Photo: © ASP/Robertson
Courtney Conlogue Beachley ClassicYoung Southern California surfer Courtney Conlogue won her first ASP Women’s World Tour event, defeating Hawaiian Malia Manuel in the finals to win the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic at Dee Why Beach near Sydney, Australia.  With the win, Conlogue won the biggest prize purse on the ASP Women’s World Tour, a $30,000 check for finishing atop the podium.

Photo: © ASP/Robertson
Courtney Conlogue Beachley Classic“I’m speechless right now!” said Conlogue. “It’s been two years on the ASP Women’s World Championship Tour where I kept losing in the Quarterfinals. Then today after winning my Quarterfinal I just tried to go and win the thing. Malia was surfing great in the final, even though the waves were tricky. I’m really stoked to have won this event! I love Steph (Gilmore) and Sally (Fitzgibbons) and to have them chair me up the beach was absolutely amazing!”

Photo: © ASP/Robertson
Courtney Conlogue Beachley ClassicThe World Title race has taken an interesting turn following the conclusion of the event.  Defending World Champion Carissa Moore was eliminated in round four by Conlogue, and conceded that she won’t be able to repeat as the title holder.

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Malia Manuel Beachley Classic“I think that means I’m out of the race,” said Moore. “Steph  has had a great year and I haven’t. Sally is still in a good place too, so we will see what happens.”

Photo: © ASP/Robertson
Laura Enever Beachley ClassicBoth Gilmore and Fitzgibbons, who are currently ranked first and second in the overall standings, lost in the quarterfinals.

Photo: © ASP/Robertson
Laura Enever Beachley Classic“It’s disappointing,” said Gilmore, who lost to the second place finisher Manuel in the quarterfinals. “But it’s not a terrible result for me. I feel really strong. When there’s great waves on offer I feel like I’m surfing great. It’s just a matter of getting those waves and I didn’t get them today. I’m looking forward to heading over to Brazil and finding the form I had in the first few events.”

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Laura Enever Beachley Classic“This is the worst part about what we do,” added Fitzgibbons, who lost to the eventual winner Conlogue in the quarterfinals. “Today I just wasn’t good enough. When you’re feeling strong, you really want to progress through to that Final. I got some early scores and it was really challenging out there. That one wave popped up for Courtney and she grabbed a 9.00, which is the highest score of the day. I’m really happy for her. She’s a good friend and she trains and surfs really hard and that paid off today.”

Photo: © ASP/Robertson
Laura Enever Beachley ClassicThe ASP Women’s World Tour now shifts to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where they’ll be joined by the men for the Billabong Rio Pro.  The contest window opens May 9th.  Visit www.BeachleyClassic.com for complete contest results.

Photo: © ASP/Robertson
Laura Enever Beachley Classic

Photo: © ASP/Robertson
Laura Enever Beachley Classic