Coco Ho : photo ASP/CI/Scholtz via Getty Images

Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search

ASP Womens World Tour event #4
Peniche Portugal
19 - 30 October 2009

Live Coverage  |  Results/Photos/Videos etc

Coco Ho Claims First ASP Dream Tour Victory at Rip Curl Women's Pro Search      > en francais ci dessous

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 29 October, 2009 : - - Belgas, Peniche/Portugal -- Coco Ho (HAW), 18, 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie, collected her inaugural victory on the ASP Women’s World Tour today, taking out the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search over former ASP Women’s World Champion (2005) Chelsea Hedges (AUS), 26, in punchy two-to-three foot (1 metre) surf at Belgas.

Event No. 4 of 7 on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search saw some of the best conditions of the year at the backup venue of Belgas, and throughout the two days of competition, it was the youngster Ho who proved most adept at navigating the hollow beachbreak peaks.

Ho exercised excellent judgment in the Final, patiently waiting while her elder opponent kept herself busy. With conditions deteriorating, the young Hawaiian let loose with a barrage of backhand hits on the dumpy lefthanders, collecting a 7.50 and an 8.33 to combo Hedges and take the win.

“I knew Chelsea (Hedges) would be dangerous on the left after seeing her this morning getting those barrels,” Ho said. “This afternoon it turned into a more rippable wave and it was hard on the forehand, but I was lucky to get the waves I did.” With this win, Ho moves from 5th to 3rd on the ASP Women’s World Tour rankings and announces herself as a major force heading into the final three events of the year.

Coco Ho : photo ASP/CI/Scholtz via Getty Images

“It feels so good to be on top,” Ho said. “I’m trying not to think about too much. I love my trophy. When I started the year, I set a goal to make Quarterfinals or better at every event in order finish Top 5 by the end of the year, and I’m doing my best to accomplish that."

For Hedges, today’s return to form marks the first time the inspiring goofy-footer has seen a Finals’ berth since 2007, and moves her from 8th to 6th on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour ratings. Her dominance in the earlier rounds of the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search cannot be overlooked as she consistently dominated the playful pits of Belgas, even eliminating reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current ASP Women’s World No. 1, Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21, in the Quarterfinals.

“It was close but no cigar,” Hedges said. “It feels good to be back on the podium. It’s my best result this year. I came into the event forgetting about world titles and just wanted to improve on my results. Coco (Ho) was ripping and she got the better waves out there this afternoon. I am happy with my 2nd and I will work on that from here.”

The former ASP Women’s World Champion took a sabbatical from competition in 2008 to give birth to a daughter, Meika, and was given the ASP Women’s World Tour wildcard to compete this season. Today’s Runner-Up finish is Hedges’s best of the season, and she’ll be a major threat in the final three events of the season.

Chelsea Hedges : photo Warbrick

“This year, I was kind of questioning my ability a bit at the first event with these young girls like Coco (Ho) and Sally (Fitzgibbons),” Hedges said. “They are surfing so good and it really pushes my surfing and makes me look at what I am doing. It felt really good to take out Steph (Gilmore). She is the best out there in my opinion, her surfing still has that little edge. I still feel that, come the end of the year, she is going to be the one to beat.”

Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), 22, was the surprise juggernaut of the event, claiming three heats today before falling to eventual Runner-Up Hedges in the Semifinals. Despite missing out on a Final’s berth, Hodge took some major scalps in the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search and moved from 12th to 11th on 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour.

“I’m really very happy with my performance in Portugal,” Hodge said. “It’s been a very important competition for me with the WQS having already finished. I need some good results in the last four events and this event has given me a good start."

Silvana Lima (BRA), 25, current ASP Women’s World No. 2, was in impressive form throughout the final day of competition, edging past Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), 23, before dispatching of Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 18, in the Quarterfinals. Although failing to advance past eventual winner Ho, Lima’s Semifinal finish moved her even closer to Gilmore in the race for the 2009 ASP Women’s World Title.

Rosy Hodge ; photo Warbrick

"For sure I am happy with making the Semis here,” Lima said. “The conditions got pretty tough towards the end, but I’m happy with my result and looking forward to the next event. I saw Steph (Gilmore) lose to Chelsea (Hedges) but it doesn’t change the way I surf. I just surf my heat. Steph is an amazing surfer and competing against her this year is great. She is so powerful and it’s so good for surfing. This year I’m a lot more focused and I think that’s why I am doing better."

The next stop on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour will be the Movistar Peru Classic presented by Rip Curl from November 3 through 8, 2009 at Lobitos in Northern Peru. The ASP Top 17 will be traversing the Atlantic en route to South America in the next couple of days to contest the long, lefthand points of Peru.

Highlights from the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search will be available via /live.ripcurl.com. Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search online media center is available at box.net/shared/o3avphdb6z. For more information, log onto aspworldtour.com

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO SEARCH FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Coco Ho (HAW) 15.83
2 – Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 9.37

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO SEARCH SEMIFINALS RESULTS:
SF 1: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 11.17 def. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 5.10
SF 2: Coco Ho (HAW) 14.84 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 8.66

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO SEARCH QUARTERFINALS RESULTS:
QF 1: Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 8.30 def. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 7.13
QF 2: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 12.16 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 11.73
QF 3: Silvana Lima (BRA) 11.67 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 9.34
QF 4: Coco Ho (HAW) 15.06 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 9.16

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO SEARCH ROUND 3 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 13.50 def. Bruna Schmitz (BRA) 7.90
Heat 2: Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 9.74 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 7.67
Heat 3: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 17.70 def. Samantha Cornish (AUS) 12.40
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 14.83 def. Megan Abubo (HAW) 9.00
Heat 5: Silvana Lima (BRA) 13.40 def. Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 13.13
Heat 6: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 17.67 def. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 13.07
Heat 7: Coco Ho (HAW) 12.40 def. Amee Donohoe (AUS) 11.23
Heat 8: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 13.00 def. Alana Blanchard (HAW) 10.30

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO SEARCH ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 17.00, Alana Blanchard (HAW) 10.17, Pauline Ado (FRA) 8.23
Heat 2: Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 10.66, Megan Abubo (HAW) 9.33, Rebecca Woods (AUS) 5.57

CURRENT ASP WOMEN’S WORLD TOUR TOP 5 (After RC Pro Women’s Search):
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 3793 points
2 – Silvana Lima (BRA) 3636 points
3 – Coco Ho (HAW) 2923 points
4 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 2691 points
5 – Melanie Bartels (HAW) 2535 points  

Live Updates:

Semi Final 2: Coco Ho (HAW) 14.84 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 8.66

Third place Silvana Lima (BRA) and current number 2 on the ASP Women’s World Tour: “I am happy for sure because this result is a really good result for me. I am a little bit sad because I wanted to go to the final and I wanted to win for my birthday present. This is a contest though and sometimes you have to lose so that you are excited to move to the next event."

Lima on the tight world title race with Stephanie Gilmore (AUS): “I am closer to Steph, for us and the tour it is really good, it makes it harder for the next event."


Semi Final 1: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 11.17 def. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 5.10

Semifinalist and third place Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) on her opponent Chelsea Hedges (AUS): “I am really happy with a third, obviously a final would have been better but Chelsea (Hedges) surfed really well. I have been watching Chelsea throughout the week and she was the biggest threat, it was a challenge in the water and she managed to get the best waves.”

Hodge on her career best placing at the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search: “It feels so good to break the third round barrier and make the semis, I am really happy with that. Thanks to Rip Curl and Portugal and to everyone involved for putting on the event, it was awesome being with the guys and we got some really fun waves so it has been a great event."

QF 4: Coco Ho (HAW) 15.06 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 9.16

QF 4 winner Coco Ho (HAW) on advancing through to the Semifinals: "I’m super stoked. This is the second time I’ve made the Semifinals this season. When I started the year, I set a goal to finish Quarterfinals or better at every event and I’m doing my best to accomplish that."

Ho on her upcoming heat against Silvana Lima (BRA): "Silvana (Lima) is an amazing surfer and she’s on fire right now. There’s nothing you can do against her except surf your best and that’s what I’m going to do."


QF 3: Silvana Lima (BRA) 11.67 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 9.34

QF 3 Silvana Lima (BRA) on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Title race: "I saw Steph(Gilmore) lose to Chelsea (Hedges) but it doesn’t change the way I surf. I just surf my heat. Steph is an amazing surfer and competing against her this year is great. She is so powerful and it’s so good for surfing. This year I’m a lot more focused and I think that’s why I am doing better."


QF 2: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 12.16 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 11.73

QF 2 winner Chelsea Hedges (AUS) on her opponent Stephanie Gilmore (AUS): "It’s always hard coming up against your friends and Steph (Gilmore) is such a strong competitor. Fortunately, I was able to put a couple of scores on her early before conditions deteriorated."


QF 1: Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 8.30 def. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 7.13

QF 1 winner Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) on making the Semifinals: "I’m super stoked as I haven’t made a Semifinal since Maui two years ago. It’s a very important competition for me with the WQS having already finished. I need some good results in the last four events here and this event has given me a good start."

Hodge on surfing her fourth heat of the day: "Stamina is definitely something I’ve been working hard on the past several months and I’m putting it to the test today. I’m feeling good though and my boards are feeling good so 

 Coco Ho and Chelsea Hedges : photo Warbrick

AM Report: Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search Back ON at Belgas

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 29 October, 2009 : - - Belgas, Peniche/Portugal – The Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search has been called back on with Round 2 starting at 8am in clean two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves at the backup venue of Belgas. 

Stop No. 4 of 7 on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search completed Round 1 of competition yesterday afternoon and are looking for a full day of action in the punchy peaks of Belgas. 

“We’ve got clean conditions on offer at Belgas this morning and we’ll be getting underway at 8am,” Damien Hardman, Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search Contest Director, said. “We’ll be monitoring conditions closely, but we’re anticipating a full day of competition.” 

Up first this morning will be Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 26, former ASP Women’s World Champion (2005) and current ASP World No. 3, against 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour rookie Alana Blanchard (HAW), 19, and reigning ASP Women’s World Junior Champion Pauline Ado (FRA), 19, in Heat 1 of the elimination Round 2. 

Surfline, official forecasters for the 2009 Rip Curl Pro Search, are calling for the current surf to drop slightly over the next 24 hours before another swell is expected to hit the region. The Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search will be webcast LIVE via http://live.ripcurl.com

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO SEARCH ROUND 2 LINEUP:
Heat 1: Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Alana Blanchard (HAW), Pauline Ado (FRA)
Heat 2: Rebecca Woods (AUS), Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), Megan Abubo

www.ripcurl.com
www.live.ripcurl.com
www.aspworldtour.com

francais

Coco Ho remporte sa toute première victoire ASP au Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 29 October, 2009 : - - Belgas, Peniche/Portugal -- Coco Ho (HAW), Rookie du circuit ASP World Tour 2009, vient de gagner pour la première fois de sa carrière un événement du Dream Tour, le Rip Curl Women’s Pro, face à l’une des meilleures surfeuses du monde Chelsea Hedges.

La 4ème étape de l’ASP Women’s World Tour pu être bouclée aujourd’hui grâce aux bonnes conditions (certainement les meilleures de la saison) sur le site de repli de Belgas. La jeune Coco Ho a démontré une régularité tout au long de la compétition sur le célèbre beachbreak portugais lui permettant de remporter ce contest.

Ayant fait preuve d’une grande patience et d’un choix de vagues stratégiques, l’hawaiienne a pu ainsi scorer les 2 vagues de la victoire, un 7.50 et un 8.33, mettant Hedges combo.

« Je savait que Chelsea (Hedge) serait très dangereuse lors de cette finale, surtout en gauche et après les tubes placés lors de sa première série. Les conditions de cet après-midi étaient nettement meilleures, mais difficiles en frontside. J’ai eu de la chance de trouver ces 2 vagues. » nous confie Coco Ho.

Avec cette victoire, Coco passe de la 5ème à la 3ème place du classement ASP Women’s World Tour. Il faudra désormais compter avec elle pour les 3 prochaines finales à venir. « C’est tellement bon d’être parmi les meilleures. J’essaie de ne pas trop y penser. J’adore ce trophée ! Lorsque j’ai commencé la saison, j’avais comme objectif les quarts de finale sur chaque événement pour terminer dans le Top 5. Mais finalement, je fais encore mieux ».

Pour Chelsea, cela est un vrai soulagement après son année sabatique pour la naissance de sa fille. Elle n’avait pas encore accédé à une finale depuis 2007. Ce résultat lui permet de revenir à la 6ème place du classement mondial. Son talent ne peut être dissimulé après notamment avoir éliminé la double championne du monde, l’australienne Stephanie Gilmore. Elle a tout simplement dominé à 100% les vagues de Belgas en scorant les plus belles vagues du contest.

« C’est bon de revenir sur le podium. C’est mon meilleur résultat de l’année. Je suis revenue plus sereine, sans penser au titre mondial. Je veux simplement revenir à mon meilleur niveau. Coco Ho a tout simplement déchiré la série, et elle mérite cette victoire. Je reste très contente de cette 2ème place » avoue Chelsea Hedge.

Silvana Lima (BRA), actuellement #2 sur le circuit, était dans une incroyable forme aujourd’hui, en mettant hors compétition Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) au 3ème tour et Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) en quart de finale. Elle tombera finalement face à la gagnante du jour Coco Ho en demi-finale. Mais ce résultat la laisse tout de même dans la course au titre mondial face à Stephanie Gilmore.

« Bien sûr que je suis contente de ce résultat. Les conditions n’étaient pas simples, maintenant, j’attends avec impatience le prochain événement au Pérou. Stephanie (Gilmore) a perdu contre Chelsea mais cela ne change rien ni à ma motivation ni à mon surf. Steph est une surfeuse incroyable, la compétition est vraiment rude mais c’est excitant. Elle a un surf très puissant, technique et incroyable. Cette année, je suis beaucoup plus focus et je pense que c’est grâce à cela que je fais de meilleurs résultats. » nous dit Silvana Lima.

La prochaine étape de l’ASP Women’s World Tour aura lieu au Pérou pour le Movistar Peru Classic présenté par Rip Curl du 3 au 8 novembre 2009 à Lobitos, au nord du pays.

The Rip Curl Pro Search is partnered regionally by RTP, Eurosport, Fuel TV and ESPN Brazil, who will all be broadcasting live from Peniche throughout the event. For more information on these live television broadcasts, please visit http://live.ripcurl.com.

Previous reports:
# 1 : 2009 Rip Curl Pro Search to be held in Peniche Portugal
# 2 : Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search Rd 1 completed at Belgas

www.ripcurl.com
www.live.ripcurl.com
www.aspworldtour.com

What's your take on this?
Post your thoughts: SV Forum

New Survey: Map Surfing’s future 

New! B2B News ASBE-Surf   |  Receive News-Alerts

  Updated & Revised European Surforecasts
  More European surfing news available here

Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Media
Dave Prodan
dave@aspworldtour.com

Rip Curl International Media Manager
Dane Sharp
dsharp@ripcurl.com.au

Rip Curl Europe
Men’s Event Media Manager
Marie Pierre 
mdelanne@ripcurl-europe.com

Women’s Event Media Manager
Julie Pollet 
jpollet@ripcurl-europe.com

World Tour Contests - Surfersvillage