At just 14 years old, Aussie ripper Tyler Wright made ASP History yesterday as the youngest ever winner of an ASP World Tour event. She battled it through the rounds to finally defeat fellow finalist Silvana Lima (BRA), 23, at the Beachley Classic in peaky two-foot waves at Manly Beach, Australia.
Stop No. 5 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Beachley Classic was treated to dramatic action all week, with the increased 20% ratings points wreaking havoc on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Title race before culminating in Wright’s historic win.
“This is easily the best day of my life,” Wright said. “I’m so stoked. I don’t really have the words to describe it. I knew Silvana would be dangerous out there so I just did my best to stick to my game plan and get waves.”
Wright, who gained entry into the Beachley Classic after her impressive win at the Oakley Trials last Thursday, went on a mission, defeating reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore, Jacqueline Silva and Amee Donohoe en route to her spot in the finals. “These are girls that all us grommets look up to and to just be competing with them is an honour,” Wright said. “I had no expectations whatsoever this week for myself and I think that really working in my favour.”
Lima was in awesome form on the final day, ripping from the quarterfinals through to final before having to settle for second spot. “I don’t know happened,” Lima said. “The surf was really bad and I just seemed to have bad luck. It was definitely tough out there but I’m happy with my performance.”
Despite the disappointing loss to Wright, the Brazilian’s runner-up rockets her into 5th place on the ASP Women’s World Tour ratings and places her well into the race for the 2008 ASP Women’s World Title. “It’s really tough for me – I wanted to win, but it still feels pretty good because I’m moving up in the rankings just as the tour moves into South America,” Lima said.
Sofia Mulanovich, current No. 1 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour ratings after taking the lead from reigning ASP Women’s World Champ Stephanie Gilmore last Saturday, was in excellent form today, securing an impressive 8.67 out of a possible 10 in her semifinal bout before succumbing to an ankle injury. “On my last turn of the wave I injured my foot – it’s very frustrating but it happens all the time,” Mulanovich said. “I’ll just try and get my foot better and think to myself this is not a bad injury. I’ll get back for the next event”.
The next stop on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour will be the Movistar Classic Mancora Peru, presented by Rip Curl, from November 3-8, 2008.
Beachley Classic Results
Final:
1 – Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.64
2 – Silvana Lima (BRA) 12.84
Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 14.17 def. Amee Donohoe (AUS) 10.00
SF 2: Silvana Lima (BRA) 15.10 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 14.00
Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Amee Donohoe (AUS) 10.83 def. Julia de La Rosa Toro (PER) 9.60
QF 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) 14.17 def. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 12.83
QF 3: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 9.00 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 2.00
QF 4: Silvana Lima (BRA) 13.93 def. Layne Beachley (AUS) 12.07
