HISTORIC SWATCH WOMEN’S PRO TRESTLES 2014 CROWNS STEPHANIE GILMORE CHAMPION IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

The inaugural edition of the Swatch Women’s Pro Trestles, an ASP Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT) event, was concluded in classic September conditions at the iconic Southern Californian surf break, crowning 5-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) as event champion. Stephanie defeated compatriot Sally Fitzgibbons in a final that paid to testament to the incredible performance levels women’s surfing has reached today.

Photo credit: ASP/Kirstin

The historic event witnessed mixed fortunes for Swatch Proteam athletes Courtney Conlogue (USA) and Coco Ho (HAW). Courtney, a local favorite at Trestles, surfing in her first event in over four months having been sidelined by an ankle injury was eliminated in Round 2. While understandably disappointed not to have progressed further at a surf break she knows so well, Courtney was optimistic about finishing the season strongly. “It was a shame to bow out early, but I’m just really pleased to be back surfing heats against the world’s best surfers, it’s been tough watching from the sidelines. There are now four events remaining in this 2014 season and I’m focusing on performing as well as I can in each of them.”

Photo credit: ASP/Rowland

Meanwhile, Coco showed the judges her technical flair and explosive repertoire to earn a semifinal finish, eliminating reigning World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) in Round 4 in the process. “I felt like I found my rhythm early in the event, and was able to get through a few close heats. It’s such a fun wave to surf and this was an awesome event to be a part of. This was my best result of the WCT season so far, so I’m really pleased.” On the other side of the draw, Johanne Defay (FRA), on her rookie season amongst the world’s elite surfers put in an outstanding performance representing the European contingent, before ultimately bowing out in the semifinals to Sally.

Photo credit: ASP/Kirstin

While elite level ASP Men’s WCT competition has been staged at Trestles for well over a decade, the Swatch Women’s Pro Trestles broke new ground in bringing the venue, famed as one of the best high performance surf spots in the world, to the women’s tour. Swatch’s growing commitment to women’s surfing, which already includes the 6-star WQS Swatch Girls Pro France and has crowned women’s longboard world champions for the past three years at the Swatch Girls Pro China, comes during the most exciting period in the sport’s history.

Photo credit: ASP/Kirstin

More information on: www.aspworldtour.com

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