ASP Top 17 Attack Duranbah at 8am for Start of Roxy Pro pres

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008) – The ladies of the ASP Top 17 will don jerseys for the opening round of the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour at Duranbah Beach this morning at 8am, kickstarting competition at the Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by LG.

With small surf on offer at Snapper Rocks, event organizers at the Roxy Pro opted for the punchier peaks of nearby Duranbah Beach, which is seeing surf in the two-to-three foot (1 metre) range this morning.

“We’re going to get the girls in the water at D’Bah at 8am this morning for Round 1 of the Roxy Pro,” Brooke Farris, ASP Women’s World Tour Manager, said. “Surf is in the two-to-three foot range, and it will be a great day for the girls to get their feet wet on the 2008 season.”

Reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) will begin her inaugural title defense today, doing battle against Roxy Trials Winner and last year’s runner-up Carissa Moore (HAW) and 2008 rookie Karina Petroni (USA).

Australian powerbroker Jessi Miley-Dyer has withdrawn from the event, the result of an injury sustained while competing at the Roxy Pro Women’s Surfing Festival at Phillip Island (an ASP World Qualifying Series event) last month.

“I’ve suffered a bone contusion high on the shin in my right leg,” Miley-Dyer said. “I did while competing down in Phillip Island, and I didn’t really think I’d hurt myself as bad. Basically, I’ve creased my shin, and while it’s not quite broken, I still have a few more weeks before I can get back in the water.”

Replacing Miley-Dyer will be former ASP Women’s World Tour competitor Laurina McGrath (AUS), who narrowly missed out on qualifying last season.

“It’s frustrating to be here at the event and not be able to compete,” Miley-Dyer said. “However, it’s cool that my spot goes to Laurina, who is a good friend of mine.”

When Roxy Pro competition commences, former seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS) will go up against Melanie Bartels (HAW) and Nicola Atherton (AUS) in the opening heat of the year.

The Roxy Pro presented by LG will be webcast LIVE via www.aspworldtour.com/roxypro

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com