After a well deserved winter break, the best 17 surfer girls on the planet are getting ready for the Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover. With a waiting period of February 26 through March 9, 2011, the Roxy Pro Gold Coast is also the start to the 2011 ASP Women’s World Title season.
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 20, 2010 ASP Women’s World Runner-Up, is keen to get back into the competition singlet following an off season spent traipsing up and down the Eastern seaboard of Australia. “I’ve really enjoyed my off season at home,” she states. “It seemed to fly by so fast and now we are already gearing up for the Roxy Pro. I had a really exciting year in 2010 and learned so much. I came close to a few wins throughout the year, so I now know the things I have to do to take that extra step and win. I was happy with my consistency last year and finishing at World Number 2 is something to be proud of. I will carry the confidence from that into the upcoming season. I will keep pushing to improve my performance throughout the 2011 World Tour. My goals for this season will be to keep improving my surfing through the year, to win a few events would be amazing and soak up all the excitement that comes with being on the World Tour. I’m really excited for the upcoming event as I like watching everyone and the new rookies and seeing who’s switched on for a great year.”
In the Roxy Pro this weekend, Sally will face rookie Laura Enever (AUS), 19, and replacement surfer Claire Bevilacqua (AUS), 28, in the first round.
Silvana Lima (BRA), 26, former ASP Women’s World Runner-Up, spent the off season recharging at home in Brazil, but the progressive Brazilian is keen to return to competition to take on the new generation of talent. She says: “Staying home with family is very good, I trained hard and I have some new equipment and I’m very excited to get the new season. Last year, I didn’t start very well. After a few events, I improved, but the beginning of the year hurt me with a better result this year will not repeat the same mistake, I will give my best to accomplish my big dream. I’m anxious to see the new generation. It excites me greatly. I want to see radical surfing.”
Lima battles Rebecca Woods (AUS), 26, and Pauline Ado (FRA), 20, in the opening round of competition.
Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 27, former ASP Women’s World Champion, was another South American to capitalize on her native waves during the break, refining her abilities and working on her fitness: “I have been home all my off season, the waves have been amazing here, there has no been a flat days. I have also been doing a bit of physical training and a lot of meditation and Tai Chi. It feels really good and I feel good for this year. My goal is to improve my surfing and hopefully that gives me good results. For sure, the ASP Women’s World Champ is always the one to watch, but all the girls on tour are amazingly talented surfers and I think this year the level of women’s surfing will be through the roof.”
Mulanovich will take on Paige Hareb (NZL), 20, and Jacqueline Silva (BRA), 31, in the opening heat of the Roxy Pro.
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ROXY PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 1:
Heat 1: Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Paige Hareb (NZL), Jacqueline Silva (BRA)
Heat 2: Silvana Lima (BRA), Rebecca Woods (AUS), Pauline Ado (FRA)
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Tyler Wright (AUS), TBA
Heat 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Laura Enever (AUS), Claire Bevilacqua (AUS)
Heat 5: Carissa Moore (HAW), Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), Alana Blanchard (HAW)
Heat 6: Chelsea Hedges (AUS), Coco Ho (HAW), Courtney Conlogue (USA)
