BILLABONG PIPELINE MASTERS OFF TODAY; NEXT CALL TOMORROW

BANZAI PIPELINE, Hawaii (Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007) – The waiting period for the Billabong Pipeline Masters, the final event on the 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour, begins today, Dec. 8th and stretches for 13 days until Dec. 20th. Small and unfavorable conditions at Pipeline this morning have seen the contest called off for the day.

When competition does commence, former 3X ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW), who has won the event four out of the past five years, will surf in the first heat. Irons will take on Adriano de Souza (BRA), Cory Lopez (USA) and Tiago Pires (PRT) in Round 1.

Round 1 of the Billabong Pipeline Masters will feature 12 four-man heats comprised of the Foster's 45, the Pipeline Masters wildcards and injury replacement surfers. The 12 1st place finishers along with the four highest 2nd place finishers will advance straight to Round 4. The remaining eight 2nd place finishers and eight highest 3rd place finishers will negotiate Round 3 and the remaining four 3rd place finishers and the 12 4th place finishers will meet 16 "Pipeline specialists," as nominated by ASP Hawaii and the Hawaii Pro Surfer's Union (HPSU), in Round 2.

Another call on competition status will be made tomorrow morning at 7am.

Billabong Pro Round 1 Heat Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Andy Irons (HAW), Adriano de Souza (BRA), Cory Lopez (USA), Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 2: Bobby Martinez (USA), Leonardo Neves (BRA), Greg Emslie (ZAF), Tim Reyes (USA)
Heat 3: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Daniel Wills (AUS), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Mark Occhilupo (AUS)
Heat 4: Damien Hobgood (USA), Luke Stedman (AUS), Raoni Monteiro (BRA), Gabe Kling (USA)
Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS), Phillip MacDonald (AUS), Ricky Basnett (ZAF), Laurie Towner (AUS)
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Royden Bryson (ZAF), Kalani Chapman (HAW)
Heat 7: Taj Burrow (AUS), Bruce Irons (HAW), Chris Ward (USA), T.J Barron (HAW)
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA), Neco Padaratz (BRA), Sunny Garcia (HAW)
Heat 9: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Michael Campbell (AUS), Bernardo Miranda (BRA), Michael Lowe (AUS)
Heat 10: Taylor Knox (USA), C.J. Hobgood (USA), Josh Kerr (AUS), Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 11: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Kai Otton (AUS), Troy Brooks (AUS), Victor Ribas (BRA)
Heat 12: Dean Morrison (AUS), Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Dayyan Neve (AUS), Shaun Cansdell (AUS)

BILLABONG PRO MAUI HOSTS ROCHELLE BALLARD’S FINAL EVENT

HONOLUA BAY, Maui (Friday, Dec. 7, 2007) – Legendary ASP tour veteran Rochelle Ballard (HAW) will cap off her esteemed and ground-breaking career at the Billabong Pro Maui presented by Hawaiian Airlines from Dec. 8 – 20, 2007.

Ballard has officially announced her retirement following the completion of the 2007 ASP Women's World Tour, and is pleased that her career will culminate at home in Hawaii.

"Honolua Bay is a very special place," Ballard said. "It is an amazing wave and one of my favorite events on tour. I am so happy to be at home finishing off my last event as a touring pro. I have enjoyed many amazing experiences over the years and have seen so much change and grow on tour. To finish it at a barreling righthand pointbreak is a win win experience no matter what the result."

The Hawaiian's storied journey throughout the ranks of the ASP World Tour has seen her rise as high as No. 2 in the world in 2004, as well as collect a number of victories including the Gunston 500, the Billabong Pro at Burleigh Heads, the U.S. Open, among others. However, despite the countless accolades she has acquired, Ballard will most miss her companions on tour.

"Traveling with my best mates on tour especially my best friend Megan (Abubo) is what I'll miss most after this season," Ballard said. "We have always amped each other up so much. Also, visiting old friends in the countries we go to and eating at my favorite cafe's around the world...and all the sick parties on tour weren't so bad either."

Although Ballard is looking forward to a bit of a respite after over a decade of competing against the world's best, she shows no signs of slowing down. Look for the powerful natural-footer to continue pushing the limits of high-performance surfing as she watches the next wave of professional surfers take on the ASP Women's World Tour.

"I think it's amazing what the younger girls are doing, and I am so excited to enjoy watching them," Ballard said. "I look forward to continuing to be a part of their careers. I'm a kid at heart and always will be."

Ballard will join the rest of the girls on the ASP Top 17 in Maui, including ASP World Title contenders Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Sofia Mulanovich (PER) and Silvana Lima (BRA).

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

ASP WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPION TO BE DECIDED AT BILLABONG PRO MAUI

HONOLUA BAY, Maui (Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007) – The Billabong Pro Maui presented by Hawaiian Airlines, the final event of the 2007 ASP Women's World Tour as well as the Vans Hawaiian Triple Crown, is set to begin its waiting period on Dec. 8, 2007, and Honolua Bay will not only be crowning an event champion, but the ASP Women's World Champion as well.

Current ratings leader Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), former ASP Women's World Champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER) and South American phenom Silvana Lima (BRA) are the only three surfers remaining in contention for the 2007 ASP Women's World Title, and the pressure will be on at Honolua Bay to determine who will walk away with surfing's most prestigious title.

Gilmore, who has already recorded one of the best rookie seasons in ASP history with three wins in 2007, will be the frontrunner heading into the Billabong Pro Maui, but knows that Mulanovich and Lima are right there with her in contention.

"I've been trying to approach every event the same way," Gilmore said. "It can be very easy to get caught up in all the world title talk, but I'm just focusing on Round 1 at Honolua."

This will be Gilmore's first event at the infamous righthander, and the stylish natural-footer is one of the favorites heading into the Billabong Pro Maui because of her tenacious forehand attack and explosive repertoire.

"It's a perfect wave, and I've been looking forward to surfing it with only two girls out all year," Gilmore said. "I'm really amped to get some good barrels and just enjoy myself because it's the last event of the year."

Although Gilmore currently leads the ratings, Mulanovich is holding a 17th place finish in her scoreline which, if replaced in Maui, will see her jump ahead in the ratings leaving Gilmore and Lima playing catch up.

"I have a lot of confidence after my win at the Roxy Pro and I am really looking forward to getting over to Maui," Mulanovich said. "Steph and Silvana are incredible surfers and I know they want this bad – I'm just going to stick to my gameplan and focus."

If Mulanovich places 17th in Maui, Lima must finish 1st or 2nd, otherwise Gilmore wins.

If Mulanovich places 9th, Gilmore must finish 5th or better, and Lima must finish 1st or 2nd to claim the crown.

If Mulanovich places 5th, Gilmore must finish 3rd or better and Lima must win the Billabong Pro Maui to claim the title.

If Mulanovich places 3rd, Gilmore must finish 2nd to win, and Lima is out of contention regardless.

If Mulanovich places 2nd, Gilmore must win the event, and if Mulanovich wins the event, she also wins the title.

Given the three's reputation in hollow righthanders, expect a showdown for the ages to ensue as we countdown to the crowning of the 2007 ASP Women's World Champion.

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

All Billabong Pro Maui action will be webcast LIVE via http://www.triplecrownofsurfing.com and http://www.aspworldtour.com

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com