Written by Administrator
Monday, 05 January 2009 23:30
French madamemoiselle Pauline Ado has made history as the first non-Australian female to claim the Junior World Title, defeating Bethany Hamilton in a hard-fought Final at the Billabong World Junior Championships.
Sydney’s legendary North Narrabeen offered clean three-to-four foot conditions, as the women’s action started with the Quarterfinals and ended with the crowning of Ado as the World’s latest Junior Champion.
“I’m speechless,” Ado said. “I am so stoked. This is a dream come true. I can’t believe that I won. When I woke up this morning, I never imagined that this would happen.”
While her opponent exhibited patience throughout the day Ado wasted no time in busying herself on both the lefts and rights in the Final, and although the lead flipped back-and-forth, it was the young Frog who sealed the deal with a solid 13.43.
“I didn’t watch Bethany on her last wave, but I could hear the crowd and the commentators in the background,” Ado said. “I thought she had won, but luckily for me, it wasn’t the case.”
Ado now joins the prestigious ranks of past ASP World Junior Champions Jessi Miley-Dyer, Nicola Atherton, and Sally Fitzgibbons – all three qualifying for the ASP Women’s World Tour within one season of claiming the Billabong World Junior Championships.
“I have so much confidence now going into 2009,” Ado said. “I really want to do well in the WQS and hopefully qualify for the Women’s World Tour, but for now, I’m just stoked to be ASP World Junior Champion.”
In addition to being crowned World Junior Champion, Ado will receive a guaranteed seed into the second-to-last seeded round of all WQS events in 2009, giving the young natural-footer a great advantage as she vies for a position on the World Tour in 2010.
Hamilton, who lost her left arm in a shark attack at home in Kauai in 2003, put in an inspirational performance today, besting heavy event favorites Laura Enever, and Leila Hurst, before falling short to Ado in the Final.
“I’m really happy with my performance at this event,” Hamilton said. “To make the Final is really good for me. I haven’t had a good result in a while so hopefully this will give me some confidence for the rest of the year. I think my nerves got the better of me in the Final. I should’ve made a couple of turns where I fell. I’m kind of bummed about that last wave, but I guess that’s surfing.”
For heats on demand head to
www.billabongpro.com BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIORS (WOMEN) FINAL:1 – Pauline Ado (FRA) 13.43
2 – Bethany Hamilton (HAW) 12.47
BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIORS (WOMEN) SEMIFINAL RESULTS:SF 1: Pauline Ado (FRA) 12.17 def. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 10.00
SF 2: Bethany Hamilton (HAW) 11.50 def. Leila Hurst (HAW) 10.07
BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIORS (WOMEN) QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:QF 1: Pauline Ado (FRA) 16.33 def. Arini Mason (NZL) 11.87
QF 2: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 18.23 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 10.33
QF 3: Leila Hurst (HAW) 11.17 def. Diana Cristina (BRA) 9.23
QF 4: Bethany Hamilton (HAW) 14.83 def. Laura Enever (AUS) 12.77
