Viva Peru: Sofia Mulanovich wins Movistar Peru Classic

Congratulations Sofia !

Peruvian surfer Sofia Mulanovich has won the Movistar Peru Classic presented by Rip Curl over reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and two-time defending event winner, Stephanie Gilmore from Australia.

Event No. 5 of 7 on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Movistar Peru Classic culminated in offshore three-to-four foot  waves at Lobitos today, and delivered all the drama and action fans had been waiting for.

Mulanovich, who suffered a horrific wipeout yesterday, was a standout in the hard-fought Final, muscling through one section after another on her backhand, to post an impressive 15.00 out of a possible 20. While the lead would seesaw back and forth between the Peruvian and the Aussie  it was ultimately Mulanovich who would come away with the win in front of a raucous crowd on the sand.

“It doesn’t even feel real that this is happening right now,” Mulanovich said. “I have wanted to win this event for so long, and have always been disappointed. To do it here, in front of my friends and family and in good waves at Lobitos is a dream come true. Viva Peru!”

The win boosts the former ASP Women’s World Champion (2004) from fourth to third on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour ratings and puts her within striking distance of the crown heading into the business end of the season.

“I haven’t had the best season and I was really waiting for a breakout result,” Mulanovich said. “To finally get it at home is really special. I am just so stoked.”

Gilmore’s Runner-Up finish today marks her third of the season, and while missing out on making it three-in-a-row in Peru, the Australian is still pleased with her performance.

“Definitely been pretty consistent with making Finals,” Gilmore said. “Obviously I was looking for another win. But in a way, it is pretty special to see Sofia (Mulanovich) win, like, it is crazy. There are thousands of people on the beach here in the middle of nowhere, it is just phenomenal. To make another Final felt good. I had a lot of fun. It was good to see Sofia up there and not Silvana (Lima) or Coco (Ho), it is going to make the ratings really interesting and it’s keeping things really tight and close between everyone. It is going to be an exciting finish in Hawaii.”

Gilmore retains a slender lead over challengers as she contests for a third, consecutive ASP Women’s World Title, but retains collected frame of mind heading into Hawaii.

“The world title is in your head sometimes,” Gilmore said. “It is just event by event. This event was a good one as everyone was surfing so good and so after a fifth in Portugal, I wanted to come here and perform really well and I put my mind to it and I did it, the title race is hot.”

Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 18, 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie, matched her best result of the year with an equal 3rd at the Movistar Peru Classic. Arguably one of the most in-tune performers at Lobitos, Fitzgibbons lost a nail-biter Semifinal to eventual winner Mulanovich.

“I’m definitely happy with my performance,” Fitzgibbons said. “I have felt good this whole event and it came down really close there at the end. I knew that set was on the horizon and I couldn’t hold on in the end. It would be amazing to make it through to a Final. I will take the third place but it is always nice to be there on the podium and in the Final. I will just keep trying and doing what I am doing and hopefully crack it pretty soon.”

Coco Ho (HAW), 18, 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour rookie and winner of the previous event in Portugal, was a major standout at the Movistar Peru Classic. Ho took down fellow Hawaiian rookie Alana Blanchard (HAW), 19, and stylish natural-footer Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), 22, before falling agonizingly close to Gilmore in the Semifinals.

“It’s always hard having a 9 and waiting for your second score but that’s what surfing with the Champ is all about,” Ho said. “It was frustrating seeing the waves I needed coming in after the heat, but that’s okay. Competing against Steph definitely pushes my surfing and I’m happy with an Equal 3rd.”

Despite missing out on a Final’s berth in Peru, Ho is looking forward to finishing the year at home in Hawaii and the finale of the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour Rookie of the Year race.

“I’m definitely looking forward to heading home and finishing the season in Hawaii,” Ho said. “Rookie of the Year and a Top 5 finish has always been my goal, but Sally (Fitzgibbons) is right there and it will come down to the wire.”The next stop on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour is the Gidget Pro at Sunset Beach, Hawaii from November 24 through December 6, 2009.

MOVISTAR PERU CLASSIC FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 15.00
2 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 14.74

MOVISTAR PERU CLASSIC SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.60 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 15.17
SF 2: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 16.27 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.20

MOVISTAR PERU CLASSIC QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Coco Ho (HAW) 14.74 def. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 10.16
QF 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 9.27 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 6.60
QF 3: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.16 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 6.83
QF 4: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 10.67 def. Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 10.17

Check the Full Results

ASP WOMEN’S WORLD TOUR TOP 5 (After Movistar Peru Classic):
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 4765 pts
2 – Silvana Lima (BRA) 4188 pts
3 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 3891 pts
4 – Coco Ho (HAW) 3679 pts
5 – Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 3043 pts

Check the Full Ratings

Silvana Lima defeats Steph Gilmore to win Beachley Classic

DEE WHY, New South Wales (Sunday, October 4, 2009) – Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, won the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic  over reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current ASP Women’s World No. 1 Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21, in stormy three-to-five foot conditions at Dee Why in an action packed Final, marking back-to-back wins for the hungry Brazilian after claiming the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.

Gilmore jumped out to an early lead in the sea-saw battle for the 2009 Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic title, but Lima fought back throughout the heat, collecting a 7.77 and eventually securing the win with an 8.83 for a lengthy forehand barrel to post the highest heat total of the event, an impressive 16.60 out of 20, en route to her first victory at the event after three consecutive Final appearances.

“I can’t believe it,” Lima said. “I’ve been in the Final in this event three times and I finally won. I was feeling really confident. The waves here today were like the waves in Brazil and I’m always surfing in these conditions. The final was really good. Steph (Gilmore) got some good waves too and I was able to get two good ones.”

The back-to-back ASP Women’s World Tour wins secured by the hungry Brazilian have significantly tightened the ratings for this year’s ASP Women’s World Title and although Gilmore still holds on to the ratings lead, Lima is following closely in the No. 2 position.

“I’m definitely looking at the title, but it’s too early,” Lima said “There are still four contests left this year, so there is more work for everyone, but I feel so much more confident after my first win at Bells.”

Gilmore was in devastating form throughout the entire Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic, blasting some of the event’s top scores with a committed forehand attack on the steep Dee Why right-handers, but was unable to top Lima in the Final.

“To come back after such a long break and still make the Final, I’m pretty happy with that,” Gilmore said. “Silvana (Lima) beat me at Bells and her confidence is through the roof at the moment, so my challenge is to step it up another level. I did it in the Semifinals, but maybe I peaked too early.”

Gilmore, who fell to Lima in the Final at the last stop on the ASP Women’s World Tour, knows claiming this year’s ASP Women’s World Title will be no easy task and is preparing for the next four stops scheduled on the 2009 calendar.

“It’s definitely game on,” Gilmore said. “There are four events left and everyone is really fired up and off to Portugal, Peru and Hawaii, so I can’t think of a better way to finish off the tour.”

Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 26, was also on fire throughout the entire event, topping 2005 ASP Women’s World Champion Chelsea Hedges (AUS), 25, en route to her third place finish, but could not find a solid score in her Semifinal heat against eventual Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic winner, Lima.

“I couldn’t really find a rhythm in that last heat,” Mulanovich said. “I couldn’t land a turn, but it’s alright. I guess I was a bit nervous and the waves didn’t come my way, but it’s the same conditions for everyone. I’ll just look at where things went wrong and use that for next time.”

Mulanovich, who was the 2004 ASP Women’s World Champion, has now notched back-to-back third place results, leaving her in third overall on the ratings, but as a former champion, the Peruvian natural-footer knows she’ll need to win events this year if she is to claim another ASP Women’s World title.

“Silvana got me at Bells too,” Mulanovich said. “It’s the same result. A third-place is a good result and I need to work a little more on the mental side of things, but I know that, so that’s what I’m going to do. A third is good, but you need to win events to win the title. I’m still towards the top of the ratings and I’m just going to go from there.”

Melanie Bartels (HAW), 27, was a standout performer throughout the event’s entirety, ousting an international field of competitors including Rebecca Woods (AUS), 25, and Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), 22, on the way to her Semifinals berth. The talented Hawaiian struggled to find a solid score in her battle against Gilmore, bowing out of the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic with a third place finish.

“I just wasn’t in rhythm out there and I couldn’t find anything,” Bartels said. “It’s tough out there, but I’m stoked that I made the Semifinals, it’s a good result, but I just wanted to surf well, I wanted to put on a good performance and I don’t feel like I did that, but that’s how it goes.”

The next stop on the ASP Women’s World Tour will be the Rip Curl Search in Peniche, Portugal, which holds a waiting period from October 26 through 30, 2009.

Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic Final:
1- Silvana Lima (BRA) 16.60
2- Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 12.67

Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic Semifinals Results:
Heat 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.17 def. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 6.87
Heat 2: Silvana Lima (BRA)10.60 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 5.40

Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic Quarterfinals Results:
Heat 1: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 6.35 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 5.97
Heat 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.54 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 8.80
Heat 3: Silvana Lima (BRA) 12.57 def. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 9.00
Heat 4: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 12.86 def. Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 8.10

ASP Women’s World Tour Ratings After Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic:
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 3241 points
2 – Silvana Lima (BRA) 2880
3 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 2139
4 – Melanie Bartels (HAW) 1983
5 – Coco Ho (HAW) 1723
6 – Rebecca Woods (AUS) 1711
7 – Paige Hareb (NZL) 1704
8 – Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 1519
8 – Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 1519
10 – Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 1512
11 – Samantha Cornish (AUS) 1308
12 – Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 1116
12 – Alana Blanchard (HAW) 1116
14 – Bruna Schmitz (BRA) 1110
15 – Amee Donohoe (AUS) 918
16 – Layne Beachley (AUS) 756
16 – Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 756

Tubular Girls spotlighted in July issue of Vanity Fair

The latest issue of Vanity Fair (July 2009) wants you to meet the newest female stars of surfing.

The VF spread, featuring Alana Blanchard, Sally Fitzgibbons, Sofia Mulanovich and a bevy of other surfers (promoting next month’s US Open of Surfing) show that fifty years after Gidget stirred up waves in the male-dominated surfing world, a new set of young women in their teens and 20s are revolutionizing the sport, from the beaches of Montauk to Australia.

Back in April, New York photog Michael Halsband, who specializes in artists, musicians and surfers, traveled to California’s Newport Beach to shoot the coolest surfer girls.

In addition to Blanchard and Fitzgibbons you can see Sierra Partridge, Leila Hurst, Blanchard, Malia Manuel, Coco Ho, Laura Enever, Sage Erickson, Quincy Davis, Courtney Conlogue and Hailey Partridge in the magazine.

There are a bunch of photos online (including outtakes from the shoot)  and some video below. Be sure to pick up theVanity Fair issue and if you’re near Huntington Beach, California July 18 – 26, the US Open of Surfing plays center stage to one of the top stops on the ASP Tour. Put in on your calendar and don’t miss a minute of the fun.

Stephanie Gilmore new Women’s ASP World Champion

December 2, 2008 – Aussie Stephanie (’Happy’) Gilmore’ had every reason to smile this week. Gilmore won her first Roxy Pro at Sunset Beach in Hawaii and her second consecutive ASP Women’s World Tour Champion Title.

Ripping through the three-to-five foot waves  Gilmore defeated fellow finalists Silvana Lima , Jessi Miley-Dyer,  and Nicola Atherton.

Event No. 7 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Roxy Pro proved the most decisive event of year, seeing shock eliminations on the final day before Gilmore soared to victory to claim the 2008 ASP Women’s World Title.

After winning her first Championship at just 19 – the first ever surfer to win such an accolade in their rookie year – Gilmore made it two-for-two by beating overall points leaders Sofia Mulanovich, Silvana Lima and Layne Beachley to win the most prestigious prize in women’s surfing once again.

 ROXY PRO SUNSET FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.83
2 – Silvana Lima (PER) 14.16
3 – Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 9.00
4 – Nicola Atherton (AUS) 6.46

ASP WOMEN’S WORLD TOUR RATINGS:
Following Roxy Pro at Sunset Beach
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 6348 points
2 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 5233 points
3 – Silvana Lima (BRA) 5138 points
4 – Layne Beachley (AUS) 5006 points

Check the official report from the ASP website:

Stephanie Gilmore wins Movistar Classic in Peru

November 6, 2008 – Aussie surfer Stephanie Gilmore has jumped to the top of the world tour rankings following a win at the Movistar Classic Mancora in Peru.  Gilmore was the defending champ of the contest, and posted the day’s highest heat total (16.10) in the final against Silvana Lima.

With three total wins on tour this season, Gilmore now is in the driver’s seat going to Hawaii where the final two tour events will take place.

“Now that I’m ahead, I feel great,” she said after the contest.  “But I know there are still two more events and a lot can happen. I excited for Hawaii and am looking forward to a great end of the year.”

Peruvian powerhouse Sofia Mulanovich, who was leading the overall rankings going into the contest, slipped to No. 2 after getting knocked out in the quarter-finals.  She is still in the running for her second world title but with just two events left in the 2008 ASP Women’s six-stop World Tour, she’ll have to win both to remain a contender for the crown.

For more about the contest, visit the official contest site and read on for the press release from the day’s action.

Read more

Surfing: Melanie Bartels wins Billabong Girls Pro Rio

September 19, 2008  Congrats to Hawaii’s Melanie Bartels who won the Billabong Girls Pro Rio in Brazil on Wednesday.  

Former world surfing champ Sofia Mulanovich and current title holder Stephanie Gilmore were both out to win essential tour points making it an extremely tough pro surf contest. The 26 year old Bartels came out on top after beating Gilmore in the Semifinal – dubbed ‘the best heat in women’s professional surfing history’  with it’s high-scoring 19 and 18.5 waves – and then Mulanovich in the final.

“After that Semifinal with Steph (Gilmore) I was filled with a lot of confidence,” Bartels said to ASP writers. “The waves pumped for that heat and we were trading barrel after barrel. That’s the most fun I’ve had in a heat in a long time. I had a tough start to the year with sponsors and results, but that just made me really hungry and after today, I’m really looking forward to the rest of the year.”

Event number 4 of 8 on the Women’s World Surfing Tour, it’s now become an even tighter race between Mulanovich, strong at number two, and Gilmore, currently at the top of the rankings. The Tour Champion title could go to either pro at any point now…

For a full report go to the official ASP World Tour site.

Billabong Girls Pro Rio Final Results:
1 – Melanie Bartels (HAW) 14.34
2 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 10.60

Billabong Girls Pro Rio Semifinal Results:
Semifinal 1: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 19.00 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 18.50
Semifinal 2: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 11.67 def Layne Beachley (AUS) 9.46

Billabong Girls Pro Rio Quarterfinal Results:
Quarterfinal 1: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 8.84 def. Samantha Cornish (AUS) 5.23
Quarterfinal 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.47 def. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 8.50
Quarterfinal 3: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 11.74 def. Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 8.60
Quarterfinal 4: Layne Beachley (AUS) 14.83 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 10.33

Sofia Mulanovich most popular woman surfer in the world

September 16, 2008 – Sofia Mulanovich takes home her sixth SURFER Poll award, as Surfer Magazine readers again vote her into the top spot among female surfers. In its 36th year, the SURFER Poll and Video Awards presented by Suzuki is recognized as the most powerful voice in the wave-riding world – a voice given power by the people.The Peruvian won her first #1 SURFER Poll award in 2005 after winning the 2004 ASP World Title. She’s taken home the same honor every year since.

“I am so stoked to have won the SURFER poll,” says Mulanovich. “SURFER poll is special because it is an award decided by the votes of surfers from around the world, which is the group that matters most in the end. To win the top honor four years in a row is so amazing, I can’t thank everyone who voted for me enough.”

Mulanovich, who is currently ranked second in the world trailing by a meager 218 points, is competing at the Billabong Girls Pro Rio in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Although she was unable to accept this honor in person, she addressed the crowd of surfing’s most influential personalities by video. 
 
On the dawn of her #1 award, the 25-year-old dominated her opening heat at the fourth stop of the women’s World Championship Tour (WCT). Strong starts have been a pattern for Mulanovich this season. She won the opening WCT event of the 2008 season, the Roxy Pro Gold Coast and hit the podium at the second.
 
In 2006, Mulanovich claimed two awards in addition to her #1 SURFER poll honor. “Sofia – A Documentary” won the SURFER Poll Award in two categories – Best Documentary and Best Female Performance (Sofia) in a Surf Film. Follow Mulanovich’s hunt for another World Title as she surfs in Brazil this week at aspworldtour.com.  (via press release)

Peru’s Mulanovich scores perfect tens at US Open of Surfing

July 23, 2008 – Currently ranked number one in the world, Peruvian Sofia Mulanovich made a spectacular debut at this year’s Women’s Honda US Open of Surfing, which is being held this week in Surf City (aka Huntington Beach, California).

With a whopping 17.97 points in her first round, Mulanovich was ranked number one in her group and qualified for the next round of the competition, considered North America’s highest-rated qualifying event.

After being given 7.83 points on her first wave, the former world champ blew away the judges – two of which gave her a perfect 10 – with an amazing performance on her second wave.

The two perfect tens along with three other scores above 9.5 gave Mulanovich, who was inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame last year, more than enough points to qualify for the next round.

Strong showings were also seen from Hawaiians Bethany Hamilton, Coco Ho, Megan Abudo and Melanie Bartels as well as Aussies Stephanie Gilmore, Samantha Cornish, and Sally Fitzgibbons.

Stephanie Gilmore nabs Rip Curl Women’s Pro title

Bells Beach, Aus. 23 March, 2008  – Reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) has defeated 2004 ASP Women’s World Champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER) to claim the 2008 Rip Curl Women’s Pro presented by Ford Fiesta in classic four-to-six foot (2 metre) surf at Bells Beach today.

Event No. 2 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Rip Curl Women’s Pro final was a repeat showdown of last year’s event, where Gilmore and Mulanovich squared off for the first time at Bells Beach. Today’s victory marks the second consecutive Rip Curl Women’s Pro win for Gilmore, who jumps from equal 9th to No. 2 on the ratings.

Rip Curl Women

Sofia Mulanovich Wins 2008 Roxy Pro; Takes ASP Ratings Lead

March 1, 2008 – COOLANGATTA, Australia – Sofia Mulanovich (PER) has won the 2008 Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by LG, defeating fellow finalist Samantha Cornish (AUS) in clean three foot (1 metre) waves at Snapper Rocks.

The opening event of the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour season, the Roxy Pro Gold Coast ran from Round 3 through the Final today with major upsets and inspiring performances enthralling the hundreds on the beach and thousands watching online.

Mulanovich, 2004 ASP Women’s World Champion and world runner-up last season, was in sensational form today, netting the day’s highest heat total of a 17.34 out of a possible 20 to combo Cornish in the Final.

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