What: Billabong Girls Cascais Festival, Women’s 6 Star WQS Event
Where: Cascais, Portugal
When: 31 July – 3 August 2008

Jacqueline Silva (BRA), 29, clinched the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) Women’s 6-Star Billabong Girls Cascais Festival in solid 5-6 foot waves at Guincho Beach in Portugal yesterday. Silva, who defeated Rebecca Woods (AUS) in an epic 40-minute final, was the most consistent surfer in the event and deserved to bag the top podium spot.

Silva posted several excellent scores throughout the two-day competition, including the best wave score of the event with a 9.50 point ride. “It’s so good to get this win at last, it could not be better,” said Silva after securing her first win of the year. “I had not won an event since Newquay in 2007 and I gave everything I had to get this one despite the massive conditions. It was really hard out there and testing with strong currents. I want to thank all my family, sponsor and my brother who shapes my boards.”

Silva, who was rated No.15 coming to Portugal, now jumps into the ASP Women’s WQS Top 5 thanks to her victory and will head to the next competition with boosted confidence. “Ratings-wise it’s an excellent result,” Silva said. “I am going to go up in the ratings and it is a big relief before things get back on with the ASP Women’s World Tour in France. I needed to get this confidence back and I did it. I will enjoy a two week break at home to regroup before coming back to Europe and hope for another big result.”

Rebecca Woods, 23, placed second to Silva in the final after a great event where she equalled Silva’s 17.00 point heat total in Round 3. Woods, who posted a low 5.75 out of 20 in the final, ran out of energy and was not able to catch a good ride.

“I was just exhausted after two close heats in the Quarters and Semis,” Woods said. “The waves picked up every minute and these conditions were just so hard. I am happy to be alive and Jacqueline (Silva) got that one wave right at the beginning and nothing better came through during the heat so there wasn’t much I could do. It was a bit scary out there.”

Woods, who is competing on both ASP Women’s World Tour and ASP World Qualfying Series (WQS) where she is ranked respectively No. 6 and No. 9 (before her result here), had a relaxed approach to the event. “I needed to stop thinking about points and I really want to enjoy my time on tour,” she said. “It is the first time I’ve come to such a big event without pressure or thinking of points and if I do the maths, it worked out perfectly! My best result this year!”

Woods will be back with fellow Dream Tour member Silva in a couple of weeks for Stop No. 3 of the ASP Women’s World Tour.

FINAL
Heat: Jacqueline Silva (BRA) Vs Rebecca Woods

SEMIFINALS
Heat 1: Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 11.85 pts Def. Airini Mason (NZL) 11.25 pts
Heat 2: Rebecca Woods (AUS) Def. Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)

QUARTERFINALS
Heat 1: Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 17.00 pts Def. Laurina MacGrath (AUS) 9.25 pts
Heat 2: Airini Mason (NZL) 13.25 pts Def. Karina Petroni (USA) 9.25 pts
Heat 3: Rebecca Woods (AUS) 15.25 pts Def. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 14.50 pts
Heat 4: Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 17.15 pts Def. Alana Blanchard (HAW) 4.15 pts