(April 19, 2002)                                                                                               Hot News Main Page 

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SunSmart Women's Classic; 6 Star World Qualifying Series Event
Friday 19th April and Saturday 20th

ASP INT'L, QLD, AUSTRALIA (April 19, 2002) With the SunSmart Women's Classic being contested literally next to the men's event, spectators were fortunate enough to see two world champions follow each other within seconds.

Men's Competitor, Hobgood, competing for the first time in the event as world champion, pulled into a perfect 2m left-hand tube and 30 seconds later, on the opposite side of the reef, four time world champ Layne Beachley (Aus) bottom turned into 2m pitching bowl.

The opening heats of the SunSmart Women's Classic got underway mid-morning in terrific conditions. The two Trials rounds and Quarter Finals were held on the Southside" break where the ladies mainly surfed the right-handers.

Australian Laurina McGrath enjoyed herself but also had to contend with some unwelcome visitors. "There were really good waves out there. The only problem was a little pack of sharks feeding near by. But the waves were fun."

When asked about returning to the beach, her no nonsense reply," You can't go in - it's a heat!"

The Quarter Finals were dominated by experience. Four-time world champion Layne Beachley (20.83 total points) stamped her class on the event winning comfortably from Tracey Browne (Aus - 12.44), Amber Goulay (Aus) and American Auberry Falk.

West Australian junior champion Claire Bevilacqua (19.83), who has benefited from her two years on the Pro Junior circuit, had a solid heat and progressed to tomorrow's semi finals with Holly Monkman (Aus- 15.83).

"I was really happy with the waves today, it's so good out there," said Bevilacqua.

McGrath brought up another win for the day in her Quarter Final, and along with Melanie Redman-Carr, were clear-cut winners over Sarah Beardmore and former finalist Amy Johnson.

World Championship Tour surfer and 1999 Finalist, Heather Clark showed her class in the 4th Quarter Final. The South African will look forward to the increase in swell predicted tomorrow. Also through is Brooke Farris while Vanessa Lamb and Kirsty Shaw have ended their respective campaigns.

Saturday's SunSmart Semi Finalists:
Semi Final 1 - Claire Bevilacqua, Holly Monkman, Layne Beachley, Tracey Browne
Semi Final 2 - Laurina McGrath, Melanie Redman-Carr, Heather Clark, Brooke Farris

SunSmart Women's Classic
Trials Heat 1 Phillipa Tugwood, Auberry Falk (USA), Jacqui Gordon, Penny Shuttleworth
Trials Heat 2 Laurina McGrath, Kirsty Shaw, Melinda Atherton, Jessica Emory
Quarter Final 1 Claire Bevilacqua, Holly Monkman, Phillipa Tugwood, Rebecca Sheedy
Quarter Final 2 Layne Beachley, Tracey Browne, Amber Goulay, Auberry Falk (USA)
Quarter Final 3 Laurina McGrath, Melanie Redman-Carr, Sarah Beardmore, Amy Johnson
Quarter Final 4 Heather Clark, Brooke Farris, Vanessa Lamb, Kirsty Shaw.

Television Footage:
Please contact Brad Cecins for content information from Margaret River on 0417 914 334. Please contact Alan Butorac at GWN (Bunbury) on 08 9792 2840 for television feed details. Digital Images are available through Steve Robertson: stever@surfingaustralia.com

Media Contact Details:
Brad Cecins or Mario Vassallo Tel: 61-8-9757 3353 or Tel/Fax: 61-8-9757 3374

For further Salomon information please contact:
Shannon O'Brien (in English): shannon_obrien@salomon-sports.com +61 (0) 438 572 399, Jeremy Joire (in French): jeremy_joire@salomon-sports.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]

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