CAPBRETON, France (Friday, July 6, 2012) - The Roxy Pro, second to last stop on the ASP Women’s World Championship Tour will start next Tuesday in Biarritz, France. Out of the Top 17 there is probably one girl who is most looking forward to this particular event: Pauline Ado (FRA), 21. The young French surfer from Anglet will surf for the second time in France at the Elite level in front of her family and friends and will be looking to continue a recent good run of events.
Last year’s Roxy Pro was the highlight of Pauline’s inaugural World Championship Tour season with an incredible 3rd place that saw her defeatedt in the semi-finals against newly crowned World Champion the Hawaiian Carissa Moore.
After a difficult start to her 2012 campaign, Pauline found her rythmn in Brazil where she placed 5th for the second year in a row and later confirmed at the Swatch Girls Pro France with another excellent 5th place finish. She is currently ranked 14th on the Women’s World Championship Tour and will need a strong finish in the last two events to directly re-qualify for a third season at the elite level. We just caught up with Pauline and asked her how she feels right before this important event.
“I felt pretty good before this season started but unfortunately my results didn’t prove me right”, Pauline said. “All the events just follow each other so quickly at the beginning and it was hard for me to get better up until Brazil. It’s my second year though and I feel a little better at every stop, I know the places more but the level on Tour is so strong and you can’t neglect any details really.”
Building on her past experiences in competition, Pauline has won both ISA and ASP World Junior Champion titles, the powerful natural footer has recently changed her approach to a technique focused mindset instead of concentrating on results and her recent form is proving
change can be positive in an athlete’s career.
“Since I got back from Australia I have changed my attitude towards competing on the World Tour”, stated Pauline. “I’m a lot more concentrating on my surfing and less on the end result. I’ve been home for a few weeks now and I feel just great. I’ve had time to seriously train but also enjoy being with the family and catching up with friends, I really needed that after being on the road for months. After my recent quarters result at the Swatch Pro, I hope I can build momentum and keep getting better. I think my best chances now are through the Star tour to requalify so next week at the Roxy Pro I’ll just do my best and we’ll see what happens.”
Pauline will now have the difficult task to secure her qualification for a third season on the ASP Women’s World Championship Tour, a performance no other European has ever done, and will count on the two last events of the Elite tour as well as a series of 6-Star events she knows very well.
“After Biarritz I’m headed to California for the US Open, our last event on the WCT. I will try and go there without pressure even if there always is a minimum. After that will come the ever busy September season for us girls in Europe and I will really need to be in form if I need to requalify through the Star Tour.”
The Roxy Pro will also be the occasion for the local afficionados and tourists alike to discover some of the most talented longboarders on the planet, competing in the ‘Kassia Invitational Expression Session’ as well as plenty of musical entertainment during the five-days waiting period. Pauline Ado invites everyone in the area to come join her at the event for a fun time.
“There’s an incredible level of performance on Tour right now ! The atmoshpere is cool and the girls super nice, plus there’s music, art and more”, Pauline said. “It’s a super cool way to spend a day at the beach, and the site of ‘la côte des basques’ is really pretty, you should come see for yourself !”
The Roxy Pro in Biarritz – France will run from July 10-14, 2012. For more information on Pauline, check out her profile on www.aspeurope.com
