Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 25, defending TSB Bank NZ Surf Festival Champion, will face off against Coco Ho (HAW), 21, and Sage Erickson (USA), 22, in Heat 2 of Round 1 this morning.
TARANAKI, New Plymouth/NZL (Thursday, April 4, 2013) – Opening day of the TSB Bank NZ Surf Festival featuring the Dow AgroSciences Pro has been called on this morning, with clean conditions gracing the pristine New Zealand Beachbreak of Fitzroy for Round 1 of competition.
Stop No. 4 of 7 on the 2013 ASP Women’s WCT, the TSB Bank NZ Surf Festival immediately follows Bells Beach and will play a pivotal role in the battle for pole position on the rankings.
“We’re going to start with Round 1 at 8am and monitor conditions throughout the morning,” Jessi Miley Dyer, ASP Women’s Tour Manager said. “We’ll watch conditions closely and have placed Round 2 on standby.”
When TSB Bank NZ Surf Festival competition begins, current ASP WCT No. 5 Courtney Conlogue (USA), 20, local favorite Paige Hareb (NZL), 22, and 2012 ASP Women’s Rookie of the Year Malia Manuel (HAW), 19, will face off in the opening Round 1 heat.
The TSB Bank NZ Surf Festival featuring the Dow AgroSciences Pro holds a waiting period from April 3 – 7 and is webcast LIVE via http://www.nzsurffestival.co.nz/