BILLABONG PRO MAUI KICKS OFF COMPETITION AT 9:15AM

HONOLUA BAY, Maui (Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007) – The Billabong Pro Maui presented by Hawaiian Airlines is scheduled to kickoff competition today with the six-woman Trials hitting the two-to-four foot (1 metre) surf at Honolua Bay at 9:15am.

"We're going to be starting with the six-woman Trials in which the winner will receive a slot into the main event," ASP Head Judge Richie Porta said. "There are a few waves out there and we'll look to get into Round 1 and possibly Round 2 depending on what the swell does. We'll be monitoring things closely to ensure that we don't send the girls out in marginal conditions."

The six trialists vying for the one coveted seed into the main event are Nicola Atherton (AUS), Alana Hendrickson (HAW), Paige Alms (HAW), Monyca Byrne-Wickey (HAW), Lipoa Kahaleuahi (HAW) and Alana Blanchard (HAW).

Following the completion of the Trials, Round 1 of the Billabong Pro Maui will kick off seeing ASP Women's World Title contenders Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Sofia Mulanovich (PER) and Silvana Lima (BRA) all battling it out at Honolua Bay.

Keala Kennelly (HAW), who was originally scheduled to compete in the Trials, has been seeded into the main event with the injury withdrawal of Caroline Sarran (FRA).

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.

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 Trials for the Billabong Pro Maui will begin at 9:15am.

All Billabong Pro Maui action will be webcast LIVE via www.billabongpro.com/maui07/index.asp and www.aspworldtour.com

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com or www.triplecrownofsurfing.com

FUEL TV will be broadcasting the Billabong Pro Maui presented by Hawaiian Airlines. For more information, log onto www.fuel.tv

NO OFFICIAL BILLABONG PIPELINE MASTERS ACTION TO UNFOLD TODAY

BANZAI PIPELINE, Hawaii (Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007) – Adverse wind conditions have forced event officials to call off competition for the Billabong Pipeline Masters, the final event on the 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour, today. Another call on competition status will be made tomorrow morning at 7am.

The men's Billabong Pipeline Masters runs concurrently with the final event on the ASP Women's World Tour, the Billabong Pro Maui, held at Honolua Bay, Maui. Both events are the third and final installment of action in the Vans Triple Crown of series and will determine this year's Vans Triple Crown champion.

ASP World No. 6 Bede Durbidge (AUS) currently leads the men's Vans Triple Crown of Surfing ratings followed Roy Powers (HAW), Mick Fanning (AUS), Adrian Buchan (AUS) and Makuakai Rothman (HAW).

In addition to their share of the $740,000 in prize money, both the men's and women's Vans Triple Crown champions will receive a limited edition $25,000 Chevy Colorado truck. The men's champion will also receive a custom $10,000 Nixon watch.

All of the action of this year's Billabong Pipeline Masters can be experienced live at www.billabongpro.com and www.aspworldtour.com.

Billabong Pro Round 1 Heat Draw
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)

For more information please visit www.aspworldtour.com and www.triplecrownofsurfing.com.

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.