COOLANGATTA, Australia (Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007) – Following last week's victory at the Mancora Peru Classic, event No. 6 of 8 on the 2007 ASP Women's World Tour, rookie phenom Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) has further solidifed her ratings lead and is in a position to make ASP history as the first surfer ever to clinch the ASP World Title in their rookie season.
With two events left in the 2007 ASP Women's World Tour season, the Roxy Pro at Sunset Beach and the Billabong Pro at Honolua Bay, only six surfers remain who can potentially claim this year's ASP Women's World Title.
In addition to Gilmore, current No. 2 Silvana Lima (BRA), compatriot Samantha Cornish (AUS), former ASP Women's World Champions Chelsea Hedges (AUS) and Sofia Mulanovich (PER), as well as reigning and seven-time ASP Women's World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS) are all still mathematically in contention for this season's crown.
If Gilmore secures a 5th or higher at the upcoming Roxy Pro at Sunset Beach, then Hedges, Beachley and Cornish will be eliminated from contention, leaving only Mulanovich and Lima.
If Mulanovich suffers a 17th at Sunset Beach, and Gilmore finishes 9th or higher, the Peruvian will be eliminated from contention. Concurrently, if Mulanovich finishes 9th and Gilmore finishes 5th or higher, the former champ will also be eliminated. If Gilmore finishes 4th or higher at Sunset Beach, there is no way Mulanovich can overtake this season.
For Gilmore to clinch the title at Sunset Beach, Lima will need to finish 9th or lower while Gilmore finishes 3rd or higher, or 4th or lower while Gilmore finishes 2nd or higher. If Gilmore wins the Roxy Pro at Sunset Beach, and Lima fails to finish 3rd or higher, then the race will be over.
While a possible ASP Women's World Title finish may be on offer at the Roxy Pro at Sunset Beach, it is likely it will come down to the final event of the season at the Billabong Pro in Maui.
Gilmore will be available for a live Press Conference today, Thursday, Nov. 8, at 11am at Snapper Rocks Beach. A hi-lights tape of her recent victory at the Mancora Peru Classic will be available at the Press Conference.
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