(May 2, 2002)

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Round Three Utilizes 'Restaurants' & 'Namotu Lefts'

TAVARUA ISLAND, FIJI (May 2, 2002) The Roxy Pro Fiji utilized two world-class venues today, yet was still unable to complete all of round three due to unpredictable weather changes. The US$60,000 World Championship Tournament (WCT) is now set to conclude tomorrow, with the remaining third round heats kicking off proceedings.

The famed 'Restaurants' break, directly in front of Tavarua Island played host to three heats this morning, the first time its dredging reef has showcased an event. Surf was 3-4 ft (1-1.3m), but unfortunately a strong
northeast wind caused major chops on the wave faces. After organizers initially placed competition on hold for two hours to evaluate conditions and check other spots, they opted to re-locate to the larger 6ft (2m), more
protected waves at 'Namotu Lefts', off nearby Namotu Island. Once there, however, a major rainsquall moved in after two more heats were surfed and ultimately led to the postponement of the round.

Defending Roxy Pro Fiji champion Megan Abubo (Haw) was eliminated this morning by world #12 Kate Skarratt (Aus) in a close encounter. Despite securing the best wave of the heat (6.5), her Australian opponent was able to use priority to advantage at the end, and hold her off any decent rides.  Abubo actually 'dropped-in' on the last wave to incur an interference call, but this made no difference to the outcome. Skarratt will now face world #2 Melanie Redman-Carr (Aus) in the first quarterfinal, after she accounted for Keala Kennelly (Haw) in the day's opening heat.

"It's a beautiful wave and has a really nice wall, but it wasn't ideal conditions with the wind blowing up the face," said Skarratt, of 'Restaurants'. "It's still fun though, and I was able to get a couple at the start.

"I think I've slightly torn one of the muscles in my hip, so I was kind of taking it easy out there," she added, of an injury sustained yesterday. "I wanted to sit wide of her and try and get another toward the end, but she
only needed a 2.41, so I had to sit on her. I had to go that last one 'cause otherwise she might have gotten the score. That's surfing in contests."

Roxy Pro Trials winner Sofia Mulanovich (Peru) continued her momentum, creating a major upset by defeating current ratings leader Lynette MacKenzie (Aus) for the second time this tournament. Theirs was the first heat out at 'Namotu Lefts' and controversy followed the result, since Jet Ski's were introduced during the middle of the clash due to a strong current.

Regardless, the Australian had posted the highest score of the day for 8.25-points, but the Peruvian secured two more strong rides toward the end for a slender lead. MacKenzie only needed a 4.66 during the final minutes, but it proved out of reach. Mulanovich now faces world #5 Serena Brooke in the quarters, after she eliminated fellow Australian Samantha Cornish this morning.

"I started alright, but she got a really good one too," recalled Mulanovich.  "I knew I needed something better, so I just calmed myself and went bigger.  It was so much fun out there, way better than 'Restaurants' this morning, so I'm stoked they moved it.

"I'm a local," she joked of the new venue. "I 'live' on Namotu, so I was happy they held the contest here."

Four-time world champ Layne Beachley then overcame a commanding start by fellow Australian and WCT newcomer Amee Donohoe. While the 21 year old began with a 7-point ride, Beachley raised the bar with a superb 8.0 from the judges, helping to create a scenario whereby her opponent required 6.61-points at heat end. At which point, the weather turned for the worse again.

"My heat strategy was to try and get three waves within the first 15-minutes because I saw the wind starting to come on and that rainsquall on the outside," explained Beachley. "Amee got a really good wave to start the heat off with a 7.0, so I knew that was the gauntlet laid down already. I was yelling at myself after my first wave, saying 'you don't have to push yourself beyond your own limits.' The judges were rewarding just critical
maneuvers, and I wasn't going as hard as I know I can. I'm saving the best for last (laughs).

"What an amazing event," she added. "We've gone from 2-6ft (1-2m) 'Cloudbreak' in one day, to watching 'Restaurants' getting blown out most of the day, to coming around to Namotu Lefts and having perfect 6ft (2m) barreling, clean faces to work with. I think it's going to test everyone's patience and focus, and the one who can remain the most calm throughout the whole ordeal I think, will win the event."

When round three recommences tomorrow morning, Rochelle Ballard (Haw) will meet the USA's four-time world champ Lisa Andersen, while newcomer Chelsea Georgeson (Aus) will try and oust Heather Clark (SAfr). In the final heat of the round Brazilians Jacqueline Silva and Maria 'Tita' Tavares go head-to-head.

ASP Digital Photographer Pierre Tostee (SAfr) had his share of dramas today, as the boat he was shooting the action from at 'Restaurants' capsized after the engine stopped and it was hit by a wave. His brand new camera body and the attached 300mm lens met their enemy - water - and were rendered useless.  Fortunately he was able to secure his additional 600mm lens in a waterproof case prior to the situation arising.

Official results of the Roxy Pro Fiji Round Three H1: Melanie Redman-Carr (Aus) 17.5 def. Keala Kennelly (Haw) 14.0 H2: Kate Skarratt (Aus) 12.9 def. Megan Abubo (Haw) 10.5 H3: Serena Brooke (Aus) 15.25 def. Samantha Cornish (Aus) 10.35 H4: Sofia Mulanovich (Peru) 17.9 def. Lynette MacKenzie (Aus) 17.05 H5: Layne Beachley (Aus) 19.85 def. Amee Donohoe (Aus) 16.9

Further Information and Surfer Profiles: www.aspworldtour.com & www.quiksilver.com  Media numbers onsite: +679-65-11-(125), or (126) and (127).

Kirk Willcox - Media/Marketing Manager, Quiksilver International kirk.willcox@quiksilver.com.au, Ph (Aus): +61-(0)-2-9973-5555

Complimentary digital images will be available to all newspapers, websites, and magazines. Contact Pierre Tostee/ASP World Tour Photographer: tostee@aspworldtour.com

[Source: Jesse Faen, Media Director, ASP Int'l, jesse@aspworldtour.com, www.aspworldtour.com, Mobile (Aus): +61-(0)-407-189-289, ASP Office (Aus): +61-(0)-755-991-550]