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Huscenot to Lead Europe’s Young Guns in Billabong ASP World Junior Championships

CAPBRETON, France (Wednesday, December 24, 2008) - ASP Europe’sbest Under-21surfers will meetin a week in Narabeen, Sydney, for a shot atthecovetedASP WorldJunior Title,the most prestigious Junior crownon Earth. 2008 ASP European Junior champion Maxime Huscenot (REU), 16, will beEurope’s favorite against the world’s best surfing nations including local Australian team led by world famous wonderkid Julian Wilson (AUS). At sixteen years of age, Huscenot has had a stellaryear becoming the youngest surfer ever to clinch the ASP European Junior title against some solid opponents including Marc Lacomare (FRA) who will attend the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.

“I have always wanted to surf in the event and show what I could do against the world’s best,” Huscenot said.”Iknow it is going to be very tough but I believe I can do something. Very few of the guys know me so I will go there and show my surf and we will see what happens. Being the youngest surfer there will help as well because I will have nothing to lose and less pressure.”

Huscenot, who has been training with Patrick Flores, father and coach of ASP World Tour No. 10 Jeremy Flores (FRA), has been to Narabeen the past four years and knows what the waves can be when it gets consistent. Born and raised on the shallow reefbreaks of Reunion Island, Huscenot should be a serious opponent to any of the 47 other young men in contention for the crown.

“You just to have to give 150% every time you surf in a heat or you are out of the game,” Huscenotsaid.”Making the Semifinals would be amazing but it is very tough because even when you make it that far you have to step up and take your level further.”

Huscenot will lead a seven-man batallion to Australia with Marc Lacomare (FRA), Medi Veminardi (REU), Jatyr Berasaluce (EUK), Pierre Valentin Laborde (FRA), Jules Thomet (FRA) and ASP International wildcard and former ASP World Junior No. 3 Charles Martin (GLP). No European has ever won the prestigiouscrown,Martin and Laborde placing respectively 3rd in 2007 and 5th in 2006, while recent Dream Tour qualifier Michel Bourez (PYF) placed second in 2005, a result that was a first step towards his ASP World Tour campaign.

Europe’s top Junior female surfers will battle in the women’s division, ASP European Junior Women’s champion Alizee Arnaud (FRA) and Pauline Ado (FRA) representing the rising nation in surfing after regional No. 2 Lee-Ann Curren (FRA) pulled out for personal reasons.

Arnaud, who eventually clinched her maiden regional crown after several runner-up or Top 3 finishes, surfed with surprising verticality and comitment all year to pursue her goal and grab the spot for Narabeen’s gathering. At 18-years-old, Arnaud has the potential to cause some damage in the jungle of under-21 raw talents rising every year in the women’s division and pushing women’s surfing to the next level.

MEN
Maxime Huscenot (REU)
Marc Lacomare (FRA)
Medi Veminardi (REU)
Jatyr Berasaluce (EUK)
Pierre Valentin Laborde (FRA)
Jules Thomet (FRA)
Charles Martin (GLP)

WOMEN
Alizee Arnaud (FRA)
Pauline Ado (FRA)

World’s Best Juniors Hunt Title at Billabong ASP World Juniors

NORTH NARRABEEN, Australia (Wednesday, December 23, 2008) - The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships, the most prestigious junior event in the world and decider of the undisputed ASP World Junior Champions, is set to run from January 3 – 10, 2008 at Sydney’s North Narrabeen beach in New South Wales, Australia.

The event marks the culmination of the 2008 ASP Pro Junior Series where competitors from each of the seven ASP regions compete on their domestic tours for a chance at qualifying for the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships. A minimum of 13 countries will represent the seven ASP regions this January at North Narrabeen’s world-class beach breaks.

The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships boasts one of the most impressive pedigrees of past champions the world has ever seen with the likes of three-time ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW), 30, claiming the title in 1998, ASP Dream Tour stalwart Joel Parkinson (AUS), 27, stamping his mark on the event twice in 1999 and 2001, South African wunderkind Jordy Smith (ZAF), 20, taking the title in 2006, among others.

Equally, if not more, impressive is the fact that every female to ever take the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships has qualified for the elite ASP Women’s World Tour: Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), 22, in 2005, Nicola Atherton (AUS), 22, in 2006, and Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 18, in 2007.

Tanner Gudauskas (USA), 20, who finished third at last season’s Billabong ASP World Junior Championships, will return as the highest ASP North America junior finisher on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) in 2008 and is keen to better last year’s finish in his final crack at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.

“Being at this event, you really feel like you’re part of something special,” Gudauskas said. “They run it just like an ASP World Tour event and the kids there are easily the best in the world. I got third last year so if I’m able to make the Final in my last year here, that would be great for me and would give me a lot of confidence on the ‘QS in 2009.”

Gudauskas has had plenty of experience at North Narrabeen for the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships and hopes to lead the ASP North American qualifiers to a solid result.

“Two years ago, I got mixed up and showed up halfway through my heat and lost early then I finished third last year so I suppose I’ve had the best and worst experiences at this event,” Gudauskas said. “Hopefully that will help me this year and I’m super focused on doing well there. The ASP North America kids that are going are all really talented so it’d be great for us all to have good results. That being said, the entire field is pretty daunting so we’ll have our work cut out for us.”

Heath Joske (AUS), 20, is one surfer who will be looking to reclaim the Billabong ASP World Junior Title for Australia – Parkinson was the last national to win the event in 1999.

“I personally think the guys to look out for will be the Aussies,” Joske said. “Stuart (Kennedy), Jayke (Sharp), Lincoln (Taylor) and Owen (Wright) are in and they are the four guys that will be hard to beat.”

Despite the confidence in his fellow countrymen, Joske will be looking to pit himself against the best junior surfers in the world with aspirations of coming out on top.

“This year is my third in the main event and I’m older, more experienced and surfing better so hopefully I can do really well,” Joske said. “It’s the only event for juniors worldwide to measure up against each other and I want to prove to myself that I can beat the best of the international guys.”

The men’s field will be rounded out by the top two finishers of Von Zipper Trials, taking place just prior to the start of Round 1. Notable trialists fighting it out in the 16-man Von Zipper Trials include Julian Wilson (AUS), 20, Torrey Meister (HAW), 20, Kolohe Andino (USA), 14 (15 Jan. 1, 2009), among others.

The women’s field will host 18 of the most talented up-and-coming female surfers in the world including 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour campaigners Coco Ho (HAW), 17, and Paige Hareb (NZL), 18.

2009 ASP Women’s World Tour Surfers Are Locked In

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Tuesday, December 22, 2008) - The best female surfers in the world are locked in and the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour looks to be one for the record books.

Eleven ASP Women’s World Titles will be represented over four competitors in reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, former seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, 2004 ASP Women’s World Champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 25, and returning 2005 ASP Women’s World Champion and 2009 ASP Dream Tour wildcard Chelsea Hedges (AUS), 25.

“After a three-tier process including surfer, ASP technical committee and ASP Board votes, Chelsea Hedges has been selected as the 2009 ASP Wildcard,” Brooke Farris, ASP Women’s World Tour Manager, said. “The former ASP Women’s World Champion will bring experience, a solid backhand attack and a baby to the 2009 ASP Dream Tour. After finishing 8th in 2007, Chelsea took a year off to give birth to her daughter Mieka. With her undeniable talent and past results, Hedges was a strong selection.”

Despite announcing 2008 as her last season as a full-time member of the ASP Women’s World Tour, Beachley will also return to competition for select events.

“Announcing her retirement from full-time ASP World Tour competition last October, Layne Beachley will be using her ASP World No. 4 seed to surf at some of her favorite Dream Tour locations,” Beachley said. “Hunting her 30th career win, I suspect we will see Layne surfing at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach and her own event the Beachley Classic at Manly.”

In addition to the slew of returning champions, the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour will also boast the arrival of a new guard in women’s surfing, led by 2008 ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) Winner Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 18.

“With five fresh new faces onboard, the line-up for the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour is incredibly exciting,” Farris said. “It will be interesting to see how quickly the rookies adapt to life on the ASP Dream Tour and who will really try to shake two-time ASP Women’s World Champion Steph Gilmore off the podium.”

Fitzgibbons will be joined by fellow newcomers Bruna Schmitz (BRA), 18, Paige Hareb (NZL), 18, Alana Blanchard (HAW), 18, and Coco Ho (HAW), 17.

Next season’s ASP Women’s World Tour will be comprised of eight Australians, three Hawaiians, three Brazilians, one Peruvian, one South African and one New Zealander, and will take the ASP Top 17 to Australia, Brazil, Peru, “Somewhere” and Hawaii over eight events.

The Roxy Pro Gold Coast will kickstart the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour at Snapper Rocks on Australia’s Gold Coast. The waiting period for the Roxy Pro Gold Coast runs from February 28 through March 11, 2009.

2009 ASP Women’s World Tour Surfers:

1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)

2 – Silvana Lima (BRA)

3 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER)

4 – Layne Beachley (AUS)

5 – Amee Donohoe (AUS)

6 – Samantha Cornish (AUS)

7 – Melanie Bartels (HAW)

8 – Rebecca Woods (AUS)

9 – Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)

10 – Jacqueline Silva (BRA)

11 – Chelsea Hedges (AUS)*

12 – Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)

13 – Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)

14 – Bruna Schmitz (BRA)

15 – Paige Hareb (NZL)

16 – Alana Blanchard (HAW)

17 - Coco Ho (HAW)

• ASP Wildcard

2009 ASP Women’s World Tour Replacements:

1 – Megan Abubo (HAW)

2 – Laurina McGrath (AUS)

3 - Nicola Atherton (AUS)

2009 ASP Women’s World Tour Schedule:

Stop No. 1: Roxy Pro Gold Coast (Feb. 28 – Mar. 11, 2008)

Stop No. 2: Rip Curl Women’s Pro pres. by Ford New Fiesta (Apr. 8 – 13, 2008)

Stop No. 3: Billabong Girls Pro Rio (Dates to be Confirmed)

Stop No. 4: Beachley Classic (Dates to be Confirmed)

Stop No. 5: Movistar Mancora Peru Classic pres. by Rip Curl (Dates to be Confirmed)

Stop No. 6: Rip Curl Search Somewhere (Oct. 26 – 30, 2008)

Stop No. 7: Roxy Pro Sunset Beach (Nov. 25 – Dec. 6, 2008)

Stop No. 8: Billabong Pro Maui (Dec. 8 – 20, 2008)

ASP North America Announces 2008 Regional Champions

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Monday, December 22, 2008) – The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) North America has crowned its 2008 regional champions in the men’s and women’s ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS), Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS), and Pro Junior divisions and now that the

2008 season is in the record books and the dust has settled, the nation boasts Patrick Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 23, and Courtney Conlogue (Santa Ana, CA), 17, atop the ASP WQS regional ratings, while Cory Arrambide (Ventura, CA), 19, and Christa Alves (Cocoa Beach, FL), 19, claimed this year’s ASP North America Pro Junior Series titles. In the ASP LQS, America saw Taylor Jensen (Oceanside, CA), 24, and Cori Schumacher (Carlsbad, CA), 31, claim this year’s regional longboard championships.

All of North America’s top competitors strive each year to attain a center stage position in their respective divisions. The ASP WQS acts as a gateway for the ASP World Tour and Women’s World Tour, while junior surfers tackle their regional events in an attempt to earn a spot at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships. The ASP LQS acts similarly, as surfers work to gain a spot on the ASP World Longboard Tour (WLT). Each surfer is fighting to earn the right to advance to the next level of competition, giving them a chance to win an ASP World Championship in each of their respective divisions.

Gudauskas, who put together an amazing season throughout the year, finished 17th overall on the ASP WQS globally and claimed the title of ASP North America regional champion this year. The regional title is a goal that he had originally set out for himself at the beginning of the season

“Winning the domestic ratings was a huge goal for me this year, along with qualification,” Gudauskas said. “I knew that with the good start in Florida this would be tangible.”

With so many talented surfers hailing from the United States, Gudauskas feels especially proud of his achievement of finishing atop the regional competition.

“To win the North American ratings race is a big deal to me because it asserts you as one of the top prospects coming from the talent rich continent of America,” Gudauskas said. “I think a lot people look to American surfers to see what’s the future of both style of surfing and approach. To be amongst the top of my competitors is an accomplishment in itself, and to win it was icing on the cake. I take a lot of pride in being from America, and to be on top of the American pro ratings, it’s a special thing.”

Arrambide, the America Pro Junior Series Champion, was equally satisfied with the accomplishment earned over the stiff competition throughout the year. The up-and-coming young talent is a part of several successful surfers hailing from the Ventura area and now Arrambide is hoping to claim his first ASP World Junior title in Australia this January.

“I’m stoked to have won the junior’s in 2008,” Arrambide said. “That was the goal that I had set out for myself at the beginning of last year and now I can’t wait to go to Australia. I’ve been training and surfing as much as I can to prepare for the event and am really looking forward to the contest.”

Christa Alves clinched this year’s ASP North America Pro Junior Series Women’s title with a win at the Billabong Sebastian Inlet Pro earlier in the year and will be accompanying fellow top surfers such as Arrambide to Australia to compete for an ASP World Junior Championship title due to her No. 1 finish regionally.

“Finishing first this year means that I finally get to represent our country,” Alves said. “I’ve worked hard, saved my money and am really excited to go.”

Cori Schumacher, a former competitive longboard standout, had taken a sabbatical from competition starting in 2005, but she came back in top shape this year when she claimed the regional ASP LQS title at the Roxy Jam Cardiff, an ASP LQS 6-Star event, over the world’s top female longboarders at her home break. Since Schumacher hadn’t competed in a few years, she had to begin in the opening rounds, but the Carlsbad local ended up winning every heat she entered, eventually taking out the win.

“I had competed in ‘05, but 2001 was my last real contest and I felt really good going into the event at home,” Schumacher said. “I felt focused, strong and I was able to pull everything together from the first heat all the way through the Final.”

The 2009 season will play host to several increased ASP WQS events as well as many new ASP LQS contests and the opening event is just around the corner, with the O’Neill Sebastian Inlet Pro, an ASP WQS 4-Star, beginning on January 12, 2008.

Mini Interview with ASP World Longboard No. 2 Antoine Delpero

CAPBRETON, France (Monday, December 22, 2008) - Far from the spotlights of the ASP World Tour and the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS), Antoine Delpero (Biarritz, FRA) became the best European and French longboarder ever in 2008 finishing a spectacular run on the ASP World Longboard Tour with an overall second place, just twelve points behind Bonga Perkins (Oahu, HAW) who clinched his second world title in California. At 23-years-old, Delpero reached both finals of this year’s two Oxbow Pro events in France and in the United States being the most consistent surfer of the year but missing out a first ASP World Longboatd title in the last heat to Perkins. We caught up with Delpero for a quick interview on his stellar year.

Name: Antoine Delpero
Resides in: Biarritz
Age: 23
Sponsors: Oxbow, Minvielle Surfboards, Future Fins

1. Two finals, ASP World Longboard No.2… Happy with the year?

Second in the world, second European as well… It is frustrating not to get any title despite trying hard so I cannot say I am satisfied with the year. I am tired of the number 2 and I know that as long as you don’t get the crown, it doesn’t really mean anything. However, looking back on 2008, it’s still a good performance and I will take it and use that experience for next year.

2. You seemed very strong both lentally and physically in 2008. What did you lack to win one of these two finals?

I think I lacked a bit of confidence at these two events, but maybe more in the last one in California because I knew there was the world title to be taken and that I was in good position to get it. When I think about my opponents, there is nothing else I can say except that Bonga Perkins is really impressive both in and out the water.

3. What is you plan for next year?

I am definitely going back for the title and I have a three year comitment with my sponsor Oxbow so I really will be there whenever there is an event going on. I just need to work more on some details that can make a big difference in competition.

4. In the last couple of years, two French longboarders ended second in the world (Justine Dupont in 2007). With the recent performances of European surfers around the world, the sport is growing but do you feel it is the same for longboarding?

Well, apart from Oxbow’s support, which is a French brand, there is almost no support at all for longboarding in the surfing industry. The big brands like Quiksilver or Rip Curl don’t pay attention to our division and it is pretty surprising because I am sure there is at least 50% of surfers in the world that are longboarders. Longboarding is a lot easier for beginners so it does reach a lot of people. On the other hand, longboarding is older and less spectacular but there are many other aspects of the sport that could definitely be highlighted, like the “artistic” side of it and the style.

5. Being a professional longboarder nowadays… Easy? Tough? What’s the atmosphere on tour?

It is hard to make a living as a professional longboarder, even when you are one of the best in the world. Most of the guys on the ASP World Longboard Tour have other jobs and with two events a year there is plenty of time to do something else. But there is a good atmosphere between us generally. However, even if from the outside it seems very cool, everyone wants to win and we all go for it as hard as we can. I have good relations with a few of the guys like Matthew Moir (Durban, ZAF) and with most of the other European longboarders.

America’s Top Junior Surfers Prepare for Billabong ASP World Junior Championships

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Sunday, December 21, 2008) - America’s top Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) North America Pro Junior Series surfers are getting fired up to showcase their talent at the prestigious Billabong ASP World Junior Championships to be held in Narrabeen, Australia from January 3-10, 2009. The states will send six men and three women to this year’s coveted contest in an attempt to claim the title of ASP World Junior Champion.

All ASP North America Pro Junior Series competitors dedicate their entire regional season in hopes to earn a spot at the upcoming event in Australia where they have the chance to attain an ASP World Junior title. The 2008 season saw the top five men’s competitors on the junior series, Cory Arrambide (Ventura, CA), 19, Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA), 17, Andrew Doheny (Newport Beach, CA), 16, Travis Beckmann (Vero Beach, FL), 20, and Blake Jones (Melbourne, FL), 20, plus the top seed of Junior age on the ASP WQS Tanner Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 20, earn berths into the event, while the top two women on the series, Christa Alves (Cocoa Beach, FL), 19, Courtney Conlogue (Santa Ana, CA), 16, and wildcard Sage Erickson (Ojai, CA), 18, will represent the American women.

Arrambide, who was the ASP North America Pro Junior Series men’s champion in 2008, achieved the goal he originally set out at the beginning of the year by taking the regional series title and now the Ventura local will look to add a global championship to his list of accomplishments.

“I’m stoked to have won the junior’s in 2008,” Arrambide said. “That was the goal that I had set out for myself at the beginning of last year and now I can’t wait to go to Australia. I’ve been training and surfing as much as I can to prepare for the event and am really looking forward to the contest.”

Young, who finished second on the series behind Arrambide, won the last ASP WQS contest of the year held in the states in front of his home crowd at the O’Neill Cold Water Classic. The explosive goofy-footer is hoping to carry the confidence earned from the ASP WQS victory over to his ASP World Junior campaign.

“Winning the coldwater helped build my confidence going into worlds because there were a bunch of really good surfers in that event,” Young said. “Not only were there the best juniors from USA, but there were also some top QS guys. Also, there were some juniors from Australia and Hawaii. Just beating those really good surfers helps because I know I can do it again if things go my way.”

Gudauskas, earned his ‘09 ASP World Junior Championships berth by his 60^th place finish in the ASP WQS, the highest of any North American competitor of junior age. Tanner, the youngest of the Gudauskas trio, was the top American finisher in last year’s Billabong ASP World Junior Championships with a third place finish, and now the young talent will look to take the title home to America in his final year of eligibility for the event.

“I am looking at the WJC this year with a new slate and enthusiasm to do well,” Gudauskas said. “I know that there are going to be a ton of great surfers, so I don’t have anything to lose by trying my hardest and leaving it all in the water. I feel like I have gained more experience just through all of the WQS events that I have done, so I am stoked to try and put some of my knowledge down on the mat.”

With past champions such as Andy Irons, (Hanalei, HI), 30, Joel Parkinson (Coolangatta, AUS), 27, and Adriano De Souza (Guaruja Sao Paulo, BRA), 21, the young Americans know that a win at the event has the potential to set them up for a successful professional career.

“A win would mean the world,” Gudauskas said. “Right now I want to prove that I can have my name at the top of the junior world and can surf just as well as anyone. I would be so stoked to bring home a world title. It’s definitely not going to be easy with how many good guys are going to be there, but I am just going to give it my all and see where the cards end up.”

Conlogue, who was the top American female finisher last year at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships with a third place result, is heading back to Australia in 2009 in hopes to take home her first ASP World Junior title. The explosive talent from Orange County, California knows that a victory will be no easy task and does not expect a standout repeat performance to come easily.

“I know going into this event that I will face some of the best from around the world,” Conlogue said. “Every year there will be new competitors that maybe I haven’t faced before, so I have to go into each and every event with a fresh start. Last year’s results have nothing to do with this year’s event and I just hope to do the best that I can.”

ASP World Tour No. 31 Tiago Pires Shares his Rookie Experience

OFF-THE-WALL, Oahu (Friday, December 19, 2008) - After he pulled out from the Billabong Pipeline Masters due to an injury, we caught up with Portuguese surfer and 2008 Dream Tour rookie Tiago Pires (Ericeira, PRT) to talk about his first experience as a member of the world’s best surfers. Pires, 27, who finished No. 31 in the world after a testing year of competition around the world, has requalifed for next year’s ASP World Tour thanks to his solid performances on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) where he finished No. 13, enough to secure a second run on the world’s best waves in 2009. Find out what the first ASP Top 45 member to defeat Slater in 2008 has in mind after his 2008 campaign.

1. Let’s start with a look at the season you have been through, surfing on both ASP World Tour and ASP World Qualifying Series.

I think it’s been a very positive year for me. I managed to get a few good results for my first year on tour, got through several heats at various events so I am happy with this first experience. I would have prefered to start off the season strong with a couple of good places because it would have given me a better seeding and probably a better rank in the end. I finish 2008 just outside the requalifying Top 27 guys without even surfing the Pipeline Masters because of that injury so I am definitely satisfied with that rookie season. I knew it was going to be tough doing both tours but it was my plan since Day 1 so I went for it. Lots of travel, lots of heats and a lot of pressure on the WQS events because I really needed to do well at these events.

2. How did you handle things mentally and physically? Did you have a intense training all year?

I did not really have time to train physically because of the non-stop trips all around the world so I never managed to take a break and focus on my training. The WQS events are very demanding and I put a lot of energy into it and it paid off which was a big relief. It was a great thing to finish into the Top 15 because it was a great compensation for me after all the hard work.

3. What about the major things you learnt during this busy season?

It was a year of learning for me and after all these events, I feel like I have grown up a lot in my whole competition approach. At the end of 2007 when I qualified, I was so focused and wanted to train and be as strong as possible and went to Australia too early. When you travel to the next event too early, you are already kind of burnt when things get started. I put too much pressure on myself at the beginning of the year and it was a mistake. This is something I will be working on for next year, to go to a World Tour event just as if it was a WQS one and be relaxed. I just want to do my thing and enjoy so I will start with a big break at home this winter before going to Australia end of February for the first event. 2009 will be a big change as I probably won’t be doing the WQS anymore and focus on the ASP World Tour.

4. So many people expected you to rip at all the righthand pointbreaks on tour and you got your best results in solid lefthand barrels. How is that?

I think it is a problem of pressure that made it hard for at these locations. I wanted to do so well that I missed the opportunity. On top of that, I did not have perfect boards in the first half of the year at Snapper Rocks, Bell’s Beach and J-Bay and I was not confident on my equipment which made it harder when going to events. The balance of equiment, mental approach and physical skills is the perfect solution to do well at an event. And the events where I felt close to this balance were taking place in lefthand barrels so that’s the reason why I did well there. Once I had the right surfboards, I could put this aside and focus on the rest. For next year I am going to work a lot more on my boards at the start of the year and be relaxed on this aspect of my preparation.

5. What about that one heat at the Billabong Pro Tahiti against Joel Parkinson? You scored a perfect 10 and ended up losing?

It’s probably the one heat I keep thinking about most. It was a hard time for me and it’s one of the times in my life I was very angry and unhappy. I did not understand what was going on while in the water and I really thought there had been a big mistake when I was called with an interference which cost me the heat against Joel. I hadn’t understood what was going on because it a very tricky priority rule I did not know. So after talking with a couple of guys I got to understand better and I was given an interference because of a blocking situation I did not even know I was making. I learnt the hard way because to me, it is one the best heats I’ve surfed in my life and it is hard when you don’t make it because of a stupid mistake.

6. You pulled out of the Billabong Pipeline Masters on the day your heat was paddling out, can you tell us about it ? Are you going to recover fast?

I injured myself before my heat in the O’Neill World Cup of Surfing at Sunset during a warm up surf and I felt like I had something wrong at the back of my neck so I saw the doctors who told me not to push it too much. It’s not a big problem and I don’t suffer a lot so there is no reason to panic about it but it’s the kind of things you don’t want to play with, especially in such demanding conditions. The MRI did not reveal anything in particular but the doctors told me in the worse case scenario I could hurt my spine so I should rather relax because it can last between two and six weeks. I wanted to surf in the event because I had this one thing at the back of my head about Marlon Lipke (DEU) who finished No. 16 on the WQS and needed me to improve my World Tour rank so I could requalify directly which would have taken him in for next year. We are good friends and I wanted to help as much as I could but I couldn’t risk it too much in a wave like Pipeline. Unfortunately I finish the year with this injury but I am okay and I know I will on tour next year.

7. It took time for you to make it to the ASP World Tour and you know kind of know how Marlon can feel now right?

Yes for sure, it happened to me before when I finished No. 17 that one year so I know it is hard after putting so much into it and doing well on the WQS. But I still think there is a small chance he makes it in with the guys possibly retiring and the wildcards available so we’ll see. Whatever happens, it’s not a bad position to be this close because you are first in line for replacements for the following year and you can learn a lot from surfing a few Dream Tour events. Nic Muscroft (AUS) is the best example; this year, because of many injured guys on tour, he got to surf almost every event and learnt a lot from that experience before eventually making it into the Top 15 to qualify for next year’s ASP World Tour. There is definitely a positive thing in being that close and having the opportunity to surf events against the world’s best surfers.

8. Talking about your fellow European Dream Tour mates, how do you look on this amazing progression of surfers from Europe? Did you think three years ago there would be a minimum of five Europeans on tour?

I am proud to be part of this amazing moment for European surfing, and I never thought there would be that many of us on the ASP World Tour three years ago. I think European surfing has caught up with some of the world’s best nations and I think that Jeremy (Flores) and Michel (Bourez) are right up there and have an amazing level. If these guys manage to show all their potential, they have the skills to reach the top. Being part of that crew is a great feeling and we travel together and it definitely makes you stronger. If you look at the other nations, all the guys hang out together and encourage eachother which makes them stronger. What has happened in three years is unbelievable and I hope it keeps going.

9. Have you been watching the next generation coming up? Do you think there is potential to see some of the young guys follow you to the top?

I usually keep an eye on the results of the big junior events and I know a few f the guys coming up. Joan Duru (FRA) is probably one of the best upcoming surfers along with Marc Lacomare (FRA) and Charly Martin (GLP, ASP World Junior No. 3 in 2008). These young kids have a great level already and on top of that they spend a lot of time with us and whenever we can we give them all our experience. This is a big help when you are hoping to qualify because to see some of your friends up there shows you it is makable. What happened in Brazil (Jeremy Flores finished runner-up and Miky Picon equal 3rd) or in Australia (Jeremy Flores placed equal 3rd) is something the younger guys can look forward to. On the other hand, if they qualify for the Dream Tour, they will have more pressure to better us but this is sport in general and competition. I feel like a big brother for all the new generation and I hope I can help them, give them all experience I can.

10. What is your plan for 2009? How comfortable do you feel amongst the best surfers in the world?

Eventhough I am glad to see the next generation coming up, I am focused on my thing and so motivated on making it to the top. There is a lot of things coming up and after such a hard year on both tours, I want to have a different approach. Next year I am going to do like Miky did in 2008, focus on the Dream Tour and keep all my energy for these ten events. Talking on good I feel on tour, I must say we are having a great time and there is a lot of respect between each of us on tour. Europe is a melting pot of so many cultures and I feel like the rest of the guys are always interested and happy when they are going there. Coming from the Old Continent and being a rising nation on tour is a great thing. There is a lot of respect and friendship with the rest of the surfers.

Stephanie Gilmore Wins the Billabong Pro Maui, Claims Vans Triple Crown

HO’OKIPA BEACH PARK, Hawaii (Thursday, December 18, 2008) - Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, newly-crowned two-time ASP Women’s World Champion, defeated Melanie Bartels (HAW), 26, to claim the her second consecutive Billabong Pro Maui in clean two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves on offer at Ho’okipa Beach Park, earning the young Australian her first Vans Triple Crown of Surfing (an ASP Specialty Series) Title.

The final event of the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Billabong Pro Maui opted for the relocation this morning from Honolua Bay to Ho’okipa Beach Park (the first relocation in the event’s 10-year history) in order take advantage of the swell on offer, and the action didn’t disappoint.

Gilmore opened the Final strong, posting a solid 7.33 out of a possible 10, but Bartels put her in the corner with two solid scores of her own. In an exciting exchange that saw the Hawaiian pull ahead on the first wave, Gilmore answered back with the highest score of the day, a 9.57 out of a possible 10 to retake the lead, immediately following it up with an 8.03 for a massive forehand turn combination. Bartels was unable to answer back.

“The tide dropped and the conditions got really fun,” Gilmore said. “Mel (Bartels) is one of my favorite surfers and I just go as hard as I can when I draw her in a heat. You can’t put in a performance at half-speed and I saw her get a solid wave so I just went for broke on the next one and it paid off.”

The win marks the first Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Title for the prodigious natural-footer, an accolade considered second only to the ASP Women’s World Title.

“It feels incredible to win the Vans Triple Crown Title,” Gilmore said. “We had really fun waves at Haleiwa and then solid surf at Sunset Beach and we had a beautiful opening day of competition at Honolua Bay before finishing today at Ho’okipa. It’s a real honor to be considered a good surfer in Hawaii and in such a variety of conditions.”

Gilmore will now head home to Australia to rest and recharge for the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour, and with two ASP Women’s World Titles, a Vans triple Crown Title and 11 elite tour victories under her belt (five in 2008 alone), the makings of an icon are well within place.

“To win so much in my short career is incredible and it feels great, but I know there is so much more to accomplish,” Gilmore said. “I had that head with Layne (Beachley) today, and to see what she’s accomplished in her career makes me that much hungrier to continue to perform at my best. Next year is going to be incredible. We have so much talent on the tour and so many young girls who are really pushing the boundaries of surfing. I can’t wait to get home and prepare for next season.”

Bartels, whose runner-up finish sees the explosive Hawaiian rocket to No. 7 on the ASP Women’s World Tour, put in a solid effort in the Final (at one point holding lead), but her 14.80 out of a possible 20 wasn’t enough to overcome Gilmore.

“I have one of the most amazing shapers in the world who lives right up the beach and my boards today were going unbelievable,” Bartels said. “I felt like I was surfing well all day, but just got out of rhythm in the Final. Congratulations to Steph (Gilmore) though. She was surfing amazing and deserved the win.”

With a bevy of young guns joining the ASP Women’s World Tour in 2009, Bartels will look to continue her momentum in the off-season in preparation for an ASP Women’s World Title campaign next season.

“I’m going to train my butt off in the off-season,” Bartels said. “The girls coming on tour surf amazing and I know that I need to be at my best if I want to make a dent. I beat Steph earlier this season in really good waves in Brazil and then finished second to her today so that’s given me the confidence to believe in my ability. The next step is to ensure that I am putting 100% into the entire year.”

Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, former seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion, has announced that 2008 will be her final season as a full-time ASP Dream Tour competitor. Despite a solid Quarterfinal win over Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), 21, Beachley was unable to overcome eventual winner Gilmore in their hard-fought Semifinal bout, going down 15.07 to Gilmore’s 16.80.

“I think it was a great way to go out,” Beachley said. “We all have to lose sometime and to go down to Steph (Gilmore), who I consider my protg and the one I am passing the torch to, is probably the most fitting way.”

Beachley’s illustrious career has spanned 19 years and the renowned natural-footer has collected an unprecedented seven ASP Women’s World Titles. While the Billabong Pro Maui marks Beachley’s final event as a full-time ASP Women’s World Tour competitor, the legendary Australian is confident in the new crop of surfers and may be back in 2009 surfing in select events.

“It’s difficult reflecting on something like this (retirement),” Beachley said. “Of course I would have liked to go out with a win and on-top, but I also feel like this past season and these past events haven’t defined my career. I’ve won seven ASP Women’s World Titles and have had an incredible journey of a career so I suppose the most rewarding part of this is that I’m leaving professional women’s surfing in the hands of such capable and exciting young surfers. While it’s my last year as a full time competitor, I’m planning on competing in a couple of events next season.”

Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, went down in the Semifinals to Bartels, but her solid equal 3^rd place finish at the Billabong Pro Maui saw the young Brazilian finish a career-best No. 2 on the ASP Women’s World Tour.

“I’m happy because I had a good year,” Lima said. “I started slow but had lots of good results at the end. Lots of 2nds, but to finish No. 2 in the world, I am very happy. I am going to go home and relax with my family and friends over the holidays and then start training in the gym before we start in Australia next year.”

While the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour has come to a close, the best surfers in the world will be back next year for the 2009 installment of the ASP Dream Tour.

Returning surfers to the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour will be reigning and two-time ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 25, Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, Amee Donohoe (AUS), 28, Samantha Cornish (AUS), 28, Melanie Bartels (HAW), 26, Rebecca Woods (AUS), 24, Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), 22, Jacqueline Silva (BRA), 29, and Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), 21 (via the ASP World Qualifying Series).

New faces to next year’s ASP Women’s World Tour will be Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 18, Bruna Schmitz (BRA), 18, Paige Hareb (NZL), 18, Alana Blanchard (HAW), 18, and Coco Ho (HAW), 17.

BILLABONG PRO MAUI FINAL RESULTS:

1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 17.60

2 – Melanie Bartels (HAW) 14.80

BILLABONG PRO MAUI SEMIFINAL RESULTS:

SF 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.80 def. Layne Beachley (AUS) 15.07

SF 2: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 13.07 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 11.07

BILLABONG PRO MAUI QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:

QF 1: Layne Beachley (AUS) 11.07 def. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 9.67

QF 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.33 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 11.87

QF 3: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 14.66 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 11.33

QF 4: Silvana Lima (BRA) 13.13 def. Megan Abubo (HAW) 10.23

2008 ASP WOMEN’S WORLD TOUR FINAL RATINGS:

1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 7188 points

2 – Silvana Lima (BRA) 5534 points

3 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 5323 points

4 – Layne Beachley (AUS) 5210 points

5 - Amee Donohoe (AUS) 4051 points

6 – Samantha Cornish (AUS) 3972 points

7 – Melanie Bartels (HAW) 3876 points

8 – Rebecca Woods (AUS) 3602 points

9 – Jessi Miley Dyer (AUS) 3564 points

10 – Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 3398 points

11 – Megan Abubo (HAW) 2988 points

12 – Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 2784 points

13 – Nicola Atherton (AUS) 2670 points

14 – Julia De La Rosa Toro (PER) 2654 points

15 – Karina Petroni (USA) 2604 points

16 – Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) 2232 points

17 - Serena Brooke (AUS) 2094 points

2008 VANS TRIPLE CROWN OF SURFING FINAL RATINGS:

1 - Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) $10,000

2 – Layne Beachley (AUS)

3 – Melanie Bartels (HAW)

Final Day of Billabong Pro Maui ON at Ho’okipa Beach Park

HO’OKIPA BEACH PARK, Hawaii (Thursday, December 18, 2008) - The Billabong Pro Maui picked up stakes this morning, moving from Honolua Bay to Ho’okipa Beach Park where the final day of competition will kick off in contestable two-to-three foot (1 metre) surf at 9am.

The final event of the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Billabong Pro Maui will prove paramount to girls looking to requalify for next season’s ASP Dream Tour as well those campaigning for the Vans Triple Crown (an ASP Specialty Series) Title.

“We’ve relocated to the other side of the island this morning where we have contestable two-foot conditions at Ho’okipa,’ Dino Andino, Billabong Pro Maui Contest Director, said. “It’s not ideal, but this looks like the best conditions we’re going to have for the event and we’ll be starting at 9am.”

Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current frontrunner on the Vans Triple Crown ratings, has announced that 2008 will be her last season as a full-time ASP Women’s World Tour campaigner and the iconic natural-footer will face Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), 21, in the opening Quarterfinal of the morning.

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, newly-crowned two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and defending Billabong Pro Maui winner, is only 50 points behind Beachley in the hunt for the Vans Triple Crown title. Gilmore will battle Rebecca Woods (AUS), 24, in Quarterfinal 2.

Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, current ASP Women’s World No. 2 and Billabong Pro Maui Day 1 standout, is currently in third position on the Vans Triple Crown ratings and the young Brazilian will wrap up the Quarterfinals with a bout against veteran campaigner Megan Abubo (HAW), 30.

Rounding out the Quarterfinals will be Melanie Bartels (HAW), 26, another contender in the hunt for the Vans Triple Crown, up against lethal wildcard Carissa Moore (HAW), 16.

BILLABONG PRO MAUI QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:

QF 1: Layne Beachley (AUS) vs. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)

QF 2: Rebecca Woods (AUS) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)

QF 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Melanie Bartels (HAW)

QF 4: Megan Abubo (HAW) vs. Silvana Lima (BRA)