Quarterfinals Set for Billabong Girls Pro Rio
September 14, 2008 – 12:33 am PT by GregTags: ASP, Billabong Pro Rio, Layne Beachley, Sophia Mulanovich, Stephanie Gilmore —
Stephanie Gilmore in action in Brazil..
Yes, there are other events going on this weekend in addition to the Dew Tour. Specifically in surfing the Billabong Girls Pro Rio has already been whittled down to the Quarterfinals, with most of the top women still in the race (check the bottom of the post for the match-ups).
As soon as the women are done with their contest, action will ramp up in France with the Quiksilver Pro France 2008 (starting Sept. 19). All eyes will be on Kelly Slater, who literally needs just a couple of heats to secure his record 9th world title.
Another Lay Day Called for Billabong Girls Pro Rio, Storm Coming
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Saturday, September 13, 2008) – Another lay day has been called for the Billabong Girls Pro Rio with competitors and event organizers opting not to run in the one-to-two foot (0.5) metre waves on offer this morning at Barra da Tijuca Beach in Rio De Janeiro.
Event No. 4 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Billabong Gils Pro Rio has already seen some standout performances from local Brazilians Silvana Lima, 23, and Jacqueline Silva, 29, and with an impending storm forecast to move in this afternoon, event organizers are hopeful that competition will resume tomorrow.
“We’re experiencing the calm before the storm right now,” Brooke Farris, ASP Women’s World Tour Manager said. “It’s supposed to roll in this afternoon and pick the swell up so hopefully we come back tomorrow and are greeted with some more waves.”
Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, former seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current No. 3 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour ratings, is in the running Kustom Best Wave Award with her 9.00 out of a possible 10 single-wave score from Round 3. Beachley will face the ever-dangerous Lima in Quarterfinal 4.
Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 25, former ASP Women’s World Champion and current No 2 on the ASP Women’s World Tour, has been putting time in the past two mornings despite the small conditions to prepare for her battle against Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), 22, in Quarterfinal 3 when competition resumes.
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, reigning ASP Women’s World Champion and current No. 1 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour ratings, eliminated lethal wildcard Maria Tita Tavares (BRA), 32, in Round 3 and will face teammate Silva in Quarterfinal 2.
When Billabong Girls Pro Rio competition resumes, defending event champion Samantha Cornish (AUS), 27, will be up against Melanie Bartels (HAW), 26, in Quarterfinal 1.
Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow at 8am.
The Billabong Girls Pro Rio will be webcast LIVE via www.billabongpro.com/rio08
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
Billabong Girls Pro Rio Quarterfinal Match-Ups:
Quarterfinal 1: Samantha Cornish (AUS) vs. Melanie Bartels (HAW)
Quarterfinal 2: Jacqueline Silva (BRA) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
Quarterfinal 3: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) vs. Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
Quarterfinal 4: Silvana Lima (BRA) vs. Layne Beachley (AUS)
