Gilmore Defends NAB Beachley Classic Title and Moves Back to Number One
CURL CURL, Sydney (Sunday, Oct. 14 2007) - ASP World Tour rookie Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) proved unstoppable at Sydney’s Curl Curl beach this morning, successfully defending her NAB Beachley Classic crown to reclaim the World No. 1 spot.
The 19-year-old who won this event as a wildcard in 2006, defeated Brazilian sensation Silvana Lima (BRA) in the toughest Final seen on the ASP Women’s World Tour this year.
Competing in excellent 1-metre surf, Gilmore and Lima went wave for wave in their first ever match- up, producing performances that have taken women’s professional surfing to new heights.
Gilmore edged out her South American foe with an overall score off 15.43 to Lima’s 15.33 (both out of a possible 20.00 points), earning US$ 20 000, the richest prizemoney purse on the ASP Women’s World Tour.
“I can’t believe it!” Gilmore exclaimed after the Final. “That was one of the hardest heats of my life. It was back and forth the whole time and Silvana was getting waves that I didn’t want and turning them into 7’s and 8’s. It was scary! To beat her is just incredible!”
Posting a near perfect 9.00 point ride (out of 10.00) off her second wave, Gilmore assumed an early heat lead which was soon crushed by Lima’s consecutive 7.23 and a 7.17 rides.
While Gilmore waited patiently with priority, the ravenous Brazilian locked into a smaller inside wave, performing a clean cut-back and furious white water re-entry, to post an 8.10 and extend her lead.
As time drained, Gilmore needing a 6.07, the defiant blonde drew every ounce of potential out of a bumpy set wave, improving on her required score with a 6.43, from which Lima was never able to recover.
“I really didn’t know what was going to happen and then I got that wave and luckily I got the scores,” Gilmore said. “You just feel so proud of yourself when you win and I feel invincible right now.”
Gilmore has returned to the World No. 1 position on the ASP ratings after slipping down to World No. 4, when she finished equal ninth in Spain.
“It feels insane to be back at World No 1,” Gilmore said. “I’m surfing better than ever now. I’m feeling strong and confident and I’m just on top of the world!”
Lima retained her World No. 2 position, earning US$ 10 000 but was visibly devastated by yet another runner-up finish.
Her runner-up result today marks her third such result this year, after reaching the Finals in Brazil, Spain and now Sydney.
“I can’t believe I lost!” Lima lamented. “It’s still a good result for me and I know I am surfing well. We’ll take it to the next event! I’m ready, let’s go!”
A standout performer from start to finish, Lima punctuated the NAB Beachley Classic with her radical aerial manoeuvres, earning some of the event’s top scoring rides, including a 9.10 against Jacqueline Silva (BRA) in the Quarterfinals.
Lima now lies less than 100 points behind Gilmore on the ASP ratings and fuelled by her defeat at Curl Curl today, will return to ASP competition as a formidable foe at the next three events.
Finishing equal third and earning US$ 8000 for their efforts, were Jessi Miley- Dyer (AUS) and Sofia Mulanovich (PER).
Miley- Dyer posted her best result of the 2007 season and has jumped from World No. 14 to World No. 9.
The former ASP World Junior Champion was defeated by an on-form Lima in Semifinal Heat 1.
“I’m really happy to reach the Semis, especially since it’s in Sydney, my hometown,” Dyer said. “I didn’t start the year well but I feel a lot more confident in bigger waves so I am looking forward to Peru and Hawaii.”
Mulanovich maintained her World No. 3 spot with an equal third today. The talented Peruvian surfer was defeated by Gilmore in Semifnal Heat 2 when she opted to sit on the left- breaking peak, giving Gilmore full reign of the right.
“I was just really lost out there I think,” Mulanovich explained. “I chose to sit on the left peak instead of just taking the right with Steph. Steph is such an amazing surfer that if you let her run by herself, she’s going to get the waves and score really high.”
The result was Mulanovich’s first equal third of 2007 and has put her in a good position going into the next event in Peru.
“I am stoked I made it to the Semifinals,” Mulanovich said. “I’m pumped now that Steph’s nailed me and I’m looking forward to the next event.”
Former ratings leader coming into this event Samantha Cornish (AUS), has slipped down to World No. 4 after she was defeated by Jacqueline Silva (BRA) in Round 3 on Saturday.
Behind her lie Chelsea Hedges (AUS) who is still at World No. 5, while Layne Beachley (AUS) has moved up one spot to World No. 6.
The ASP Women’s World Tour now moves to Mancora Peru for the Mancora Peru Classic, which takes place from October 30 – November 4, 2007.
NAB Beachley Classic Final Results: Heat: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)15.43 def Silvana Lima (BRA) 15.33
ASP Women’s World Tour Ratings (after Stop No. 5 of 8) 1. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 4308 2. Silvana Lima (BRA) 4226 3. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 3811 4. Samantha Cornish (AUS) 3504 5. Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 3326 6. Layne Beachley (AUS) 2882 6. Amee Donohoe (AUS) 2882 7. Rebecca Woods (AUS)2448 8. Jessi Miley Dyer (AUS) 2347 9. Melanie Redman- Carr (AUS) 2232 10. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 2114
TWO AUSSIES AND TWO SOUTH AMERICANS INTO THE SEMIFINALS
Silvana Lima posted the highest heat score of the day at with a 17.35 and was the first surfer to advance into the Semifinals.
A powerful South swell, bitterly cold onshores and explosive performances defined Day 5 of the NAB Beachley Classic which has seen two Aussies and two South Americans advance into the Semifinals.
Silvana Lima (BRA) and Steph Gilmore (AUS) emerged as the day's top scorers posting 9.10 and 9.90 scores respectively, both girls advancing into the Semifinals alongside Jessi Miley Dyer (AUS) and Sofia Mulanovich (PER).
Other big upset indluded Jessi Miley Dyer defeating Layne Beachley in the Quarterfinals and Jacqueline Silva disposing of World No. 1 Samantha Cornish in Round 3.
The next call is at 7.30am which will see the Semifinals and Finals completed before lunch.
Stay tuned!
NAB Beachley Classic Semifinal Match-ups: Heat 1: Silvana Lima (BRA) vs Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) Heat 2:Sofia Mulanovich (PER) vs Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
Caroline Sarran advanced into Round 3 after winning her Round 2 heat at Manly this morning.
Both heats of Round 2 where completed this morning with Caroline Sarran (FRA) and Amee Donohoe (AUS) emerging as heat winners and advancing alongside runners up Megan Abubo (AUS) and Claire Bevilacqua into Round 3.
Eliminate from this years NAB Beachley Classic were World No. 6 Rebecca Woods (AUS) and World No. 9 Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS)who finished in equal 17th.
This results marks Redman- Carr's final result of 2007 as she has decided to withdraw from the remaining three events due to her pregnancy.
With similar conditions expected tomorrow, organisers are expecting to complete all eight heats of Round 3 by the end of the day on Friday.
Wildcard Fitzgibbons Outsurfs Beachley to Advance into Round Three
MANLY, Sydney (Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007) – Demonstrating all the attributes of a future world beater, ASP Australasian Junior Champion and wildcard surfer Sally Fitzgibbons (Aus) edged out 7X ASP World Champion Layne Beachley (Aus), during Round 1 of the ASP Women’s World Tour NAB Beachley Classic, at Sydney’s Manly Beach, today.
Fitzgibbons won the Oakley Wildcard Trials on Monday to advance into the main event. Her superior paddling power and deliberate tactics saw her out-class Beachley, to post the highest two-wave heat total of the event, a 15.65 (out of a possible 20.00 points).
“I am just over the moon!” Fitzgibbons said after her win which also included the day’s highest individual wave score, an 8.50 (out of 10.00). “I went out there and got those couple of rides I needed, I didn’t expect to get that far ahead. I’m just super happy.”
Surfing through five rounds of competition during the Oakley Wildcard Trials on Monday, Fitzgibbons went on to reveal her true talent against the world’s best during Round 1, advancing seamlessly into Round 3.
“Surfing the trials helped me to familiarise myself with the banks at Manly,” Fitzgibbons said. “Even though the conditions were totally different out there today, it was still similar and I was just lucky to get the waves I needed.”
Beachley, who finished in second place, was put to the test by Fitzgibbons’s exceptional wildcard performance. The 7X ASP World Champion clawed her way back from a potential Round 2 fate, with a 6.10 ride which saw her advance ahead of Claire Bevilacqua (Aus) in the dying minutes of their Round 1 clash.
“I’ve been surfing out here my whole life,” Beachley said. “That’s why I am so frustrated right now because I know where to surf and which waves to catch. I just didn’t do that today. It was a valuable lesson and I will have to make up for it during the next round.”
Beachley and Fitzgibbons are scheduled to meet again in Round 3.
Defending NAB Beachley Classic Champion Stephanie Gilmore (Aus) maintained her wildcard mindset which saw her win this event in 2006. Posting the second highest two-wave heat total of the day a 15.10, Gilmore outshone her fellow Heat 6 competitors Melanie Bartels (Haw) and Melanie Redman-Carr (Aus).
“I’m in a totally different position this year,” Gilmore explained. “There are ratings points and world titles that I should be aiming for and not thinking about but I am. I tried to stay on Sally’s wavelength today, which was to have fun and keep surfing good.”
Losing her ASP ratings lead to Samantha Cornish in Spain, Gilmore is aware of how much is at stake for both herself as well as her fellow top five campaigners at this event.
“If any of the girls in the top five were to get a win here, they could really get away from the pack and that would make things extremely hard going into the last three events,” Gilmore said. “I am at World No. 4 which is good and I’m still in with a shot at the World Title”.
Current World No. 3 Sofia Mulanovich (Per) produced another signature performance that has seen her climb the ASP ratings ladder this year. Winning her Round 1 heat with excellent 8.00 and 7.00 point rides, the 2004 ASP World Champion defeated Leilani Gryde (Haw) who replaced ‘no- show’ surfer Rochelle Ballard (Haw) and Megan Abubo (Haw) in Heat 4.
Also advancing in first place were World No. 1 Samantha Cornish (Aus) who posted the first 8.00 ride of the day over Jacqueline Silva (Bra) and Rebecca Woods (Aus); South African Rosy Hodge who captured a surprise Round 1 victory over World No. 2 Silvana Lima (Bra) and Amee Donohoe (Aus) and Jessi Miley-Dyer (Aus), who slipped into top gear to defeat World No. 5 Chelsea Hedges (Aus) and Caroline Sarran (Fra).
All six heats of Round 1 where completed before the competition was called off due to unfavourable winds. Conditions will be reassessed and another call made at 07h30 tomorrow morning.
The NAB Beachley Classic runs from 9- 14 October, 2007 and holds a prize money purse of US$ 100 000 as well as 20% bonus ASP ratings points.
The event is produced by Layne Beachley in collaboration with National Australia Bank and the Association of Surfing Professionals.
Beachley Welcomes Wildcard Challenge at NAB Beachley Classic
MANLY, Sydney (Monday, Oct. 8, 2007) – Seven times ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS) has vowed not to let history repeat itself at her own ASP Women’s World Tour event, the NAB Beachley Classic, which kicks off at Sydney’s Manly Beach tomorrow.
Beachley was defeated by wildcard surfer and current ASP World No. 4 Stephanie Gilmore (Aus) at the inaugural event in 2006 and has expressed her excitement at taking up the challenge of facing this year’s wildcard Sally Fitzgibbins (AUS), during Round 1.
“Last year I was kicking myself for inviting Steph Gilmore but this year I am just open to the wildcard challenge,” Beachley said at the official NAB Beachley Classic press conference, today. “I’m loving what surfing is producing. There is so much talent coming through the ranks, especially from the Australians and they are inspiring me to be a better surfer.”
One of the world’s most accomplished water women, Beachley has also developed into a successful business woman, producing the richest stop on the ASP Women’s World Tour while maintaining a top ten position on the ASP ratings.
“I think one of the greatest things about being on the tour now is being inspired by all the girls around me,” Beachley explained. “It’s exciting to see and it drives me to continue competing and to put more back into women’s surfing.”
Fitzgibbons emerged as the overall standout through five rounds of competition during the Oakley Wildcard trials this morning. The sixteen-year-old ASP Australasian champion disposed of Sage Erickson (USA) in the final, advancing into the main event.
“I’m super stoked,” Fitzgibbons said after her win. “I just went out there to surf my own heat and get a few waves and I kept getting through heats and made it into the final.”
Fitzgibbons faces Beachley and World No. 14 Claire Bevilacqua (Aus) in Heat 3 of Round 1 when the NAB Beachley Classic gets underway later this week.
“I haven’t really thought about taking Layne on in Round 1,” Fitzgibbons admitted. “It’s just a dream come true to have this opportunity to surf in an ASP Women’s World Tour event and I hope we get some waves.”
With the top four rated surfers separated by the narrowest of margins, the bonus points on offer at the Manly event are expected to significantly impact the ASP ratings. For a surfer such as Beachley, who is rated World No. 7, this event could make or break her campaign for that World No. 1 spot going into the final leg in Hawaii.
“Given that I have had a challenging season to date, I am looking forward to turning my whole year around at this event,” Beachley said. “Ofcourse the bonus will be an enormous advantage to everyone, but none more than the victor. Considering the closeness of the title race this year, these extra points could have a significant impact on each and every competitor.”
Samantha Cornish (Aus) currently holds down the World No. 1 spot ahead of Brazilian sensation Silvana Lima (Brz) who is close behind her at World No. 2.
2004 ASP World Champion Sofia Mulanovich (Per) is fresh off a victory in Spain and at World No. 3 will be in fighting form, while former joint ASP ratings leaders Stephanie Gilmore (Aus) and Chelsea Hedges (Aus) lie at 4th and 5th respectively.
The first heat in the water sees Cornish take on World No. 6 Rebecca Woods (Aus) and World No. 12 Jacqueline Silva (AUS).
The NAB Beachley Classic runs from 9- 14 October, 2007 and is the richest stop on the ASP Women’s World Tour. The event holds a prizemoney purse of US$ 100 000 as well as 20% bonus ASP ratings points.
The event is produced by Layne Beachley in collaboration with National Australia Bank and the Association of Surfing Professionals.
Steve Robertson (onsite) Email: stever@surfingaustralia.com
About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the Foster’s ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.
