Girl On: Claire Bevilacqua Revisted
Sep 06 2007 / Los Angeles, CA
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This year, the tour has been a little less forgiving, with Bevilacqua scoring three straight equal 9th finishes in the first contests (translation: she didn't make it past the third round). That has left her tied for 13th overall on the tour, though there are three events left to go, not including the Rip Curl Pro in Spain, which is currently underway (as of this writing).
However, if you look at the draw for each of the season's first three events, there's one consistent thing. In each third round match Bevilacqua went up against Stephanie Gilmore. And who is the #1 ranked surfer on the Women's World Tour this season? That's right, Stephanie Gilmore. So is it any surprise that she's had her hands full?
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The scheduling gods are smiling, for a change, on Bevilacqua for the Rip Curl Pro. She will face Melanie Redman-Carr in the third round while (the unlucky task of battling Steph Gilmore is left to South African Rosanne Hodge. (editor's note - Redman-Carr advanced over Bevilacqua and -- surprise -- Hodge advanced over Gilmore...)
A win would be great but it would be Bevilacqua's first on tour (she has a second-place finish). She has wins on the WQS but at 24-years-old, she has time to chase that top tour rank. But for 2007, a couple of strong showings might be enough to make sure she requalifies for the 2008 campaign.
We talked to "Bevo" last year toward the end of last year's campaign (you can read that whole interview here) and it's clear that she is looking for one thing and one thing alone.
"I want to be world champ, plain and simple," she said.
For this self-confessed party girl that goal seems within reach, just maybe not this season, and you can bet that she's going to have fun along the way. By the way, if you want to be part of her fan club, you're out of luck. But don't worry...
"I would appreciate more groupie love..."
Bravo - catch Claire on her Myspace at http://www.myspace.com/lilprobitch.
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