ASP ASP Women’s World Tour : Stephanie Gilmore wins Billabon Pro Maui • Abubo takes Vans Tripple Crown

Steaphanie Gilmore (AUS) has claimed the 2007 Billabong Pro Maui after a showdown against fellow finalist and defending Billabong Pro Maui Champion Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) in two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves at Honolua Bay.

The final event of the 2007 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Billabong Pro Maui saw the rookie Gilmore claim the 2007 ASP Women’s World Title following yesterday’s Round 3 action, and today’s victory at Honolua Bay marks the young Australian’s fourth win this season.

“It’s been such an incredible year for me,” Gilmore said. “Everything from traveling with my friends to winning events to claiming the title in Maui, it’s all be so much fun. I can’t believe it. To finish the year with another win, I’m just over the moon.”

Making use of the declining swell, Billabong Pro Maui event organizers opted to run the final day of competition today. Although the Final was somewhat wave-starved, Gilmore’s stylish forehand assault would prove victorious over the goofy-footer, Miley-Dyer.

“It was really special to finish the year out there with Jessi (Miley-Dyer),” Gilmore said. “The waves weren’t that great, but we still managed to get a few. We were just enjoying ourselves out there and talking. I’m super stoked to finish the year with a win.”

Miley-Dyer, who claimed the event’s high heat total of an 18.65 out of a possible 20 in yesterday’s Round 3 action, dominated the inconsistent righthanders througout the day, defeating opponents Keala Kennelly (HAW) and Layne Beachley (AUS) en route to her finals berth.

“Making the finals two years in a row is a big accomplishment for me,” Miley-Dyer said. “I was fortunate enough to win last year, and to make the finals again with Steph (Gilmore) is great. I’m super stoked to have been able to share her ASP World Title with her, and I’m really please with myself for finishing the year off strong.”

In addition to the ASP Women’s World Title and the Billabong Pro Maui Title, the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing was on the line during the final day of competition with three remaining contenders in Layne Beachley (AUS), Melanie Bartels (HAW) and Megan Abubo (HAW).

Abubo, winner of the Reef Pro Haleiwa, emerged victorious today, taking down the 2007 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing with her equal 5th place finish at the Billabong Pro Maui.

“I was a little bummed that I lost out to Rosy (Hodge), and I kind of took off,” Abubo said. “I knew that Layne (Beachley) was still in the hunt and she’s such a competitor out here that she easily could have gotten the result. My team manager called me when she lost out and told me that I had won the Triple Crown and I was almost in disbelief.”

Abubo, who suffered a horrific abdominal injury at the Roxy Pro Sunset, rallied at Honolua Bay, posting solid scores in the earlier rounds and exhibiting excellent wave selection. For her efforts, Abubo will be awarded $10,000 as well as a brand-new Chevy Truck.

“Wow, I’m super stoked that Vans puts on the Triple Crown,” Abubo said. “It’s such a good thing for women’s surfing, to allow us to showcase our talents in the big waves of Hawaii. I am so happy right now, I don’t really have words to describe it. It’s been a long time since a Hawaiian has taken the Vans Triple Crown and I am honored to bring it back to the islands.”

RESULTS : Billabong Pro Maui (ASP Women’s World Tour)

FINAL :
 1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 10.33
 2 – Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 8.36

SEMIFINALS : 4 surfers remaining
 SF 1 : Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 12.85 def. Layne Beachley (AUS) 12.50
 SF 2 : Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 7.50 def. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 6.85

QUARTERFINALS : 8 surfers remaining
 QF 1 : Layne Beachley (AUS) 14.70 def. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 13.40
 QF 2 : Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 11.50 def. Keala Kennelly (HAW) 6.75
 QF 3 : Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 13.00 def. Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 8.50
 QF 4 : Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 12.75 def. Megan Abubo (HAW) 7.60

2007 ASP WOMEN’S WORLD TOUR FINAL RATINGS

 1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
 2 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 5947 points
 3 – Silvana Lima (BRA) 5342 points
 4 – Samantha Cornish (AUS) 4620 points
 5 – Layne Beachley (AUS) 4610 points
 6 – Amee Donohoe (AUS) 4406 points
 7 – Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 4238 points
 8 – Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 4165 points
 9 – Rebecca Woods (AUS) 3582 points
 10 – Melanie Bartels (HAW) 3168 points
 11 – Megan Abubo (HAW) 3054 points
 12 – Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 3000 points
 13 – Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 2976 points
 14 – Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) 2592 points
 15 – Caroline Sarran (FRA) 2322 points
 16 – Rochelle Ballard (HAW) 1890 points
 17 – Leilani Gryde (HAW) 1152 points

ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) MEDIA

ASP North America Media Manager Dave Prodan (On-Site) Email : dave aspworldtour.com Cell : +1 949 678 0987

BILLABONG PRO MAUI MEDIA

Mandy McKinnon (On-site in Hawaii) Email : mandy.mckinnon bigpond.com

About ASP : The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours : the Foster’s ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions : Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

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