What: Roxy Pro Trials Presented by LG, ASP Women’s WCT Event
Where: Coolangatta, Qld Australia
When: 22 February – 5 March 2008

Reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) was in sensational form yesterday morning, lighting up the punchy 1-metre surf at Duranbah Beach to claim a Round 1 victory in the Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by LG.

Gilmore, who has been on a whirlwind tour collecting accolades and honors since clinching the ASP Women’s World Title last December, was keen to get back in the lineup this morning, and the champ dazzled with an impressive 15.84 out of a possible 20.

“It’s been a bit crazy with all the awards and activities and stuff, but it felt good to get back in the water,” Gilmore said. “I guess I was a bit rusty at the beginning, but I started gaining more and more confidence throughout the heat and felt pretty good by the end.”

Gilmore, who drew lethal Roxy Trials Winner and last year’s event runner-up Carissa Moore (HAW) as well as good friend Karina Petroni (USA), showed no nerves whatsoever, looking comfortable and confident in her emphatic win.

“It was a great heat to start out with as they both surf so well and it’s helped with my confidence,” Gilmore said. “Carissa (Moore) has been surfing so well and I was a bit nervous at the beginning of the heat. I think I meet Carissa again in Round 3, but a win out here today is a good start and I’m looking forward to surfing again in Round 3.”

Amee Donohoe (AUS) was another form surfer today, posting a solid 15.67 out of a possible 20 to best opponents Serena Brooke (AUS) and Rebecca Woods (AUS) in their Round 1 clash. “I was able to get the first wave out there and that made all the difference,” Donohoe said. “It really takes the pressure off and lets you relax and surf through the rest of the heat. Super stoked to get through and looking forward to the next round.”

Melanie Bartels (HAW) led a Hawaiian charge which saw Abubo and Moore through to Round 3 today. Bartels kicked off her 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour campaign in solid form, lighting up a bowling righthander for an 8.50 out of a possible 10.

“The wave really opened up for me and I just went out there and tried to kill it,” Bartels said. “I was just out there pretending like Layne (Beachley) and Nicola (Atherton) weren’t even there. I was just doing my own thing and finding my own peaks and it really worked out well.”

Although Bartels is regarded as one of the world’s most progressive surfers, the young Hawaiian’s talent has yet to come to fruition on the ASP Women’s World Tour. Following yesterday’s impressive win, Bartels has taken a step in the right direction. “At this point, I am just taking things one at a time,” Bartels said. “I’ve had a good start, but it’s a long season and I am just looking at the next heat – trying to live in the moment.”

Following the completion of Round 1, the elimination Round 2 got underway which saw Laurina McGrath (AUS) and Karina Petroni (USA) eliminated from Roxy Pro competition. Samantha Cornish (AUS), who finished 4th on the ASP Women’s World Tour last season, recovered quite well from her Round 1 loss, netting a 14.33 out of a possible 20 to advance through to Round 3.

“This morning’s Round 1 heat didn’t go as well as I would have liked,” Cornish said. “I found myself paddling around a lot and not really getting the waves I needed. I really focused on finding good waves in Round 2 and I was able to get a couple of good scores under my belt.”

Event organizers have called for a lay day today due to small surf on offer at the main site at Snapper Rocks and nearby Duranbah Beach. When Roxy Pro competition resumes, Round 3 will hit the water first. For more information and the live webcast, log onto the event website.

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Round 1 Results
Heat 1: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 12.70, Layne Beachley (AUS) 10.84, Nicola Atherton (AUS) 8.83
Heat 2: Megan Abubo (HAW) 13.83, Julia de la Rosa Toro (PER) 7.17, Samantha Cornish (AUS) 3.50
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.84, Carissa Moore (HAW) 12.87, Karina Petroni (USA) 11.96
Heat 4: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 13.00, Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 13.00, Laurina McGrath (AUS) 10.50
Heat 5: Silvana Lima (BRA) 14.83, Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 11.07, Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 6.53
Heat 6: Amee Donohoe (AUS) 15.67, Serena Brooke (AUS) 13.17, Rebecca Woods (AUS) 10.86

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Round 2 Results
Heat 1: Samantha Cornish (AUS) 14.33, Nicola Atherton (AUS) 11.45, Laurina McGrath (AUS) 5.76
Heat 2: Rebecca Woods (AUS) 14.33, Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 10.34, Karina Petroni (USA) 6.30

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Round 3 Match-Ups
Heat 1: Samantha Cornish (AUS) vs. Nicola Atherton (AUS)
Heat 2: Layne Beachley (AUS) vs. Serena Brooke (AUS)
Heat 3: Melanie Bartels (HAW) vs. Megan Abubo (HAW)
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Carissa Moore (HAW)
Heat 5: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) vs. Claire Bevilacqua (AUS)
Heat 6: Rebecca Woods (AUS) vs. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF
Heat 7: Amee Donohoe (AUS) vs. Jacqueline Silva (BRA)
Heat 8: Silvana Lima (BRA) vs. Julia De La Rosa Toro (PER)