It’s Official: Women’s World Tour Surfers Announced
December 24, 2008 – 12:12 am PT by GregTags: ASP World Tour, Layne Beachley, Sally Fitzgibbons —
Sally Fitzgibbons
Several days after the conclusion of the Women’s ASP World Tour season in Maui the roster for the 2009 Tour has been finalized. While the surfers on tour will include 11 year’s worth of titles, there are also five rookies joining the vets — all teenagers.
Sally Fitzgibbons, 18, made history earlier this year by becoming the fastest surfer ever to qualify for the world tour in a season. She will be joined by Brazil’s Bruna Schmitz, Kiwi Paige Hareb, Hawaiian Alana Blanchard (all 18) and Coco Ho, 17.
Aussies will dominate the tour, with Fitzgibbons and current world champ Stephanie Gilmore leading eight of their compatriots.
Seven-time world champ Layne Beachley remains on the tour, though she previously announced her retirement. The move allows her to still compete at some events, though she will not participate in all events (there are eight total events).
The new season kicks off on Feb. 28, 2009 with the Roxy Pro Gold Coast.
Here are the 2009 World Tour Surfers:
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2 – Silvana Lima (BRA)
3 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
4 – Layne Beachley (AUS)
5 – Amee Donohoe (AUS)
6 – Samantha Cornish (AUS)
7 – Melanie Bartels (HAW)
8 – Rebecca Woods (AUS)
9 – Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
10 – Jacqueline Silva (BRA)
11 – Chelsea Hedges (AUS)*
12 – Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
13 – Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)
14 – Bruna Schmitz (BRA)
15 – Paige Hareb (NZL)
