Photo: Congratulations to Sofia Mulanovich, 2008 Roxy Pro Presented by LG Champion.
Sofia Mulanovich Wins Roxy Pro; Takes Ratings Lead on ASP Women's World Tour
COOLANGATTA, Australia (Saturday, Mar. 1, 2008) – Sofia Mulanovich (PER) has won the 2008 Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by LG, defeating fellow finalist Samantha Cornish (AUS) in clean three foot (1 metre) waves at Snapper Rocks.
The opening event of the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour season, the Roxy Pro Gold Coast ran from Round 3 through the Final today with major upsets and inspiring performances enthralling the hundreds on the beach and thousands watching online.
Mulanovich, 2004 ASP Women’s World Champion and world runner-up last season, was in sensational form today, netting the day’s highest heat total of a 17.34 out of a possible 20 to combo Cornish in the Final.
“The final started out kind of slow, but I got a good score midway and from then on, I started pushing my surfing out there,” Mulanovich said. “My board felt really good out there and I when I caught that last wave, I knew that Sam (Cornish) was going to need a lot to catch me. So stoked.”
The Peruvian had yet to procure a solid result at the Roxy Pro Gold Coast in past seasons, but her victory today puts Mulanovich at the top of the ratings in the race for the 2008 ASP Women’s World Title.
“So stoked to finally get a good result here,” Mulanovich said. “I love the wave at Snapper, but until today, I hadn’t been able to get a result. It’s a long season and I am off to a good start, but there are still so many good girls out there. Steph (Gilmore) and Layne (Beachley) and so many others. Samantha today surfed so well and I know she’s hungry for a win.”
Cornish, who finished No. 4 on the ASP Women’s World Tour last season, was in devastating form today netting solid scores in the three rounds leading up to the final. Although the young Australian’s conditioning held steady, the waves did not deliver for her in the Final.
“We’ve surfed four times today, but I didn’t feel too tired out there, I just couldn’t get the waves that linked through,” Cornish said. “Congrats to Sofia (Mulanovich) though as she was ripping. I’m a bit bummed that I couldn’t see it all the way through today, but I’m still happy with my performance here.”
Carissa Moore (HAW), who won the Roxy Pro Trials and was runner-up at this event last season, dazzled throughout the day, blending full-rail carves with new school tail slides to take down reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) and fellow islander Melanie Bartels (HAW) before going down to Cornish.
“This was my first time ever surfing against Steph (Gilmore) and she has absolutely been ripping,” Moore said. “It see-sawed back and forth in that heat, but I ended up getting that one at the end that was really exciting. I am a bit disappointed that I couldn’t do as well as I did last season, but Sam (Cornish) was on point and got the better waves. It has been a great experience for me and I’m really thankful for the opportunity to compete here again this year.”
Amee Donohoe (AUS), who finished No. 6 on the ASP Women’s World Tour in 2007, was in sterling form all day, eliminating Jacqueline Silva (BRA) and Julia De La Rosa Toro (PER) (formerly Julia Christian (USA)) before going down to Mulanovich in the Semifinals. Donohoe collects an equal 3rd place finish and solid positioning on this season’s ratings.
“Starting the season with a 3rd is great, although I’m a bit bummed that I couldn’t get the waves in the Semifinal against Sofia (Mulanovich),” Donohoe said. “Pretty stoked with my performance here and I’ll be focusing on keeping the momentum up at Bells Beach.”
The next stop on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour will be the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach from Mar. 19-24, 2008.
Highlights from the 2008 Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG will be available via www.aspworldtour.com/roxypro
The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG has completed the opening two rounds of competition and with swell forecasted to come in over the next few days, the ASP Top 45 could be back in the water very soon. The Quiksilver Pro pres. by LG will be webcast live via www.aspworldtour.com/quikpro
For more details, including quotes and complimentary images, log onto the Press Room on www.aspworldtour.com
Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Results
Final 1 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 17.34 2 – Samantha Cornish (AUS) 7.83
Semifinals: 1st advances to Final; 2nd finishes Equal 3rd SF 1: Samantha Cornish (AUS) 16.90 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.53 SF 2: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 13.50 def. Amee Donohoe (AUS) 10.33
Quarterfinals: 1st advances to Semifinals; 2nd finishes Equal 5th QF 1: Samantha Cornish (AUS) 15.60 def. Layne Beachley (AUS) 12.00 QF 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 17.57 def. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 9.07 QF 3: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 13.16 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 7.10 QF 4: Amee Donohoe (AUS) 10.73 def. Julia De La Rosa Toro (PER) 10.33
2008 ASP Women’s World Tour Ratings after the Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG 1. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 1200 points 2. Samantha Cornish (AUS) 972 points 3. Amee Donohoe (AUS) 756 points 4. Layne Beachley (AUS) 552 points 4. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 552 points 4. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 552 points 4. Julia de la Rosa Toro (PER) 552 points 8. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 360 points 8. Silvana Lima (BRA) 360 points 8. Megan Abubo (HAW) 360 points 8. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF ) 360 points 8. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 360 points 8. Serena Brooke (AUS) 360 points 8. Nicola Atherton (AUS) 360 points 8. Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 360 points 16. Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 180 points 16. Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) 180 points 16. Karina Petroni (USA) 180 points
event:Over scores:OFF swell:3-4 feet wind:Light weather:Scattered Showers and Sun schedule:Chelsea Hedges is Roxy Pro Champion! updated:2:30pm- Mar. 5
Local Time:7:45:28 PM
Chelsea Hedges is Roxy Pro Gold Coast Champion!
Former ASP Women's World Champ Chelsea Hedges has just stopped the incredible run of 14-year-old trials winner Carissa Moore to take home the Roxy Pro Gold Coast crown.
As conditions continued to deteriorate throughout the final, the veteran Hedges showed excellent wave selection and bashed the sandbar righthanders utilizing her vicious backhand attack.
Moore, who looked the form surfer of the event, enjoyed an incredible run, but was unable to put it together in the final.
Check out all the images, audio and video action from the day in the ASP Media Center at www.aspworldtour.com.
Congratulations to all the girls, and we'll see you in Bells.
Final Results: Final: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 11.33 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 6.70
Roxy Pro Semifinal Results: Semifinal 1: Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.43 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 10.50 Semifinal 2: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 13.33 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 12.50
event:OFF scores:OFF swell:3-4 feet wind:Light Wind weather:Sunny schedule:Roxy Pro Quarterfinal Call at 6:30am updated:3:30pm - Mar. 3
Local Time:7:28:03 PM
Roxy Pro Round 3 Finished
Pictured:Earlier today Carissa Moore defeated Layne Beachley and will move into the quarters
Chelsea Hedges (AUS) has just stitched up Caroline Sarran (FRA) to win the final heat of the day advancing her to the quarterfinals where she will come up against good friend Stephanie Gilmore in what is sure to be one of the most anticipated heats of the event.
A banner day of surfing went down, and for all the highlights, be sure to check out the MEDIA section.
