by : Jenna Goldberg

                <a href="http://www.dylamagazine.com/news/happy-gilmore-back-beachley-classic"><img src="http://www.dylamagazine.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/Headline_420_300/images/Stephanie-Headliner.jpg" alt="" title="" class="imagecache imagecache-Headline_420_300" width="420" height="300" /></a>        

ASP Tour rookie Carissa Moore (HAW) claimed the title in Taranaki, New Zealand, breaking Stephanie Gilmore’s (AUS) winning streak, but did that hinder the three time world champion from her campaign for a fourth consecutive World Title? Hardly.

“It’s incredible how good this feels. Competing in Australia is one of my favorite things to do." Stephanie Gilmore

“It’s a long year ahead, and I’ll be focusing on Sydney now,” Steph said after she was knocked out in Round 3 at TSB Bank Women’s Surfing Festival in New Zealand. Focused, she was.

The Australian from New South Wales first won the Beachley Classic title as a wildcard four years ago; she now has three Beachley Classic trophies to her name.

“It’s incredible how good this feels,” said Stephanie. “Competing in Australia is one of my favorite things to do. I feel comfortable in these waters and have won this event a few times. I guess I’m on a roll and I’m feeling good.”

Anticipation of the event built as competitors waited out the four consecutive lay days in Sydney. In Rounds 1&2 Carissa Moore (HAW) surfed with a cool and collective demeanor, pulling 360’s along the peeling right hander so comfortably, you would think she was back home at Kewalo’s in Honolulu.

Silvana Lima (BRA) surfed with tight turns and distinguished flair, advancing through her heats, but fell to Stephanie’s explosive surfing style in the Semifinals, 16.33 to Silvana’s 9.14.

“I didn’t get any good waves, but I’m still so happy,” said Silvana. She collected US $7,500 for her equal third-place finish. “I’ve finished equal 5th in the first three events, so it’s a good result for me. I want to build on this in the next tournament.”

The surf picked up for the final day of competition, as Dee Why showed true form. Competitors tip-toed over the rocks, and jumped in the water, or paddled through the swimmers to the 4-6ft (1.5-metre) waves, and gave the crowd of 2,000 a good show.

“The conditions were really deteriorating throughout the day so I’m glad we got the final finished relatively early,” said Gilmore. “I was pretty nervous throughout the final. Sally has been on fire all week and she really has a good local support base in Sydney. She’s so hungry for a win. But it was all about patience and I just had to sit there and wait for a wave of consequence.”

Stephanie completed the Final with a two-wave combined total of 14.20 (out of a possible 20) to Sally’s 12.40 total. The Beachley Classic is the richest purse prize on the women’s tour, with US $20,000 for First Place, while Second Place is a sweet US $10,000 to Sally. The event was founded by Australian and seven-time world champion Layne Beachley, who

“It’s a little frustrating to get back-to-back seconds,” said Sally. “But I’m so happy to be in the situation to reach the final and eventually go down to Steph.

Sally fills the second place slot, which was solidly held by Silvana in 2009. “Being world no.2 is a great place to be at this stage of the year,” said Fitzgibbons. “I haven’t been this high on the rankings before, but I’m definitely closer to where I want to be. I’m happy with the result,” said Sally, “but am looking forward to the next event.”

The ladies will head to Peru, the home of 2004 ASP World Champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER).

“I love surfing at home, it’s my favorite place in the world, said Mulanovich. “I kind of want to go backside again. I can’t wait to get home.”

Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic in Sydney, Australia
Event No. 4 of ASP Women’s World Tour 2010

COMMONWEALTH BANK BEACHLEY CLASSIC FINAL RESULTS:
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 14.20 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 12.40

COMMONWEALTH BANK BEACHLEY CLASSIC SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
Heat 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.33 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 9.14
Heat 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 11.97 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 10.16

COMMONWEALTH BANK BEACHLEY CLASSIC QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
Heat 1: Silvana Lima (BRA) 9.97 def. Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 8.13
Heat 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.77 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 8.17
Heat 3: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 11.50 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 10.50
Heat 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.84 def. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 11.23

COMMONWEALTH BANK BEACHLEY CLASSIC ROUND 3 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Silvana Lima (BRA) 10.50 def. Amee Donohoe (AUS) 9.40
Heat 2: Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 11.25 def. Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 9.40
Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) 9.50 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 7.30
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 11.10 vs. Laura Enever (AUS) 7.25
Heat 5: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 12.65 def. Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 10.00
Heat 6: Coco Ho (HAW) 12.15 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 11.70
Heat 7: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 14.10 def. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 12.00
Heat 8: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.75 def. Lee Ann Curren (FRA) 7.85

ASP WOMEN’S WORLD TOUR RATINGS POINTS:
1. Stephanie Gilmore(AUS) 3960
2. Sally Fitzgibbons(AUS) 3252
3. Sofia Mulanovich(PER) 2832
4. Melanie Bartels(HAW) 2628
4. Chelsea Hedges(AUS) 2628
6. Carissa Moore(HAW) 2472
7. Silvana Lima(BRA) 2412
8. Coco Ho(HAW) 2220
9. Rebecca Woods(AUS) 1824
10. Paige Hareb(NZL) 1632
10. Jessi Miley-Dyer(AUS) 1632
12. Rosanne Hodge(ZAF) 1440
12. Lee Ann Curren(FRA) 1440
14. Amee Donohoe(AUS) 1260
15. Bruna Schmitz(BRA) 1080
15. Claire Bevilacqua(AUS) 1080
17. Nikita Robb(ZAF) 900

www.beachleyclassic.com

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