What: Movistar Classic Mancora Peru presented by Rip Curl, ASP Women’s World Tour Event #6
Where: Mancora Piura, Peru
When: 3 – 8 November 2008

The Movistar Classic Mancora Peru presented by Rip Curl, stop number 6 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, is set to commence any time now! The world’s top 17 female surfers are preparing for a possible quick start in solid surf at the fabled left-hander of Northern Peru.

Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), 22, current No. 10 on the ASP Women’s World Tour, is the only goofy-footer amongst the ASP Top 17 this year and is looking forward to the forehand advantage provided by Mancora’s long lefthanders: “Most of the waves we have on tour are righthanders and that puts me on my backhand,” Miley-Dyer said. “Which is cool, I love surfing on my backhand, but I’m excited about getting to surf lefts for a change. The wave at Mancora can get really fun when the swell is up so hopefully we have some activity down there and can have a great event.”

Currently rated 3rd on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS), Miley-Dyer looks safe for requalification for the 2009 Dream Tour, but the powerful goofy-footer is keen to make up some ground on the ASP Women’s World Tour. “I’ve had a fairly consistent year since my injury in January but faltered at home in the last event,” Miley-Dyer said. “It looks like I’ll be okay for qualifying through the ’QS, but I am definitely hunting for a result on the ASP Women’s World Tour and think that I can secure one at Mancora.”

Miley-Dyer will square off against lethal Brazilian Silvana Lima, 24, and 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour rookie Nicola Atherton (AUS), 22, in Heat 2 of Round 1 when action commences.

Amee Donohoe (AUS), 27, current No. 4 on the ASP Women’s World Tour, is well inside the requalification bubble for the Dream Tour in 2009 and has her sights set on a Top 3 finish before the year is out. “No complaints here,” Donohoe said. “I’m loving being on tour having good times. No better way to fire up than putting your rashie on.”

Despite suffering a knee injury before the last event in Sydney, Donohoe rallied, finishing equal 3rd, and is hoping to be back at full strength for the upcoming Movistar Classic Mancora Peru. “Since my last heat I’ve been couch surfing,” Donohoe said. “I flew to Hawaii on the 18th and it’s been flat so it’s made it easy to not surf. I’m just taking it day by day, seeing how it feels really. I’m still contemplating whether or not I will go to Peru, but I’m sure the pull of a competition will get the better of me. The wave in Mancora is surrounded by desert with a million and one Sofia fans, but the wave has some serious potential – fingers crossed the tide is turning for last three events on the ASP Women’s World Tour in terms of waves.”

Donohoe will face veteran Jacqueline Silva (BRA), 29, and 2008 Dream Tour rookie Karina Petroni (USA), 20, in the opening Round 1 heat when Movistar Classic Mancora Peru competition kicks off.

The 2008 ASP Women’s World Title race is alive and tightening as the season heads down the home stretch. Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 25, former ASP Women’s World Champion, has overtaken the ratings lead from reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, following the last event in Australia and will hope to maintain the lead while competing in her home country. Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, former seven-times ASP Women’s World Champion and last year’s runner-up in Mancora, is trailing close behind the frontrunners in the third position.

Surf forecasters are predicting Southwest swell activity will continue through the early portion of the waiting period, meaning a possible Day 1 start is on the horizon. The waiting period for the Movistar Classic Mancora Peru will begin Monday 3rd November, 2008 and run until Saturday 8th November.

Here’s how things will be shaping up on day one, with the round 1 match-ups:
Heat 1: Amee Donohoe (AUS), Jacqueline Silva (BRA), Karina Petroni (USA)
Heat 2: Silvana Lima (BRA), Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), Nicola Atherton (AUS)
Heat 3: Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Megan Abubo (HAW), TBA
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Julia De La Rosa Toro (PER), Laurina McGrath (AUS)
Heat 5: Layne Beachley (AUS), Rebecca Woods (AUS), Serena Brooke (AUS)
Heat 6: Samantha Cornish (AUS), Melanie Bartels (HAW), Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)