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

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)

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 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)

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)

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

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)

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 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)

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

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)

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.