Kelia Moniz (HAW) celebrating with 2nd place Chelsea Williams (AUS) in yellow, and Justine Dupont (FRA) and Karina Rozunko (USA) in blue. Pic ASP/Will H-S
WANNING, Hainan Island, China (Friday, November 22, 2013) – Kelia Moniz (HAW) has won the Swatch Girls Pro China hosted by Wanning over Chelsea Williams (AUS) and by doing so, claimed her second consecutive ASP Women’s World Longboard Title. For the third year in a row this event has crowned the ASP Women’s World Longboard Champion, and also for the third year in a row the same two surfers have made the Final, with Williams winning in 2011, and Moniz taking it out last year.
Kelia Moniz at just 20-years-old has cemented her place in surfing history by becoming a two-time ASP Women’s World Longboard Champion. Moniz struggled early in the event, but came into form when it counted on Finals day using her trademark elegant style, power and flow to lock in some excellent scores and take the win. After the win Moniz was handed the same Hawaiian flag that current ASP Women’s World Champion Carissa Moore used to celebrate her win in Portugal earlier this year.
“It doesn’t fee real yet, it will sink it when I go home and celebrate with family and friends,” Moniz said. “I don’t feel like I was surfing my best at the start of the event, and I was a little shaken up going into the final because Chelsea (Williams) was getting 8-point-rides all event. Then I just pulled myself together, listened to some good music, said a prayer, went out there and tried to just stay on my board and it worked. Winning back-to-back ASP World Longboard Titles is unbelievable! I couldn’t be happier.”
Chelsea Williams (AUS) was the form surfer of this year’s event, but fell just short in the final losing with a heat-total of 13.40 (out of a possible 20) to 12.35. Williams has finished second in the world four times now, but was graceful in defeat, giving credit to Moniz and reflecting on the good times she’s had at this year’s Swatch Girls Pro China.
“Second in the world is great, but I’ve had it four times now so I’m kind of over it,” said Williams. “Kelia is a great surfer, we have a good little battle going on. Three finals in a row, at least we’re consistent. It’s been such a great event, we’ve had great surf and a lot of fun. I felt like I was surfing well enough to win the title this year, but that’s surfing, you’re up against other great surfers and the ocean.”
Justine Dupont (FRA) finished equal 3rd place at the Swatch Girls Pro today, and came within 0.05 of making it into the final. Dupont had Williams on the ropes and had all but won their Semifinal clash until Williams found a wave in the dying seconds and stole heat by the narrowest of margins.
“Third is better than the fifth I got last year, but it hurts to just lose by 0.05,” Dupont said. “I couldn’t hear the scores being read out and I probably would have surfed the heat differently, but it’s ok. I had a great event, I love longboarding events, all of the girls are so friendly and we have a lot of fun together.”
Karina Rozunko (USA), 17-year-old San Clemente surfer today repeated her result from last year’s Swatch Girls Pro China, finishing equal 3rd place after going down to Moniz in the Semifinals. Rozunko stormed through the draw full of the world’s best female longboarders with style and grace despite coming into the event with an ankle injury.
“I’m really happy with third place,” Rozunko said. “I’m not bummed at all, Kelia (Moniz) ripped out there and I did my best and that’s all you can do. It would have been nice to make the Final, but you can’t have regrets, I’ve had a great trip and third in the world is good. I felt much more at home at this event this year, last year I was so nervous.”
SWATCH GIRLS PRO CHINA FINAL RESULT:
1ST Kelia Moniz (HAW), def. 2ND Chelsea Williams (AUS)
SWATCH GIRLS PRO CHINA SEMIFINAL RESULTS: SF 1: 1ST Kelia Moniz (HAW), def. 2ND Karina Rozunko (USA) SF 2: 1ST Chelsea Williams (AUS), def. 2ND Justine Dupont (FRA)
SWATCH GIRLS PRO CHINA QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS: QF 1: 1ST Karina Rozunko (USA) def. 2ND Miku Uemura (HAW) QF 2: 1ST Kelia Moniz (HAW) def. 2ND Jennifer Smith (USA) QF 3: 1ST Chelsea Williams (AUS) def. 2ND Chloe Calmon (BRA) QF 4: 1ST Justine Dupont (FRA), def. Summer Romero (USA)
