What: Roxy Jam Biarritz presented by Orange, ASP WLT Women’s Champs
Where: Cote des Basques France
When: 11-16 July 2008
The Roxy ASP Women’s World Longboard Championships (WWLC), the deciding event in the race for the 2008 ASP Women’s World Longboard Title, will start tomorrow at La Côte des Basques in Biarritz, France.
Almost 50 of the world’s best female longboarders will be competing in the third edition of the Roxy ASP WWLC, hoping to knock Jennifer Smith (USA), reigning ASP Women’s World Champion, and 2007 runner-up Justine Dupont (FRA), from their throne, as the 48 competitors paddle out tomorrow.
Smith, 22, will try and defend her title at the famous beach of La Cote des Basques. Runner-up in the ASP WWLC in 2006 before claiming the crown in 2007, Smith is looking forward to getting things going: “When I was surfing this morning, I was getting a little nervous thinking about the contest,” she said. “Now, I am feeling good. I am figuring out with my boards I am going to ride tomorrow so I am pretty confident. I love Biarritz, it is really good for longboarding.”
Justine Dupont (FRA), 16, last year’s runner-up for her first ever ASP World Longboard Tour event, will try and dethrone Smith. Dupont stands as a potential ASP Women’s Longboard World Champion and her second appearance in the Roxy Jam will be much anticipated by the local crowd. “I have no stress right now and I know I will have to surf as last year, with no pressure,” Dupond said. “It is hard to compete in both ASP WWLC and ASP Grade-2 Roxy Pro Junior but I trained a lot so I am looking forward to meeting this challenge.”
Wave conditions are expected to be good throughout the week. The Roxy ASP WWLC girls will be ready at noon tomorrow for a possible 12.30 start at La Cote des Basques.
Round One Heats
Heat 1 : Leah Dawson (USA), Kelia Moniz (HAW), Yoko Furuchi (JPN)
Heat 2 : Kassia Meador (USA), Claire Dereux (FRA), Justine Mauvin (RUN)
Heat 3 : Schuyler Mc Ferran (USA), Isabelle Braly (AUS), Carissa Moore (HAW)
Heat 4 : Jennifer Flanningan (USA), Sabrina Olas (BRA), Maina Thompson (BRA)
Heat 5 : Julie Cox (USA), Hélène Chabeaud (FRA), Roxy Towill (ZAF)
Heat 6 : Crystal Dzigas (HAW), Kristy Webster (AUS), Emma Wilson (AUS)
Heat 7 : Joy Monahan (HAW), Cristiana Pires (BRA), Georgia Young (AUS)
Heat 8 : Jennifer Smith (USA), Kelly Nicely (USA), Ophilie Ah-Kouen (REU)
Heat 9 : Justine Dupont (FRA), Karina Abras (BRA), Marianne Bellegrade (FRA)
Heat 10 : Chelsea Williams (AUS), Estitxu Estremo (ESP), Caroline Angibeaud (FRA)
Heat 11 : Coline Menard (FRA), Emma Neuschwanger (REU), Marloes V Elswijk (NDL)
Heat 12 : Selby Riddle (AUS), Lindsay Steinriede (USA), Sarah Baum (ZAF)
Heat 13 : Yuko Shimajiri (JPN), Clémence Godinaud (REU), Marine Ah-Kouen (REU)
Heat 14 : Miku Uemura (HAW), Nathalie Destandau (FRA), Tory Gilkerson (USA)
Heat 15 : Claire Karabatsos (FRA), Myriam Imaz (ESP), Candice O’Donnell (GBR)
Heat 16 :Kailtin Maguire (USA), Gaelle Szymkowiak (FRA), Kelly Coward (USA)
2007 ASP Women’s WLC Top 3
1. Jenifer Smith (USA)
2. Justine Dupont (FRA)
3. Janna Irons (HAW)
3. Chesea Williams (AUS)
