MANLY BEACH, Australia (Monday, Aug. 27, 2007) - Reigning 7X ASP World Champion Layne Beachley (Aus) has succeeded in making Sydney the home of top level competitive women's surfing in Australia, with the return of the NAB Beachley Classic to Sydney's Manly Beach, from Oct. 8- 14, 2007.
Building on the success of the inaugural 2006 event, National Australia Bank (NAB) has jumped on-board as the new naming rights sponsor of the richest event on the ASP Women's World Tour.
The NAB Beachley Classic holds a US$100,000 prize money purse as well as a 20 percent increase in ASP ratings points, making it the most lucrative of the seven stops on the top tier tour.
"One of my main objectives with this event was to promote and expose women's surfing to the mass market through a more corporate medium," Beachley said from Brazil this week.
"The NAB sponsorship increases both the value and image of not only the individual athlete, but women's surfing as a whole and I am very excited to have them on-board," Beachley said.
NAB Executive General Manager, Business and Private Bank, George Frazis, was equally upbeat.
"Layne is a great Australian and an amazing role model for young women across the world," Frazis said. "We're absolutely delighted to be involved with this fantastic event and look forward to backing women's surfing and bringing the world's best to Sydney."
The standalone women's event will give Sydney-siders the chance to watch the world's Top 17 female surfers in action along Manly's North Steyne to Dee Why beaches.
"The bonus ASP ratings points on offer at the NAB Beachley Classic could almost make or break each surfer's standing because this event is the stepping stone into the Hawaii season, where the ASP World Title is ultimately decided," Beachley explained.
"I play to win and know that I will have to work hard," Beachley added. "All the girls are ripping and the race for World No. 1 is on after Sam's (Cornish) win here in Brazil. Chelsea (Hedges) and Steph (Gilmore) are always hard to beat but I have never been one to shy away from a challenge."
One of the most loved and respected athletes in the world, the NAB Beachley Classic celebrates and promotes the sport Layne Beachley loves, in the city she calls home. In a career defined by outstanding achievements, the tournament reflects Beachley's drive to bring women together to reach their goals and inspire their peers.
For one week in October, Manly Beach will form the hub of this ASP Women's World Tour event which needs just two full days of surfing to be completed. The festivities kick off with the Oakley Trials on Monday, Oct. 8th and culminate with Family Day on Saturday, Oct. 13th.
Beachley Athletic & Radical Fitness have teamed up to offer free Health and Fitness checks throughout the event, while Disney hosts a surf school for beginners to learn from some of the best wave riders in the world.
The final day sees not only the Finals (swell pending) but also the Lifestyle Working Celebrity Challenge, during which some of Sydney's best loved personalities will take to the water in the name of their favorite charity.
Beachley will lead her team to raise awareness for her foundation Aim for the Stars which offers moral and financial support to women who have the passion and desire to accomplish their goals and aren't afraid to ask for help along the way.
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