Silva Shines In Difficult Conditions

Cabedelo beach was again only 2ft (0.6m), but due to an unfavorable swell outlook, officials are making the most of what they have on offer.

Silva, the 2001 World Qualifying Series (WQS) winner, posted the best single wave score of 9.5 and combined two-wave total of the tournament for 17.4-points against Serena Brooke (Aus). Although the Australian would have won any other heat with her wave scores today, her Brazilian opponent was too strong and moved into the quarterfinals.

« I was so lucky to get all the best waves, » said Silva. « I got a 7.15, a 7.9 and then a 9.5, so I’m so happy, especially in these conditions when it’s even more difficult. I’m so happy and it gives me confidence as if I can get good scores in bad waves, I know I can when it’s better. »

Reigning four-time world champ Layne Beachley held off fellow Australian and 1993 world champ Pauline Menczer, who currently leads the WQS. When their heat commenced, following a lengthy delay caused by the storm, both contestants began surfing the peak directly in front of the judges. Menczer, however, opted to move further south midway through the 30-minute clash. Once there, she had to deal with a free-surfer in her way on one wave, but then secured a 7.75 ride and put pressure on her opponent’s lead. Beachley then joined her on the other peak, collecting the heat’s best score of 8.75-points and secured the win.

« Pauline’s such a tough competitor to surf against, » began Beachley. « She’s so tenacious and has been on such a roll through the ’QS events through Europe that I knew she was going to be a tough third round competitor. The minute she split from me and went down to the other peak, and I heard her get a 7.75, I knew I had to run down there and join her. You can’t leave her alone as she’s going to pull out the scores when she needs to. »It’s nice to have support on the beach,« she added, of partner and big wave legend Ken Bradshaw. »When you’re world champion everyone is out to take you down. It’s not a personal vendetta, it’s more of a professional one, but you tend to take it personally. Especially being at the top for a long period of time, people get tired of seeing the champions win, so it’s important to have at least one person there to support you. It was important to have him there to reassure me of my decision to run down the beach.« Maria ’Tita’ Tavares (Brz) put her diminutive build to good use against Heather Clark (SAfr). The Brazilian, who stands at only 4’11 », managed to find speed and execute flowing maneuvers while her opponent struggled. By heat end, the South African required a combination of scores worth 10.01 to match Tavares strong charge.

« I was waiting the whole day to surf that heat and was a little bit stressed, » explained Tavares. « There were a few waves then and I was able to do some nice turns and floaters. I’m very happy. I have two boards here I like, so I’m feeling good. »

Australian WCT rookies Samantha Cornish and Chelsea Georgeson both continued their run through the Figueira Pro. Cornish secured her best result to date by eliminating current #4 Kate Skarratt (Aus) this morning, while Georgeson added another victory to her already successful maiden season against Rochelle Ballard (Haw). The 18-year-old posted a great 9.25 ride to leave her more experienced opponent needing another score of 7.76-points or more.

« It’s pretty small and frustrating out there, so you just have to get that lucky wave with an open face, and I happened to, » said Georgeson. « It’s tough conditions, but Sydney is a lot like this sometimes, so it was OK. »It was pretty hard having such a long break,« she continued of the recent four month WCT gap. »I tried to do a lot of the WQS’s just to stay in trim with heats. I’m happy with my results this year, though. I’ve been consistent and we’ll see how the year pans out.« Former world #2 Megan Abubo (Haw) eliminated current #2 Lynette MacKenzie (Aus). The Hawaiian got off to a good start and though her opponent began bridging the gap with an always-committed backhand attack, she was after another 5.86-points. »The waves are small so it’s kind of make due with what you have,« reasoned Abubo. »I felt pretty good, but Lynette’s been surfing really well all year and I was really happy just to keep up with her in that heat. In the end I think I got it because no waves came through. It’s the best I’ve gone all year, so I’m pretty happy right now.« While in the day’s first heat, Neridah Falconer (Aus) eliminated last WCT winner Keala Kennelly (Haw) in a wave-starved match. The Australian collected a 7.5 right from the outset, and left her Hawaiian opponent trailing from then on. »I thought there’d be at least be a couple more of them in the heat, but there didn’t seem to be,« said Falconer, of her first good wave. »I guess I was lucky to pick that one up. It was a good way to start a heat, a 7.5 in these conditions. Haven’t made many lately."

Official results of the Figueira Pro Women
 Round Three (1st advances ; defeated finish =9th ; receive US$2,500)
 H1 : Neridah Falconer (Aus) 12.5 def. Keala Kennelly (Haw) 9.9
 H2 : Samantha Cornish (Aus) 13.5 def. Kate Skarratt (Aus) 9.65
 H3 : Jacqueline Silva (Brz) 17.4 def. Serena Brooke (Aus) 15.35
 H4 : Melanie Redman-Carr (Aus) 11.15 def. Amee Donohoe (Aus) 7.2
 H5 : Layne Beachley (Aus) 15.25 def. Pauline Menczer (Aus) 13.35
 H6 : Chelsea Georgeson (Aus) 14.75 def. Rochelle Ballard (Haw) 12.65
 H7 : Maria Tavares (Brz) 14.9 def. Heather Clark (SAfr) 9.75
 H8 : Megan Abubo (Haw) 12.0 def. Lynette MacKenzie (Aus) 11.3