Fresh Groundswell Heralds Start of the NAB Beachley Classic

MANLY, Sydney (Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007) - A fresh 1- 1.5 metre groundswell that moved into Sydney's Manly Beach overnight, has heralded the start to Day 1 of the NAB Beachley Classic, Stop No. 5 of 8 on the ASP Women's World Tour.

Organisers have called for a 08h00 (local time) start with all six heats of Round 1 to be completed, as well as the possibility of Round 2 running later in the day.

Current ASP ratings leader Samantha Cornish (Aus) kicks off this year's competition in Heat 1 where she will take on World No. 6 Rebecca Woods (Aus) and World No. 12 Jacqueline Silva (Bra).

Other heats to watch out for today include Heat 3, when 7X ASP World Champion Layne Beachley (Aus) meets World No. 14 Claire Bevilacqua (Aus) and Oakley Wildcard trialist Sally Fitzgibbons (Aus) and as well as Heat 6, which features defending NAB Beachley Classic Champion Stephanie Gilmore (Aus) up against Melanie Redman- Carr (Aus) and Melanie Bartels (Aus).

Oakley Wildcard trialist Leilani Gryde (Haw) arrived to some good news this morning, when it was announced she would be included into Heat 4 of Round 1 in place of 'no show' surfer Rochelle Ballard (Haw).

An action packed day of world class surfing is expected from the World's Top 17 Women at Sydney's Manly Beach today, as they battle it out for the richest prize purse on the ASP Women's World Tour.

The NAB Beachley Classic runs from 9- 14 October, 2007 and holds a prize money purse of US$ 100 000 as well as 20% bonus ASP ratings points.

The event is produced by Layne Beachley in collaboration with National Australia Bank and the Association of Surfing Professionals.

NAB Beachley Classic Round 1

Heat 1: Samantha Cornish (AUS); Rebecca Woods (AUS); Jacqueline Silva (BRA)
Heat 2: Silvana Lima (BRA); Amee Donohoe (AUS); Roseanne Hodge (ZAF)
Heat 3: Layne Beachley (AUS); Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS); Claire Bevilacqua (AUS)
Heat 4: Sofia Mulanovich (PER); Megan Abubo (HAW); Rochelle Ballard (HAW)
Heat 5: Chelsea Hedges (AUS); Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS); Caroline Sarran (FRA)
Heat 6: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS); Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS); Melanie Bartels (HAW)

Source: ASP

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