(May 12, 2002)

Kennelly Defeats Beachley In Final
Billabong Pro Teahupoo (May 7-18)

TEAHUPOO TAHITI (May 12, 2002) Keala Kennelly (Haw) today defeated four-time world and defending event champion Layne Beachley (Aus) to win the 2002 Billabong Pro Teahupoo. In doing so, she claimed her third event title at the notorious reef break and US$10,000. The year's third World Championship Tournament (WCT) commenced this morning with round three, running right through to the grand finale.

Waves remained 4-6ft (1.3-2m) throughout the day, but the west direction of the swell created dangerous conditions for the world's top rated women to deal with, resulting in numerous injuries.

Kennelly, 23, who first won a World Qualifying Series (WQS) tournament at Teahupoo in 1998, and then a WCT here in 2000, today dominated another final for the trifecta. With her father looking on from the channel, the Hawaiian lead from the outset of the 35-minute decider, posted the best single wave score of the entire tournament for a near-perfect 9.8, and ultimately left her opponent requiring a combination of rides worth 14.51-points. She also moved to fifth on the current ratings.

"This is my favorite event, just for the wave," began Kennelly, back on land surrounded by media and admiring Tahitians. "I just always want to come back here because it's a world class wave and really challenging for everybody.  "It was super dangerous and everybody is covered with cuts," she continued, herself sporting a few reminders of the razor sharp reef. "Most of the barrels today were not makeable, so it was really hard.

"I took off and started pushing through it and was hoping it would open up for me," she explained of her epic tube ride. "When it opened I was so surprised, and really lucky. For me, this is the one event all year I really
want to win, more than anybody. That's my motivation. This is Teahupoo, the contest I'm supposed to win (laughs)."

Beachley, 29, secured her best result this year to move back into world title contention. While the final was fairly one-sided in Kennelly's favor, she achieved the main goal she set herself leading into the Billabong Pro
Teahupoo.

"If there's anyone that deserved to win the event it was Keala," acknowledged Beachley afterward. "She charges harder than any other girl out here, and harder than half the guys sometimes. I'm stoked to see her almost get a 10, and for me, if there's any better time to have a shocker it's the final (laughs). She got the better waves and surfed a way better heat than I did.

"That was the idea coming here," she added, of moving up the ratings. "At least I have another three events to count at the end of the year. I'm stoked I'm back in contention. There was a lot of pressure and expectation on me leading into this event and I just put all that aside and went out and
surfed and did my best."

Equal third today were current ratings leader Melanie Redman-Carr (Aus) and four-time world champion Lisa Andersen (USA). The Australian bowing out to eventual winner Kennelly, after the Hawaiian found more winning barrel rides in their exchange.

"I was really confident throughout the heat, but Keala picked off a couple of good ones and came out," said Redman-Carr. "You can't really beat that.

"I'm not feeling that secure," she continued of leading the ratings. "It's really close between everyone and I would have obviously rather won this event, as I think I have a better chance in these conditions than the next few tournaments. The lead's the lead though, I guess (laughs)."

Andersen, 33, actually held a commanding lead over Beachley in their semifinal clash until the final 10-minutes. Her opponent then secured an 8.5, and while the Floridian used priority to catch a set wave needing a
7.01, she fell at the bottom, taking a heavy wipeout.

"I didn't expect her to get an 8.5 on a smaller inside wave," admitted  Andersen. "It was kind of shocking 'cause I thought I was doing well up until then. I never thought it was over though, so I didn't give up. A wave came and everyone was hooting, so I knew I had to go. Who knows, if I made
it I might have gotten the score?

"It was pretty heavy," she continued of the wipeout. "The scariest thing was not being able to come up for air. I don't like not being able to breath (laughs). I'm pretty stoked with third, as I didn't think I'd get so far."

Finishing equal fifth in the Billabong Pro Teahupoo were Maria 'Tita' Tavares (Brz), WCT newcomer Chelsea Georgeson (Aus), Kate Skarratt (Aus) and Lynette MacKenzie (Aus), who is now rated second after failing to secure any good rides in her quarterfinal against Andersen.

Georgeson, 18, suffered a serious wipeout at the beginning of her third round heat this morning against Serena Brooke (Aus) to incur contusions and lacerations all down the left side of her upper body, requiring seven
stitches to close one cut near the hip bone. Courageously, she continued surfing and posted the better scores to advance, meeting Redman-Carr in the quarterfinals. Despite injuries, she remained in contention all match, needing 7.76-points when it concluded.

"My hip hurt paddling for waves," explained Georgeson after the loss. "Having an injury may have made me hold back a little bit, but I felt pretty comfortable once I got my first wave. It was a hard heat and wish I could have tipped her up, but maybe next time.

"It happened on my first wave, but the adrenaline was pumping so much it didn't really faze me while I was out there," she explained, of her injuries. "I hope Serena is OK too. I guess it wasn't the best heat for
injuries."

Brooke, who required a 6.76 toward the end of their heat, also hit the reef after attempting a floater on the inside section. She suffered abrasions and mild shock, and was taken to Papeete hospital for further attention to rule out any possible abdominal injury. She was released soon after clear of any
additional issues.

A decision will be made tomorrow morning as to the men's division, with a probable 7:30am (local time) start for round three heats.

Official results of the Billabong Pro Teahupoo Women
1st Keala Kennelly (Haw) 22.9 - US$10,000
2nd Layne Beachley (Aus) 11.6 - US$6,000

Semifinals (defeated finish =3rd and receive US$4,000)
SF1: Keala Kennelly (Haw) 15.15 def. Melanie Redman-Carr (Aus) 11.0
SF2: Layne Beachley (Aus) 14.0 def. Lisa Andersen (USA) 13.5

Quarterfinals (defeated finish =5th and receive US$3,000)
QF1: Keala Kennelly (Haw) 13.75 def. Maria Tavares (Brz) 10.25
QF2: Melanie Redman-Carr (Aus) 13.25 def. Chelsea Georgeson (Aus) 11.0
QF3: Layne Beachley (Aus) 12.25 def. Kate Skarratt (Aus) 2.4
QF4: Lisa Andersen (USA) 7.65 def. Lynette MacKenzie (Aus) 0.5

Round Three (defeated finish =9th and receive US$2,500)
H1: Keala Kennelly (Haw) 11.75 def. Heather Clark (SAfr) 11.25
H2: Maria Tavares (Brz) 16.45 def. Rochelle Ballard (Haw) 15.3
H3: Chelsea Georgeson (Aus) 18.75 def. Serena Brooke (Aus) 17.1
H4: Melanie Redman-Carr (Aus) 19.15 def. Laurina McGrath (Aus) 7.15
H5: Layne Beachley (Aus) 19.75 def. Amee Donohoe (Aus) 11.85
H6: Kate Skarratt (Aus) 14.5 def. Samantha Cornish (Aus) 3.6
H7: Lisa Andersen (USA) 17.8 def. Jacqueline Silva (Brz) 3.1
H8: Lynette MacKenzie (Aus) 12.0 def. Pauline Menczer (Aus) 7.6

Further Information: www.aspworldtour.com & www.billabongpro.com. On-site numbers: +689 573 524; Fax 689 573 524, Mandy McKinnon - Billabong Media: mandymac@ozemail.com.au
Action photo's available free of charge courtesy of Pierre Tostee/ASP, Tostee@aspworldtour.com

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