BACK TO BACK ACTION AS ASP WOMEN’S WORLD TOUR HEADS TO SPAIN

SANTANDER, Spain (Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007) – Following the completion of Stop No. 3 of 7 on the ASP Women's World Tour in Brazil this week, the World's Top 17 Women now head to Spain for the Rip Curl Girls Festival which will get underway in Santander, from Sept. 4-9, 2007.

Competing in back-to-back events for the first time this year, the ASP Women's World Tour is now in full swing with the depth of professional women's surfing talent fiercely emerging, as the current ASP ratings attest.

With three events concluded, the world's most accomplished female surfers find themselves scattered between 1st and 7th on the ASP ratings. ASP Women's World Tour rookie Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) holds down the World No. 1 spot, while 7X ASP World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS) finds herself at World No. 7.

"There's a good mix of girls in the top five at the moment," Gilmore said. "But it's crazy to see Layne in 7th and Sofia in 6th. The girls are pushing each other and after Sam's (Cornish) win in Brazil, everyone is inspired and we're all excited to be heading straight into another event."

Gilmore secured an equal 3rd result in Brazil, and knows she will need to lift her game if she is to hold onto that World No. 1 spot.

"Going straight into another event is a good way to redeem yourself," Gilmore said. "I like to win but I've come out of the last event with a 3rd and luckily enough I am still in the lead. It's a good position to be in but I know there are a lot of hungry girls stacked up behind me."

One of those girls is Samantha Cornish (AUS). Fresh off her first ASP World Tour victory in four years, Cornish has rocketed to World No. 2 on the ASP ratings, a dichotomy given that she nearly fell off the top tier tour at the end of 2006.

"I'm obviously really stoked about the win," Cornish said. "It took a lot of hard work and effort on my part but I proved I can do it and I can be up there alongside the top girls. I'm going to go to Spain pretty level-headed. Obviously I'd love to back it up with another win but I'm not going to put any pressure on myself."
Former ASP ratings leader and 2005 ASP World Champion Chelsea Hedges (AUS), has slipped down to World No. 3 while rising Brazilian talent Silvana Lima (BRA) has maintained her World No. 4 slot ahead of Rebecca Woods (AUS), who currently sits at World No. 5.

Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) sits a little further a field at World No. 13. The powerful goofy-footer (right foot forward stance) finished 2006 at World No. 4 but has yet to make it through Round 3 in 2007.

An indisputable talent on the top tier tour, Miley-Dyer is unfazed by her current standing and is watching the ratings shift at the top of the surfing pile with interest.

"We've seen the same few girls at the top for many years, like Layne (Beachley) for example," Miley Dyer said. "Now to see Steph and Sam and Silvana giving it to 'em is pretty exciting and I think it's just a testament to top level surfing right now. One year Layne can be dominating and this year she hasn't done so well, so I think it just shows how close everyone is and how, given the opportunity, we'll all win events just like Sam. Heading into Spain I think anything can happen."

The waiting period for the Rip Curl Girls Festival, Santander, Spain extends from September 4- 9, 2007 and needs just two full days of surfing to be completed.

NAB ON-BOARD FOR BEACHLEY CLASSIC 2007

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.

BOOST MOBILE PRO PRESENTED BY HURLEY GOES LIVE WORLDWIDE SEPT. 9-15

LOWER TRESTLES, California (Monday, Aug. 27, 2007) The Boost Mobile Pro presented by Hurley, the only 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour event on the U.S. Mainland, brings the planet's best surfers to the world via a live webcast at www.BoostMobilePro.com. Last year's Boost Mobile Pro webcast set new standards in live online viewing and in 2007 the webcast experience will be elevated yet again as the World's top surfers compete for $300,000 in prize money.

"We wanted to approach the webcast with the same production quality as the best sports TV show," said Mark Fewell of Boost Mobile. "Surfing is one of the most exciting visual sports in the world and we want to show it in the way it deserves."

The webcast will start each day at approximately 7:30 a.m. (PST) with "The Dawn Patrol," a live variety morning show hosted by former ASP World Tour pro Pat O'Connell and Boost Mobile's Mark Fewell. The Dawn Patrol will run even if the surf does not support competition for the day. If conditions are good the webcast for the contest will begin at 8am. At approximately 5pm each day "The Late Break," a live variety afternoon show, will run hosted by Peter King and Jodie Nelson.

The Dawn Patrol will capture the European and South American audience, while the Late Break will be timed for the Australian and Asian markets. Both live shows will feature athlete interviews, highlight clips, swell forecasts, analysis of each day's competition and feature stories by Hurley brand ambassador Rosie O'Lafferty.

The webcast commentary team includes professional sportscaster David Stanfield and pro surfers and media personalities Mike Parsons, Pat O'Connell, Peter King, Rob Machado, Saxon Boucher, Jodie Nelson and Mitchell Ross. Special guest appearances will also be made by eight-time World Champion Kelly Slater and former event winner Richie Lovett, surfer/musician Tim Curran and Bob Hurley.

"The webcast is a place for the surfing world to connect with the tour and its personalities," said Pat O'Connell. "Without overstating it, the webcast has been the biggest thing to happen for the ASP since its inception."

"We approach the Boost Mobile Pro presented by Hurley not just as a webcast production but from the perspective of a world-class, week-long sporting event featuring the earth's best surfers," said Philip Smith of Echo Entertainment, Boost Mobile's webcast production company for the Boost Mobile Pro. "We look forward to helping bring the Boost Mobile Pro to the web and beyond once again."

The Boost Mobile Pro webcast television production utilizes a state-of-the-art digital mobile production truck with built-in satellite facilities, six cameras, broadcast quality long lenses (the same ones used for football, baseball and basketball), a wireless water camera, a crew of 23 people, and the motivation to produce the best surfing or non-surfing webcast on the internet.

In addition to the live webcast, www.BoostMobilePro.com launched today as an interactive website with exclusive event photos, video clips, downloads, media registration for the event, promotions to win great prizes and a list of participating locations to watch the live webcast at viewing parties across the nation. The Boost Mobile Pro will also air Stateside on FUEL TV Monday, Oct. 29 at 8pm ET/PT.

The event minisite can be accessed via www.boostmobilepro.com as well as www.aspworldtour.com where trials highlights, behind-the-scenes action, in-depth surf analysis and exclusive downloads will be available later this month. Members of the media can also visit www.boostmobilepro.com now to fill out an online application for media passes to cover mainland America's only Foster's ASP World Tour event.

CORNISH CAPTURES FIRST ASP WORLD TOUR CROWN IN FOUR YEARS

PRAIA DA TIRIRICA, Brazil (Saturday, Aug. 25, 2007) – Rising out of a four-year shadow, 26-year-old Samantha Cornish (AUS) won her first ASP Women's World Tour title since 2003, at the Billabong Girls Pro Itacaré, this morning.

Cornish defeated Brazilian sensation Silvana Lima (BRA) with 12.00 points (out of a possible 20.00) to Lima's 8.10, winning US$ 12,000 and simultaneously shooting to World No. 2 on the ASP Women's World Tour ratings.

"I feel pretty amazing," Cornish said. "It's awesome to finally break the ice and come back with a win after four years. To be up there in the world title race with the likes of Stephanie Gilmore and Chelsea Hedges, is an honor and a privilege and I am going to go for it too!"

After failing to requalify for the ASP Women's World Tour at the end of 2006, Cornish was granted an injury wildcard back onto the tour in 2007, returning to competition visibly fit and focused as her result today proved.

"Sometimes you don't realize what you have until you've almost lost it," Cornish said. "I have ASP to thank for giving me the opportunity to be back here this year. It is my goal and my dream to win a world title and this victory is just one step closer."

Entering the event as equal World No. 4, Cornish seized the world's attention by breaking the ASP ratings lead deadlock between Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) and Chelsea Hedges (AUS), eliminating Hedges in the Quarterfinals on Friday and Gilmore in the Semifinals this morning.

"The media always hypes up on the big guns like Chelsea and Steph and I'm sort of the quiet achiever. Silent but deadly," Cornish said. "I know I can surf even better than I did today and I'm looking forward to bringing that out in my surfing in the next couple of events."

Runner-up Silvana Lima (BRA) did her nation proud by reaching her first ASP Women's World Tour final today, earning US$ 7000 and maintaining her World No. 4 spot.

"The waves didn't come to me in the final but I did a good job," Lima said. "It's my first final on the ASP Women's World Tour and it feel's awesome. I am so happy because I always make the Semifinals but never the finals."

The inspirational Brazilian talent defeated defending Billabong Girls Pro champion and 7X ASP World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS) in the Quarterfinals on Friday, capturing a narrow victory over Rebecca Woods (AUS) in the Semifinals this morning.

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) and Rebecca Woods (AUS) finished in equal 3rd overall, earning US$ 5000 each.

Gilmore has maintained her World No. 1 spot which she now holds alone, for the first time in her rookie career.

"It's definitely going to be a close one for the rest of the year," Gilmore said. "Even though I am in first place, they are all right behind me. After my heat this morning Chels had the biggest smile on her face and she just said, the race is on."

Woods was visibly disappointed after missing out on yet another Final and has slipped down one place to World No. 5.

"I'm very upset but happy that Silvana made the final. Both of us haven't made a final, so I am happy for her. I know that to beat someone in their home country you've got to beat them convincingly and that was my mistake. The elusive final is still out there and I'll have to take it to the next event."

Despite losing the ASP ratings lead and slipping down to World No. 3 after finishing equal 5th on Friday, Hedges (AUS) walked away with
US$ 2000 for winning both the Kustom Best Wave and Nixon Best Trick awards, for her spectacular surfing throughout the event.

The final three heats of the Billabong Girls Pro Itacaré were held in tricky 1-metre beach break waves.

The ASP Women's World Tour now moves to Spain for Stop No. 4 of 7, the Rip Curl Girls Festival in Santander.

2007 BILLABONG GIRLS PRO CHAMPION TO BE CROWNED TODAY

PRAIA DA TIRIRICA, Brazil (Saturday, Aug. 25, 2007) – Just three heats remain in the 2007 Billabong Girls Pro Itacaré, which will see a new champion crowned before noon, today.

Following an explosive day of ASP Women's World Tour action on Friday, which saw the ASP ratings lead deadlock between Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) and Chelsea Hedges (AUS) broken with just Gilmore advancing into the Semifinals, four girls remain to contest for the 2007 Billabong Girls Pro Crown.

Featuring in Semifinal 1 is new ASP ratings leader Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) who takes on 'giant slayer' Samantha Cornish (AUS), who was responsible for eliminating Hedges in the Quarterfinals; followed by Brazilian sensation Silvana Lima (BRA) who meets World No. 4 Rebecca Woods (AUS) in Semifinal 2.

The winner of each Semifinal heat will advance into the 30-minute Final scheduled for 10h15 (local time).

The 2007 Billabong Girls Pro Champion will pocket US$ 12 000 and 1,200 ASP ratings points, while the runner-up takes home US$7000 and 972 points.

ROOKIE GILMORE TAKES THE HELM AT BILLABONG GIRLS PRO ITACARE

PRAIA DA TIRIRICA, Brazil (Friday, Aug. 24, 2007) – The ASP ratings lead deadlock between Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) and Chelsea Hedges (AUS) ended today, when only Gilmore advanced into the Semifinals of the Billabong Girls Pro Itacaré.

On a day that saw three former ASP Women's World Champions crushed, it was ASP rookie Gilmore who outshone her competition to secure the first of four Semifinal berths, defeating 2004 ASP World Champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER) in the final minute of their Quarterfinal clash.

"I'm just so happy, it's exactly where I want to be," Gilmore said. "You always dream of what you want to happen and I'd been thinking about it a lot. Everything's just fallen into place really well for me, I mean we're still only in event three, we've got four to go so it's anyone's game and I know Chelsea's extremely hungry and this will probably make her even hungrier. I'll live it up while I'm in the number one spot, that's for sure."

Gilmore has retained her World No. 1 ranking which she previously shared with room-mate Hedges, and is all set to capture her second straight ASP crown, when the event culminates tomorrow.

"With Chelsea being out of the competition, it takes a bit of the pressure off because I'm in the lead now and everyone's chasing me," Gilmore said. "I like being in the number one position because then I am only trying to beat myself. It's pretty exciting, but I don't really know what to think, it hasn't really sunk in yet. Obviously I'm here to win in this event and that would really help my points and give me a good gap over Chelsea."

Samantha Cornish (AUS)was the surfer responsible for the ratings lead upset. After nearly falling off the top tier tour last year, Cornish appears to be making a serious comeback, including taking down ratings leader Chelsea Hedges at this late stage of the competition.

"I'm feeling pretty good right now, it was an amazing heat," Cornish said. "Chels is always a tough competitor, she always puts up a good fight right until the end and she did. I am really focused and I'd love to put up a good fight against Steph and hopefully take her out."

Brazilian sensation Silvana Lima (BRA)caused the third major Quarterfinal upset. The 2006 Billabong Girls Pro Semifinalist posted the highest combined two-wave heat total of the day, a 17.00 (out of a possible 20.00) to displace 7X ASP World Champion and defending Billabong Girls Pro Champion Layne Beachley (AUS).

"It was so hard, Layne is such a good surfer," Lima said. "After that 7.75 (out of a possible 10.00) ride I felt good and then I got a 9.25 and knew I could relax. I've never made a Final, always the Semifinals but I feel confident."

Lima will take on fellow ASP World No. 4 Rebecca Woods (AUS) in Semifinal No. 2 tomorrow.

Woods took her third straight win over ASP rookie Melanie Bartels (HAW) in the Quarterfinals, and will be looking to add her first ASP World Tour victory to this tally tomorrow.

"I am very happy to be through to the Semi's and to have a shot at the Final," Woods said. "But I know there is one more heat to go. The 'semi's stumbles' is something I want to overcome but I've got the Brazilian pocket rocket in my next heat so I will see how it goes."

The 1- 1.5 meter conditions are expected to hold out until tomorrow and organizers are confident of crowning the 2007 Billabong Girls Pro Itacaré Champion by 11h00 (local time).

COMPETITION RESUMES AT BILLABONG GIRLS PRO ITACARE

PRAIA DA TIRIRICA, Brazil (Friday, Aug. 24, 2007) – The fresh onshore breeze that plagued Day 4 of the Billabong Girls Pro Itacaré yesterday, has given way to clear, calm conditions which will see Round 2 take to the water at 08h00 (local time).

After a three day wait, the World's Top 17 Women will be eager to return to competition at this, the third of seven stops on the ASP Women's World Tour.

The first heat in the water sees former ASP World Champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER) take on ASP World Tour rookie Roseanne Hodge (ZAF) and wildcard surfer Nicola Atherton (AUS); followed by Rochelle Ballard (HAW) up against last year's Billabong Girls Pro runner-up Jessi Miley Dyer (AUS) and Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) in Heat 2.

With conditions expected to improve throughout the day, organizers are hoping to complete both Round 2 and Round 3 this morning, with a possibility of running the Quarterfinals this afternoon.

OCEAN FAILS TO DELIVER ON DAY 4 OF BILLABONG GIRLS PRO ITACARE

PRAIA DA TIRIRICA, Brazil (Thursday, Aug. 23, 2007) – A six-hour wait proved futile for the women of the ASP Women's World Tour, when the ocean failed to deliver on Day 4 Billabong Girls Pro Itacare this morning.

Messy, onshore surf was the order of the day at Praia da Tiririca and despite a drop in wind predicted, conditions failed to improve forcing organizers to call the event off for the day.

ASP Women's World Champion and surfers representative Layne Beachley (AUS) was actively involved in deciding the fate of today's competition.

"I think we made a good call today," Beachley said. "Tomorrow's forecast indicates the same size swell, with a drop in wind and if predictions prove correct, we should have a good day of competition on our hands."

Six girls will compete for four converted spots in Round 3, when competition resumes.

World No. 3 Sofia Mulanovich (PER) is an unlikely Round 2 candidate, the former ASP World Champion finished in a disappointing third place in Round 1 and will be looking to lift her game when she takes on Roseanne Hodge (ZAF) and wildcard Nicola Atherton (AUS), in the first heat.

2006 Billabong Girls Pro runner up Jessi Miley Dyer (AUS) is just as eager to make up some ground in this, the third of seven stops on the ASP Women's World Tour, when she takes on Rochelle Ballard (HAW) and Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) in Heat 2.

The next call will be made at 07h30 tomorrow morning.

BILLABONG GIRLS PRO ITACARE CONTEST SITE MOST ECO FRIENDLY IN THE WORLD

PRAIA DA TIRIRICA, Brazil (Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007)- The Billabong Girls Pro Itacaré has been called off today due to small, messy surf, which will see the World's Top 17 Women free to enjoy all the attributes of the extraordinary event venue.

Situated on one of the most idyllic beaches on the ASP Women's World Tour, the Billabong Girls Pro Itacaré contest site, is not only of the most picturesque, but also the most eco-friendly in the world.

Boasting a globally unique design, developed by environmental NGO Yonic, in collaboration with Billabong and the Itacaré Town Council, the Billabong Girls Pro Itacaré contest site is made up mostly of recycled materials and one of the few such events, to leave no damage to the natural environment when the competition is over.

Comprised of recycled plastic bricks, coconut sheath paneling, abandoned wood (wood that is picked up off the floor) fencing, chairs and benches made from woven recycled newspaper and abandoned wood, as well as natural waterfall showers created from small forest streams, the event site is as much a paradise as the area itself.

"The sport of surfing is so much a part of nature that our objective at this event was to build a 100% ecological structure," Geraldine Belmont, co-founder of Yonic and project manager, said. "The idea was that the community would work together to build a structure that would benefit both the people of Itacaré as well as nature, leaving only good behind."

Belmont has been working on this event for the past two years but is also heavily involved in finding solutions to trash in her hometown of Itacaré.

According to Belmont, between 80 – 300 tons of trash is produced by the population of Itacaré daily, all of which would ordinarily be dumped in the rainforest.

"We decided on a handicraft solution to trash," Belmont explained. "We encourage the community to use a hands-on approach to fighting waste, so that they will have the opportunity to build their skills, rather than an industrial solution which causes more pollution in the long run."

With a large factory outside the town, Yonic takes a non discriminatory approach to trash and believes that everything (expect hospital waste and batteries) can be recycled into consumable goods.

All of the trash created by the eight day Billabong Pro will be processed into a large trophy by the Yonic factory and auctioned off on the last day of the event. The proceeds of this auction will go back into purchasing basic foods stuffs for the impoverished community.

The Billabong Girls Pro Itacaré is Stop No. 3 of 7 on the ASP Women's World Tour. The competition needs two full days of surfing to be completed within the event's eight day window period which runs from Aug. 20 – 27, 2007. Round 1 was completed on Monday Aug. 20, 2007.

ROUND 2 ON HOLD; GIRLS TO TAKE PART IN TEAMS CHALLENGE

PRAIA DA TIRIRICA, Brazil (Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007)- With conditions not quite up to scratch at Praia da Tiririca this morning, organizers of the Billabong Girls Pro Itacaré have opted to put Round 2 on hold; sending the girls out for a Teams' Challenge.

The Billabong Girls Pro Itacaré is into its third day of the eight day window and organizers will be looking to start the first of the elimination rounds in the best waves possible.

The next call will be made at 12h00 (local time) with the option of completing the two heats which make up Round 2, today.

Round Two match-ups are as follows:
Heat 1: Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Roseanne Hodge (ZAF), Jessi Nicola Atherton (AUS)
Heat 2: Rochelle Ballard (HAW), Miley Dyer (AUS), Claire Bevilacqua (AUS).

HEDGES AND GILMORE OFF TO A CRACKER START AT BILLABONG GIRLS PRO ITACARE

PRAIA DA TIRIRICA, Brazil (Monday, Aug. 20, 2007) – If Round 1 of the Billabong Girls Pro Itacaré is any indication of what we can expect for the remainder of the 2007 ASP Women's World Tour, the battle between ratings leaders Chelsea Hedges (AUS) and Stephanie Gilmore(AUS) is set to be fierce.

Hedges set the benchmark for her fellow competitors when she opened her account with a near perfect 9.50 (out of a possible 10.00) and followed it with a 9.00 leaving her opponents Nicola Atherton (AUS) and Jacqueline Silva (BRA) needing a combination of good scorning rides to catch her.

"I was just lucky," Hedges said. "It's one of those places where if you're in the right spot at the right time and those waves come through, it can make or break the heat. I caught a right and paddled back out and a left came straight to me and I thought. 'I can't not go!' It's just a matter of being in the right position out there."

Hedges, the 2005 ASP Women's World Champion, shares the World No. 1 spot with travel-buddy and rookie title contender Gilmore. The day's high scorer is well aware that she cannot give Gilmore an inch, and as her Round 1 performance proved, is thoroughly enjoying the challenge.

"It's awesome!" Hedges said. "This is the first year in a while that I've felt really, really motivated and I guess I needed someone like Steph to come along and amp things up. I love it, it's great for women's surfing and it makes me push myself even harder."

Gilmore was equally as fired up about the battle for the ratings lead, emerging as one of the day's top scorers with an excellent 8.50 ride, to defeat Caroline Sarran (FRA) and Jessi Miley Dyer (AUS).

"Chels and I are staying together which is pretty crazy but it's going great," Gilmore said. "We're good mates and we love surfing together because we push each other and we just want to surf better. It's great traveling together but when a heat is on we know that we're going to do whatever it takes to win."

Gilmore, one of the most progressive and influential girls on the ASP Women's World Tour at present, will be watched closely by her rivals as she progresses through the upcoming rounds.

"It's about pushing the limits, going for big moves and getting out of your comfort zone," Gilmore said. "There is no doubt that all the girls are going out there with a different frame of mind at this event and everyone will be looking to step it up."

World No. 4 Rebecca Woods (AUS) joined Hedges and Gilmore in pushing the limits on Monday. The former ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) champion posted the second highest two-wave heat total of the day (14.25 out of a possible 20.00) to dispose of local favorite Silvana Lima (BRA) and fellow Australian Claire Bevilaqcua.

"The waves are really hard," Woods said. "They can be all over the place but if you get the right one, you're stoked. That's what happened to me today, so I'm really pleased and just looking forward to Round 3."

Surfers finishing 1st and 2nd in the three-woman heats go straight to Round 3. The third place surfer in each of the six Round 1 heats surfs Round 2 and faces early elimination.

Defending Billabong Girls Pro Champion Layne Beachley (AUS) had an adrenaline charged start to her Billabong Girls Pro Itacare campaign when she was locked out of her hotel room and almost missed her heat.

"I paddled out late because I came down to watch Chelsea's heat this morning and left my room unlocked," Beachley explained. "When I came back the cleaner had locked it and my key was inside - I thought I was going to miss my heat completely. I wasn't really aware of where I was going to surf so I just resorted to where I surfed last year and fortunately it paid off."

Despite her shaky start, Beachley defeated Hawaii's Megan Abubo and Rochelle Ballard to advance directly to Round 3.

"It's my first heat since Bells when I lost against Sofia in the Semifinals," Beachley said. "It's been a four month hiatus and I think I've got a bit of work to do! It felt good to get started though and the conditions were pretty good out there."

All six heats of Round 1 were completed in punchy meter 3- 4 foot (1- 1.5 meter) surf today. The next call on Round 2 competition status will be made at 10am local time.

Visit the media center on www.aspworldtour.com for transcribed athlete quotes, downloadable audio clips, complimentary hi-res images and more!

The Billabong Girls Pro Brazil – live on www.aspworldtour.com!

Round 1 Billabong Girls Pro Brazil Results:
Heat 1: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 11.10, Samantha Cornish (AUS) 10.90, Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 6.50
Heat 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 14.00, Caroline Sarran (FRA) 8.60, Jessi Miley Dyer (AUS) 8.35
Heat 3: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 18.50, Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 10.60, Nicola Atherton (AUS) 8.25
Heat 4: Layne Beachley (AUS) 12.75, Megan Abubo (HAW) 9.85, Rochelle Ballard (HAW) 8.75
Heat 5: Amee Donohoe (AUS) 11.65, Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) 9.75, Roseanne Hodge (ZAF) 7.50
Heat 6: Rebecca Woods (AUS) 14.25, Silvana Lima (BRA) 13.45, Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 11.80

Round 2 Billabong Girls Pro Brazil Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Sofia Mulanovich (PER, Roseanne Hodge (ZAF), Jessi Nicola Atherton (AUS)
Heat 2: Rochelle Ballard (HAW), Miley Dyer (AUS), Claire Bevilacqua (AUS)

ROUND 1 UNDERWAY AT BILLABONG GIRLS PRO ITACARE, BRAZIL

PRAIA DA TIRIRICA, Brazil (Monday, Aug. 20, 2007) – Punchy 1- 1.5 meter waves are on offer at the picturesque beach of Praia da Tiririca this morning and organizers have elected to start Round 1 of the Billabong Girls Pro Itacaré, Brazil at 09h30.

After a four month hiatus from ASP Women's World Tour competition, World No. 3 Sofia Mulanovich (PER), World No. 4 Samantha Cornish (AUS) and World No. 10 Melanie Bartels (HAW) will kick start Round 1, in the first heat of the day.

All six heats of Round 1 will be completed this morning with Round 2 on standby this afternoon.

The Billabong Girls Pro is Stop 3 of 7 on the ASP Women's World Tour.

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

BILLABONG GIRLS PRO BRAZIL ROUND ONE MATCH-UPS Heat 1: Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Samantha Cornish (AUS), Melanie Bartels (HAW) Heat 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Jessi Miley Dyer (Aus), Caroline Sarran (France) Heat 3: Chelsea Hedges (AUS), Jacqueline Silva (BRA), Nicola Atherton (AUS) Heat 4: Layne Beachley (AUS), Megan Abubo (HAW), Rochelle Ballard (HAW) Heat 5: Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS), Amee Donohoe (AUS), Roseanne Hodge (ZAF) Heat 6: Rebecca Woods (AUS), Silvana Lima (BRA), Claire Bevilacqua (AUS)

BEACHLEY SET TO DEFEND BILLABONG GIRLS PRO TITLE; ATHERTON EARNS WILDCARD

PRAIA DA TIRIRICA, Brazil (Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007) – Seven time ASP World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS) has taken a break from her demanding business schedule to return to ASP Women's World Tour competition, where she is set to defend her title at the Billabong Girls Pro Itacaré, Brazil which gets underway tomorrow, Monday, Aug. 20, 2007.

The 18-year world tour campaigner turned high profile business woman, had not won an ASP title in 18 months before storming to victory at the Billabong Girls Pro Itacaré in 2006, shooting to World No. 1 on the ASP ratings and setting herself up for an unprecedented 7th ASP Women's World Tour Title.

After a four month break in ASP World Tour competition, Beachley makes a welcome return to the powerful beach break waves of Praia da Tiririca to see if she can repeat her 2006 performance.

"I am looking to repeat the whole process, starting with turning my year around because I've had such an ordinary start to the season," Beachley said. "The incredibly long break has enabled me to re-examine my priorities and objectives and I think this event is significant for the resemblance it bares to where I was this time last year and the fact that I was able to turn my whole year around."

With equal 9th and 3rd place results in the first two events of the year, Beachley holds down the World No. 4 slot alongside Rebecca Woods (AUS), Silvana Lima (BRA) and Samantha Cornish (AUS), and remarkably, is not feeling any pressure.

"I don't feel so overwhelmed by it," Beachley said. "I really enjoyed the break because I have so many things going on in my life. I am just looking forward to getting back to work and building momentum as I go. Tour life has reached the point where I feel like I'm on holiday and I am sure a lot of girls wish they had that luxury; that's just how it is for me because I work so hard in the down time."

With numerous business projects on the go, including the launch of her clothing brand Beachley Athletic, staging the richest event on the ASP Women's World Tour the Beachley Classic, as well as fundraising for her Reach for a Star Foundation, the surfing stalwart still manages to maintain her competitive edge.

"Everyone knows I stay on tour to win events and world titles," Beachley said. "My objective is to win but it's not the most important thing in my life. I am fortunate in that I still have the ability and the motivation to keep striving for that. However the further I get on in my career, the more I realize that I have nothing to prove; especially after winning my 7th World Title. Now is a really good time for me to be proud of what I've achieved, and just go out there and have fun and surf for the love of it, instead of putting that pressure on myself to win another world title. I can't do it that way anymore."

Beachley will make her 2007 Billabong Girls Pro debut in Heat 4, where she faces World No. 10 Megan Abubo (HAW) and World No. 17 Rochelle Ballard (HAW).

Emerging as a very real threat to both Beachley and the rest of the Top 17 Women is Nicola Atherton (AUS), who won the 4-Star ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) Billabong Girls Pro Itacare today.

Posting an excellent 9.00 ride in the final, Atherton defeated World No. 4 Silvana Lima (BRZ), World No. 3 Sofia Mulanovich (PER) and World No. 8 Amee Donohoe (AUS), to earn her second ever wildcard slot into an ASP Women's World Tour event.

"I am absolutely ecstatic," Atherton said. "I didn't actually know about the World Tour wildcard spot until yesterday so I hadn't been thinking about it. To be competing in the Billabong ASP Women's World Tour event here in Itacaré is just a really good feeling."

Atherton, who featured as a wildcard in the Billabong Girls Pro Tahiti in 2006, is no stranger to women on women heats and will take on ratings leader Chelsea Hedges (AUS), as well as local talent Jacqueline Silva (BRA) in Round 1.

"It's all hit me really suddenly but I'm excited to surf against Chelsea first heat. I've looked up to her since I was a grom (young surfer) and she's also from Sydney so I'm really looking forward to it."

The US$ 80000 Billabong Girls Pro Itacaré is expected to get underway tomorrow, when a powerful six foot (two meter) groundswell will deliver more chunky peaks for Stop No. 3 of 7 on the ASP Women's World Tour.

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

BILLABONG GIRLS PRO BRAZIL ROUND ONE MATCH-UPS
Heat 1: Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Samantha Cornish (AUS), Melanie Bartels (HAW) Heat 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Jessi Miley Dyer (Aus), Caroline Sarran (France)
Heat 3: Chelsea Hedges (AUS), Jacqueline Silva (BRA), Wildcard (TBD)
Heat 4: Layne Beachley (AUS), Megan Abubo (HAW), Rochelle Ballard (HAW)
Heat 5: Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS), Amee Donohoe (AUS), Roseanne Hodge (ZAF) Heat 6: Rebecca Woods (AUS), Silvana Lima (BRA), Claire Bevilacqua (AUS)

COUNTDOWN TO BILLABONG GIRLS PRO ITACARE, BRAZIL BEGINS

PRAIA DA TIRIRICA, Brazil (Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007) – The small seaside village of Itacaré, Brazil will take centre stage when the world's Top 17 female surfers plus one wildcard paddle out to compete in the Billabong Girls Pro Itacaré, on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2007.

The third of seven events on the 2007 ASP Women's World Tour, the Billabong Girls Pro will take place at the renowned surfing beach of Praia da Tiririca, following a 4-Star ASP Women's World Qualifying Series (WQS) event being held there now.

2004 ASP World Champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER) is one of a niche of South American athletes currently competing on the elite tier tour. At World No. 3, the petite Peruvian is likely to have the crowd support sway heavily in her favor.

"I like Brazil a lot and being the only contest in South America makes me want to do good there," Mulanovich said. "The waves are really testing but you need to be able to adjust your surfing to all conditions. I will try my best and take it wave by wave and heat by heat and always give 100%."

The first and only South American surfer to have won an ASP World Tour Title (Men included), Mulanovich has spent the first two events of the year at opposite ends of the heat draw and will be looking to put her last place result on the Gold Coast of Australia, behind her.

"It has been an interesting year for me until now," Mulanovich said. "To finish dead last on the Gold Coast was a shocker but it made me realize I had to up my game and go and make the final at Bells. Having a good result at Bells (Mulanovich finished second) has given me confidence for the year head. I can't wait to see what I can do in Brazil."

Mulanovich is one of three South Americans on the ASP Women's World Tour, including World No. 4 Silvana Lima (BRA) who finished equal 3rd at Itacaré last year, and World No. 10 Jacqueline Silva (BRA).

Despite surfing with a broken nose (sustained during a free surfing accident), Jessi Miley Dyer (AUS) finished runner up behind 7X ASP World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS) in Brazil last year, and will endeavor to match this performance next week.

"I was really stoked with how I went in Brazil last year, it was the first time I'd done well in a World Tour event," Miley Dyer said. "It reminds me of a beach that I surf at home all the time, so it's nice that it feels familiar. I want to do well again for sure; hopefully I can make the Final like I did last year."

The powerful goofy-footer (right foot forward stance) finished 2006 rated World No. 4 but has not made it past Round 3 in 2007.

"I have done rubbish so far this year!" Miley Dyer said. "I am not really worried though as there have only been two events. We still have the whole year left pretty much, so I'm looking to do better than I have in the events to come."

The waiting period for the Billabong Girls Pro, Itacaré extends from August 20 – 27 and needs just two full days of surfing to be completed.

Heat 1 will see Mulanovich take on World No. 4 Samantha Cornish (AUS) and returning ASP World Tour campaigner Melanie Bartels (HAW), who is back on tour after falling off the ratings at the end of 2005.

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

BILLABONG GIRLS PRO BRAZIL ROUND ONE MATCH-UPS
Heat 1: Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Samantha Cornish (AUS), Melanie Bartels (HAW)
Heat 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Jessi Miley Dyer (Aus), Caroline Sarran (France)
Heat 3: Chelsea Hedges (AUS), Jacqueline Silva (BRA), Wildcard (TBD) Heat 4: Layne Beachley (AUS), Megan Abubo (HAW), Rochelle Ballard (HAW) Heat 5: Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS), Amee Donohoe (AUS), Roseanne Hodge (ZAF)
Heat 6: Rebecca Woods (AUS), Silvana Lima (BRA), Claire Bevilacqua (AUS)

GILMORE AND HEDGES AT THE HELM HEADING TO BILLABONG PRO GIRLS BRAZIL

PRAIA DA TIRIRICA, Brazil (Thursday, Aug. 09, 2007) – After a four month hiatus in ASP Women's World Tour action, the world's Top 17 female surfers are itching to get back to business in the warm tropical waters of South America for the Billabong Girls Pro Itacaré Brazil.

In its second year, the Billabong Girls Pro, stop No. 3 of 7 on the 2007 ASP Women's World Tour, will return to the picturesque beach of Praia da Tiririca from August 20- 27, 2007.

Australians Chelsea Hedges (AUS) and Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) simultaneously hold the World No. 1 spot and their brewing rivalry is expected to escalate as the tour gains momentum in Brazil.

While Hedges won the first event on the Gold Coast in February, Gilmore claimed top honors at Bells Beach in April. Both girls earned equal 5th place finishes at the events they didn't win.

Hedges, a revered athlete and the 2005 ASP Women's World Tour Champion, is in fighting form despite not having donned a contest singlet in four and a half months.

"I've taken advantage of the four month break to train, get my boards prepared and surf good waves," Hedges said. "I'm excited and looking forward to getting back into contests."

Hedges made the Semifinals at Pria da Tiririca last year and will employ her experience at the break to better that result this year.

"Brazil is a very fickle wave but you really need to be confident in all types of conditions, whether its two foot or six foot," Hedges said. "Watching the conditions and where the best waves are coming through can make all the difference."

Conversely, ASP World Tour rookie Gilmore already has her game face on. The 19-year-old surfing prodigy is fresh off a victory at the 6-Star WQS event in Huntington Beach, California and will be looking to carry her surfing supremacy into Brazil.

"It's been a while since the last World Tour event so I went to the US Open to dust off the cobwebs and get into the singlet again before Brazil," Gilmore said. "I wasn't expecting a win there but I managed to pull it off so I'm feeling good. My boards are insane and I'm ready to kick things off in Brazil and hold on to that number one spot for the rest of the year."

Defending Billabong Girls Pro Champion and World No. 4 Layne Beachley (AUS) is unlikely to make things easy for the current ratings leaders.

The 7X ASP World Champion will no doubt be plotting a repeat of her 2006 performance, which saw her capture her first tour victory in 18 months and jump to World No. 1 on the ASP ratings.

Also looking to insert themselves into title contention will be 2006 Billabong Girls Pro runner-up Jessi Miley Dyer (AUS) and South Americans Sofia Mulanovich (PER) and Silvana Lima (BRZ). Each of the aforementioned surfers will be at home in the conditions.

Praia da Tiririca is renowned for its beauty and punchy beach breaks. Due to a constant movement in sand, caused by the Rio de Contas river mouth nearby, this break offers short hollow rides and a variety of playful peaks.

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

BILLABONG GIRLS PRO BRAZIL ROUND ONE MATCH-UPS
Heat 1:Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Samantha Cornish (AUS), Melanie Bartels (HAW)
Heat 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Jessi Miley Dyer (Aus), Caroline Sarran (France)
Heat 3: Chelsea Hedges (AUS), Jacqueline Silva (BRA), Wildcard (TBD)
Heat 4: Layne Beachley (AUS), Megan Abubo (HAW), Rochelle Ballard (HAW)
Heat 5: Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS), Amee Donohoe (AUS), Roseanne Hodge (ZAF)
Heat 6: Rebecca Woods (AUS), Silvana Lima (BRA), Claire Bevilacqua (AUS)