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Billabong
Girls (Nov 25-Dec 7) Association
of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World
Championship Tour (WCT) ASP Int'l, Australia (Nov 15, 2001) The upcoming Billabong
Girls' World Championship Tour (WCT) event, set to take place between November
25 and December 7 on Maui, Hawaii, has 11 competitors hopeful of clinching the
2001 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) world crown. This 'pressure
cooker' scenario ensures a dramatic conclusion to the shortened, three-tournament, season. Three-time consecutive (1998-'00) world champion Layne
Beachley (Aus) holds the slenderest of leads with a 30-point advantage over
equal runner-ups Rochelle Ballard (Haw) and Melanie Redman (Aus). Megan Abubo
(Haw) is only another 120-points behind in fourth, while Serena Brooke (Aus),
Keala Kennelly (Haw) and 'Tita' Tavares (Brz) are all tied for fifth just
60-points further down. Jacqueline Silva (Brz), Heather Clark (SAfr), Kate
Skarratt and Neridah Falconer (both Aus) are also within reach, but for them
fate is equally in the hands of those already rated higher. Beachley, 29, who claimed her 2000 world title at tournament
site Honolua Bay, with an equal 5th placing, will be fighting for a similar
outcome this year. The closeness of the entire top 15 rated women creates the
almost unbelievable situation, however, whereby she could actually fail to
re-qualify for the 2002 tour with a poor result. Compile this with the fact
she has had health problems for the past couple of months and the intensity
grows. Still, her ability and determination to match the record previous set
by Lisa Andersen (USA) of four consecutive (1994-'97) world crowns is another
matter. "It has been a disappointing year as far as the number
of events is concerned, no doubt about that, but I am and always have been
focused on matching Lisa's record," explained Beachley. "I have had
a lot of health problems over the last couple of months ranging from an
annular tear and 3 bulging disks in my cervical spine, to bordering on chronic
fatigue for the 3rd time, so I have spent the last month at home divided
between all forms of therapists. "Yes, I am a little," she admitted, on feeling
somewhat nervous about the ratings situation. "But whether I have a
30-point lead or a 600-point lead going into the last event my ultimate focus
is still on winning and I have proven to perform well under pressure, so we
will just have to wait and see. It's going to be an exciting showdown!" Ballard, 30, who's previous best tour finish of fourth was
back in 1998, is now well within range of securing her first world title, or
at least a highest finish to date. The Hawaiian excels in barreling reef
breaks, such as Honolua Bay, and for this reason alone would be considered a
real threat in the Billabong Girls. "I feel really good going into the final event,"
said Ballard, from her home on Oahu. "The time off has only given me more
hunger and excitement to compete. I'm hungry for a win and looking forward to
the opportunity. I have nothing to lose, only to gain. "I would love to have the opportunity to surf epic
Honolua," she added. "It's a dream wave. Even when it's small its
really fun." Defending Billabong Girls champion Neridah Falconer (Aus)
also holds a slender possibility of winning
the world crown. The 29-year-old Australian is currently sitting in 11th
position, but with the ratings so close, she could rise to the top with a
repeat performance of last year and if those higher up fail to do well. Adding another element to the already intense mix is Trudy
Todd (Aus). Despite failing to re-qualify for the 2001 WCT, Billabong has
offered the 1999 event winner a wildcard spot. She will face Beachley in the
fourth heat of round one, which is sure to be one of the toughest clashes of
the tournament. The Billabong Girls' format on Maui sees no 'losers' rounds
in place, thereby making each match crucial. While the winners' progress
through the one-on-one heats, those defeated are eliminated immediately. Only 15 heats are required to complete the 2001 tournament,
which boasts a 13-day waiting period. Daily releases will be available during
this time. [Source: www.billabong.com or www.aspworldtour.com,
Jesse Faen, Media Director, ASP Int'l jesse@aspworldtour.com,
ASP Int'l office (Aus): +617-5599-1550, Mandy McKinnon, Billabong Media/TV
Feeds, mandymac@ozemail.com.au]
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