Jennifer Smith (USA) has been crowned the 2007 ASP Women’s World Longboard Champion, following her victory in the Roxy ASP WWLC in Biarritz, France this weekend. “I feel so blessed to be in the situation I’m in right now,” Smith said. “I made the final last year and lost, so to come back and make the final again and take the title is just an incredible feeling.”
Smith attributed her board selection as a big part in both her semifinal and final victories. “I rode my heavier board in these offshore conditions,” Smith said. “It allowed me to get into the waves way earlier than my lighter board. It glides so well and longboarding is all about the glide.”
Smith was quick to give credit to her opponent in the final, Justine Dupont (FRA). “I was really on edge throughout the final,” Smith said. “Justine is such a good surfer and has been getting really high scores throughout the whole event. She’s only 15 and I have six years on her. She’s not going anywhere. In six year’s time, she is going to be absolutely annihilating it.”
Dupont, surfing in her first ever senior professional event, was disappointed with her surfing in the final but pleased with her performance throughout the event. “I didn’t surf well in the final and didn’t deserve to win,” Dupont said. “But this whole week still feels like a dream. I can’t really believe what I’ve achieved. It might take a little while to sink in.”
Dupont took out Chelsea Williams (AUS) in their semifinal. After a strong start by Dupont, Williams was always playing catchup. “I just couldn’t get going out there,” Williams said. “It was frustrating as I just couldn’t find the waves. Still, I came 5th last year, and 3rd this time round, so hopefully next year I’ll go all the way.”
Janna Irons (HAW) lost her semifinal bout to eventual winner Smith. Irons, cousin to surfing superstars Andy and Bruce, was still happy with her best ever competitive result. “I had a really bad surf in the semifinal,” Irons said. “But I’m still so stoked with the result. And now I’ve won enough money that I won’t have to work all summer.”
For all the competitors, thoughts will now turn to the 2008 Roxy ASP WWLC. For Jennifer Smith however, the new ASP Women’s World Longboard Champion, she is soaking up her new status and looking forward to the celebrations. “I’m going to go out with all the girl surfers here and run around have a great time,” Smith said. “We are out to celebrate and party in the streets of Biarritz.”
Roxy ASP WWLC Final Results
Jennifer Smith (USA) 11.00 def. Justine Dupont (FRA) 11.50
Roxy ASP WWLC Semifinal Results – 1st to Final, 2nd eliminated
Semifinal 1: Justine Dupont (FRA) 11.50 def. Chelsea Williams (AUS) 7.95
Semifinal 2: Jennifer Smith (USA) 11.00 def. Janna Irons (HAW) 9.00
