- 2017-09-16
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SPORTS
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Donate to support families affected by the crisis in Ukraine ➔ World Surf League: Women's Championship, Swatch Pro, Silvana Lima Takes Her First Win in Seven Years
WSL Women's Championship, Swatch Pro Semifinals and Final ran at Lower Trestles in San Clemente in three-to-four foot waves on September 15.
On the final day, Silvana Lima (BRA) took her fourth victory in Championship tour for the first time in seven years. Her last victory was Movistar Classic Peru in 2010.
This time, she had defeated strongest Carissa Moore (HAW), 6-time World Champ Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Johanne Defay (FRA), Lakey Peterson (USA) and Keely Andrew (AUS).
She kept her good condition and fighting spirit during each Rounds. Also she showcased high quality techniques such as air 360 and cutback.
Meanwhile runner-up Keely Andrew (AUS) took down Courtney Conlogue (USA) in Semifinals. Their battle was a see-saw heat in which both women made mistakes, but with under two minutes left, the 22-year-old-Australian powered out an 8-pointer that turned the heat, and took her to the Final.
This result marks Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) moved up to number one on the Jeep Leaderboard, Courtney Conlogue jumped up to World No. 2, while Tyler Wright (AUS) dropped to No. 3, and Stephanie Gilmore holds steady at No. 4.
After the Final, 32-year-old veteran winner said;
“I still can’t believe I won over here. All I could think about after the last event was coming here to Lowers. It’s my favorite wave on tour because I can surf how I like, do turns how I like and I just had to keep going. Heading into that Final it took me back to my last Final at Bells and I just wanted to smash it. When it came down to the last five minutes having Keely [Andrew] in a combination, I realized I won and couldn’t believe it.
It’s just incredible. I just feel so much confidence and I came here thinking I want to get a Lowers tattoo if I win, so my next one is the train. I just had to believe in God. He knows you, he knows your time and I was just waiting, but this is my time. I’ve gotten so much confidence from the QS and being at the top of the rankings there has really helped me be able to relax and let loose on the CT. All I wanted to do was have fun out there and do my best.”
Runner-up Keely Andrew said;
“I was just happy to get into the Semis, but to make it back out there for one more heat and surf Lowers with just one other person out was pretty special. Having it against Silvana [Lima] was great. She’s one of my favorite surfers on tour. She’s just so tenacious and I was just happy to assert myself on the tour finally. Yesterday was great being able to put a heat together, and I got two of the best waves of my life at Trestles. I’m feeling good with some good boards under my feet and I just want to keep making heats and be in that Top 10 by the end of the year. My backup plan is in place with my rating on the QS, so it feels good heading into the backend of the year with some opportunity to open up a bit earlier on this season.”
Swatch Pro Final Results:
F 1: Silvana Lima (BRA) 17.60 def. Keely Andrew (AUS) 10.93
Swatch Pro Semifinals Results:
SF 1: Silvana Lima (BRA) 16.90 def. Lakey Peterson (USA) 15.60
SF 2: Keely Andrew (AUS) 13.43 def. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 13.17
All photos copyright by World Surf League.- source : World Surf League
