MANCORA, Peru (Thursday, October 23, 2008) – The ASP Top 17 are preparing to do battle at stop No. 6 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Movistar Classic Mancora Peru presented by Rip Curl, where the cobblestone lefthander awaits the world’s best female surfers as they vie for invaluable ratings points, prize money and the highly-coveted ASP Women’s World Title.
Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 25, former ASP Women’s World Champion and current No. 1 on the ASP Women’s World Tour, has recently regained the ratings lead with her 3rd place finish in the event in Sydney and now heads into her home event as the heavily-favoured
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I was stoked to get ahead in the ratings after Manly and it feels good that we are going back home cause that is for sure my favourite stop on tour,” Mulanovich said. “
Although I still haven’t surfed since my last heat in Sydney so I am hoping to be in the water at least two days before the competition. The waves at Mancora are lefts and can get super fun and ripable, but they can also get not that good so I’m hoping there will be a bit of swell and if there is, I can assure you it can be one of the best stops on tour this year – it can get extremely fun.”
While her result in Sydney rocketed her into the ratings lead on the ASP Women’s World Tour, it came at a price – Mulanovich injured her foot in her Semifinal bout and has yet to surf since the incident.
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I almost pulled out a ligament that is attached to my bone in the upper part of my foot so it is still sore and I can’t really walk on my injured foot,” Mulanovich said. “
The doctor said it could take six weeks, but if I take care of it, it could maybe be okay for the comp. I’m just taking it day by day and hoping it will get better – it feels better though.”
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, reigning ASP Women’s World Champion and current No. 2 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, suffered a disappointing 9th place finish at the last event in Sydney, relegating her to the No. 2 spot, but the Australian hopes to rebound in Mancora.
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It was disappointing to get another 9th, but the waves were pretty terrible in Manly and I believe the event finished resulting in my favor so I’m happy,” Gilmore said. “
I think it’s only made me more excited to get to Peru and really showcase what I can do.”
While Mulanovich is the new frontrunner on the ASP Women’s World Tour ratings and the most experienced of the ASP Top 17 in the Peruvian lefthanders, Gilmore remains confident that she can pick up another result in Mancora, citing her event victory from last season as proof.
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Sofia (Mulanovich) has gained a nice lead on us all and also gained the No.1 seed, which will be quite a lot of pressure heading into her home event,” Gilmore said. “
She’s a great competitor and has been incredibly consistent this year. No doubt she’ll be hard to stop in Mancora, but I managed to pull it off last year so I’m aiming for nothing less. I’ve changed my equipment a little bit this year and it seems to be working really well in point breaks so I’ll continue on with it and I’ve got a new book to read so I’m prepared for Peru.”
Julia de la Rosa Toro (PER), 26, current No. 11 on the ASP Women’s World Tour, will enter the Movistar Classic Mancora Peru presented by Rip Curl for the first time as a competitor of her adopted country. Originally hailing from Southern California, De la Rosa Toro now resides in Lima, Peru with her husband, and Peruvian surfing legend, Magoo de la Rosa Toro.
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I have been waiting all year for this event,” De la Rosa Toro said. “
I have been going to Northern Peru for years and Mancora is one of the first spots I surfed. My husband Magoo has a friend that lives right in front of the point and that’s where we usually stay. I think Mancora is a good venue because the wave is rippable and fun. It’s nice to have a contest where you are familiar with and are able to predict swell or changes in the wave with the tide.”
De la Rosa Toro’s Quarter finals finish at the last event in Sydney saw the stylish natural-footer rocket up to No. 11 on the ASP Women’s World Tour ratings, and she’ll be looking to improve even further at home in Peru.
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I’m looking to get a good result and better my current raking,” de la Rosa Toro said. “
I want to get passed the Quarter finals because I haven’t been able to pass that round yet. I was happy with Quarters in Manly, but not satisfied.”
The waiting period for the Movistar Classic Mancora Peru presented by Rip Curl will begin Monday, November 3, 2008 and run through Saturday, November 8, 2008.
For current ASP Women’s World Tour ratings, log onto
www.aspworldtour.com
