Semifinalists Decided At Roxy Pro

Gold Coast, Australia (Friday 6th March, 2009): THE stage is set for a groundbreaking finish to the Roxy Pro, with surfing’s established stars to go head-to-head with a new wave of teenage rookies after semi-finalists were decided in rising 1-metre waves at Duranbah on the southern end of the Gold Coast today.

In a battle of old versus new, two-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore (Coolangatta, Aus) will take on rampaging rookie Paige Hareb (New Zealand) in semi one, while world no.7 Melanie Bartels will face off with young gun Coco Ho in an all-Hawaiian second semi when competition resumes.

Reigning world champion Gilmore confirmed her position as the queen of women’s surfing, recording a near-perfect 9.73 to eliminate former world champion Chelsea Hedges (Coolangatta, Aus) in the biggest heat of the day.

Gilmore, who in 2007 was upset by Hedges in the quarterfinals of the Roxy Pro Gold Coast, turned the tables on her opponent, going to town with some powerful, stylish surfing to prevail in the highly-anticipated quarterfinal clash with a two-wave combined total of 15.83 to Hedges’ 14.83.

Check all the latest Roxy gear online at HSSsurf.com.