| Tyler Wright is the youngest winner of an ASP World Tour event |
| Monday, 13 October 2008 09:16 |
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Tyler Wright (AUS), 14, made ASP History today as the youngest ever winner of an ASP World Tour event, defeating fellow finalist Silvana Lima (BRA), 23, at the Beachley Classic in peaky two foot (1 metre) waves at Manly Beach. Stop No. 5 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Beachley Classic was treated to dramatic action all week, with the increased 20% ratings points wreaking havoc on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Title race before culminating in Wright’s historic win. “This is easily the best day of my life,” Wright said. “I’m so stoked. I don’t really have the words to describe it. I knew Silvana (Lima) would be dangerous out there so I just did my best to stick to my game plan and get waves.” Wright, who gained entry into the Beachley Classic after her impressive win at the Oakley Trials last Thursday, went on an absolute tear, defeating reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, Jacqueline Silva (BRA), 29, and Amee Donohoe (AUS), 27, en route to her Finals berth with Lima. “These are girls that all us grommets look up to and to just be competing with them is an honor,” Wright said. “I had no expectations whatsoever this week for myself and I think that really working in my favor.” The young natural-footer has been on a tear lately, qualifying for the prestigious Billabong ASP World Junior Championships last week before going on her giant-slaying here in Manly this week. “It’s been an amazing two weeks,” Wright said. “I think I am just going to go home and chill out and let it all sink in next.” Lima was in awesome form on the final day, ripping from the Quarterfinals through to Final before coming up just short in the Final, repeating her performance from last season. “I don’t know happened,” Lima said. “The surf was really bad and I just seemed to have bad luck. It was definitely tough out there but I’m happy with my performance.” Despite the disappointing loss to Wright, the Brazilian’s runner-up rockets her into 5th place on the ASP Women’s World Tour ratings and places her well into the race for the 2008 ASP Women’s World Title. “It’s really tough for me - I wanted to win, but it still feels pretty good because I’m moving up in the rankings just as the tour moves into South America,” Lima said. Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 25, former ASP Women’s World Champion and current No. 1 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour ratings, took over the lead from reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, last Saturday, was in excellent form today, securing an impressive 8.67 out of a possible 10 in her Semifinal bout before succumbing to an ankle injury. “On my last turn of the wave I injured my foot it’s very frustrating but it happens all the time,” Mulanovich said. “I’ll just try and get my foot better and think to myself this is not a bad injury. I’ll get back for the next event”. While the ankle injury remains a concern, Mulanovich is pleased with her equal 3rd place finish in the Beachley Classic and will head into her hometown of Peru as the No. 1 seed on the ASP Women’s World Tour. Amee Donohoe (AUS), 27, current No. 4 on the ASP Women’s World Tour, was in fine form this morning before succumbing to the wildcard Wright in the Semifinals. “It’s frustrating in a heat with no waves,” Donohoe said. “You know you can get a score but nothing comes. I wanted to make the Finals and was so close, I’m pretty bummed.” Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, former seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current No. 3 on the ASP Women’s World Tour, had her Beachley Classic run halted by Lima, but is still a major contender for the ASP Women’s World Title and will look forward to the next event in Peru. “I’m looking forward to Peru – it’s one of my favorite events,” Beachley said. “I came second there last year and hopefully I can go one better, then coming into Hawaii, that’s always my strongest leg. I’m frustrated and disappointed I’ve been knocked out today, but it’s been amazing to see the crowd support and it was also amazing we could get the event of the ground. I would have loved nothing more than to win and have a fairytale ending to an emotional week.” The next stop on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour will be the Movistar Classic Mancora Peru presented by Rip Curl from November 3 – 8, 2008. For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com BEACHLEY CLASSIC Final: BEACHLEY CLASSIC Semifinal Results: BEACHLEY CLASSIC Quarterfinal Results: ASP WOMEN’S WORLD TOUR RATINGS: After Event No. 5
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