater said. "Mick is still the runaway guy, but me and Taj gave ourselves a move here. I'd imagine both of us moved up a spot here. I definitely got myself going in a positive direction and it is just playing catch up now. I'd probably be somewhere close to Andy, so it will be a little more interesting from now on. If Mick doesn't get his result at Trestles, I am sure that the rest of us will be looking to get something good."

Slater sought sweet revenge in Semifinal 2 when he narrowly beat Dean Morrison (AUS) 13.83 to 13.76. Morrison beat Slater in Round 4 at the last Foster's ASP World Tour event in Chile. Morrison took out Irons in the Quarterfinals today but came up short in the Semis.

"It's always hard when one guy thinks he got the short end of the stick, but it happens to everyone at some point," Slater said.

Semifinal 1 served as a replay of last year's Billabong Pro JBay Final but with Burrow getting the better of Fanning this time.

"Taj surfed insanely the whole event, so he surfed good, it was just one of those heats," Fanning said. "You get to the semis and you want to make that final, but it just gets you more fired up really."

Fanning's consistency remains unchallenged this year but he knows as well as anyone how critical it will be to maintain his current form.

"I've had three 3rds and a 1st and a 2nd, so it's a good start, the pressure is more on those guys who have to pick up results," Fanning said. "I've just got to keep getting them.

The Foster's 45 will now enjoy a six week break before reconvening at Lower Trestles, California in September.

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Final Results:
Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.50 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 6.17

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Semifinal results:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 17.67 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.17
Heat 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 13.83 def. Dean Morisson (AUS) 13.76

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Quarterfinal results:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 17.33 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.50
Heat 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 14.93 def. Daniel Wills (AUS) 12.34
Heat 3: Dean Morisson (AUS) 12.66 def. Andy Irons (HAW) 11.50
Heat 4: Kelly Slater (USA) 19.23 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.33

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Round 4 results:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.66 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 7.00
Heat 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.00 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 9.17
Heat 3: Daniel Wills (AUS) 15.83 def. Travis Logie (ZAF) 11.10
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.66 def. Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 4.84
Heat 5: Andy Irons (HAW) 13.66 def. Fred Patacchia (HAW) 6.13
Heat 6: Dean Morrison (AUS) 12.50 def. Bobby Martinez (USA) 5.17
Heat 7: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.17 def. Luke Stedman (AUS) 12.23
Heat 8: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.00 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 14.53

Foster's ASP World Tour Ratings after the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay:
1. Mick Fanning (AUS) 4860 points
2. Taj Burrow (AUS) 4286 points
3. Andy Irons (HAW) 3921 points
4. Kelly Slater (USA) 3840 points
5. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 3804 points
6. Damien Hobgood (USA) 3599 points
7. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 3057 points
8. Daniel Wills (AUS) 2942 points
9. Dean Morrison (AUS) 2838 points
10. Travis Logie (ZAF) 2810 points

BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY LIKELY TO CROWN CHAMP TODAY

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Saturday, July 21, 2007) – The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, stop No. 5 of 10 on the Foster's ASP World Tour, is looking good to complete the remaining 15 heats today and crown the 2007 event champion.

After three days without any contestable swell, event officials made the call at first light to get competition underway. The long awaited swell has arrived in Jeffreys Bay and with soft offshore winds allowing for perfectly shaped right-handers, the world's best surfers are yet again getting a taste of what has been heralded 'the Dream Tour'.

Round 4 is underway in the clean and slowly building three foot (1 metre) swell, with some excellent match-ups scheduled during the day. First up will be former winner Joel Parkinson (AUS) against former finalist Taylor Knox (USA).

Round 4 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)
Heat 2: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Taj Burrow (AUS)
Heat 3: Daniel Wills (AUS) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 4: Pancho Sullivan (HAW) vs. Mick Fanning (AUS)
Heat 5: Andy Irons (HAW) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 6: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Dean Morrison (AUS)
Heat 7: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Luke Stedman (AUS)
Heat 8: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Adriano de Souza (BRA)

BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY OFF; WILL RUN THIS WEEKEND

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Friday, July 20, 2007) –The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, the 5th event of 10 on the Foster's ASP World Tour will not run today. There are two days left in the event waiting period and forecasts indicate that competition could wrap up tomorrow.

California's Taylor Knox (USA) will face 1999 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS) in the first heat of Round 4.

"Me versus Parko is a pretty good match up, because he is one of the best surfers out here," Knox said. "Really though it is just about me going out and having a fun and surfing. I'm not in control over what he does and he doesn't have any control over what I do, so hopefully it will be just a good surf off."

Knox, and the majority of surfers still in contention for the Billabong Pro JBay crown, share contest director Mike Parsons' sentiments about the swell at Supertubes.

"I think they are making a good decision by waiting, getting us some surf out there," Knox said. "I guess Mike made a great decision yesterday afternoon because it turned out to be pretty bad. Hopefully before dark, we see some good swell lines coming in. I think it is looking pretty good though. It looks to me like it is going to be a good five foot and really good direction. I think we had too much west in the last couple of swells, and we haven't really had a straight south yet and that is what these waves need."

Another call on competition status will be made tomorrow at 7am local time.

BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY WILL NOT RUN TODAY

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Thursday, July 19, 2007) – After careful deliberation, Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay event officials made the call to hold off competition for the day. Although there are some decent waves coming into the Supertubes lineup, contest director Mike Parsons is confident that there will be more contestable conditions later in the week.

The event, the 5th of 10 on the Foster's ASP World Tour, has three more days in which to run one full day's worth of surfing.

One South African, one Brazilian, three Americans, three Hawaiians and seven Australians remain in contention to win the Billabong Pro JBay crown. Another call on competition status will be made tomorrow at 7am local time.

NO BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY SURFING TODAY

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Wednesday, July 18, 2007) –Billabong Pro Jeffrey's Bay event officials monitored conditions at the contest break of Supertubes all morning before calling the event off for the day at 11am local time.

The event, the 5th of 10 on the Foster's ASP World Tour, has four more days in which to run one full day's worth of surfing. Event officials are confident that there will be enough swell to do so over the coming days.

BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY ROUND 3 COMPLETED

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Tuesday, July 17, 2007) –Foster's ASP World Tour surfers Bede Durbidge (AUS) and Adriano de Souza (BRA) have advanced to Round 4 of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay after winning their Round 3 heats today. The last two heats of Round 3 were wrapped up before the event was called off for the day.

Durbidge beat Brazil's Rodrigo Dornelles 13.84 to 11.17 in their 40-minute bout. Event officials increased the duration of the heats today to compensate for inconsistent conditions.

"It was really slow out there and there weren't many waves," Durbidge said. "Rodrigo and I probably got the only two waves with any scoring potential out there. There was no room for error because if you fell, that was your heat over. We had really tough conditions and a tough heat and I just got slightly higher scores on my waves than Rodrigo so that gave me the edge."

Durbidge will now face Brazilian Adriano de Souza who beat Bruce Irons (HAW) 15.00 to 13.66 in Heat 16.

"I am pretty happy to win over Bruce in this heat and go through to Round 4 where I will surf against Bede Durbidge who is a really really good surfer," de Souza said. "He got second place in the first event of the year and put pressure on all the guys."

Both surfers had excellent scoring waves in the 8-point range early in the heat, but de Souza's last-minute 6.87 trumped Irons' backup score of 5.33.

"I am happy that the contest organizers made the heat 40 minutes," de Souza said. "That's really good for me because I got my last wave at the very end. I am so happy to move to Round 4 because I need some points in order to stay on the Foster's ASP World Tour next year."

De Souza suffered an injury in the previous Foster's ASP World Tour event in Chile which forced him to withdraw from the contest. De Souza sits 31st on the world ratings and is looking for a strong result in Jeffreys Bay.

"In Chile I had a big cut in my head and I was so unlucky at Bells," de Souza said. "At Snapper and Tahiti the conditions in my heat were really bad. Hopefully I will get a win over Bede, get some points and be on the tour next year."

Heat 7 of Round 4 will pit 8X Foster's ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) against Australia's Luke Stedman. The regular-footed Australian finished ahead of Slater in their Round 1 heat at JBay in 2003 – Stedman's rookie year on tour.

"I have beaten him out here before, so it is going to be a great heat," Stedman said. "He is one of my favorite surfers and he surfs fantastically well out here. I won't be changing any of my preparations or my surfing out here. I feel that what I have done has been working so I am going to stick with it. I am just hoping that the waves are consistent and fun and I'm sure we will both have fun out there."

Only one full day of competition is needed to complete the 2007 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay. There are five days left in the event waiting period, which stretches until Sunday, July 22nd, 2007. The next call on competition status will be made tomorrow at 7am local time.

Visit the media center on www.aspworldtour.com for transcribed athlete interviews, downloadable wav files, hi-res images, heat by heat updates and more.

Round 3 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Results:
Heat 15: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 13.84 def. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) 11.17
Heat 16: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.00 def. Bruce Irons (HAW) 13.66

BILLABONG PRO BACK IN THE WATER AT JEFFREYS BAY

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Tuesday, July 17, 2007) – The Billabong Pro Jeffrey's Bay, stop No. 5 of 10 on the Foster's ASP World Tour, will kick into gear at noon local time. Clean three foot (one metre) conditions.

Contest Director Mike Parsons hopes to finish the last two heats of Round 3 before moving into Round 4. Round 3 heats will be 40 minutes long.

Current World No. 5 Joel Parkison (AUS), who will surf against California's Taylor Knox (USA) in the first heat of Round 4, is pleased to get things underway today. Parkinson's wife will give birth to their second child back home in Australia any day now.

"It's been hard and testing but that's what we do," Parkinson said. "We sit and we wait because we want the best waves and sitting here picking the eyes out of the conditions pays off."

Bede Durbidge (AUS) will take on Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) when the hooter blows at 12pm. Logon to www.aspworldtour.com or www.billabongpro.com to watch it LIVE!

Remaining Round 3 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Match-Ups:
Heat 15: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 16: Bruce Irons (HAW) vs. Adriano de Souza (BRA)

LAY DAY FOR BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY; SWELL ON THE HORIZON

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Monday, July 16, 2007) – The Billabong Pro Jeffrey's Bay, stop No. 5 of 10 on the Foster's ASP World Tour, will not run today. Small waves and a forecasted bump in swell later in the week has prompted event officials to call a lay day today, Monday, July 16, 2007.

Two heats of Round 3 remain. The first features Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA), the second Bruce Irons (HAW) vs. Adriano de Souza (BRA).

According to official Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay surf forecasters Surfline.com, a new swell looks like it will hit JBay on Wednesday, build throughout the day and stick around through Thursday morning. Only one full day of competition is needed to finish the event.

Another call on competition status will be made tomorrow at 7am local time.

Visit the media center on www.aspworldtour.com for transcribed athlete interviews, downloadable wav files, hi-res images, heat by heat updates and more.

Remaining Round 3 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Match-Ups:
Heat 15: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 16: Bruce Irons (HAW) vs. Adriano de Souza (BRA)

FIVE ROUND 3 HEATS COMPLETED AT BILLABONG PRO JBAY; SLATER ADVANCES

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Sunday, July 15, 2007) – Eight-time Foster's ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) made the most of the meager waves on offer to advance to Round 4 of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay today. Only five heats of Round 3 were completed before inconsistent conditions forced officials to put the remaining two heats of the round on hold.

Slater beat rookie Luke Munro (AUS) 17.00 to 12.33 in Heat13. Munro was given a small window of opportunity to change the situation but came up short.

"Luke [Munro] most likely could have got ahead of me on his last good ride, he only needed to better a 4.40, but I did have the advantage with an 8.00," Slater said. "He basically just needed to match that and put a little pressure on me. Had he done that, the last wave I caught would have been more nerve racking.

Slater scored a 9.00 out of 10.00 points on his last scoring ride. Munro caught the wave behind Slater's but needed a combination of excellent scoring rides to eliminate his friend at that point.

"I knew there were only one-wave sets out there and I took off and I didn't look behind to see if there was anything else – I just guessed there wasn't," Slater said. "But then I heard the commentator saying, 'Oh there is something behind this,' 'Luke is glad he went on this.' It wasn't enough but it is tough surfing against one of your best friends – it is always kind of bitter sweet."

Slater will surf against Luke Stedman (AUS) in Round 4.

"Luke [Stedman] is probably the most improved guy on tour over the last couple of years," Slater said. "He just ends up always getting on the good waves and doing the right thing in heats. He is a really tough competitor. He is a guy you don't always expect to do as well as his results speak, but if he comes out firing he'll put you against the ropes real quick. You have got to be really careful of a guy like that."

Stedman beat Mick Campbell (AUS) in a wave starved heat to advance to Round 4.

"Very slow, that was about the heat in general," Stedman said. "My surfing was slow too. Only two waves came through and I was fortunate enough to get them. Mick just had nothing and that was the heat."

Also advancing today was California's Bobby Martinez (USA). Martinez was named 2006 ASP Rookie of the Year after tying Mick Fanning (AUS) for the highest-ever rookie finish last year – 5th in the world. Currently sitting equal 17th after making the Quarterfinals at the last event in Chile, Martinez appears to be back on track after a slow start to the year.

"I don't know why things went how they did last year and things are going the way they are this year, but maybe that is just the way it is supposed to be for me," Martinez said. "It is definitely different – there are sleepless nights, I'm stressed out… I dream about it because I want to be here next year. I'm trying my best because I don't want it to end early. It is definitely different than last year for me, so it has been pretty difficult. Everything is a learning curve."

Martinez will meet Dean Morrison (AUS), who beat Bernardo Miranda (BRA) today, in Round 4. Fred Patacchia (HAW) eliminated Chris Ward (USA) this afternoon and will surf against fellow Hawaiian Andy Irons in the next round.

"I think it is going to be fun, we haven't had a man on man heat since I've been on tour," Patacchia said. "I think it will be a lot of fun, a lot of laughs, a lot of serious paddle battles, just for fun, just to do it, and I am looking forward to it. It is not everyday you get to surf against a world champion."

Another call on competition status will be made tomorrow at 7am. The final two heats of Round 3, eight heats of Round 4, plus the Quarters, Semis and Final are yet to come.

Visit the media center on www.aspworldtour.com for transcribed athlete interviews, downloadable wav files, hi-res images, heat by heat updates and more.

Today's Round 3 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Results
Heat 10: Frederick Patacchia (HAW) 11.50 def. Chris Ward (USA) 10.17
Heat 11: Bobby Martinez (USA) 15.84 def. Michael Lowe (AUS) 12.67
Heat 12: Dean Morrison (AUS) 15.34 def. Bernardo Miranda (BRA) 11.84
Heat 13: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.00; Luke Munro (AUS) 12.33
Heat 14: Luke Stedman (AUS) 12.50 def. Michael Campbell (AUS) 9.33

Remaining Round 3 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Match-Ups:
Heat 15: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 16: Bruce Irons (HAW) vs. Adriano de Souza (BRA)

JENNIFER SMITH CROWNED 2007 ASP WOMEN’S WORLD LONGBOARD CHAMPION

BIARRITZ, France (Sunday, July 15, 2007) – Jennifer Smith (USA) has been crowned the 2007 ASP Women's World Longboard Champion, following her victory in the Roxy ASP WWLC in Biarritz, France this afternoon.

"I feel so blessed to be in the situation I'm in right now," Smith said. "I made the final last year and lost, so to come back and make the final again and take the title is just an incredible feeling."

Smith attributed her board selection as a big part in both her semifinal and final victories.

"I rode my heavier board in these offshore conditions," Smith said. "It allowed me to get into the waves way earlier than my lighter board. It glides so well and longboarding is all about the glide."

Smith was quick to give credit to her opponent in the final, Justine Dupont (FRA).

"I was really on edge throughout the final," Smith said. "Justine is such a good surfer and has been getting really high scores throughout the whole event. She's only 15 and I have six years on her. She's not going anywhere. In six year's time, she is going to be absolutely annihilating it."

Dupont, surfing in her first ever senior professional event, was disappointed with her surfing in the final but pleased with her performance throughout the event.

"I didn't surf well in the final and didn't deserve to win," Dupont said. "But this whole week still feels like a dream. I can't really believe what I've achieved. It might take a little while to sink in."

Dupont took out Chelsea Williams (AUS) in their semifinal. After a strong start by Dupont, Williams was always playing catchup.

"I just couldn't get going out there," Williams said. "It was frustrating as I just couldn't find the waves. Still, I came 5th last year, and 3rd this time round, so hopefully next year I'll go all the way."

Janna Irons (HAW) lost her semifinal bout to eventual winner Smith. Irons, cousin to surfing superstars Andy and Bruce, was still happy with her best ever competitive result.

"I had a really bad surf in the semifinal," Irons said. "But I'm still so stoked with the result. And now I've won enough money that I won't have to work all summer."

For all the competitors thoughts will now turn to the 2008 Roxy ASP WWLC. For Jennifer Smith however, the new ASP Women's World Longboard Champion, she is soaking up her new status and looking forward to tonight's celebrations.

"I'm going to go out with all the girl surfers here and run around have a great time," Smith said. "We are out to celebrate and party in the streets of Biarritz."

Roxy ASP WWLC Final Results
Jennifer Smith (USA) 11.00 def. Justine Dupont (FRA) 11.50

Roxy ASP WWLC Semifinal Results – 1st to Final, 2nd eliminated
Semifinal 1: Justine Dupont (FRA) 11.50 def. Chelsea Williams (AUS) 7.95
Semifinal 2: Jennifer Smith (USA) 11.00 def. Janna Irons (HAW) 9.00

REMAINDER OF ROUND 3 RUNNING AT BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY TODAY

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Sunday, July 15, 2007) – Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay officials are eager to wrap up Round 3 this afternoon and the 35-minute heats will be underway shortly.

Heats 10 through 16 will run in clean three foot (one metre) waves at Supertubes today. Eight-time world champion Kelly Slater (USA) will surf against Foster's ASP World Tour rookie Luke Munro in Heat 13.

Munro, who is surfing Round 3 for the first time, has a fierce opponent in Slater. It will be their first man-on-man heat together.

"It's weird because we went out to dinner last night and were talking and everything but I woke up this morning and there's a different feeling in the air," Munro said. "There won't be any talking in the water today."

Log on to www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com to watch the rest of Round 3 LIVE!

Remaining Round 3 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Match-Ups:
Heat 10: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Frederick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 11: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Michael Lowe (AUS)
Heat 12: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Bernardo Miranda (BRA)
Heat 13: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 14: Michael Campbell (AUS) vs. Luke Stedman (AUS)
Heat 15: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 16: Bruce Irons (HAW) vs. Adriano de Souza (BRA)

ASP WOMEN’S WORLD LONGBOARD TITLE TO BE DECIDED TODAY AT ROXY ASP WWLC

BIARRITZ, France (Sunday, July 15, 2007) – It is set to be a historic day in women's longboarding as the Roxy ASP WWLC concludes in Biarritz. Only four surfers remain in the championships with the semifinals and final scheduled for the afternoon.

Once again the sun is shining and fun waves are breaking on the great Biarritz banks guaranteeing some exceptional surfing. 15-year-old Justine Dupont (FRA) will today be looking to create history by becoming the youngest senior professional ASP World Champion. To do that she'll first have to overcome in form Chelsea Williams (AUS) in Semifinal 1.

"I've worked so hard to get where I am right now," Williams said. "And I'm pretty determined to win the event."

In the Semifinal 2, Jenni Smith (USA) will be trying to go one better than last year and take out the world title. Smith has been one of the form surfers of the whole competition and with her experience from last year's final is in with a massive chance of being crowned the 2007 Roxy ASP Women's Longboard Champion.

"I'm not even thinking that far ahead just yet," Smith said. "I had the disappointment of last year and there's still two heats to surf. I'm just going to do my best and hopefully my surfing will look after the rest."

Smith will surf against Janna Irons (HAW) in the semifinal. Hailing from the famous extended surfing clan in Kauai and a cousin to superstars Andy and Bruce, Irons has already exceeded her own expectations.

"I'm so stoked to have even made it this far," said Irons. "It's already my best ever result and now everyone has a chance to win. You never know."

While it may be hard to top yesterday's action that featured incredible waves and culminated in an Evian Expression Session in front of a massive Bastille Day crowd at Biarritz Grande Plage, with the world championship on the line and five days of intense action coming down to one 30 minute final, today is all set up to be a historic day in women's longboarding.

Roxy ASP WWLC Semifinal Match Ups – 1st to Final, 2nd eliminated
Semifinal 1: Justine Dupont (FRA) vs. Chelsea Williams (AUS)
Semifinal 2: Jennifer Smith (USA) vs. Janna Irons (HAW)

15-YEAR-OLD UNKNOWN STORMS INTO SEMIFINALS OF ROXY ASP WWLC

BIARRITZ, France (Saturday, July 14, 2007) – Justine Dupont, a 15-year-old French surfer competing in her first ever professional competition has stormed into the semifinals of the Roxy ASP WWLC. Dupont dominated her quarterfinal against Crystal Dzigas (HAW), scoring 15.50 points out a possible 20, the highest heat score of the day.

I'm so happy, it was like being in heaven, with just two surfers in the water and good waves," Dupont said.

Dupont opened her account with an 8.0 ride and was never threatened throughout the 25 minute quarterfinal.

"After I rode my first wave, I was just cool and really relaxed." Dupont said. "Tonight I will be stressed and excited and maybe not sleep too well. But tomorrow, I will just do my best. Now everyone left has a chance to win, to be the world champion."

Dupont will face Chelsea Williams (AUS) in the first semifinal that is scheduled to be held tomorrow. Williams overcame Julie Cox (USA) in Quarterfinal 2. Earlier Cox had caused one of the major upsets of the event when she eliminated the defending champion and 2006 World Champion Schuyler McFerran in Round 4.

However Cox couldn't match the powerful Australian in her quarterfinal.

"I definitely prefer a more aggressive and progressive approach to my surfing," Williams said. "And I'm quite proud to be the only Australian left in the event."

Up against the giant killing Dupont, Williams is not about to alter her strategy.

"I don't know much about her, but look, I'll do my thing and she'll do her thing and hopefully the best surfer will win," Williams said. "I won't change my approach, I'll just keep enjoying myself and do my best to become the world champion."

The other semi final sees Jennifer Smith (USA) up against Janna Irons (HAW). Smith, runner up in last year's Roxy ASP WWLC, is probably the favourite now for the title and has been in incredible form.

"I'm not thinking about the world title, I'm just thinking about the semifinal," Smith said. "I was lucky in that quarterfinal to be in the right position for the big waves and get some big scores."

Her opponent Janna Irons also isn't thinking too far ahead.

"Whatever happens tomorrow, I'll be happy," Irons said. "I'm just so stoked to get this far. No matter what, I'll be out tomorrow night with all the girls enjoying myself."

The semifinal and final are scheduled for tomorrow morning local time. By lunchtime we will have a new ASP Women's World Longboard Champion.

Roxy ASP WWLC Semifinal Match Ups – 1st to Final, 2nd eliminated
Semifinal 1: Justine Dupont (FRA) vs. Chelsea Williams (AUS)
Semifinal 2: Jennifer Smith (USA) vs. Janna Irons (HAW)

Roxy ASP WWLC Round 3 Results – 1st to Round 4, 2nd eliminated
Heat 13: Jennifer Flanigan (USA) 9.40 def. Claire Karabatsos (FRA) 7.55
Heat 14: Coline Menard (FRA) 9.10 def. Karina Abras (BRA) 8.40
Heat 15: Janna Irons (HAW) 14.50 def. Yuki Suzuki (JPN) 8.25
Heat 16: Kelly Nicely (USA) 7.50 def. Yuko Shimajiri (JPN) 8.25

Roxy ASP WWLC Round 4 Results – 1st to Quarterfinal, 2nd eliminated
Heat 1: Crystal Dzigas (HAW) 9.55 def. Kassia Meador (USA) 9.
Heat 2: Justine Dupont (FRA) 5.80 def. Selby Riddle (AUS) 5.75
Heat 3: Chelsea Williams (AUS) 10.75 def. Mary Osborne (USA) 7.70
Heat 4: Julie Cox (USA) 12.25 def. Schuyler McFerran (USA) 6.50
Heat 5: Jennifer Smith (USA) 8.35 def. Miku Uemera (HAW) 8.35
Heat 6: Joy Magelssen (HAW) 10.20 def. Leah Dawnson (USA)
Heat 7: Jennifer Flanigan (USA) 7.00 def. Coline Menard (FRA) 7.00
Heat 8: Janna Irons (HAW) 11.50 def. Yuko Shimajiri (JPN) 8.25

Roxy ASP WWLC Quarterfinal Results - 1st to Semifinal, 2nd eliminated
QF1: Justine Dupont (FRA) 15.50 def. Crystal Dzigas (HAW) 7.25
QF2: Chelsea Williams (AUS) 13.00 def. Julie Cox (USA) 11.75
QF3: Jennifer Smith (USA) 15.25 vs Joy Magelssen (USA) 14.65
QF4: Janna Irons (HAW) 14.50 def Jennifer Flanagan (USA) 8.75

WORLD TITLE TO BE FOUGHT OUT IN INCREDIBLE WAVES

BIARRITZ, France (Saturday, July 14, 2007) – Almost 50 years to the day that the first surfer took to the water on this beautiful stretch of the Cote de Basque, the Roxy ASP WWLC is up and running today in excellent conditions at Biarritz.

"It's going to be an awesome day, you can tell," Jennifer Smith (USA) said. "The waves are really good and there are so many good surfers competing today, it's going to be epic."

Smith, last year's runner up, is one of those surfers that will feature later in the day as organisers hope to complete Round 4. She'll be aiming to go one step better in the 2007 Roxy ASP WWLC.

She is not alone in that regard, as the 20 surfers left in the event all have their minds and bodies focussed on the ultimate prize on offer at this event; the 2007 ASP Women's World Longboard title.

"Everyone left here now is thinking about the world title," said Crystal Dzigas (HAW). "And as we all get closer, that's the main focus, that's what we are here for."

Dzigas, who had a great victory in her Round 3 heat yesterday, will face one of the event favourites Kassia Meador in the first heat of Round 4. That contest is just a sample of the incredible list of match ups that will feature today in the Roxy ASP WWLC.

Roxy ASP WWLC Round 3 Match ups – 1st to Round 3, 2nd eliminated
Heat 13: Claire Karabatsos (FRA) vs Jennifer Flanigan (USA)
Heat 14: Coline Menard (FRA) vs Karina Abras (BRA)
Heat 15: Janna Irons (HAW) vs Yuki Suzuki (JPN)
Heat 16: Kelly Nicely (USA) vs Yuko Shimajiri (JPN)

BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY OFF FOR THE DAY

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Saturday, July 14, 2007) –Surfers on the Foster's ASP World Tour will enjoy a break today; the remainder of the Billabong Pro Jeffrey's Bay Round 3 has been called off for the day.

Fred Patacchia (HAW) will take on Chris Ward (USA) when competition does resume. The two, who are friends, have never met in man-on-man competition before.

"I was watching Chris Ward's heat the other day and he was surfing really good," Patacchia said. "We have been hanging out the whole time too, so it is a bummer that you've got a friend in a heat, but at the same time we are all friends on this tour so you are bound to take one of them out, or they are bound to take you out, every now and then. It is just the way it goes. I know Chris is going to be trying his best and I am going to be trying my best at the same time."

A day and a half of competition remains to be run and there are eight days left in the event waiting period. According to official Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay forecasters Surfline.com, there is a good chance the event will be back on tomorrow.

Visit the media center on www.aspworldtour.com for transcribed athlete interviews, downloadable wav files, hi-res images, heat by heat updates and more.

Yesterday's Round 3 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Results:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.83 def. Trent Munro (AUS) 10.90
Heat 2: Taylor Knox (USA) 12.07 def. Ricky Basnett (ZAF) 11.83
Heat 3: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 12.50 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 9.00
Heat 4: Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.83 def. Neco Padaratz (BRA) 6.00
Heat 5: Danny Wills (AUS) 14.67 def. Royden Bryson (ZAF) 8.34
Heat 6: Travis Logie (ZAF) 14.33 def. Greg Emslie (ZAF) 10.90
Heat 7: Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 9.33 def. CJ Hobgood (USA) 6.66
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.34 def. Shaun Payne (ZAF) 9.27
Heat 9: Andy Irons (HAW) def. Warwick Wright (ZAF) 10.33

BIG SEEDS AND SHARKS STIR THINGS UP AT BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Friday, July 13, 2007) –World No. 1 Mick Fanning (AUS) dominated day three of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay much the way he's commanded Foster's ASP World Tour competition since winning the event last year.

Fanning has finished in the quarterfinals or better in each of the 10 elite tour competitions since that victory, a feat that has positioned him as the most consistent surfer on tour the past 12 months. His 15.34 to 9.27 win over wildcard Shaun Payne (ZAF) earned him the second highest combined total of the 19 heats run today – the first, a 16.83, was posted by Joel Parkinson (AUS).

"I am just more relaxed," Fanning said. "I have been to every event a fair few times now so I just get comfortable and remember when I have done well in those events and what worked, you know, that's all it is – just getting comfortable."

Andy Irons (HAW) comfortably defeated wildcard Warwick Wright (ZAF) but not before watching Fanning do the same to his wildcard foe the heat prior.

"I watch what Mick is doing," Irons said. "I watch his surfing like I used to watch Kelly's but I try not to let it affect me too much and I don't try to do what they're doing because I'm not them. I am a different surfer and I will probably fall or dig rail surfing like them. It definitely motivates me to try harder in my heats though."

The elimination of World No. 2 Damien Hobgood yesterday has laid the foundation for a friendly Irons and Fanning rivalry. Mick Lowe (AUS) had a less friendly encounter in his Round 2 heat against Phil Macdonald (AUS).

"I saw a shark," Lowe said. "Phil caught a wave and while the wave was feathering across from Boneyards, I saw it. It did a U-turn to head back and it was no dolphin, it had a girth on it. I saw its white belly and I've never seen one before, but I have seen them on the TV and that's exactly what it looked like."

Lowe won his heat but was quick to check to clarify protocol with event staff once back on safe shores. Taj Burrow (AUS) surfed a few heats later and won as well, but was definitely on guard given he had a shark sighting of his own in 2003.

"Lowe spotted a shark, claiming it was a great white and we know they are out there so I was sort of freaked out," Burrow said. "I think they introduced a new rule today, if you see a shark, you wave your hands in the air, point at the water and head in. When the Beach Marshall gave me my singlet and told me to do that if I saw a shark, I was like 'what!' It was pretty freaky. I am glad I didn't have to put my hands in the air that heat!"

South Africans Greg Emslie and Travis Logie may be more accustomed to the sharky conditions than their Foster's ASP World Tour counterparts, but it was Logie who looked most at home at today. He beat Emslie in a rather one-sided affair.

"Greg is a very good competitor and JBay suits his surfing to a tee, so I knew I was up against it," Logie said. "But my boards were going really good and I was patient waiting for some good ones and didn't make any mistakes so I think I surfed a pretty smart heat."

Logie is the last of seven South Africans who were seeded into the Billabong Pro Jeffrey's Bay. He is currently rated equal 9th on the Foster's ASP World Tour.

"It is my third year now and I think I am finally starting to feel really comfortable in the man on man heats and starting to use my priority the right way," Logie said. "It has been a good consistent year for me and hopefully I can move on to bigger things from here."

Brazilians Rodrigo Dornelles and Bernardo Miranda won their Round 2 bouts and will surf Round 3 when competition recommences.

Another call on competition status will be made tomorrow at 7am. There are seven more heats of Round 3 to run in addition to Round 4, the Quarters, Semis and Final – approximately one and a half days of surfing are required to wrap up the Billabong Pro Jeffrey's Bay.

Visit the media center on www.aspworldtour.com for transcribed athlete interviews, downloadable wav files, hi-res images, heat by heat updates and more.

Today's Round 3 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Results:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.83 def. Trent Munro (AUS) 10.90
Heat 2: Taylor Knox (USA) 12.07 def. Ricky Basnett (ZAF) 11.83
Heat 3: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 12.50 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 9.00
Heat 4: Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.83 def. Neco Padaratz (BRA) 6.00
Heat 5: Danny Wills (AUS) 14.67 def. Royden Bryson (ZAF) 8.34
Heat 6: Travis Logie (ZAF) 14.33 def. Greg Emslie (ZAF) 10.90
Heat 7: Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 9.33 def. CJ Hobgood (USA) 6.66
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.34 def. Shaun Payne (ZAF) 9.27
Heat 9: Andy Irons (HAW) def. Warwick Wright (ZAF) 10.33

Today's Round 2 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Results:
Heat 7: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.84 def. Troy Brooks (AUS) 11.84
Heat 8: Michael Campbell (AUS) 11.67 def. Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 9.00
Heat 9: Chris Ward (USA) 14.66 def. Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 11.40
Heat 10: Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) 14.10 def. Ben Dunn (AUS) 11.83
Heat 11: Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 15.66 def. Dayyan Neve (AUS) 11.57
Heat 12: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 12.67 def. Victor Ribas (BRA) 6.83
Heat 13: Michael Lowe (AUS) 11.84 def. Phillip MacDonald (AUS) 7.17
Heat 14: Bernardo Miranda (BRA) 13.00 def. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 12.00
Heat 15: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 14.67 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 11.40
Heat 16: Ricky Basnett (ZAF) 11.83 def. Leonardo Neves (BRA) 8.83

BIG GUNS AND NOBODIES PRODUCE MASSIVE SCORES AT THE ROXY ASP WWLC

BIARRITZ, France (Friday, July 13, 2007) –The Roxy ASP WWLC produced a day of incredible surfing with the event's big guns and a few "nobodies" cranking up the heat totals in Biarritz, France. The high scoring was kick-started by a relatively unknown Justine Dupont (FRA) in Heat 4. The 15-year-old scored a massive two-wave total of 17.25 out of a possible 20.00.

"This is my first ever senior competition so I'm just so happy to get through," Dupont said. "I'm a nobody really and I don't really know any of the other girls, expect for some of the French competitors, but I'm really motivated to achieve as much as possible at the event."

Dupont's efforts raised the bar for the more experienced event favourites as they hit the water. In the following heat, Chelsea Williams (AUS) surfed incredibly, to beat Claire Dereux (FRA) after posting a 9.00 for one wave.

"I only scored a few 5.00 rides at the start, so I knew I had to pull out the big moves," Williams said. "So when I had a nice section I went for a hang ten and the judges scored it really well."

Last year's Roxy ASP WWLC runner up Jenni Smith (USA) also had to pull out the big moves, as she was surfing against one of the sport's future stars, 14-year-old Kelia Moniz (HAW).

"I was so stressed about getting taken out of the competition by a grom," Smith said. "It was good to take her out, because, guaranteed, she is going to be a future world champion."

Smith took out Moniz with a 9.50 ride, the highest individual wave score of the event so far.

"Yeah I had the toes on the nose right at the takeoff, then I did a cutback and a little floater and that was it," Smith said. "Getting the pinkies over the nose, that's the hardest, most critical turn there is and I knew the judges were scoring it big."

It was near the end of the day that the judges were really forced to go big, with an amazingly high scoring heat between Joy Magellsen (HAW) and Lindsay Steinriede (USA). Magellsen ended up victorious, posting an incredible heat score of 18.90, the highest of the competition.

"I didn't plan to have such a high score, I just went out there to have fun and it paid off," Magelssen said. "You take those heats when you can. We were lucky we just had the prime conditions and the waves were amazing."

Just after that amazing exchange, the increasing tide led organisers to end the competition for the day. A building swell is predicted for tomorrow and an early start should see the remaining four heats of Round 3 and the whole of Round 4 completed. If today's scores and surfing are anything to go by, we are in for another incredible day of longboarding.

Roxy ASP WWLC Round 3 Results – 1st to Round 3, 2nd eliminated
Heat 1: Kassia Meador (USA) 11.50 def. Isabelle Braley (USA) 7.20
Heat 2: Crytsal Dzigas (HAW) 12.50 def. Summer Romero (USA) 12.00
Heat 3: Selby Riddle (AUS) 9.00 def. Kirsty Webster (AUS) 6.65
Heat 4: Justine Dupont (FRA) 17.25 def. Kaitlin McGuire (USA) 12.60
Heat 5: Chelsea Williams 16.25 (AUS) def. Claire Dereux (FRA) 7.85
Heat 6: Mary Osborne (USA) 13.00 def. Sabrina Olas (BRA) 3.50
Heat 7: Estitxu Estremo (SPN) 8.5 def. Julie Cox (USA) 11.25
Heat 8: Schuyler McFerran (USA) 14.00 def. Emma Neuschwanger (REU) 7.00
Heat 9: Jennifer Smith (USA) 16.50 def. Kelia Moniz (HAW) 11.50
Heat 10: Miku Uemura (HAW) 11.75 def. Cristiana Peres (BRA) 6.25
Heat 11: Joy Magelssen (USA) 18.90 def. Lindsay Steinride (USA) 15.65
Heat 12: Leah Dawnson (USA) 14.15 def. Helene Chaubaud (FRA) 8.25

SEARCH FOR 2007 ASP WOMEN'S WORLD LONGBOARDING CHAMPION CONTINUES

BIARRITZ, France (Friday, July 13, 2007) – Round 3 of the Roxy ASP WWLC, the premier event in women's longboarding, is all set to run today. Only 32 competitors remain in the competition and today's heats will once again be sudden death one-on-one. By the end of the competition only one of these surfers will be able to call themselves the 2007 ASP Women's World Longboarding Champion.

At the moment that title belongs to Schuyler McFerran. The defending champion surfs in Heat 8 against 16-year-old Emma Neuschwanger from Reunion Island. McFerran had a quick warm up surf this morning and exited relaxed and excited.

"The waves are small, but really good fun," McFerran said. "There are so many good surfers still in the competition, so it looks like it's going to be a great day."

Jenni Smith (USA), who was runner up in last year's event agreed. "All the girls are now getting pretty amped. The pressure is building and we've scored excellent conditions. I just can't wait for my heat," Smith said.

Yesterday's great weather and incredible surfing ensured huge crowds lined the beach here at Biarritz and even more are expected today. The Roxy ASP WWLC also incorporates a large number of music, art and cultural events as well as celebrating the 50th anniversary of surfing in the Cote de Basque.

Roxy ASP WWLC Round 3 Match-Ups – 1st to Round 3, 2nd eliminated
Heat 1: Kassia Meador (USA) vs Isabelle Braley (AUS)
Heat 2: Crystal Dzigas (HAW) vs Summer Romero (USA)
Heat 3: Selby Riddle (AUS) vs Kirsty Webster (AUS)
Heat 4: Kaitlin McGuire (USA) vs Justine Dupont (FRA)
Heat 5: Chelsea Williams (AUS) vs Claire Dereux (FRA)
Heat 6: Mary Osborne (USA) vs Sabrina Olas (BRA)
Heat 7: Estitxu Estremo (SPN) vs Julie Cox (USA)
Heat 8: Schuyler McFerran (USA) vs Emma Neuschwanger (REU)
Heat 9: Jennifer Smith (USA) vs Kelia Moniz
Heat 10: Cristiana Peres (BRA) vs Miku Uemura (HAW)
Heat 11: Joy Magelssen (USA) vs Lindsay Steinride (USA)
Heat 12: Leah Dawnson (USA) vs Helene Chaubaud (FRA)
Heat 13: Claire Karabatsos (FRA) vs Jennifer Flanigan (USA)
Heat 14: Coline Menard (FRA) vs Karina Abras (BRA)
Heat 15: Janna Irons (HAW) vs Yuki Suzuki (JPN)
Heat 16: Kelly Nicely (USA) vs Yuko Shimajiri (JPN)

ROUND 2 BACK IN ACTION AT BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Friday, July 13, 2007) –Line after line of swell saw Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay officials send Heat 7 of Round 2 out at 7:30am this morning. French rookie Jeremy Flores and Australia's Troy Brooks are featured first.

Heat 8 pits former Billabong Pro JBay Champion Mark Occhilupo (AUS) against returning veteran Michael Campbell (AUS) – it is sure to be an epic match-up given the stellar four to six foot (one to two metre) conditions on offer.

Round 2 Heats 1 through 6 were run yesterday afternoon and the remaining 10 heats will be wrapped up today. Early Round 3 competition will begin immediately after.

The Billabong Pro JBay is the 5th of 10 stops on the 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour.

Visit the media center on www.aspworldtour.com for transcribed athlete interviews, downloadable wav files, hi-res images, heat by heat updates and more.

Upcoming Round 2 Match-ups:
Heat 7: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Troy Brooks (AUS)
Heat 8: Michael Campbell (AUS) vs. Mark Occhilupo (AUS)
Heat 9: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Shaun Cansdell (AUS)
Heat 10: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 11: Pancho Sullivan (HAW) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 12: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Victor Ribas (BRA)
Heat 13: Phillip MacDonald (AUS) vs. Michael Lowe (AUS)
Heat 14: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) vs. Bernardo Miranda (BRA)
Heat 15: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 16: Ricky Basnett (ZAF) vs. Leonardo Neves (BRA)

BURROW TOP SCORES AND WILDCARDS ADVANCE AT BILLABONG PRO JBAY

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Thursday, July 12, 2007) – Two of three Billabong Pro Jeffrey's Bay wildcards are through to Round 3 after surviving Round 2 elimination today – Foster's ASP World No. 2 Damien Hobgood (USA) was among the top seeds dispatched.

Hobgood lost to local JBay surfer Shaun Payne (ZAF) by less than a point – his 10.50 out of 20.00 point heat total trumped Payne's 11.33.

"I've probably got an advantage since JBay is my homebreak and I get to surf it whenever it's good," Payne said. "I guess that's why the South African wildcards always do so well."

Payne will meet World No. 1 Mick Fanning (AUS) in Round 3.

"Mick smoked me in my last heat," Payne said. "I fell a lot and got comboed but I'll give it another shot in Round 3."

Warwick Wright (ZAF) eliminated last year's world No. 8 in Tom Whitaker (AUS) today.

"Tommy is an unbelievable surfer," Wright said. "He was lucky and caught a couple waves, but I got all the good ones so I am super chuffed about it and we will see what happens in the next round."

Wright will meet in-form 3X Foster's ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW) in the next round. Irons won last month's elite tour event in Chile and Wright was candid about his strategy against the current World No. 3.

"I don't know how to prepare for a heat like that," Wright said. "You've just got to find the best waves I suppose. These guys are the best you know and it is great to surf against them – I just hope I surf my best."

Taj Burrow (AUS) surfed his best and was awarded a perfect 10.00 score for his efforts against wildcard Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF). Burrow found four separate cover-up sections on a reeling right-hand wave to nab the score.

"It's pretty hard to get a 10.00 these days so you know that when you get one you have earned it, so I am stoked," Burrow said. "Damien had priority and he took the first one in the set but the second one looked dreamy and like it was going to line up for a pipe. Each little section was really nice and looked like it was getting hollower and hollower – I just snuck out the end."

Burrow was rated World No. 2 after winning the Foster's ASP World Tour event in Bells Beach in April, but dropped two spots to 4th after an early Round 3 exit in Chile last month. Burrow has finished World Title runner-up twice and is hyper aware of what it takes to go that next step.

"To be in contention for a world title every event from now on has to be a keeper for me," Burrow said. "I just want to make a win."

Neco Padaratz (BRA) scored a 9.33 on a deep barrel to advance through his first heat this year. The Brazilian was elated and indicated that he is eager to achieve results akin to those he posted prior to an elite tour suspension for performance enhancing drugs.

"I haven't got through a heat this year and am 44th at the moment," Padaratz said. "This has never happened in my life before, so I am getting a bit frustrated with myself. I left the tour here in 2005, and I think I am coming back to take my next step and this is it. This is a new start. Everything is getting back to normal."

The first six heats of Round 2 were completed this afternoon. Seven heats of Round 1 ran first prior to the second round action. Reigning world champion Kelly Slater (USA) advanced through the first heat of the day and had this to say on the now defunct rumors regarding his retirement after the last Foster's ASP World Tour event in Chile:

"I've been wanting to experiment with equipment and my mind has been elsewhere with a lot of things this year, so I really haven't had the focus I have had the last two years—maybe I will come around though, I am going to stick with it. I'm happy to be here in Jbay, Trestles has been a good event for me and I love going to France, so those are the next three. The last two years came my way and this year has been more of a struggle so far, but its fine – you've got to pay your dues."

Another call on competition status will be made tomorrow at 7am and with the current swell forecasted to hang around, competition could commence as early as 7:10.

Visit the media center on www.aspworldtour.com for transcribed athlete interviews, downloadable wav files, hi-res images, heat by heat updates and more.

Today Round 1 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Results:
Heat 10: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.17, Warwick Wright (ZAF) 8.83, Chris Ward (USA) 5.20
Heat 11: Travis Logie (ZAF) 15.66, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 15.50, Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) 8.40
Heat 12: Dean Morrison (AUS) 11.57, Dayyan Neve (AUS) 11.10, Ricky Bassnett (ZAF) 8.43
Heat 13: Bruce Irons (HAW) 11.83, Leonardo Neves (BRA) 11.50, Victor Ribas (BRA) 9.77
Heat 14: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.67, Cory Lopez (USA) 11.93, Michael Lowe (AUS) 7.26
Heat 15: Royden Bryson (ZAF) 14.17, Josh Kerr (AUS) 12.30, Kai Otton (AUS) 11.87
Heat 16: Greg Emslie (ZAF) 13.16, Taylor Knox (USA) 11.83, Bernardo Miranda (BRA) 6.34

FAVOURITES SURVIVE SUDDEN DEATH AT ROXY ASP WWLC

BIARRITZ, France (Thursday, July 11, 2007) – The natural world order has been restored at the Roxy ASP WWLC in Biarritz, with the big guns of the event prevailing in fun conditions.

The first heat of the day saw last year's semifinalist and local surfer Claire Karabatsos take a relaxed approach and progress through the first of the event's sudden death, one on one, heats.

"I wasn't nervous, I was just enjoying the experience," Karabatsos said. "My local spot is Biarritz Grande Plage, just around the corner, so I come to surf here often. I love it. The waves, the backdrop of the mountains. So it was good to wake up and just go surfing."

Karabatsos has a simple, uncluttered approach to surfing and doesn't change it when she is surfing in competition, even if it is the biggest of the year, like the Roxy ASP WWLC.

"I'm relaxed, you know –it is easy." Karabatsos said. "You wait for the hooter and you just surf and then when the hooter goes again, you stop surfing. That is all there is to it really."

This laidback approach proved effective as she overcome Tory Gilkerson (USA) to advance to Round 3. In contrast in style, if not effect, was another event favourite Kassia Meador's progression through to Round 3.

"I was definitely nervous," Meador said. "Especially surfing against Kelly Sloan (USA) who I know from back home and who's definitely beaten me a couple a times in contests."

"I was just trying to stay calm and not think too much about it, because I can get into my head way too easily and once I start thinking about things I can unravel. Last night I was trying not to worry about it go and watch some live music and hang out. It was almost better just to get it over with early this morning and not stress in the corner all day."

Despite the nerves, Meador surfed as stylishly and as controlled as ever and easily won her heat.

"I'm stoked I made it," Meador said, "and I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

Another surfer whose performance pushed her into favourite contention was Chelsea Williams (AUS). The small naturalfooter has had an incredible competitive run lately, winning the last four professional events she has entered in Australia, and today kept the run going with the day's highest heat score, a 15.75 out of a possible 20.00.

"Yes, I've won pretty much everything I've gone in lately," Williams said. "But the standard over here is much, much higher, the best in the world, so I'm just taking it heat by heat."

Williams, whose local wave is the freight train barrels of the Gold Coast's Superbank, had to deal with quite different conditions here in Biarritz. "Yeah, the waves were pretty slow and fat, but at least it was nice and clean."

Another surfer forced to adapt to changing conditions to succeed was Miku Uemura (HAW), whose heat score of 13.00 was too much for her opponent Cristiana Peres (BRA).

"I was super nervous actually," said Uemura who hails from a famous Hawaiian surf family, but also has Japanese citizenship.

"I've just been surfing the Japanese shortboard circuit, so I haven't ridden my longboard for a while," Uemura said. "But I scored that fun wave and it felt good. I'm so stoked to still be in the competition."

Halfway through the afternoon a rising high tide forced organisers to postpone the competition. The last three heats of Round 2 are scheduled to be recommencing at about 6.00pm local time this evening.

By that stage many of today's loser's, eliminated from the premier women's longboarding event in the world, will have one eye on the night's festivities. Brazilian punk pop pranksters CSS are lined up tonight, just one of the many gigs, art shows and celebrations that are being held in conjunction with the Roxy Jam.

For the rest of the surfers still involved in the competition, the celebrations will have to wait. They are still in the running for the Roxy ASP WWLC and with more waves predicted and all the big guns still in contention, they know both the pressure and level of surfing is about to be cranked right up.

Roxy ASP WWLC Round 2 Match-Ups – 1st to Round 3, 2nd eliminated
Heat 14: Kirsty Webster (AUS) vs. Myriam Imaz (SPN)
Heat 15: Summer Romero (USA) vs. Gaelle Szymkowiak (FRA)
Heat 16: Angela Bauer (BRA) vs. Helene Chabeaud (FRA)

Roxy ASP WWLC Round 2 Results – 1st to Round 3, 2nd eliminated
Heat 1: Claire Karabatsos (FRA) 10.90 def. Tory Gilkerson (USA) 7.75
Heat 2: Kassia Meador (USA) 12.75 def. Kelly Sloan (USA) 7.20
Heat 3: Janna Irons (HAW) 13.50 def. Malia Fuertes (USA) 6.05
Heat 4: Chelsea Williams (AUS) 15.75 def. Kelly Coward (USA) 7.25
Heat 5: Ashley Lloyd (USA) 11.00 def. Jenni Flanigan (USA) 9.00
Heat 6: Selby Riddle (AUS) 10.15 def. Caroline Angibeaud (FRA) 5.30
Heat 7: Coline Menard (FRA) 13.25 def. Rosie Locke (AUS) 4.75
Heat 8: Melanie Fosse (FRA) 13.50 def. Lindsay Steiniede (USA) 9.75
Heat 9: Claire Dereux (FRA) 14.75 def. Clemence Godinaud (FRA) 8.35.
Heat 10: Cristiana Pires (BRA) 10.35 def. Hanalei Reponty (TAH) 5.20
Heat 11: Julie Cox (USA) def. Marie Vigne (FRA) inj
Heat 12: Miku Uemura 13.00 (HAW) def. Candice O'Donnell (GBR) 7.25
Heat 13: Karina Abras (BRA) 9.10 def. Nathalie Destandau (FRA) 4.90

REMAINDER OF ROUND 1 BILLABONG PRO JBAY BACK ON AT 10AM

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Thursday, July 12, 2007) – The remainder of Round 1 of the Billabong Jeffreys Bay will commence at 10am this morning.

Three to four foot (one metre plus) and building swell has ushered the world's best out at Supertubes. First up is 8X Foster's ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) versus California's Chris Ward and South African Wildcard Warwick Wright.

Surfline.com, the official surf forecasting partner of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, are indicating that competitiors could be surfing sets as large as eight to 12 feet (two to three metres) by this afternoon.

Officials will run as many heats as possible today to take full advantage of the excellent swell on offer.

Logon to www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com to watch it LIVE!

Remaining Round 1 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Match-Ups:
Heat 10: Kelly Slater (USA), Chris Ward (USA), Warwick Wright (ZAF)
Heat 11: Travis Logie (ZAF), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 12: Dean Morrison (AUS), Ricky Bassnett (ZAF), Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 13: Bruce Irons (HAW), Leonardo Neves (BRA), Victor Ribas (BRA)
Heat 14: Cory Lopez (USA), Adriano de Souza (BRA), Michael Lowe (AUS)
Heat 15: Kai Otton (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS), Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 16: Taylor Knox (USA), Bernardo Miranda (BRA), Greg Emslie (ZAF)

SUDDEN DEATH ROUND 2 UNDERWAY AT ROXY ASP WWLC

BIARRITZ, France (Wednesday, July 12, 2007) – Sunny skies and light winds greeted competitors, organisers and spectators of the Roxy ASP WWLC this morning and the call was made to start Round 2 at 8.30am local time. The aim is to progress through all 16 heats of the sudden death one-on-one Round 2 today.

There will be time to draw breath as the round's early heats feature some of the big guns of the event. In Heat 1, local Biarritz surfer and last year's semifinalist, Claire Karabatsos (FRA), is up against the young up-and-comer Tory Gilkerson (USA).

Immediately following that heat sees one of the event favourites, Kassia Meador, surfing against Kelly Sloan (USA). The pressure will be on the favourites to progress, but with the depth of women's longboarding at an all-time high and with a world championship on the line, there will be no easy heats.

The losers know they will make an early exit from the biggest event in women's longboarding and will instead turn their attention to the myriad of concerts, art shows and cultural events that are associated with the Roxy ASP WWLC. The winners today, however can at least, for now, keep their eye on the prize of being crowned the 2007 Roxy ASP Women's World Longboard Champion.

Roxy ASP WWLC Round 2 Match-Ups – 1st to Round 3, 2nd eliminated
Heat 1: Claire Karabatsos (FRA) vs. Tory Gilkerson (USA)
Heat 2: Kassia Meador (USA) vs. Kelly Sloan (USA)
Heat 3: Janna Irons (HAW) vs. Malia Fuertes (USA)
Heat 4: Chelsea Williams (AUS) vs. Kelly Coward (USA)
Heat 5: Ashley Lloyd (USA) vs. Jenni Flanigan (USA)
Heat 6: Selby Riddle (AUS) vs. Caroline Angibeaud (USA)
Heat 7: Coline Menard (FRA) vs. Rosie Locke (AUS)
Heat 8: Melanie Fosse ( FRA) vs. Lindsay Steinriede (USA)
Heat 9: Clemence Godinaud (FRA) vs. Claire Dereux (FRA)
Heat 10: Cristiana Pires (BRA) vs. Hanalei Reponty (TAH)
Heat 11: Julie Cox (USA) vs. Marie Vigne (FRA)
Heat 12: Miku Uemura (HAW) vs. Candice O'Donnell (GBR)
Heat 13: Karina Abras (BRA) vs. Nathalie Destandau (FRA)
Heat 14: Kirsty Webster (AUS) vs. Myriam Imaz (SPN)
Heat 15: Summer Romero (USA) vs. Gaelle Szymkowiak (FRA)
Heat 16: Angela Bauer (BRA) vs. Helene Chabeaud (FRA)

FORMER CHAMPS CHARGE THROUGH EARLY HEATS AT BILLABONG PRO JBAY

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Wednesday, July 11, 2007) – Top seeds and former Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay champions Joel Parkinson (AUS), Mick Fanning (AUS) and Andy Irons (USA) each advanced to Round 3 today. Heats 1 through 9 of the Billabong Pro, the 5th event of 10 on the 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour, were run before unfavorable winds saw the event called off for the day.

Parkinson, who won the event as a wildcard in 1999, asserted his intention to vie for a 2007 title with his commanding Round 1 performance. The current World No. 5 claimed both the highest heat total and single wave score of the day. He posted 16.83 out of 20.00 points after nabbing an early 9.33 to send Pancho Sullivan (HAW)and Trent Munro (AUS) to Round 2.

"A good set was coming but I didn't know how many waves were in it," Parkinson said. "I barely scratched into the first one and it was really good but as soon as I went over, the other was better, so it was a bit of a laugh really. There were only two waves in the set and the second one was better, if I had the inside, I would have had the first one and Pancho would have got the second one. I was pretty lucky."

Current World No. 1 Fanning posted a series of solid scores to easily advance over French rookie Jeremy Flores (FRA) and local wildcard Shaun Payne (ZAF).

"It's pretty inconsistent out there," Fanning said. "I just wanted to get one good wave one off the back and consolidate, get that and just control the heat from there."

Fanning has had a stellar start to the year, and as the defending and 2002 event champion, is a favorite in Jeffreys Bay. His 2007 World Title campaign is well and truly on track.

"The first few events are out the way now and its just time to start building towards the end of the year," Fanning said. "Everything is feeling good, boards are good, so I'm just trying to keep it rolling."

World No. 3 Irons advanced through the last heat of the day by bettering Michael Campbell (AUS) and wildcard Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF) in their low-scoring heat. Irons won last week's Foster's ASP World Tour event in Chile to move to World No. 3 and put himself in title contention – this after starting the year with an equal 33rd (last place) finish.

"I get two throwaways, so I can get another 33rd and still be alright – people don't understand that," Irons said. "I want to hush the critics and all the people who are saying, 'He's over it' and that I'm not hungry. I'm as hungry as ever and I want to do well in every contest. Just because I started with a bad result doesn't mean it will haunt me for the rest of the year."

Unfavorable winds forced Billabong Pro JBay officials to call off competition early in the afternoon, but not before Heat 10 competitors Kelly Slater (USA), Chris Ward (USA) and Warick Wright (ZAF) donned jerseys and paddled out. They were called back in and will surf first when competition resumes.

Rumors surrounding a Slater retirement have been in heavy circulation since the reigning world champ bowed out of competition in Chile. He has made no official statements to support such speculation. His presence in JBay is a bonus for both fans and title contenders alike.

"You've got to have Kelly there," Irons said. "He is an 8X World Champion and to have him leave halfway through the year would be disrespectful to the rest of the guys on tour. I think it is great that he is staying on tour, but don't let him fool you. I'm sure he wants to amp up the hype by saying he is going to retire and this and that, but he is as hungry as ever. He has had a couple of bad results, but I started with a 33rd, and I am 3rd now, if he gets a couple of good results he could be back in the Top 3 in no time."

Another call on competition status will be made tomorrow at 7am.

Round 1 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Results:
Heat 1: Luke Stedman (AUS) (12.33), Shaun Cansdell (AUS) (12.33), Tom Whitaker (AUS) (8.07)
Heat 2: Daniel Wills (AUS) (16.50), Mark Occhilupo (AUS) (11.93), Raoni Monteiro (BRA) (9.63)
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA) (14.93), Phillip Macdonald (AUS) (10.74), Troy Brooks (AUS) (9.13)
Heat 4: Bede Durbidge (AUS) (10.50), Fredrick Pattachia (HAW) (9.73), Gabe Kling (USA) (2.93)
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS) (16.83), Pancho Sullivan (HAW) (13.83), Trent Munro (AUS) (6.83)
Heat 6: CJ Hobgood (USA) (12.33), Neco Padaratz (BRA) (12.17), Taj Burrow (AUS) (11.93)
Heat 7: Luke Munro (AUS) (13.34), Ben Dunn (AUS) (11.27), Damien Hobgood (USA) (11.17)
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS) (16.00), Jeremy Flores (FRA) (9.27), Shaun Payne (ZAF) (7.26)
Heat 9: Andy Irons (HAW) (11.20), Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF) (8.07), Michael Campbell (AUS) (5.66)

DEFENDING CHAMPION RIGHT AT HOME IN ROUND 1 OF ROXY ASP WWLC

BIARRITZ, France (Wednesday, July 11, 2007) – Looking and feeling right at home, the defending event champion and current ASP Women's World Longboard Champion, Schuyler McFerran (USA), 20, dominated her Round 1 heat at the Roxy ASP WWLC today.

"I've been waiting for so long for this event to start," McFerran said. "I was pretty nervous and was so glad when I rode that first clean wave. It was finally just about surfing and not thinking, which was a relief."

That first wave netted the world champion a 6.75 out of 10.00, which she backed up with the highest wave score of the day, an 8.75. Given her results here, it is no wonder that McFerran feels a real affinity with this section of the Basque coast and the town of Biarritz.

"When I arrived a couple of days ago it felt like I'd never left," McFerran said. "It's such a cool, funky place with great waves and it felt so good to be back here and at such a good event. I'm through to the third round now, so I can relax a little and kick back and enjoy myself."

McFerran's two-wave heat score of 15.50 out of a possible 20.00 was only bettered by Estixu Estremo (SPN) today. The powerful surfer hails from the Spanish-side of the Basque coast and used local knowledge to post a heat score of 15.75. Such was her dominance, by the heat's end the experienced Kassia Meador, known as the "queen of noseriding" and one of the favorites for the event, needed a combination of scores to overcome her opponent.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, in terms of both experience and heat tally, 16-year-old Emma Neuschwanger (REU) overcame a last minute entry and nerves to progress through Heat 13. Neuschwanger's mother and little brother also made the journey from Reunion Island.

"I was on the alternate list and only found out this morning that I was surfing," Nueschwanger said. "This is my first ever senior competition and I was so nervous, but I am so proud to have won and am very excited about my next heat."

Her two-wave tally of 7.75 may have been the lowest winning score of the day, but it was enough to give her a day off, as organizers plan to run the whole of Round 2 tomorrow.

The good news is conditions are set to improve in time for the start of the one-on-one sudden death phase of the competition. Contest organizer, Phillipe Malvaux, has predicted sunny skies and a new, small, but powerful, swell for the next couple of days.
"The forecast looks really good," Malvaux said. "We look like we are going to be really lucky for the whole event, with clean waves and good winds. It should be excellent for longboarding."

With 48 of the world's best women longboarders still in contention for the Roxy ASP WWLC and this fabulous stretch of the Cote de Basque set to deliver the goods, the quality of longboarding is ready to go through the roof.

Roxy ASP WWLC Round 1 Results – 1st to Round 3, 2nd and 3rd to Round 2
Round 1: 1st progress to Round 3, 2nd and 3rd to Round 2
Heat 1: Mary Osborne (USA) 12.85, Summer Romero (USA) 10.25, Lindsay Steinriede (USA) 8.75
Heat 2: Yuki Suzuki (JPN) 12.65, Ashley Lloyd (USA) 11.50, Kirsty Webster (AUS) 7.25.
Heat 3: Isabelle Braley (AUS) 11.40, Chelsea Williams (AUS) 10.50, Karina Abras (BRA) 8.75
Heat 4: Joy Magelssen (HAW) 13.75, Miku Uemura (HAW) 7.00, Rosie Locke (AUS) 6.65
Heat 5: Justine Dupont (FRA) 14.10, Janna Irons (HAW) 11.50, Julie Cox (USA) 10.55
Heat 6: Estixu Estremo (SPN)15.75, Kassia Meador (USA) 12.25, Caroline Angibeaud (FRA) 7.75
Heat 7: Kaitlin Maguire (USA) 13.00, Jenni Flannigan (USA) 12.60, Cristiana Pires (BRA) 5.60
Heat 8: Schuyler McFerran (USA) 15.50, Malia Fuertes (USA) 11.20, Coline Menard (FRA) 8.00
Heat 9: Jennifer Smith (USA) 12.15, Melanie Fosse (FRA) 9.75, Kelly Coward (USA) 6.50
Heat 10: Kelia Moniz (HAW) 10.90, Claire Karabatsos (FRA) 7.90, Clemence Godinaud (FRA) 7.00
Heat 11: Yuko Shimajiri (JPN) 8.95, Kelly Sloan (USA) 7.00, Tory Gilkerson (USA) 5.30
Heat 12: Leah Dawson (USA) 11.65, Claire Dereux (FRA) 11.45, Angela Bauer (BRA) 5.95
Heat 13: Emma Neuschwanger (USA) 7.75, Helene Chabeaud (FRA) 3.90, Hanalei Reponty (TAH) 3.90
Heat 14: Kelly Nicely (USA)11.25, Gaelle Szymkowiak (FRA) 5.25, Marie Vigne (FRA) 0.00
Heat 15: Crystal Dzigas (HAW) 13.75, Myriam Imaz (SPN) 8.00, Candice O'Donnell (GBR) 3.65
Heat 16: Sabrina Olas (BRA) 8.85, Selby Riddle (AUS) 7.35, Nathalie Destandau (FRA) 4.95

ROUND 1 OF THE BILLABONG PRO JBAY UNDERWAY IN SOUTH AFRICA

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Tuesday, July 11, 2007) – The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, Stop No. 5 of 10 on the Foster's ASP World Tour, has commenced in clean three to four foot (one metre plus) conditions today.

Official Round 1 Billabong Pro action hit the water at 10am local time with Tom Whitaker (AUS), Luke Stedman (AUS), Shaun Cansdell (ZAF) contesting the first heat of the day.

"Wind permitting we're hoping to run as many heats as possible today," Contest Director Mike Parsons said. "We think we can get pretty deep in the round, maybe as many as 14 heats if the favorable winds stick around."

Three Von Zipper Trials heats ran prior to main event with the winner of each four-man battle earning main event berths. South Africans Shaun Payne, Damien Fahrenfort and Warwick Wright advanced.

"I'm very stoked to be in the main event," Payne said. "I'm just going to give it my all and see how it goes. I'm keen to see just surf against the guys, watch them and maybe learn something as well."

The addition of three local wildcards ups the tally to seven South African surfers competing in the Billabong Pro.

The event is being webcast LIVE on www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com.

Round 1 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Luke Stedman (AUS), Shaun Cansdell (ZAF)
Heat 2: Daniel Wills (AUS), Raoni Monteiro (BRA), Mark Occhilupo (AUS)
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA), Phillip Macdonald (AUS), Troy Brooks (AUS)
Heat 4: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Fredrick Pattachia (HAW), Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 6: Taj Burrow (AUS), CJ Hobgood (USA), Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 7: Damien Hobgood (USA), Ben Dunn (AUS), Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Shaun Payne (ZAF)
Heat 9: Andy Irons (HAW), Michael Campbell (AUS), Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF)
Heat 10: Kelly Slater (USA), Chris Ward (USA), Warwick Wright (ZAF)
Heat 11: Travis Logie (ZAF), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 12: Dean Morrison (AUS), Ricky Bassnett (ZAF), Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 13: Bruce Irons (HAW), Leonardo Neves (BRA), Voctor Ribas (BRA)
Heat 14: Cory Lopez (USA), Adriano de Souza (BRA), Michael Lowe (AUS)
Heat 15: Kai Otton (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS), Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 16: Taylor Knox (USA), Bernardo Miranda (BRA), Greg Emslie (ZAF)

WWLC KICKS OFF IN BIARRITZ FRANCE

BIARRITZ, France (Wednesday, July 11, 2007) – Event organizers have given the go ahead for the start of Round 1 of the Roxy ASP WWLC at Biarritz. Blustery, onshore conditions greeted competitors early this morning, however with the winds predicted to subside and the high tide expected to help an inside righthand bank, conditions should improve to allow the best surfers in women's longboarding to show their style.
Following the same format as events on the elite men's Foster's ASP World Tour, 48 competitors will start off in Round 1 today, surfing in heats of three. The winners will progress straight into Round 3, while the losers in today's heats will get a second chance when they start battling it out in the sudden death Round 2.
Some of the biggest names in longboarding will be surfing today, with Chelsea Williams (AUS) featuring in Heat 3, Kassia Meador (USA) in Heat 6 and defending event champion and the current world titleholder Schuyler McFerran (USA) in Heat 8. While in Heat 10, last year's semi finalist Claire Karabatsos (FRA) will hit the water.
Karabatsos was born and bred in Biarritz and by the stage she hits the water you can bet on massive crowds lining the shore at Biarritz to soak up the Roxy event's vibe and cheer their local favorite on.
The surf forecast also predicts improving conditions for the next few days, where an improved swell, offshore winds and sunny conditions should make it absolutely ideal for both competitors and spectators alike.
We have officially started the Roxy ASP WWLC, a week-long surfing festival that will eventually see the 2007 World's Women's Longboard Champ crowned. The championships will also incorporate music, art, charity and cultural events, as well celebrating the 50th anniversary of surfing on this spectacular part of the Basque coast.

Round 1 Match Ups
Heat1: Mary Osborne (USA), Summer Romero (USA), Lindsey Steinriede (USA)
Heat 2: Ashley Lloyd (USA), Kirsty Webster (AUS), Yuki Suzuki (JPN)
Heat 3: Chelsea Williams (AUS), Karina Abras (BRA), Isabelle Braley (AUS)
Heat 4: Joy Magelssen (HAW), Miku Uemura (HAW), Rosie Locke (AUS)
Heat 5: Janna Irons (HAW), Julie Cox (USA), Justine Dupont (FRA)
Heat 6: Kassia Meador (USA), Estitxu Estremo (SPN), Caroline Angibeaud (FRA)
Heat 7: Kaitlin Maguire (USA), Cristiana Pires (BRA), Jenni Flannigan (USA)
Heat 8: Schuyler McFerran (USA), Coline Menard (FRA), Malia Fuertes (USA)
Heat 9: Jennifer Smith (USA), Melanie Fosse (FRA), Kelly Coward (USA)
Heat 10: Claire Karabatsos (FRA), Clemence Godinaud (FRA), Kelia Moniz (HAW)
Heat 11: Kelly Sloan (USA), Yuko Shimajiri (JPN), Tory Gilkerson (USA)
Heat 12: Leah Dawson (USA), Angela Bauer (BRA), Claire Dereux (FRA)
Heat 13: Emma Nueschwanger (REU), Helene Chabeaud (FRA), Hanalei Reponty (TAH)
Heat 14: Kelly Nicely (USA), Gaelle Szymkowiak (FRA), Marie Vigne (FRA)
Heat 15: Crystal Dzigas (HAW), Myriam Imaz (SPN), Candice O'Donnell (GBR)
Heat 16: Selby Riddle (AUS), Nathalie Destandau (FRA), Sabrina Olas (BRA)

FOSTER'S 45 SURFERS ARRIVE IN SOUTH AFRICA FOR THE BILLABONG PRO JBAY

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Tuesday, July 10, 2007) – The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay marks the official midway point on the 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour. Stop No. 5 of 10 on this year's calendar, the event waiting period begins tomorrow, July 11th, 2007.

World No. 2 Damien Hobgood (USA) will take on rookies Ben Dunn (AUS) and Luke Munro (AUS) in Heat 7 of Round 1, but Hobgood knows that there is a bigger battle to be fought against World No. 1 Mick Fanning (AUS) and World No. 3 Andy Irons (HAW), not to mention perennially top-seeded surfers Taj Burrow (AUS), Joel Parkinson (AUS) and Kelly Slater (USA) who fill ratings slots 4 through 6 respectively.

Hobgood, whose best year-end result was a World No. 4 finish in 2005, finished 7th in the world last year. A win in Tahiti backed-up by a Final berth in Chile have seen him shoot to world No. 2 where he sandwiched between stiff competition in Fanning and Irons.

"Those guys are definitely sitting in the driver's seat but I just want a shot at it," Hobgood said. "I'm under the radar but just happy to be in the mix. I actually prefer flying under the radar."

Bede Durbidge (AUS), current Foster's ASP World No. 7, is another dangerous blip on the radar. The darkhorse featured in the Final of the first event of the year before backing that result up with two Quarterfinal finishes. An equal 33rd (last place) finish at the last event in Chile saw him slip in the ratings.

"I had a good start to the year but I didn't do very well in Chile so that was a bit of set back for me ratings wise," Durbidge said. "Coming into JBay I'm feeling really good though. I've come here for the last five years and I love the wave, it's similar to the waves at home, so I'll be looking to get a good a result here and boost myself back up in the ratings."

Rookie Royden Bryson is also hoping to capitalize in conditions he's comfortable with. He, along with fellow rookies Kai Otton (AUS) and Josh Kerr (AUS), will contest the barreling right-hand wave known as Supertubes for the first time when competition commences.

"I'm excited; I've wanted to surf in the Billabong Pro at Jeffreys since I first watched the contest when I was much younger," Bryson said. "It's the only World Tour contest on home soil and you always feel more confident and positive at home. You just feel more comfortable on the whole."

Bryson is one of four full-time 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour surfers who hail from South Africa. Tour veteran Greg Emslie, third-year competitor Travis Logie and rookie Ricky Bassnett complete the quartet. There is a strong possibility that the number of locals surfing in the main event will increase once the outcome of the Von Zipper Trials is known.

The 12-man trials event will feature six Von Zipper nominated South Africans and six international surfers and will be run just prior to the main event. The South African contingent will include Warwick 'Wok' Wright, Damien Fahrenfort, Shaun Payne, Rudy Palmboom and Klee Strachan, with the final local trialist still to be named. The international field will include Pablo Paulino (BRA), Torrey Meister (HAW), Wade Goodall (AUS), Stirling Spencer (USA), Laurie Towner (AUS) and Tiago Pires (POR).

A call on competition status will be made tomorrow morning at 7am.

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

Round 1 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Luke Stedman (AUS), Shaun Cansdell (ZAF)
Heat 2: Daniel Wills (AUS), Raoni Monteiro (BRA), Mark Occhilupo (AUS)
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA), Phillip Macdonald (AUS), Troy Brooks (AUS)
Heat 4: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Fredrick Pattachia (HAW), Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Trent Munro (AUS)
Heat 6: Taj Burrow (AUS), CJ Hobgood (USA), Neco Padaratz (BRA)
Heat 7: Damien Hobgood (USA), Ben Dunn (AUS), Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Wildcard
Heat 9: Andy Irons (HAW), Michael Campbell (AUS), Wildcard
Heat 10: Kelly Slater (USA), Chris Ward (USA), Wildcard
Heat 11: Travis Logie (ZAF), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 12: Dean Morrison (AUS), Ricky Bassnett (ZAF), Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 13: Bruce Irons (HAW), Leonardo Neves (BRA), Voctor Ribas (BRA)
Heat 14: Cory Lopez (USA), Adriano de Souza (BRA), Michael Lowe (AUS)
Heat 15: Kai Otton (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS), Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 16: Taylor Knox (USA), Bernardo Miranda (BRA), Greg Emslie (ZAF)

BILLABONG PRO JBAY UP NEXT ON FOSTER'S ASP WORLD TOUR

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Friday, July 6, 2007) – Just a week after negotiating Chile's chilly waters, the Foster's ASP World Tour's Top 45 are again readying themselves for battle – this time at the majestic venue of 'Supertubes' for the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay in South Africa.

Stop No. 5 of 10 on the 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay boasts a July 11-22 waiting period and requires four full days of competition to crown a champion.

World No. 1 Mick Fanning (AUS) along with past world champions Andy Irons (HAW) and Kelly Slater (USA) have dominated proceedings at the barreling right-hand pointbreak for the last half-decade. Each is in the hunt to do so again in 2007.

Last year's champion Fanning is warmed up and ready to defend his title after finishing equal 3rd in Chile. Like his elite tour counterparts, Fanning will be better acclimated to the cold-water conditions heading into South Africa – in recent years the tour stop immediately preceding the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay was Fiji.

"JBay will feel like a bath," Fanning said. "It won't be so bloody cold. Usually we go there and it's the coldest stop on tour, but after Chile, it will probably be a little bit different."

The natural-footed (left-foot forward) surfer kicked off the most consistent 12-months of his career with his second victory in JBay last year –his first win came as a rookie in 2002. Fanning hasn't finished worse than equal 5th in a Foster's ASP World Tour event since.

"JBay is always really fun and I heard the banks are really good so it could be an insane year," Fanning said. "I'm stoked to go and surf some more rights instead of all these lefts."

Andy Irons jumped to World No. 3 with his win in Chile last week. When asked where he'd been in terms of the Foster's ASP World Title race in recent months, Irons was quick to quip: "No where, I've been here the whole time. Game on!"

Reigning Foster's ASP World Champion Slater, who won the Billabong Pro JBay in 2005, 2003 and 1996, has acknowledged that he'll need to get down to business after his Round 4 elimination in Chile.

"I think at this point, it's not feeling like a World Title year for me so far – short of winning J-Bay and Trestles…" Slater said. "They've both been two of my best events and I would expect that if I could get something going, it will be in those next two events."

Joel Parkinson (AUS) is also in need of a big result to stay in title contention. Parkinson currently sits 5th on the Foster's ASP World Tour ratings, and after finishing runner-up to the world title in 2002 and 2004, knows that time is of the essence if he hopes to mount a full-fledge assault.

"It is time for me to really get a solid final finish if I want the title," Parkinson said, "I will be really going for it at Jbay."

Parkinson won the event as a 19-year-old wildcard in 1999.

"It has been my favorite spot on tour ever since I was a kid – I love going there," Parkinson said. "Win or lose you always have a great time there."

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

PAST WORLD TOUR RATED JEFFREY'S BAY CHAMPIONS
2006: Mick Fanning (AUS)
2005: Kelly Slater (USA)
2004: Andy Irons (HAW)
2003: Kelly Slater (USA)
2002: Mick Fanning (AUS)
2001: Jake Paterson (AUS)
2000: Jake Paterson (AUS)
1999: Joel Parkinson (AUS)
1998: Munga Barry (AUS)
1996: Kelly Slater (USA)
1984: Mark Occhilupo (AUS)

WORLD'S BEST WOMEN LONGBOARDERS HEAD TO BIARRITZ FOR THE ROXY ASP WWLC

BIARRITZ, France (Thursday, July 5, 2007) – With less than a week remaining to the start of the Roxy ASP Women's World Longboard Championship (WWLC), the best women longboarders are beginning to converge on the beautiful French town of Biarritz.

Commencing next Wednesday July 11, 2007, 48 surfers will compete for the ultimate prize in women's longboarding – the ASP Women's World Longboard Title. The international field sees surfers from as far a field as Japan, Tahiti, USA, Australia, Brazil and Hawaii battling it out with local European hopes from Spain, Great Britain and, of course, France.

Local hopes will be resting on Biarritz surfer and four-time European longboard champion Claire Karabatsos (FRA). In last year's event Karabatsos had a remarkable run, advancing through to the semifinals where she was defeated by the eventual winner Schuyler McFerran (USA). This year Karabatsos aims to use last year's experience to go one step better.

"Last year I was just happy to see so many girls riding so many waves so well with different styles," Karabatsos said. "I got a lot of inspiration from the amazing level of surfing. Hopefully it will be even better this year and I will have even more success."

Biarritz born and bred, Karabatsos was also quick to point out the natural beauty and great waves that can be expected at the Roxy event.

"It is such a great place to hold the world championships," Karabatsos said. "The beautiful scenery, the blue ocean, the green countryside, the incredible waves, the mountains, France, Spain… I hope it will always stay here and I hope people agree with me!"

One person who will definitely not be arguing is defending ASP Women's World Longboard Champion McFerran. At last year's event the 19-year-old was a surprise winner, using a mix of incredible nose riding and smooth radical turns to defeat some of her more experienced competitors. It's no wonder then that she is looking forward to next week.

"I can't wait for the Roxy WWLC to start," McFerran said just before leaving for France from her Californian home. "Last year I had such a good time! The whole event that Roxy put on is so much fun. It's very well run and they make us feel special with all of the little extras that they put on. The Jacuzzi on the beach, the big screen with the live video, the catering, the art show... it was all amazing. And on top of all of that, the waves are fun and you get to eat amazing gelato everyday. I've never been to a contest like it."

Obviously though, it's not all about the hot tubs and ice cream and McFerran will be under more pressure as the defending champion, especially from some of the competition favorites like last year's finalist Jenni Smith (USA), veteran stylist Belen Connelly (HAW), perennial contender Kassia Meador (USA) and Basque hopeful Estitxu Estremo (SPN).

Although aware of her status as both defending and world champion, McFerran, showing experience beyond her years, is not about to let the added expectation affect her surfing.

"I do feel a certain amount of pressure to perform, but it's mostly from myself," McFerran said. "I'm just going to keep my head on straight and give it my best and not let it get to me. All the girls are surfing so well that you can't discount anyone. In every heat you have to give it your best."

In addition to the World Title, this year's event will be run in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of surfing's first appearance in Europe – which first occurred at Côte des Basques the site that now proudly plays host to the Roxy Jam Biarritz every year.

The Roxy ASP WWLC will incorporate a number of free public events, including concerts, art exhibitions, initiatives and workshops as way of celebrating the strong surfing culture in this part of the world.

The weeklong event runs from July 11-18 and promises to be an amazing surfing festival, showcasing the best women longboard surfers from all corners of the globe and the beautiful waves and coastline of Biarritz as well.

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