Teahupoo, Tahiti (Wednesday, May 10, 2000). Current two-time women’s world champion Layne Beachley (Aus) has advanced to the third round of the Gallaz Women’s Pro today in clean 3-4ft conditions, after winning the trials heat
this morning, then defeating Brazilian Jacqueline Silva in their first round match-up.

Beachley, who had originally opted not to compete in Tahiti due to feelings of intimidation at the treacherous spot last year, changed her mind after Hawaiian Megan Abubo took out The SunSmart Classic at Bells Beach, Australia, one week ago, and jumped up the ratings to be on equal standings at the top. Due to her original decision, however, contest organizers offered the main event position to Silva, who is no longer a member of the World Championship Tour (WCT), but was next in line should a situation arise such as a withdrawal, meaning Beachley had to contest the women’s trial heat this morning, up against three local Tahitian surfers.

‘I was a little worried about the trials heat as I didn’t know how the Tahitian girls surfed out here,’ explained Beachley after her win over Silva. ‘But in the end I got scored quite respectively (laughs), and got pushed through that one, then beat Jacqueline in my first heat. I think the waves were good for the girls, even though it is a little inconsistent. I’m just warming up after each heat, so we’ll see how I go.

‘I’m very happy about my decision to come here,’ she added. ‘It’s a beautiful place and I’d miss it if I wasn’t here, I think. I’ve really enjoyed my stay here.’

Defending event champion Kate Skarratt (Aus) also had to surf twice today to make the third round, but this was due to losing her first heat against Abubo, before eliminating fellow Aussie Trudy Todd in their round two ’bout.
Skarratt, who won last year’s event as a replacement for a suspended surfer, was disappointed with her first heat today, but thanks to the women’s format changing at this event and allowing a ‘loser’s’ round to be included, she was given a much needed second chance.

‘I didn’t go so well in my first heat and was beaten by Megan, who was surfing well,’ Skarratt reasoned afterward. ‘I was expecting to get some barrels, but it wasn’t really happening out there, and then I hit the reef and it shook me around a bit. I was a bit disappointed after doing so well last year, but then in that last heat I was just concentrating on turning and got the scores. Hopefully it will be better to tomorrow, as I’m really looking forward to some barrels.’

Todd, who put up a great challenge against Skarratt, had to receive medical attention when she exited the water, after hurting her lower back during the heat.

‘I fell off and twisted my lower-back, but then I felt ok, so I started paddling again,’ explained the world number-three rated surfer after the heat, as Dr Dao examined her. ‘Then I got scared because I thought I was losing feeling in my right leg. I think I twisted a nerve. I had a lower disc problem last year and I thought I’d done that again.’

Keala Kennelly (Haw), who won the first ever women’s surfing tournament at Teahupoo two years ago (1998), when it was a World Qualifying Series (WQS) event, was the standout performer of the day, posting the highest total heat score by a convincing margin (25.65 out-of-a possible 30 points). Kennelly defeated world number-two Serena Brooke (Aus) in round one, and advanced straight into the third.

‘That heat was really fun, I got some good barrels,’ said the 21-year-old who has a reputation for liking the heavier spots on tour such as Teahupoo.
‘I wish it was a little bigger, but it was really contestable and really clean, and there were some good waves out there. I couldn’t be more happy, this is my favorite place in the world.’

Four-time world champion Lisa Andersen (USA) was another to progress past today’s first and second rounds, defeating Australia’s Pauline Menczer in their ‘sudden-death’ round two heat. Andersen, who posted the second highest total heat score of the day with 19.55 points, admitted to being nervous out in the water, and focused on making heats, rather than trying to prove anything on the larger waves.

‘That was pretty much the scariest day I’ve had in a long time,’ Andersen said after her win. ‘I was a little nervous after the first couple of wipeouts, ’cause I guess all the girls come here thinking they have to prove something. The guys always say if you don’t pull in or do something, you’re not really anything, but there are only a few girls who charge. It’s more about who charges and is safe, rather than who charges and is stupid and gets hurt. I think the main thing that it comes down to is getting the points. At the end of the year it doesn’t matter if you charged Teahupoo or not, if you’re on top. I was just trying to shake off that other heat (her loss to Australian Lynette Mackenzie in round one) and just go out there and do what everyone else was doing. Find the waves where you could turn… I was just playing it safe to get through heats and get points.’

Competition should commence at 7am tomorrow (Tahitian time) with women’s round three, but a decision will be made in the morning, pending conditions.

Gallaz Women’s Pro Round Three Match-ups
Heat 1: L. Beachley (Aus) vs. H. Clarke (SAfr) vs. J. Silva (Brz)
Heat 2: R. Ballard (Haw) vs. S. Brooke (Aus) vs. L. Mackenzie(Aus)
Heat 3: M. Abubo (Haw) vs. M. Redman (Aus) vs. K. Skarr(Aus)
Heat 4: M. Tavares (Brz) vs. L. Andersen (USA) vs. K. Kennelly (Haw)

Further Information Contact

Jesse Faen, ASP Int’l. Media Director: In Tahiti # (68)-9-574-786
jesse@aspworldtour.com