LAY DAY CALLED FOR BILLABONG PRO MAUI AFTER OPENING CEREMONIES

HONOLUA BAY, Maui (Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007) – Event organizers at the Billabong Pro Maui have called for a lay day today after assessing the three-to-five foot (2 metre) conditions on offer at Honolua Bay, Maui.

"We're opting to postpone competition for today and make another call tomorrow at 7am," Billabong Pro Maui Contest Director Dino Andino (USA) said. "The swell is expected to rise this coming Tuesday and Wednesday and cleaner conditions are projected to be on offer. We're expecting some onshore flow today so we've opted not to run, but we'll be checking back here at 7am each day."

Despite no action in the water today, several competitors were on offer this morning for the opening ceremonies in which a Hawaiian Lord offered a special blessing for the event.

The final event of the ASP Women's World Tour, the Billabong Pro Maui carries with it the added weight of deciding both the 2007 ASP Women's World Champion as well as the Vans Triple Crown Champion.

Rookie phenom Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), former ASP Women's World Champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER) and South American wunderkind Silvana Lima (BRA) are all still in contention for 2007 ASP Women's World Title, and given their respective abilities in powerful righthanders, the battle at Honolua Bay seems fitting.

"I know that I'll need to produce a result out here at Honolua," Gilmore said. "Sofia's dropping a 17th and I know she's hungry for a the title. I couldn't be happier that the season will be finishing in a righthander and I hope to have a good showing."

After the first two events of the 2007 Vans Triple Crown, veteran competitors Megan Abubo (HAW) and Sofia Mulanovich (PER) are out in front in the race for this season's title, having won the Reef Haleiwa Pro and Roxy Pro Sunset respectively.

The Billabong Pro Maui pres. By Hawaiian Airlines has begun its waiting period today, Dec. 8, 2007 and has until Dec. 20, 2007 to complete the event. Only two full days of competition are required to complete the event, and organizers will look to run in the best conditions possible.

When competition resumes, six trialists will battle it out for one wildcard spot in the main event before Round 1 competition gets underway. Trialists include Keala Kennelly (HAW), Alana Hendrickson (HAW), Paige Alms (HAW), Monyca Byrne-Wickey (HAW), Lipoa Kahaleuahi (HAW) and Alana Blanchard (HAW).

Next call will be at 7am tomorrow morning.