Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP)
World Championship Tour (WCT)
Roxy Pro presented by Boost Mobile (March 2-15)

Lisa Andersen Accepts Wildcard

Gold Coast, Australia (February 18, 2004) Former four times world surfing champion Lisa Andersen (USA) has accepted a wildcard into the Roxy Pro presented by Boost Mobile and is fully focused for the opening event on the 2004 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Championship Tour (WCT) to be staged on Australia's Gold Coast early next month.

The 35-year-old mother of two has been in serious training for the tournament and is eager to improve on last years disappointing equal 17th result at the Gold Coast point break of Snapper Rocks. Andersen, who established herself as one of the most explosive and powerful female surfers of the '90's, claimed her four world titles from 1994 to 1997.

The stylish natural footer has been traveling with her 2-year-old son Mason in Australia since January when came over from the USA to be Contest Director of the World Qualifying Series (WQS) Roxy Pro at Phillip Island, Victoria. Nine-year old daughter Erica decided opted to stay home in Florida to attend school rather than going on a surf trip with mum.

"It's a lot easier for me now. Both Erica and Mason are a lot more independent," said Andersen. "I am totally amped to compete this year. In last years event I just didn't connect with the right waves and the heats are all about the waves. I had a wave meltdown in mine.

"I have been training harder than ever. I am a lot healthier all round. I knew I wanted the wildcard. I was packed a month before leaving for Australia, I just wanted to be in the climate and the surf. I don't think I have lost anything and can still surf as, good as anyone. I am going to give it 200 per cent this year and just go as hard as I can.

"Watching the girls surfing down at Phillip Island and being on the road trip with Chelsea (Georgeson), Sofia (Mulanovich) and the others has just made me keener. There were so many girls competing in Victoria and just ripping, some of them were only 16. The sport is frothing at the moment."

Andersen impressed all in her role as contest director of the Roxy Pro Surfing Festival which was won by Georgeson, regarded by many as this years biggest world title threat to reigning champion Layne Beachley (Aus).

"Chelsea is phenomenal," said Andersen. "I was free surfing with her down at Phillip Island and the waves were crap. But every time I looked up there she was on a bomb. Her surf knowledge is incredible and it's going to take her a long way, she is going to give the world title a run this year for sure, as well as next year and the years to come after that."

Georgeson, who is now based on the Gold Coast, was eliminated from last years Roxy Pro by eventual winner and six times world champion Layne Beachley (Aus) in the quarter finals. The 20-year-old goofy footer who finished 2003 rated fourth after only her second year on tour regards Andersen as one of her favorite surfers.

"If Lisa surfs anything like she has been the last few times we have been out, she is going to be a threat to anyone," said Georgeson. "She is pretty excited right now, especially after last year's shocker, she is totally amped. She has been going to the gym and just surfing heaps.

"All the girls have turned into the Aunties for Mason, we take it in shifts with him when Lisa is surfing. He is totally laid back and great."

Beachley will be entering the 6th annual Roxy Pro as defending event champion after commencing her 2003 campaign in fantastic form at Snapper Rocks.

Current Channel Ten (Australia) reality TV 'HotHouse' contender Trudy Todd finished runner-up in the opening 2003 WCT event.

The USD$62,500 event will bring together the world's elite top 17 female surfers along with Andersen on the Gold Coast from March 2-14 and will be staged in conjunction with the USD$260,000 Quiksilver Pro presented by Boost Mobile - the opening event on the Foster's ASP men's world tour.

Both WCT events boast a mobile element granting organizers access to some of the best surf breaks on the planet. The event will be based at Snapper Rocks; yet can travel from Stradbroke Island to Ballina in the south, across the New South Wales state border in search of optimum conditions. Venues such as Snapper Rocks, Greenmount, Kirra and Burleigh will hold priority, with visions of long, right-hand barrels filling competitors' minds in the lead up. All spots offer great viewing for spectators to soak up the phenomenal surfing assured to take place.