For Immediate Release

Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) International
Billabong Girls Pro Rio
Stop No. 4 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour
Barra de Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
September 10 – 18, 2008
 
Beachley and Lima Take Command on Day 2 Billabong Girls Pro Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Thursday, September 11, 2008) – Day 2 of the Billabong Girls Pro Rio, event No. 4 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, completed Rounds 2 and 3 today, with impressive surfing going down in the improved three-foot (1 metre) waves on offer at Barra da Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro.
 
Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, former seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current No. 3 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour ratings, has been under the weather since the last event in France, but the phenomenal natural-footer rose to the occasion today, nailing the event-high single wave score of a 9.00 out of a possible 10 to best compatriot Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS), 33.
 
“It’s amazing what contests can do,” Beachley said. “Adrenaline takes over and you can rise to the occasion. I started out really strong and picked off that 9, but I actually came out of the water a bit upset as I felt like I didn’t close the heat out really well. I felt like I had a lot of opportunities but failed to capitalize on them. Hope to remedy that tomorrow in the Quarterfinals.”
 
Beachley has been relatively out of the limelight this season, but with another Quarterfinals berth and her current No. 3 rating, the veteran is looking dangerous as ever to make a run at the 2008 ASP Women’s World Title.
 
“I don’t feel like I have anything to prove,” Beachley said. “I’m just working on my surfing and it’s feeling really good. I prefer the spotlight to be on Stephanie (Gilmore) and Sofia (Mulanovich) as it allows me to be the underdog and work on my own things.”
 
Silvana Lima (BRA), 23, was another standout today icing Dream Tour sophomore Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), 23, with two impressive 8.00 rides to net the day’s high heat total of a 16.00 out of a possible 20 and advance through to the Quarterfinals.
 
“The waves are much cleaner today and they’re allowing for more maneuvers,” Lima said. “Rosey (Hodge) couldn’t get waves and that was too bad for her, but I’m very happy to be moving into the Quarterfinals.”
 
Lima and Beachley will meet in Quarterfinal 4 where the young Brazilian will enjoy the support of her hometown crowd.
 
“It’s crazy having everyone here,” Lima said. “I enjoy having all my friends and family here to support me and I hope I can get a really result here at home.”
 
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, reigning ASP Women’s World Champion and current No. 1 on the ASP Women’s World Tour ratings, as well as Sofia Mulanovich, 25, current No. 2 on the ASP Women’s World Tour rating, bother won their respective Round 4 bouts today and will come up against Jacqueline Silva (BRA), 29, and Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), 22, in their upcoming Quarterfinal heats.
 
When Billabong Girls Pro Rio competition resumes, Samantha Cornish (AUS), 27, up against Melanie Bartels (HAW), 26, in Quarterfinal 1.
 
The Billabong Girls Pro Rio will be webcast LIVE via http://www.billabongpro.com/rio08/
 
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
 
Billabong Girls Pro Rio Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Samantha Cornish (AUS) 10.10, Julia De La Rosa Toro (PER) 9.25, Serena Brooke (AUS) 6.80
Heat 2: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 15.75, Karina Petroni (USA) 8.55, Nicola Atherton (AUS) 8.10
 
Billabong Girls Pro Rio Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Samantha Cornish (AUS) 10.40 def. Julia De La Rosa Toro (PER) 8.00
Heat 2: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 13.90 def. Amee Donohoe (AUS) 10.60
Heat 3: Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 12.00 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 8.00
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 13.50 def. Maria Tita Tavares (BRA) 10.75
Heat 5: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 9.65 def. Karina Petroni (USA) 3.60
Heat 6: Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 11.00 def. Megan Abubo (HAW) 7.35
Heat 7: Silvana Lima (BRA) 16.00 def. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 7.25
Heat 8: Layne Beachley (AUS) 14.25 def. Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) 8.40
 
Billabong Girls Pro Rio Quarterfinal Match-Ups:
Quarterfinal 1: Samantha Cornish (AUS) vs. Melanie Bartels (HAW)
Quarterfinal 2: Jacqueline Silva (BRA) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
Quarterfinal 3: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) vs. Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
Quarterfinal 4: Silvana Lima (BRA) vs. Layne Beachley (AUS)