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| 2006 Op Pro Women |
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Nov. 15-16, 2006
The South American and Australian women ruled the Hawaiian waves at the 2006 Op Pro, especially 2004 World Champ Sofia Mulanovich. The natural-footed, Peruvian won the six-star ‘QS event in onshore, chest- to head-high surf at Hale‘iwa’s Ali‘i Beach Park. Mulanovich utilized her backhand attack against Aussie Stephanie Gilmore and Brazilians Tais Almedia and Jacqueline Silva. No local girls in the 30-minute final. The farthest the Hawai‘i contingent got was in super groms Malia Manuel and Carissa Moore, who were both out surfed by the women in the quarterfinals. Actually, two of the competitors that disposed of the Hawai‘i groms were but teens, 18-year-olds Tais Almedia and Stephanie Gilmore. Both ripped their semi heats in different styles. Gilmore used poise and control to advance out of her semi against 2004 World Champ Sofia Mulanovich. While Almedia took a more last minute approach to making the final, advancing within the last 30 seconds of the heat. Tais needed a 3.73 and squeaked by with 5.7, advancing with fellow countrywoman, Jacqueline Silva. Both Brazilians were almost non-existent in the final. Not because their surfing was lack luster, but because their heat was lacking waves. Silva would finish in fourth and Almedia grabbed third. The battle between Mulanovich and Gilmore was where the action was, both dueling it out on their backsides by only opting for lefts. “The lefts were longer and standing up better,” said Sofia. “I was focusing on the lefts.” That focus paid off and she claimed the 2006 Op Pro title from Gilmore with a two-wave total of 15 out of 20. The champ gave major kudos to her runner-up. “I think Steph rips. She’s such a good surfer,” Sofia revealed. “I think she’s my favorite surfer next to Chels [Georgeson].” It was only Stephanie’s second year in Hawai‘i, and the young Aussie used the Op Pro finals appearance to gain valuable knowledge for her upcoming rookie season on the ‘CT. “I’ve learned a lot from watching girls like Layne [Beachley], Chelsea [Gorgeson] and Sofia,” says Gilmore. “Just seeing what their strategies are at events.” Although the Hawai‘i women didn’t dominate the first stop on the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, it was a great event for local girls Malia Manuel and Melanie Bartels. Thirteen-year-old Malia was the top Hawai‘i finisher, and this was her first professional event! The West Side’s Melanie Bartels placed 13th in the contest, which gave her enough points to officially re-qualify for the 2007 WCT where most believe she belongs. —DI Op Pro Women's Results: 1) Sofia Mulonavich (PER) $4,500 2) Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) $2,500 3) Tais Almedia (BRA) $2,200 4) Jacqueline Silva (BRA) $2,200
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