Billabong Pro Maui presented by Hawaiian Airlines

ASP WCT Womens Event
Honolua Bay, Maui, Hawaii
6 - 20 December 2005

Scores/Results/Photos/Videos etc

MAUI TO CROWN 2005 ASP WOMEN’S WORLD TOUR CHAMPION

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 29 November, 2005 : - - Chelsea Georgeson (AUS) has the odds stacked in her favour to win the 2005 ASP Women’s World Tour crown heading into the Billabong Pro Maui presented by Hawaiian Airlines.

The stylish goofy-footer is defending event champion at the world famous Hawaiian break of Honolua Bay and is well-placed, at 612 ratings points ahead of reigning world champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER). 
 
The two-way showdown between the 22 year-old “best-mates” has been inevitable as despite coming from different countries Georgeson (from Queensland, Australia’s Gold Coast) and Mulanovich (from the town of Punta Hermosa, just south of Lima, Peru) have come through the ranks on a parallel rise. 
 
Between them they have won six of the eight ASP Women’s World Tour events staged so far this year, with three wins apiece. But it’s Georgeson who now holds the number one ranking with Mulanovich requiring a win or a second to retain her crown, and even with a win in Maui, should Georgeson come second, she’d be forced to relinquish it. If Mulanovich places second, Georgeson can win with a fifth. 
 
“We are really good friends,” said Georgeson from Hawaii. “We just try to push each other to surf better and help raise the level of women’s surfing. Despite what happens in contests we are always happy for each other. It just makes you want to win more if your friend wins! It’s good friendly rivalry.”
 
Georgeson trailed Mulanovich for most of the season but with perfect timing has taken the lead on the Hawaiian home leg. Her stunning victory in the recent Haleiwa event has her heading into the Billabong Pro Maui presented by Hawaiian Airlines with the world title clearly in her sights.
 
“I’m really happy, excited, amped… everything! But it's not over yet! It's the best reward when you give it everything you've got and you come out on top,” said Georgeson on holding the ratings lead. “It [being defending champion] gives you a bit of extra confidence, it's a beautiful wave and I really enjoy surfing Maui.”
 
Latin American Mulanovich is known for her determination and has proven time and again that she is not to be underestimated. Even though she has dropped behind Georgeson her focus certainly has not waned and she will be extremely difficult to stop.
 
"I have nothing to lose. It will come down to how I surf,” said Mulanovich. “I really don't feel as much pressure anymore. Whatever happens, happens for a reason. I'm stoked either way being number two."
 
The Billabong Pro Maui will also crown The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing champion, which along with the Haleiwa event and a specialty event currently underway in Sunset Beach, Hawaii, will collectively determine this year’s winner.

Georgeson, who is the current defending Triple Crown champion is also leading on points for this year’s Triple Crown title. Recently engaged to Australian board shaper Jason Hedges, the pair will head over to Maui a few days before the competition waiting period commences on 8 December. 

A local surfer has yet to win the Billabong Pro Maui presented by Hawaiian Airlines but included amongst the hot Hawaiian contenders are experienced pair Keala Kennelly and Rochelle Ballard. Kennelly created world headlines last May with her big-wave exploits when she became the first woman surfer to be towed into the infamous reef-break of Teahupoo in Tahiti.
                                               
Five local Maui hopefuls along with rising Brazilian star Silvana Lima will battle it out in the trials for the lone main event wildcard. Former world champion Pauline Menczer (AUS) and former world ranked Prue Jeffries (Aus) are replacement surfers for injured competitors Rebecca Woods (AUS) and former six times world champion Layne Beachley (AUS).
 
The $US65,000 Billabong Pro Maui presented by Hawaiian Airlines will be held over a competition window from December 8-20, and it requires two to three days to be completed in the best conditions available.

Live webcast:
Via www.BillabongPro.com each day of the event featuring various camera angles, highlights and replays, weather and scoring information, direct viewer interaction, celebrity guests, interviews and more.

Supporting Sponsors:
The Billabong Pro Maui presented by Hawaiian Airlines is supported by Hertz Rental Car, Kapalua Resorts and ASP.

www.billabongpro.com
www.billabonggirls.com

Previous reports:
# 1 : Billabong Pro Maui final womens WCT event fast facts
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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For more information:

Melissa Buckley 
melissa@aspworldtour.com

Mandy McKinnon Mobile
mandy.mckinnon@bigpond.com

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