March 8, 2003 (Snapper Rocks, QLD, Australia) Reigning five-time world champion Layne Beachley (Aus) today added another victory to her massive collection, winning the Roxy Pro ahead of local favorite Trudy Todd. Being the first event on the 2003 World Championship Tour (WCT), she already leads the current ratings en-route to her sixth world title. Meanwhile, remaining round three heats of the Quiksilver Pro are currently in the water.

Great 4ft (1.3m) waves were on offer at Snapper Rocks. A capacity crowd of ten thousand plus spectators lined the beach to soak up all the action.

Beachley, who posted the best single score of the Roxy Pro this morning with a near-perfect 9.8 airdrop floater, carried the momentum all the way through. The 30-year-old created a comfortable lead over Todd with an 8.0 and fantastic 9.23 ride early on, and then ruled out any challenge with another 8.77 and 8.3 scores. Despite claiming a lack of preparation in the lead-up to this season, her surfing remained exceptional to earn a 26th WCT event title.

“The emotion is complete elation and much relief,” said Beachley afterwards. “It’s been a fabulous day and the girls have put on such an outstanding performance this week. Any heat was going to be tough, but coming up against Trudy, a local… I knew she would use a lot of tactics to beat me, but I didn’t fall for it. I just got out there and found the best wave and scored the highest points. That’s what wins finals.

“I guess I’ve got to stick with this lazy preparation of having months off and enjoying myself,” she continued. “I’m actually the most relaxed I’ve been in the water for the last five years. All the girls are surfing great, so I’m sure it’s going to be a really rough year. One down, five to go and we’ll see how I do. I’m looking forward to the next Roxy Pro in Fiji and just building some momentum through the season.”

Todd, who dropped off the WCT ranks in 2001 with a back injury, re-qualified through the World Qualifying Series (WQS) last year with vengeance. Then with the Roxy Pro virtually in her backyard at Snapper, she was always a favorite. In the final she executed plenty of trademark forehand snaps, but ultimately lacked the more explosive turns and wave selection of Beachley, needing a combination of scores worth 11-points.

“She’s surfing unreal and I was so nervous the first day of the Roxy Pro when I saw her,” admitted Todd, of being back in the WCT against the likes of Beachley. “The level is just extremely high at the moment and Layne has stepped it up again this year. She’s going to be hard to beat. I need to go home and re-look at my surfing and work out how to get those nine’s she’s scoring.

“I was very nervous cause it’s my home break,” she added. “In ’98 when I won here I was a lot more confident. Coming back from injury you don’t really know what to expect. First contest back… I’m stoked to get second. Layne’s won five world titles, so I don’t care about being beaten by her (laughs).”

Equal third in the Roxy Pro were WCT Rookie Sofia Mulanovich (Peru) and last year’s event and tour runner-up Jacqueline Silva (Brz).

Mulanovich, who dominated her opening match this morning over defending Roxy Pro champ Lynette MacKenzie (Aus), also collected the ‘Torquay Time-Tunnel’ bonus of AUD$5,000 for her barrel during the fairly one-sided affair. Against Beachley in their semifinal however, the Peruvian newcomer was unable to better her first score of 7.17, while the champ gained momentum.

“I’m pretty stoked to place third, but I didn’t surf well then,” admitted Mulanovich afterward. “I was so nervous. It was great to be here and have a chance against Layne, so maybe next time?

“I’m so stoked to win the ‘Torquay Time-Tunnel’ award,” she added. “I want to thank them for their support.”

Silva, who won her maiden WCT victory at Honolua Bay (Maui, Haw) at the end of last season, looked on track to do likewise during the Roxy Pro. The Brazilian posted a 9.43 first wave during her semifinal with Todd, but unfortunately couldn’t back it up with another score.

“My first wave was good and I waited for another one, but it didn’t come,” explained Silva. “The tide filled in and the waves got fatter, but to start the year with a third place is really good and I’m happy.”

Finishing equal fifth this morning were MacKenzie, 2002 Rookie of the Year Chelsea Georgeson, Samantha Cornish and 2002 World Qualifying Series (WQS) winner Pauline Menczer (all Australian).

A spectacular Foster’s Expression Session was held prior to the Roxy Pro final, showcasing many of the world’s top rated men. WCT newcomer Luke Stedman (Aus) taking out the best maneuver for US$2,000, while Jake Paterson (Aus) was awarded the best overall wave for a US$1,000 bonus.

“I was pretty lucky to get a good wave cause there were so many guys out there,” reasoned Stedman. “Fortunately it had a little section for me to try an aerial and I managed to pull it off. It’s really cool Foster’s put up the money as it’s really entertaining for the crowd and good for the surfers to get out there and have fun and enjoy the whole atmosphere.”

Special guest Jesse Billauer, a quadriplegic from California who injured his spinal cord while surfing, was helped onto waves during the Foster’s Expression Session. Close friend and six-time world Kelly Slater (USA) actually executed a series of brilliant maneuvers in the pocket of one ride while Billauer watched on from the shoulder as he rode alongside on his board for the duration of Snapper Rocks point.

The Quiksilver & Roxy Pro is based at Snapper Rocks from March 4th through to the 16th, and being mobile means they will utilize the best surf between North Stradbroke Is, Qld and Ballina in Northern NSW during the allotted waiting period.

Live broadband video webcast will be available on www.aspworldtour.com during competition hours courtesy of ASP and www.coastalwatch.com

Official Results of the Roxy Pro
1st Layne Beachley (Aus) 18.0 - US$10,000
2nd Trudy Todd (Aus) 13.0 - US$6,000

Semifinals (defeated=3rd, receive US$4,000)
SF1: Layne Beachley (Aus) 16.66 def. Sofia Mulanovich (Peru) 11.77
SF2: Trudy Todd (Aus) 16.33 def. Jacqueline Silva (Brz) 15.76

Quarterfinals (defeated=5th, receive US$3,000)
QF1: Sofia Mulanovich (Peru) 17.93 def. Lynette MacKenzie (Aus) 13.6
QF2: Layne Beachley (Aus) 17.57 def. Chelsea Georgeson (Aus) 15.27
QF3: Jacqueline Silva (Brz) 17.4 def. Samantha Cornish (Aus) 14.67
QF4: Trudy Todd (Aus) 13.67 def. Pauline Menczer (Aus) 12.5

For more information:

Event Hotline: +61-(0)-7-5599-3958
Onsite media: +61-(0)-7-5599-2244

Jesse Faen
Media Director, ASP Int'l
jesse@aspworldtour.com
www.aspworldtour.com
Mobile (on-site): +61-407-189-289
ASP Int'l office (Aus): +617-5599-1550

Mandy McKinnon 0417.079941
Quiksilver Pro/Roxy Pro Media Director
mandymac@ozemail.com.au

Mark Rayner - 0419 509 609
Quiksilver Media Manager
Mark.rayner@qsilver.com.au

Digital images will be available free of charge from Pierre Tostee/ASP:
tostee@aspworldtour.com