RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Tuesday, September 16, 2008) – As soon as event organizers at the Billabong Girls Pro Rio called Quarterfinal action on this afternoon, a rain sqaull came through and cancelled competition for the day, resulting in the fifth straight lay day for event No. 4 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour.
Solid six foot (2 metre) waves were on offer at Barra da Tijuca today, but unfavorable wind and weather forced event organizers to go on hold for the majority of the day. Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, former seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current No. 3 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour ratings, attempted to navigate the tricky conditions while the event went on hold, but was unsuccessful.
“
It’s been five days since we last competed and the rain has set in for what looks like forever,” Beachley said. “
I attempted to surf the lineup to test the conditions and struggled to catch three decent waves in one hour due to the frequent 8-foot bombs coming through. The forecast indicates that we should finish tomorrow as the swell is going to be too big on Thursday.”
With only two days remaining in the waiting period, event organizers and competitors will look to complete the Billabong Girls Pro Rio tomorrow as projected swell looks to be too unruly on the final day of the waiting period.
Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow at 6:30am for a possible 7am start.
When Billabong Girls Pro Rio competition resumes, defending event champion Samantha Cornish (AUS), 27, against Melanie Bartels (HAW), 26, in Quarterfinal 1.
The Billabong Girls Pro Rio will be webcast LIVE via
www.billabongpro.com/rio08For more information, log onto
www.aspworldtour.comBillabong Girls Pro Rio Quarterfinal Match-Ups:
Quarterfinal 1: Samantha Cornish (AUS) vs. Melanie Bartels (HAW)
Quarterfinal 2: Jacqueline Silva (BRA) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
Quarterfinal 3: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) vs. Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
Quarterfinal 4: Silvana Lima (BRA) vs. Layne Beachley (AUS)
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