Newsletter join now Keep in touch with all the latest surf news, green scene and partner info by joining the Drift weekly update. SIGN UP NOW
What are we made of? Drift Magazine is made from ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free) FSC Certified pulp and low VOC vegetable inks. Studio power by Ecotricity and delivery made using Biopower V100 waste oil.
Australian claims 2007 Billabong title at Honolua Bay
by George Mojo
17/12/2007:// Australian Steaphanie Gilmore has claimed the 2007 Billabong Pro Maui after a showdown against fellow finalist and defending champion Jessi Miley-Dyer in two-to-three foot waves at Honolua Bay.
The final event of the 2007 ASP Women’s World Tour saw the rookie Gilmore claim the 2007 ASP Women’s World Title at the event.
“It’s been such an incredible year for me,” said Gilmore. “Everything from traveling with my friends to winning events to claiming the title in Maui, it’s all be so much fun. I can’t believe it. To finish the year with another win, I’m just over the moon.”
Making use of the declining swell, Billabong Pro Maui event organizers opted to run the final day of competition today. Although the Final was somewhat wave-starved, Gilmore’s stylish forehand assault would prove victorious over the goofy-footer, Miley-Dyer.
“It was really special to finish the year out there with Jessi (Miley-Dyer),” Gilmore said. “The waves weren’t that great, but we still managed to get a few. We were just enjoying ourselves out there and talking. I’m super stoked to finish the year with a win.”
Miley-Dyer, who claimed the event’s high heat total of an 18.65 out of a possible 20 in yesterday’s Round 3 action, dominated the inconsistent righthanders througout the day, defeating opponents Keala Kennelly (HAW) and Layne Beachley (AUS) en route to her finals berth.
“Making the finals two years in a row is a big accomplishment for me,” Miley-Dyer said. “I was fortunate enough to win last year, and to make the finals again with Steph (Gilmore) is great. I’m super stoked to have been able to share her ASP World Title with her, and I’m really please with myself for finishing the year off strong.”
In addition to the ASP Women’s World Title and the Billabong Pro Maui Title, the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing was on the line during the final day of competition with three remaining contenders in Layne Beachley (AUS), Melanie Bartels (HAW) and Megan Abubo (HAW)
Abubo, winner of the Reef Pro Haleiwa, emerged victorious today, taking down the 2007 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing with her equal 5th place finish at the Billabong Pro Maui.
“I was a little bummed that I lost out to Rosy (Hodge), and I kind of took off,” Abubo said. “I knew that Layne (Beachley) was still in the hunt and she’s such a competitor out here that she easily could have gotten the result. My team manager called me when she lost out and told me that I had won the Triple Crown and I was almost in disbelief.”
Abubo, who suffered a horrific abdominal injury at the Roxy Pro Sunset, rallied at Honolua Bay, posting solid scores in the earlier rounds and exhibiting excellent wave selection. For her efforts, Abubo will be awarded $10,000 as well as a brand-new Chevy Truck.
“Wow, I’m super stoked that Vans puts on the Triple Crown,” Abubo said. “It’s such a good thing for women’s surfing, to allow us to showcase our talents in the big waves of Hawaii. I am so happy right now, I don’t really have words to describe it. It’s been a long time since a Hawaiian has taken the Vans Triple Crown and I am honored to bring it back to the islands.”
Now that the 2007 ASP Women’s World Tour has come to a close, campaigners from the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) have been locked in for the 2008 Dream Tour, with the following surfers all vying for the ASP Women’s World Title in 2008:
Skype us
.jpg)
Surf art 
Surf environment