Roxy ASP Women's World Longboard Championship
ASP Women’s World Longboard Championship (WWLC)
Côte des Basques, Biarritz, France
11 - 16 July 2007
Live Coverage | Results/Photos/Videos etc
JENNIFER SMITH CROWNED 2007 ASP WOMEN’S WORLD LONGBOARD CHAMPION
15 July, 2007 : - - Biarritz -- Jennifer Smith (USA) has been crowned the 2007 ASP Women’s World Longboard Champion, following her victory in the Roxy ASP WWLC in Biarritz, France this afternoon. “I feel so blessed to be in the situation I’m in right now,” Smith said. “I made the final last year and lost, so to come back and make the final again and take the title is just an incredible feeling.”
Smith attributed her board selection as a big part in both her semifinal and final victories. “I rode my heavier board in these offshore conditions,” Smith said. “It allowed me to get into the waves way earlier than my lighter board. It glides so well and longboarding is all about the glide.”
Smith was quick to give credit to her opponent in the final, Justine Dupont (FRA). “I was really on edge throughout the final,” Smith said. “Justine is such a good surfer and has been getting really high scores throughout the whole event. She’s only 15 and I have six years on her. She’s not going anywhere. In six year’s time, she is going to be absolutely annihilating it.”
Dupont, surfing in her first ever senior professional event, was disappointed with her surfing in the final but pleased with her performance throughout the event. “I didn’t surf well in the final and didn’t deserve to win,” Dupont said. “But this whole week still feels like a dream. I can’t really believe what I’ve achieved. It might take a little while to sink in.”
Jennifer Smith : photo Towner/ASP Covered Images
Dupont took out Chelsea Williams (AUS) in their semifinal. After a strong start by Dupont, Williams was always playing catchup. “I just couldn’t get going out there,” Williams said. “It was frustrating as I just couldn’t find the waves. Still, I came 5th last year, and 3rd this time round, so hopefully next year I’ll go all the way.”
Janna Irons (HAW) lost her semifinal bout to eventual winner Smith. Irons, cousin to surfing superstars Andy and Bruce, was still happy with her best ever competitive result. “I had a really bad surf in the semifinal,” Irons said. “But I’m still so stoked with the result. And now I’ve won enough money that I won’t have to work all summer.”
For all the competitors thoughts will now turn to the 2008 Roxy ASP WWLC. For Jennifer Smith however, the new ASP Women’s World Longboard Champion, she is soaking up her new status and looking forward to tonight’s celebrations. “I’m going to go out with all the girl surfers here and run around have a great time,” Smith said. “We are out to celebrate and party in the streets of Biarritz.”
Roxy ASP WWLC Final Results
Jennifer Smith (USA) 11.00 def. Justine Dupont (FRA) 11.50
Roxy ASP WWLC Semifinal Results – 1st to Final, 2nd eliminated
Semifinal 1: Justine Dupont (FRA) 11.50 def. Chelsea Williams (AUS) 7.95
Semifinal 2: Jennifer Smith (USA) 11.00 def. Janna Irons (HAW) 9.00
Justine Dupont : photo Towner/ASP Covered Images
AM Report: ASP WOMEN’S WORLD LONGBOARD TITLE TO BE DECIDED TODAY AT ROXY ASP WWLC
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 15 July, 2007 : - - Biarritz -- It is set to be a historic day in women's longboarding as the Roxy ASP WWLC concludes in Biarritz. Only four surfers remain in the championships with the semifinals and final scheduled for the afternoon.
Once again the sun is shining and fun waves are breaking on the great Biarritz banks guaranteeing some exceptional surfing. 15-year-old Justine Dupont (FRA) will today be looking to create history by becoming the youngest senior professional ASP World Champion. To do that she'll first have to overcome in form Chelsea Williams (AUS) in Semifinal 1.
“I’ve worked so hard to get where I am right now,” Williams said. “And I’m pretty determined to win the event.” In the Semifinal 2, Jenni Smith (USA) will be trying to go one better than last year and take out the world title. Smith has been one of the form surfers of the whole competition and with her experience from last year’s final is in with a massive chance of being crowned the 2007 Roxy ASP Women’s Longboard Champion.
“I’m not even thinking that far ahead just yet,” Smith said. “I had the disappointment of last year and there’s still two heats to surf. I’m just going to do my best and hopefully my surfing will look after the rest.” Smith will surf against Janna Irons (HAW) in the semifinal. Hailing from the famous extended surfing clan in Kauai and a cousin to superstars Andy and Bruce, Irons has already exceeded her own expectations.
Chelsea Williams : photo Towner/ASP Covered Images
“I’m so stoked to have even made it this far,” said Irons. “It’s already my best ever result and now everyone has a chance to win. You never know.”
While it may be hard to top yesterday’s action that featured incredible waves and culminated in an Evian Expression Session in front of a massive Bastille Day crowd at Biarritz Grande Plage, with the world championship on the line and five days of intense action coming down to one 30 minute final, today is all set up to be a historic day in women’s longboarding.
Roxy ASP WWLC Semifinal Match Ups – 1st to Final, 2nd eliminated
Semifinal 1: Justine Dupont (FRA) vs. Chelsea Williams (AUS)
Semifinal 2: Jennifer Smith (USA) vs. Janna Irons (HAW)
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About ASP
The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the Foster’s ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships.
The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world's best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.
Submitted By
Ryan - Magicseaweed.com on the 16th July 2007.
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