HONOLUA BAY, Maui/Hawaii – Freshly crowned three-time ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21, claimed the 2009 ASP Women’s World Title last week and now the sensational Australian is leading the planet’s finest female surfing talent to the Billabong Pro Maui where she will attempt to defend her event title at the last contest on the ASP Women’s World Tour for 2009.
Gilmore, who cracked the history books last week as the first surfer, male or female, to claim three consecutive ASP World Titles after three years on the ASP World Tour, will look to further solidify her authority as the leader of the women’s surfing world at the Billabong Pro Maui. Gilmore is also carrying a flawless record to Hawaii’s Valley Isle, with two consecutive victories on Maui and will be out to keep her perfect record alive and well while striving to take out the Vans Triple Crown title, which will be decided by the end of Billabong Pro Maui competition.
“I only have one event win and the Vans Triple Crown title is still on the line,” Gilmore said. “Although I have a more relaxed approach to this event now that the title has been decided, I’d love to finish the year up with a win. I know that everyone will be surfing hard with the Triple Crown title up for grabs and I’m looking forward to it.”
Now that the stylish regular-footer has wrapped up her goal of a third ASP Women’s World Title, the pressure has eased off of Gilmore entering the Billabong Pro Maui, allowing her to take a more relaxed approach to competition.
“It’s definitely a luxury to be in this position heading into Maui because it allows me to relax a bit,” Gilmore said. “It looks like we’re going to have good waves and I’m looking forward to surfing Honolua Bay with just one other girl out. Honolua Bay is a magical place and it provides a great arena for surfing.”
Carissa Moore (HAW), 17, is fresh off of her first ASP Women’s World Tour win at the Gidget Pro Sunset Beach after earning a main event berth via the trials. Moore, who will be a rookie on the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour, has already made an abrupt impression on ASP Women’s World Tour competition and will start from the trials once again at the Billabong Pro Maui. The up-and-coming regular footer is hoping she can march through several more heats at Honolua Bay despite the tough competition.
“I’m still so excited about Sunset and I’m looking forward to Maui,” Moore said. “I don’t get over to Maui much and there are going to be some local girls charging and I’m not that familiar with the break. I know it’s not going to be easy, but I’m excited about the challenge of surfing with the girls.”
Although the young Hawaiian has not spent a full season on the ASP Women’s World Tour yet, Moore has entered events via wildcard and trials entries in the past and has had success amongst the world’s finest on the center stage that the ASP Women’s World Tour provides. Despite the experience over her fellow rookie competition the humble Hawaiian is just viewing these events as good experience and feels she has no advantage entering the 2010 season.
“I’m excited about next year and thrilled that I can surf in these last two Hawaiian events,” Moore said. “It’s nice to compete in these World Tour events without having the pressure of ratings, but I know next year will be a clean slate when I get to Snapper Rocks and I don’t really think I have much of an advantage next year.”
The Billabong Pro Maui holds a waiting period from December 8 through 20, 2009. Event information can be found via www.triplecrownofsurfing.com or www.billabongpro.com
For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com
