ASP Women’s World Tour Stop No. 6 of 7, Gidget Pro Oahu/Hawaii, Saturday, November 28, 2009

Stephanie Gilmore Claims Third Consecutive ASP Womens World Title at Sunset

Pictured: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21, your three-time ASP Womens World Champion!

Credit: ASP/ CI/ SCHOLTZ via GETTY IMAGES

21 Year old Australian Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), claimed her third consecutive Association of Surfing ProfessionalWomens World Title today, making history as the only surfer ever to win the prestigious crown each year they have competed at the elite ASP World Tour level (mens or womens).

Its surreal to win for a third time, Gilmore said. Its amazing! I woke up this morning and knew it was going to be a good day. The waves were building and you sort of get that fuzzy feeling throughout the day. I really dont even know what to think about it. I just want to thank everyone for the support that Ive had throughout the whole year.

I didnt even know it was happening, Gilmore said. I was preparing for the Final and gearing up and then to know I had won, my head was a bit light. To go to Honolua and not have to worry about the title going into the event is just so relaxing.

Stephanies performancecemented her position as the most dominant female surfer in the world.

Im starting to feel more comfortable on the Womens World Tour and go into events differently, Gilmore said. You get to know the breaks and its still my third year and I love traveling and competing and its such a special thing to get paid to do. Im looking forward to next year and seeing different conditions and different waves on tour, I think there might be a couple of new stops, so yeah, Im looking forward to having good heats and good waves.

Highlights from the event are available at www.triplecrownofsurfing.com

BELLS BEACH, Victoria (Saturday, April 11, 2009) – The Rip Curl Women’s Pro presented by Ford New Fiesta recommenced today with competitors battling their way through to the Quarterfinals in two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves at Bells Beach.

The second stop on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach played host to a day of upsets with some sensational performances being logged by the world’s best surfers.

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21, reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and two-time defending Rip Curl Pro winner, continued to steamroll her campaign towards a third consecutive title today, racking up the highest heat total of the day (a 17.83 out of a possible 20) to oust wildcard and trials winner Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), 14, in Round 3.

“I knew Nikki (Van Dijk) was going to be dangerous so I wasn’t going to hold back,” Gilmore said. “I’ve been in her position and I have also had a few wildcards being on the tour, so I kind of know what is going on in their heads and what to expect when competing against them. I just went out there and put in 120%.”

Now into the Quarterfinals, the stunning natural-footer will tackle lethal rookie Paige Hareb (NZL), 18, when Rip Curl Pro competition recommences.

“It feels good to be in the Quarterfinals,” Gilmore said. “To start the year off with a win on the Gold Coast and to now be here and back it up with a fifth already, it feels really good and hopefully it will just get even better.”

Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 18, 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour rookie and winner of the 2008 ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS), ousted former seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion and past three-time winner at Bells Beach, Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, from Rip Curl Women’s Pro competition today.

“It was definitely a fun heat,” Fitzgibbons said. “It was really good to be out there with one of my idols. I didn’t have much time to think surfing against Layne (Beachley) as the heats had to be re-seeded before we started Round 3. It was a bit of a rush but I was taking it all in. It certainly is an amazing feeling to be down here at Bells.”

After placing the former champion in a combination situation with a strong heat total of a 16.50 out of a possible 20, Fitzgibbons is one of the favorite’s heading into the Quarterfinals where she’ll face ASP Dream Tour veteran Jacqueline Silva (BRA), 29, when competition resumes.

“It is definitely early days and I am stoked to be through to my first Quarterfinals,” Fitzgibbons said. “It would be dream come true to ring the bell, but I am just taking it one heat at a time.”

Beachley was unable to find a rhythm in the challenging conditions this morning at Rincon, failing to attain a solid score until the final minutes when she secured a 6.33 out of a possible 10.

“She (Fitzgibbons) definitely got the better of me and the conditions and full credit to her,” Beachley said. “Up until that last minute, I was pretty embarrassed with myself, so I was glad to get a good score at the end to redeem myself. It’s really challenging out there today.”

Upsets abounded throughout today’s action as Melanie Bartels (AUS), 26, current ASP World No. 2, was ousted from Rip Curl Pro Bells competition in tricky conditions this morning during Round 2. Coco Ho (HAW), 17, equal 3rd place finisher at the opening event of the year, was another early casualty, falling to fellow rookie Paige Hareb (NZL), 18, in Round 3.

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO BELLS BEACH ROUND 2 RESULTS:

Heat 1: Coco Ho (HAW) 15.66, Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 12.50, Melanie Bartels
(HAW) 11.70

Heat 2: Rebecca Woods (AUS) 12.00, Paige Hareb (NZL) 10.90, Jessi Miley-Dyer
(AUS) 10.44

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO BELLS BEACH ROUND 3 RESULTS:

Heat 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.50 def. Layne Beachley (AUS) 9.56

Heat 2: Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 10.83 def. Amee Donohoe (AUS) 8.17

Heat 3: Paige Hareb (NZL) 14.17 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 9.83

Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 17.83 def. Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 7.60

Heat 5: Silvana Lima (BRA) 15.53 def. Alana Blanchard (HAW) 14.17

Heat 6: Rebecca Woods (AUS) 15.00 def. Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 13.84

Heat 7: Samantha Cornish (AUS) 11.16 def. Bruna Schmitz (BRA) 6.33

Heat 8: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 10.00 def. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 7.57

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO BELLS BEACH QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:

QF 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Jacqueline Silva (BRA)

QF 2: Paige Hareb (NZL) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)

QF 3: Silvana Lima (BRA) vs. Rebecca Woods (AUS)

QF 4: Samantha Cornish (AUS) vs. Sofia Mulanovich (PER)

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Mick Campbell (AUS)

Heat 2: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)

Heat 3: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS)

Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)

Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)

Heat 6: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Tim Boal (FRA)

Heat 7: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)

Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Owen Wright (AUS)

Heat 9: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Adam Robertson (AUS)

Heat 10: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Jihad Khodr (BRA)

Heat 11: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Drew Courtney (AUS)

Heat 12: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Kekoa Bacalso (HAW)

Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Jay Thompson (AUS)

Heat 14: Tim Reyes (USA) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)

Heat 15: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Dean Morrison (AUS)

Heat 16: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. David Weare (ZAF)

Stephanie Gilmore Aims for Hat Trick at Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach

BELLS BEACH, Australia (Tuesday, March 31, 2009) – The 2009 Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford New Fiesta will showcase the ASP Top 17 at Victoria’s historic Bells Beach from April 8 – 13, 2009.

Event No. 2 of 8 on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach could once again prove a pivotal point in the season, with reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and defending event winner Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21, looking for her third consecutive win at the iconic break.

“The last two years, my result at Bells has proved to be a defining moment in the year,” Gilmore said. “Because we head into a five-month break straight after Bells, it seems only right to hit the break with a win and an energized, confident mindset.”

In addition to potentially being a vital result in the young natural-footer’s 2009 campaign, the prestige and history of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach offer competitors something extra special to strive for.

“It’s the longest running ASP event and it’s just such an authentic surf event in one of the most spectacular arenas in the history of surfing,” Gilmore said. “When it’s on, it’s such a beautiful yet challenging wave. It always seems to have a nice, raw aura about it, which is absolutely magnified when competing in a heat.”

Despite her impressive track record at Bells, Gilmore is wary of her competition and realizes a swath of the world’s best female surfers will stand in her way of another victory.

“Sofia (Mulanovich) always seems to do well here,” Gilmore said. “Layne (Beachley) is coming out of retirement to join us at the Rip Curl Pro, so she’s definitely a threat too.”

Gilmore will take on 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie Bruna Schmitz (BRA), 18, and the Trials Winner in Round 1 of the Rip Curl Women’s Pro.

In addition to the young Gold Coaster, former seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, will return to the singlet for the Rip Curl Women’s Pro and will be joined by the rest of the ASP Top 17.

Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Amee Donohoe (AUS), Rebecca Woods (AUS), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
Heat 2: Layne Beachley (AUS), Paige Hareb (NZL), Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Bruna Schmitz (BRA), TBA
Heat 4: Silvana Lima (BRA), Chelsea Hedges (AUS), Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
Heat 5: Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Coco Ho (HAW), Alana Blanchard (HAW)
Heat 6: Samantha Cornish (AUS), Melanie Bartels (HAW), Jacqueline Silva (BRA)

Gilmore Wins Roxy Pro Gold Coast, Takes ASP Women’s World Tour Lead

SNAPPER ROCKS, Australia (Sunday, March 8, 2009) – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21, reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion, has won the Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by LG Mobile, defeating Melanie Bartels (HAW), 26, in the Final to claim the inaugural event on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour.

Gilmore wasted no time in the Final, securing the day’s high single-wave score of a 9.57 out of a possible 10 on her opening wave for a fluid series of fin releases and power carves.

“It was a really little wave,” Gilmore said. “I had a few flashbacks from 2005 where I was trying to pick off the little ones that were going to grow down the line. Today it just so happened I picked a good one. It is important to get a good start and get a lead early in the heat.”

Gilmore’s victory today at Snapper Rocks marks her fourth consecutive win on the ASP Women’s World Tour, having claimed the last three events of the 2008 season, and puts her well on the path to a third consecutive ASP Women’s World Title.

“It’s a new start for me,” Gilmore said. “To win on your home turf, in front of all these people, it’s unbelievable.”

The phenomenal natural-footer has been a perennial event favorite at the Roxy Pro Gold Coast since claiming the title as a 17-year-old wildcard in 2005. Despite her extensive local knowledge, Gilmore had failed to secure a solid result at home since beginning her ASP Dream Tour campaign until today.

“This win is definitely more satisfying,” Gilmore said. “In 2005, I was blown away. I couldn’t believe I achieved it, but this time around it’s pleasing to know that I’ve come off a season as world champ, and I’ve done some training, so to come back out here today and win makes you feel really good.”

Bartels struggled to secure a scoring wave in the first half of the Final, only able to a post 7.50 out of a possible 10 with under five minutes to go.

“I am ecstatic right now,” Bartels said. “Surfing against Steph (Gilmore) in a heat is always a challenge for me. I know how good she is. I knew I needed to put up big scores, but no waves came through. She surfed unreal and I am just glad that I got to surf Snapper with one other person out.”

Despite the disappointing showing in Final, Bartels’ runner-up finish sees the Hawaiian rocket up the ratings from ASP World No. 7 to No. 2 heading into the rest of the season.

“To get a good result at the beginning of the year gives momentum to go into the next event and feel a little bit more confident and relaxed,” Bartels said. “I’ll just work on my surfing and see what mistakes I have done in this contest and just hope for the better in the next and try not to make the same mistakes.”

Coco Ho (HAW), 17, 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour rookie, put on an inspiring performance in the Semifinals, falling just short to eventual runner-up Bartels to finish equal 3rd.

“It feels good,” Ho said. “I’m really happy for Melanie as well. She was surfing so well out there and got the better of every exchange. With ten minutes remaining, I was just like, ‘I am out at Snapper with just Mel (Bartels),’ and I am just going to focus on getting as many waves as I can and just push every turn.”

Paige Hareb (NZL), 18, fellow 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie, had an impressive run at the Roxy Pro Gold Coast, before falling to eventual winner Gilmore in Semifinal 1.

“Steph (Gilmore) is the local favorite and world champ,” Hareb said. “She has everything going for her at the moment. It would have been good to meet her in the Final, but I’m still happy with making it to the Semifinals.”

Requiring only an average score to take the lead in her Semifinal heat, Hareb grabbed a roping righthander with the clock ticking and belted a first turn before getting caught up in her second maneuver.

“I’m a little bit disappointed about the last wave which I came off,” Hareb said. “I knew I could have won the heat with that wave.”

Hareb finished equal 3rd at the Roxy Pro Gold Coast and now sits No. 3 on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour ratings.

ROXY PRO GOLD COAST FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.07
2 – Melanie Bartels (HAW) 12.50

ROXY PRO GOLD COAST SEMIFINALS RESULTS:
SF 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.33 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 12.16
SF 2: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 17.34 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 13.27

CURRENT ASP WOMEN’S WORLD TOUR RATINGS:
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 1200
2 – Melanie Bartels (HAW) 972
3 – Paige Hareb (NZL) 756
3 – Coco Ho (HAW) 756
5 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 552
5 – Rebecca Woods (AUS) 552
5 – Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 552
5 – Bruna Schmitz (BRA) 552
9 – Silvana Lima (BRA) 360
9 – Amee Donohoe (AUS) 360
9 – Samantha Cornish (AUS) 360
9 – Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 360
9 – Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 360
9 – Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 360
9 – Alana Blanchard (HAW) 360
9 – Megan Abubo (HAW) 360
17 – Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 180
18 – Layne Beachley (AUS) 0

Gilmore Tears Through to Semifinals at Roxy Pro Gold Coast

DURANBAH BEACH, Australia (Friday, March 6, 2009) – The Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by LG Mobile recommenced this morning in clean two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves at nearby Duranbah Beach with athletes enduring three rounds of competition before deciding the Semifinalists by day’s end.
The opening event of the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour season, the Roxy Pro Gold Coast ran through Rounds 2 and 3 as well as the Quarterfinals today, with dramatic match-ups and barrier-breaking surfing entertaining the thousands on the beach and hundreds of thousands online.
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21, reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion, was in sensational form today, besting replacement surfer Megan Abubo (HAW), 31, in Round 3 before ousting compatriot Chelsea Hedges (AUS), 25, in the Quarterfinals.
“It was a great heat with Chelsea (Hedges),” Gilmore said. “There was a lot of energy before we went down to the water and it just felt great. I love surfing with her, but it’s always hard. As I’ve said before, she’s probably the only girl I’ve ever competed against who can throw a 7 or 8 right back in your face at the start of a heat and it really fires me up. Of course, to come out on top is always a bonus.”
Gilmore, who has failed to secure a strong opening result in her two years on the ASP Women’s World Tour, is now into the Semifinals and looks to be the event favorite, securing the day’s high heat total of a 16.83 out of a possible 20 in her Round 3 heat.
“My last big result at home was when I was a wildcard at 17,” Gilmore said. “It’s always a treat to surf at home in front of your friends and family. Now that I’m through to the Semifinals, I’m feeling really good and hopefully, we’ll get to finish at Snapper Rocks.”
Gilmore will face 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie Paige Hareb (NZL), 18, in Semifinal 1 when Roxy Pro Gold Coast competition recommences.
Hareb remains the sole goofy-footer in Roxy Pro competition, having bested veteran Amee Donohoe (AUS), 28, and fellow rookie Bruna Schmitz (BRA), 18, in Round 3 and he Quarterfinals respectively.
“My goal before coming into this was to make the Quarterfinals and I’m through to the Semis now so anything from here is a bonus,” Hareb said. “I’ve got my parents over here which helps me relax. I haven’t even surfed that much, just been cruising, it’s been good.”
Coco Ho (HAW), 17, fellow 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie and the youngest competitor in the Roxy Pro Gold Coast, caused the upset of the day this morning, eliminating current ASP World No. 2 Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, in Round 3.
“It was really exciting,” Ho said. “I had fun. Silvana scores 10’s so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the waves went my way. We can both get good scores, so it was just up to who got the better rides and towards the end of the heat, it went a bit quiet so I was lucky I got some early scores.”

ROXY PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 2 RESULTS:

Heat 1: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 12.73, Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 10.07, Ashleigh Smith (AUS) 7.83

Heat 2: Megan Abubo (HAW) 12.33, Rebecca Woods (AUS) 11.16, Jessi Miley Dyer (AUS) 9.43

ROXY PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 3 RESULTS:

Heat 1: Paige Hareb (NZL) 15.17 def. Amee Donohoe (AUS) 11.34

Heat 2: Bruna Schmitz (BRA) 13.50 def. Samantha Cornish (AUS) 13.43

Heat 3: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 14.00 def. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 11.90

Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.83 def. Megan Abubo (HAW) 8.40

Heat 5: Coco Ho (HAW) 15.33 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 11.50

Heat 6: Rebecca Woods (AUS) 13.50 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 11.50

Heat 7: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 15.40 def. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 12.86

Heat 8: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 11.83 def. Alana Blanchard (HAW) 6.70

ROXY PRO GOLD COAST QUARTERFINALS RESULTS:

QF 1: Paige Hareb (NZL) 12.17 def. Bruna Schmitz (BRA) 8.20

QF 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.83 def. Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 14.83

QF 3: Coco Ho (HAW) 15.34 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 7.23

QF 4: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 11.57 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 11.50

ROXY PRO GOLD COAST SEMIFINALS MATCH-UPS:

SF 1: Paige Hareb (NZL) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)

SF 2: Coco Ho (HAW) vs. Melanie Bartels (HAW)

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)

Billabong Pro Maui Quarterfinalists Decided at Honolua Bay

HONOLUA BAY, Hawaii (Wednesday, December 10, 2008) - The Billabong Pro Maui commenced this morning in picturesque four-to-five foot (2 metre) surf at Honolua Bay, allowing the ladies of the ASP Top 17 to revel through three rounds of competition, deciding the Quarterfinalists for when competition resumes.

The final stop of the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Billabong Pro Maui also serves as the deciding event in the Vans Triple Crown (an ASP Specialty Series), with today’s frontrunners putting on a show.

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, newly-crowned two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and defending Billabong Pro Maui winner, put in an incendiary performance in Round 3, scoring a near-perfect 9.75 out of a possible 10 to eliminate Paige Hareb (NZL), 18, from the event.

“Paige (Hareb) got off to an aggressive start in that heat by getting the first solid scorer and that fired me up to unleash on my first wave,” Gilmore said. “It was a good set wave and I was able to really push my board out there. It was a lot of fun.”

Despite having already securing her historic second ASP Women’s World Title, the competitive fire still burns for Gilmore, who is looking to defend last year’s Billabong Pro Maui win as well as claim her first Vans Triple Crown title.

“I’m currently second on the Vans Triple Crown ratings behind Layne (Beachley),” Gilmore said. “It’s pretty close and I think whoever performs better here will claim it. I’ve been pretty relaxed since the ASP Women’s World Title race finished, but I still want to win every heat I’m in. I love surfing well and performing for people and when that happens you win heats. I’d love to leave Hawaii with the Triple Crown in my pocket.”

Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, currently sitting in third in the hunt for the Vans Triple Crown, caught a fire in the final heat of the day, posting the day’s highest heat total of an 18.00 out of a possible 20 to eliminate Karina Petroni (USA), 20, from the Billabong Pro Maui.

“The ASP Women’s World Title has been decided and I’m relaxed here in Maui,” Lima said. “I really want to win the Vans Triple Crown and to do that, I need a big result here.”

Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, former 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 competitor on the ASP Women’s World Tour and the iconic natural-footer would love nothing more than to cap off her esteemed career with a big result in Hawaii.

“Of course I would love to finish up with a win here in Maui or by winning the Vans Triple Crown,” Beachley said. “Anybody would, but for me, I’m just very relaxed and wanting to surf well. I love Hawaii and the waves here and I’m just really focusing on my surfing.”

Melanie Bartels (HAW), 26, current No. 10 on the ASP Women’s World Tour, put on a big performance in Round 3 today, dominating the bowling righthanders to post a 16.80 out of a possible 20, and eliminate former event champion and last year’s runner-up Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), 22, from the Billabong Pro Maui.

“I had a great time out there,” Bartels said. “The waves are really fun and I’m just happy to be home in Hawaii. I have the Hawaiian “mana” and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the event.”

Carissa Moore (HAW), 16, winner of this morning’s trials, caused the upset of the event today, eliminating former ASP Women’s World Champion and current No. 2 Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 25, from the Billabong Pro Maui.

“It’s an honor to be surfing with all my heroes,” Moore said. “It’s just a real treat to be able to surf Honolua Bay with just another girl out. I was just having fun and I’m happy to have the opportunity to surf again.”

BILLABONG PRO MAUI ROUND 1 RESULTS:

Heat 1: Samantha Cornish (AUS) 12.50, Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 12.15, Rebecca Woods (AUS) 11.25

Heat 2: Layne Beachley (AUS) 16.50, Jacqueline Silva (BRA), 9.75, Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) 8.25

Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.15, Nicola Atherton (AUS) 8.55, Paige Hareb (NZL) 7.95

Heat 4: Carissa Moore (HAW) 11.25, Megan Abubo (HAW) 10.90, Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 7.65

Heat 5: Silvana Lima (BRA) 12.50, Melanie Bartels (HAW) 11.75, Serena Brooke (AUS) 9.65

Heat 6: Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 16.10, Karina Petroni (USA) 14.00, Amee Donohoe (AUS) 8.75

BILLABONG PRO MAUI ROUND 2 RESULTS:

Heat 1: Paige Hareb (NZL) 13.25, Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 13.00, Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) 11.60

Heat 2: Amee Donohoe (AUS) 12.85, Rebecca Woods (AUS) 12.75, Serena Brooke (AUS) 10.15

BILLABONG PRO MAUI ROUND 3 RESULTS:

Heat 1: Layne Beachley (AUS) 15.00 def. Nicola Atherton (AUS) 11.65

Heat 2: Rosanne Hodge (AUS) 13.70 def. Samantha Cornish (AUS) 13.35

Heat 3: Rebecca Woods (AUS) 12.00 def. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 7.75

Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 17.50 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 9.85

Heat 5: Carissa Moore (HAW) 12.50 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 5.75

Heat 6: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 16.80 def. Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 15.50

Heat 7: Megan Abubo (HAW) 12.25 def. Amee Donohoe (AUS) 7.00

Heat 8: Silvana Lima (BRA) 18.00 def. Karina Petroni (USA) 11.75

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)

Stephanie Gilmore wins ASP women’s world title 2008

SUNSET BEACH, Hawaii (Monday, December 1, 2008) – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, scalped her second consecutive ASP Women’s World Title today with an emphatic win at the Roxy Pro at Sunset Beach, ripping through the three-to-five foot (1.5 metre) waves at Sunset Point to defeat fellow finalists Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), 22, and Nicola Atherton (AUS), 22.

Event No. 7 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Roxy Pro at Sunset Beach proved the most decisive event of year, seeing shock eliminations on the final day before Gilmore soared to victory to claim the 2008 ASP Women’s World Title.

“I had no idea this was going to happen today when I woke up this morning,” Gilmore said. “Sofia (Mulanovich) went down and then Layne (Beachley) went down and I found myself in the Final with a chance to clinch it. It feels unbelievable.”

“I knew I had to win the Final to claim the title here at Sunset and when Silvana (Lima) got off to such a solid start, I thought I would have to get a result in Maui,” Gilmore said. “I had a pretty solid score, but still needed a 6-something and there weren’t many waves at all. Then I saw this little lump out the back and I knew it would be good when I was stroking into it. Turned out to be the best wave of the heat and put me over the top.”

Gilmore’s clinching of her second consecutive ASP Women’s World Title makes it two-for-two for the young Australian, who has claimed the prestigious accolade in both years as a member of the ASP Women’s World Tour.

“The second one definitely feels better than the first one,” Gilmore said. “I’m going to savor this one for a while and then readjust my goals for next year. There should be big celebrations on for tonight.”

Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), 22, scored her season best finish with a 3rd place today, pushing the goofy-footer into 7th on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour ratings heading into the season-ender in Maui where she finished runner-up last year.

“I finished 4th out here at Sunset last year so I’m stoked to finish 3rd this year and hopefully I can keep improving next year,” Miley-Dyer said. “I was in the water with Steph (Gilmore) last year when she won the ASP Women’s World Title so to be in the water again feels really special. As for me, this year started off slow with an injury and a couple of average results, but I’m happy with my finish here and am looking forward to a strong showing in Maui.”