Gilmore Wins Inaugural Mancora Peru Classic - Solidifies Ratings Lead
MANCORA, Peru (Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007) – Rookie sensation and current ratings leader on the 2007 ASP Women’s World Tour, Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), scored an incredible last-minute victory over reigning and seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS) to claim the inaugural Mancora Peru Classic.
With conflicting swell forecasts circling the venue this morning, event organizers and competitors elected to run the Quarterfinals, the Semifinals and the Final today, in order to make the most of the conditions on hand.
Gilmore, who took down compatriot Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) and Peruvian icon Sofia Mulanovich in her Quarterfinal and Semifinal heats earlier today, was in need of a solid 7.20 out of a possible 10 in the dying moments of the Final. With less than a minute to go, Gilmore spun around on a walling lefthander and proceeded to belt it on her backhand all the way to the beach to earn herself an 8.10 out of a possible 10 as well as the event win.
“I was definitely feeling the day’s strenuous efforts on my body there in the last few minutes of the heat,” Gilmore said. “We did a lot of sitting and waiting, but it’s pretty difficult to stay mentally focused for the entire 40-minute final. I don’t know how I managed to get that last wave in the dying seconds. The ocean was dead flat, and then out of nowhere came this little wave and it was pretty special. I’m pretty proud of myself.”
Gilmore’s win today in Mancora marks her third event victory of the season, and increases the Australian’s lead in the hunt for the 2007 ASP Women’s World Title. Should Gilmore remain on top when the season culminates, she will make ASP history as the first competitor to win the ASP World Title in their rookie season.
“We don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves, but I’m still sitting in No. 1 on th ratings and it’s right where I want to be,” Gilmore said. “Hopefully I’ve gained a couple of points with Layne (Beachley) coming in second and not Silvana (Lima) or Sofia (Mulanovich). I really don’t want to think about it, but going into Hawaii, I’m pumped to just get on some bigger boards and some bigger waves and get some really good action going.”
Beachley, who enjoyed her first finals berth of 2007, solidifies her current position at No. 5 in the world and will be a serious threat to the 2007 ASP World Title race heading into the remaining two events of the season in Hawaii.
“Obviously, I am a bit frustrated that I didn’t come away with the win here in Peru, but congratulations to Steph,” Beachley said. “Looking forward, I’m excited to getto Hawaii and into some bigger surf. I have 18 years on tour and seven world titles, and I sometimes forget that. I’m very much looking forward to heading over there and I’ll definitely be putting my experience to good use.”
Sofia Mulanovich (PER), former ASP Women’s World Champion and current No. 3 on the 2007 ASP Women’s World Tour, looked solid in her Quarterfinal bout against Australian Amee Donohoe, but was unable to overtake a rampaging Gilmore in the Semifinals.
“It is really hard to lose out in the Semifinals,” Mulanovich said. “I was very much looking forward to bringing a win back to Peru, but Steph (Gilmore) was on fire. I’m disappointed that I didn’t win today, but I am very happy that the event was a success here in Peru and I will head to Hawaii in hopes of reclaiming the world title.”
Silvana Lima (BRA), current World No. 2, was another who built momentum throughout the week, before allowing Beachley to go on a heat-winning wave in their Semifinal clash.
“The wave didn’t look that good from where I was paddling, and I hesitated and missed it,” Lima said. “3rd is a very good result for me, but I really wanted to win here in Peru.”
The next stop on the 2007 ASP Women’s World Tour will be the Roxy Pro at Sunset Beach from Nov. 23 to Dec. 6, 2007, followed by the final stop of the year, the Billabong Pro Maui from Dec. 8-20, 2007.
Heading into Hawaii, six girls remain in contention for the 2007 ASP Women’s World Title in Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Silvana Lima (BRA), Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Chelsea Hedges (AUS), Samantha Cornish (AUS) and Layne Beachley (AUS).
More event information, photos and videos will be available via www.aspworldtour.com
FUEL TV will air its full coverage of the 2007 Mancora Peru Classic on December 20, 2007 at 8pm PT/ET in their Surf Spot programming block.
MANCORA, Peru (Friday, Nov. 2, 2007) – This morning saw the remaining two heats of Round 3 of the Mancora Peru Classic completed with Australian Amee Donohoe and Peruvian Sofia Mulanovich proving victorious in their respective matches.
The Quarterfinalists have now been decided at the Mancora Peru Classic, event No. 6 of 8 on the 2007 ASP Women’s World Tour, and event organizers have opted to hold off competition until tomorrow, when a projected swell increase is forecast to hit.
Former ASP Women’s World Champion Sofia Mulanovich netted the day’s high heat total of a 14.67 out of a possible 20 for her explosive backhand approach, and her Round 3 victory over French rookie Caroline Sarran sees the Peruvian icon into the Quarterfinals.
“It’s great to have everyone cheering when you’re in the water,” Mulanovich said. “Even though we ran early today, there were still many people that showed up and it makes everything very exciting.”
Currently rated No. 3 on the ASP Women’s World Tour, a result in Mancora could see Mulanovich edge closer to regaining the ASP Women’s World Title.
“Of course I would love to get back in the race for the World Title, but I’m just trying to take things heat by heat at the moment,” Mulanovich said. “I feel like I can do well here because of my experience, but all the girls are ripping. We will see what happens.”
Mulanovich will come up against Donohoe following the Australian’s closely-fought victory over compatriot Claire Bevilacqua in this morning’s Round 3 heat.
“I’ve got Sofia next and I was thinking about that in the surf,” Donohoe said. “It’s going to be an experience in itself with all the people and the whole vibe is going to be pretty crazy.”
With only seven heats remaining in competition, tomorrow could potentially see an inaugural Mancora Peru Classic Champion crowned by the end of the day.
Event organizers and competitors will convene at 7am tomorrow morning to assess conditions for a possible 7:30am start.
The LIVE webcast, event information, photos and videos will be available via www.aspworldtour.com
FUEL TV will air its full coverage of the 2007 Mancora Peru Classic on December 20, 2007 at 8pm PT/ET in their Surf Spot programming block.
QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS: MANCORA PERU CLASSIC QF 1: Layne Beachley (AUS) vs. Chelsea Hedges (AUS) QF 2: Rebecca Woods (AUS) vs. Silvana Lima (BRA) QF 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) QF 4: Amee Donohoe (AUS) vs. Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
Australians Control Mancora Peru Classic Round 3
MANCORA, Peru (Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007) – Following the completion of Round 2, the first six heats of Round 3 of the Mancora Peru Classic ran today, with the Australians dominating the clean two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves at Mancora.
Former ASP Women’s World Champion Chelsea Hedges (AUS) led the Australian charge, advancing through her Round 2 heat before posting an emphatic win over Melanie Bartels (HAW) in Round 3. Despite only having one heat to rest in between her Round 2 and Round 3 heats, Hedges was in commanding form on her forehand, netting the day’s high single-wave score of an 8.33 out of a possible 10.
“It’s never that great surfing the second round, but for me it was kind of good,” Hedges said. “I got to surf Mancora with no one out. I think, in a way, you get that momentum going and you start to warm up a bit. For me, it worked out pretty good.”
Currently rated No. 5 on the ASP Women’s World Tour, Hedges will look to capitalize on her forehand in the pristine lefts of Mancora.
“I never really get to go left,” Hedges said. “It’s a little bit of a catch-22 because I don’t go left that often so I’m probably not as confident on my forehand as I am on my backhand. I love going left so you just got to give it everything on your forehand. You really have to be able to go vert and make the moves worth the points because backhand you can hook into it a bit easier.”
Current ratings leader and rookie sensation Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) continued her solid run in Peru today, nailing a solid Round 3 victory over veteran competitor Rochelle Ballard (HAW). Gilmore’s win moves her one step closer to solidifying her position at the top of the ratings.
“I take it heat by heat, but yeah, I’m always thinking about the World Title,” Gilmore said. “Who wouldn’t want to? It’s a pretty cool thing. I saw Sam Cornish get knocked out today so that’s one less person to think about. It’s still a really hard game. Silvana (Lima) is right there and she’s surfing incredibly well. Game on.”
Gilmore will square off against good friend Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) in the upcoming Quarterfinals, following Miley-Dyer’s impressive Round 3 victory over Jacqueline Silva (BRA).
“I’ve got Steph (Gilmore), but I’m just here to have fun,” Miley-Dyer said. “Hopefully I’ll do well on the left. I always feel really confident surfing on my forehand and I’m just stoked to be here. I’ve qualified and I’m not going for a World Title or anything so I think the pressure is really on her.”
Hedges, Gilmore and Miley-Dyer will be joined by compatriots Layne Beachley and Rebecca Woods as well as the winner of the Round 3 clash between Amee Donohoe (AUS) and Claire Bevilacqua (AUS). That will give the Australians six of eight remaining competitors in the Quarterfinals.
Next call will be at 7am tomorrow morning for a possible 7:30am call.
Up first will be Heat 7 of Round 3 featuring Donohoe and Bevilacqua.
The LIVE webcast, event information, photos and videos will be available via www.aspworldtour.com
FUEL TV will air its full coverage of the 2007 Mancora Peru Classic on December 20, 2007 at 8pm PT/ET in their Surf Spot programming block.
REMAINING ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS: MANCORA PERU CLASSIC Heat 7: Amee Donohoe (AUS) vs. Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) Heat 8: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) vs. Caroline Sarran (FRA)
ASP World Tour News
Sofia Mulanovich Dominates Round 1 of Mancora Peru Classic
MANCORA, Peru (Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007) – Former ASP Women’s World Champion and Peruvian icon Sofia Mulanovich dominated the opening round of competition today at the Mancora Peru Classic in clean one-to-three foot (0.5 metre) waves.
Mulanovich came up against Hawaiian veterans Megan Abubo and Rochelle Ballard, netting back-to-back 8-point rides and comboing the field before closing the door shut with an incredible 9.25 out of a possible 10.
“I really enjoy surfing my waves,” Mulanovich said. “This is the first time in competition that I’ve surfed the waves that I grew up surfing. Here and Lobitos and all down this North Coast is amazing. I grew up surfing here and it’s all good.”
Currently sitting 3rd on the 2007 ASP Women’s World Tour ratings, a solid result in Peru could see Mulanovich become a real threat for the 2007 Title.
“I’m trying not to think about the World Title yet,” Mulanovich said. “I’m trying to do things wave by wave and heat by heat and we’ll see what happens.”
Reigning and seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS) posted a commanding Round 1 win this morning over compatriot Rebecca Woods (AUS) and European rookie Caroline Sarran (FRA). Beachley’s backhand mastery and ice-cold heat strategy was apparent in the impressive win which saw her net a 14.75 out of a possible 20 heat total.
“I think with an 8-point ride, it’s definitely built my confidencem,” Beachley said. “I’ve struggled to score decent scores this year so it feels good. I feel a lot more relaxed since my world title hopes were dashed in Manly so now I’m just relaxed and focusing on surfing and having fun. I probably should have done that all year.”
Claire Belivacqua (AUS) posted a sensational come-from-behind victory over Brazilian powerhouse Silvana Lima and lethal wildcard Anali Gomez (PER). Needing a solid score with moments to go, Bevilacqua swung into a wide-breaking lefthander and tore it to shreds for a 7.00 out of a possible 10, rocketing her from 3rd to 1st.
“When I came in from my heat, I had no idea if I even got through,” Bevilacqua said. “There was so much crazy emotion and energy from the crowd and everyone was screaming “Peru! Peru! Peru!” I thought that I’d lost. I’m excited for the Peruvians and that they’re so into this sport. It makes us feel really special.”
Event organizers and competitors will convene tomorrow at 7am for a possible 7:30am start.
When competition resumes, Round 2 will hit the water with Silvana Lima (BRA), Caroline Sarran (FRA) and Leilani Gryde (HAW) first up.
The LIVE webcast, event information, photos and videos will be available via www.aspworldtour.com
FUEL TV will air its full coverage of the 2007 Mancora Peru Classic on December 20, 2007 at 8pm PT/ET in their Surf Spot programming block.
