6-Star Salomon Masters
(March 29 - April 4) www.salomonmasters.com
& 4-Star SunSmart Womenís Classic
Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) www.aspworldtour.com
2004 World Qualifying Series (WQS)
Dara Penfold Wins
SunSmart Classic
Saturday, April 3, 2004
(Margaret River, Western Australia) Tasmania's
Dara Penfold today upstaged some of the world's
top rated women to win the 4-Star SunSmart Classic
at Margaret River. The Prime rated 6-Star Salomon
Masters also showcased all top seeded male surfers
today, with the final rounds scheduled to unfold
tomorrow morning.
Excellent 4-6ft (1.5-2m)
waves continued at Surfer's Point main break,
with clean right and lefthand barrels on offer.
Penfold, the 22-year-old
"rookie" against three highly accomplished
opponents, created a commanding lead within
the first five minutes of the 30-minute decider.
The natural footer picked off a couple of clean
righthanders and executed smooth carves through
to inside rock ledge, scoring a 6.83 first ride
and then the finals best - an 8.67, the following
wave. With a vocal cheer squad offering encouragement
throughout, even branding "Go Dara!"
across their clothing and surfboards, the win
proved popular, as well as deserving.
"I'm over the moon,"
began Penfold. "This is the first time
I've ever made a final, so to actually go out
and win it is a whole different thing. I'm stoked
I got those good waves at the start, as it made
me more relaxed. I knew the other girls needed
high scores to catch me, so I was stoked."
Having won her last major
tournament in 1999 at the World Grommets Titles,
today's result has definitely sparked renewed
interest in the remainder of this year's World
Qualifying Series (WQS), with the hopes of securing
a spot within the upper echeloen of the sport
for 2005.
"Before this event
I was pretty much only going to compete in Australia,
since I lost my sponsorship a year and a half
ago and don't really have any money," she
explained. "Maybe after this event I'll
think about the rest of the tour. My mum and
dad have been helping me a lot, so I owe a lot
to them."
Three-time consecutive
(2000-02) SunSmart Classic winner and local
West Australian Melanie Redman-Carr reached
a record eighth finals appearance at Margarets,
but had to settle for a second consecutive runner-up
placing. The former world #2 never appeared
to find the winning rhythm, requiring another
score worth 8.48 to bridge the gap.
"After being in
so many finals here my only goal was to win
it, so I'm a bit disappointed," admitted
Redman-Carr. "I didn't feel I made too
many mistakes, but was just out-surfed by Dara.
She's such a great surfer and tore it to pieces.
"It's really good
for me to have an event at home which counts,"
she added, of the tournament being upgraded.
"We get such good waves around here, it's
a shame we donít have more."
1993 world champion Pauline
Menczer (Byron Bay, AUS) finished third, while
defending SunSmart Classic champion Heather
Clark (ZAF) never scored higher than a 6.33
when it counted most.
Equal fifth today in
the SunSmart Classic were Australians Laurina
McGrath (Byron Bay) and Rebecca Woods (Copacabana),
while Amanda Clegg (Gold Coast) and South African
Jessica Matthews placed equal seventh overall.
Meanwhile, in the men's
Salomon Masters tournament, world #3 and 1997
event champion Taj Burrow (West AUS) commenced
his campaign with an opening win. The 25-year-old
actually creased his surfboard first wave, but
opted to remain on it and was soon rewarded
a fantastic righthand tube ride and 9.0 score.
Rising star Bede Durbidge (Gold Coast, AUS)
finished a close runner-up, with Salomon event
wildcard and local hero Dave Macaulay and Russell
Winter (GBR) eliminated.
"I actually creased
my board first wave, and I was so worried about
whether I should go in and change it, or just
try and nurse it," explained Burrow. "I
ended up staying on it, and got a couple, so
lucky it was enough. I was definitely worried
about being matched up with Dave cause he's
pretty tuned in with Margaret's, but thankfully
he didnít get them. Bede got some really
good ones too, so it was a really tough heat.
Hopefully conditions remain."
Brazilian Neco Padaratz
(Florianopolis, SC) dominated the day's opening
match, earning a 9.0 first ride. He then locked
in another 7.5 to convincingly advance with
South African Greg Emslie, and all focus is
now on claiming the event's top spot tomorrow.
"Margaret's always
gives me that little tickle in the tummy,"
explained Padaratz. "Three years I've been
in three semifinals here, and placed runner-up
once. I'm always at the top of the tree and
almost get the fruit, so I'm just waiting for
God to give me the waves. I'm focused and trying
to keep things simple."
Salomon team riders Dan
Ross (Angourie) and world #6 Kieren Perrow (Byron
Bay) both advanced this morning with commanding
performances over Brazilian Fabio Gouveia and
fellow Australian Adam Robertson (Portland,
VIC). Ross gained advantage with a couple strong
rides, adding to his confidence by outscoring
his roommate and more experienced competitor.
"It was great to
beat Kieren," said Ross. "We're staying
together and he got sixth in the world last
year, so it's always good to beat someone who
surfs so well. I've been watching heats all
week and its been pumping, so I was amping to
get out there and catch a few, which I did that
heat."
Other standouts today
included Franceís Eric Rebiere, Brazilian
Renan Rocha and Australians Tom Whitaker (Bronte)
and Richie Lovett (Manly).
Australia's premier World
Qualifying Series (WQS) tournament will climax
tomorrow around midday, with the 2004 Salomon
Masters champion crowned. A live webcast is
available on www.salomonmasters.com during competition
hours.
The Salomon Masters is
proudly sponsored by Salomon, "Perth"
Western Australia, SunSmart, Department of Sport
&Recreation, Wet Dreams International, Tooheys
Extra Dry, Coca-Cola, SAAB, 92.9 ninety two.
nine, Bacardi & Cola, Evans & Tate,
Margarets Beach Resort, Corporate Traveller,
Telstra Country Wide, Margaret River Law, Tracks,
Bico Australia and Odyssey 2020.
