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Boardfolio.com >> ASP World Tour News >> Beachley Off To Perfect Start

Reigning five-time world champion Layne Beachley posted the first perfect 10-point ride of her career today in the Billabong Pro Maui. She faces Californian Julia Christian in round three. Billabong Pro Maui (December 8-20, 2003) www.billabongpro.com Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) www.aspworldtour.com World Championship Tour (WCT) Press Release Beachley Off To Perfect Start Thursday, December 11, 2003 (Honolua Bay, Maui) Reigning five-time world champion Layne Beachley (Aus) today posted a perfect 10-point ride in the Billabong Pro Maui. The US$60,000 Women's World Championship Tournament (WCT) commenced with a Trials division and selection of one wildcard surfer for the main event, before the opening and then second elimination round heats unfolded this afternoon. Perfect 4-5 ft (1.3m) waves were on offer at Honolua, with clean barrels running along the righthand point break. A beautiful sunny day greeted the opening day of competition, and organizers expect a swell increase overnight to provide even more ideal conditions for tomorrow's event climax. Beachley, who surprisingly had never received a perfect score throughout her illustrious career, changed this with an incredible first forehand barrel ride. The Australian positioned herself superbly and disappeared for a good five-seconds, emerging to loud applause from the crowd and unanimous 10's from the international panel of judges. Although trailing on the current ratings in runner-up position by a mere 36-points, today's dominating win with the highest combined total of 16.75 out of a possible 20, is clearly fair warning to opponents and a great confidence booster. She'll face Californian Julia Christian in round three. "Well it was a perfect wave according to the judges," said Beachley, matter-of-factly of her epic tube. "It's my first perfect 10 in a contest, and what a place to score it. I was so excited. Not just because of the barrel, but more that I scored my first career 10 (laughs). "I've actually taken my mind off of it," she continued, of the world title race. "I've stopped performing for a result and am now actually performing for fun. It worked for me at the Roxy Pro at the start of the year and hopefully it will work for me at the Billabong Pro at the end of it. Conditions should be phenomenal tomorrow." Current ratings leader Keala Kennelly (Kauai, Haw) also advanced today, placing second behind an in-form Samantha Cornish (Aus) in their opening heat with Prue Jeffries (Aus). Cornish opened with a near-perfect 9.25 barrel and controlled the lead, while Kennelly was unlucky not to make an epic backhand barrel she had weaved through. The 25-year-old, who recently proved her backhand attack is on top of the game following the World Qualifying Series (WQS) win at Turtle Bay (Oahu), will next meet Kate Skarratt (Aus) in a highly anticipated round three match-up. "I let myself get out of position a couple of times which was pretty stupid," said Kennelly afterward. "That cost me a couple of best waves of the heat. It didn't throw me at all, but I let Sam get that high scoring wave when I shouldn't have. There are definitely some good waves and barrels, but hopefully it will pick back up tomorrow. I'm feeling very relaxed." Ratings #3 Chelsea Georgeson (Aus), #4 Heather Clark (SAfr) and #5 Sofia Mulanovich (Peru) all progressed with runner-up placings today. Mulanovich, who had two of her bigger surfboards stolen on Oahu prior to arriving on Maui, and then almost drowned this morning when her leash became caught on a coral head, was happy just to make another round in anticipation of surfing Honolua again. "This morning I almost drowned and yeah, two of my boards were stolen before coming over to Maui, so I didn't really have a good start to this contest," reasoned Mulanovich. "It's ok and I just have to get those things out of my mind. I should be surfing good, since there's a chance of winning the Triple Crown and I don't want to miss that, and the world title (laughs). I was just hesitating out there too much, but the waves were so good. The best ever, and that's why I'm kind of bummed since I didn't get any barrels. Hopefully next time." Defending Billabong Pro Maui champion Jacqueline Silva (Brz) lost her opening heat today against 1999 event winner Trudy Todd (Gold Coast, Aus) and Megan Abubo (Haw), but then fought back with a commanding performance in round two this afternoon. The Brazilian posted the second best scores of the day for a combined 16.1 tally. "My first heat this morning didn't really go too well," began Silva. "It was really inconsistent and I only caught two waves. That last one was good though, and I caught plenty. Honolua today was beautiful. Just three girls in the water is a dream, so I'm so happy to make the next round. I won here last year, so every heat I'm going to try hard to defend my championship. I hope I can win again." Another decision will be made by 7am (local time) tomorrow morning, with a probable 8am start for third round heats.

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