Kauai’s Tatiana Weston-Webb upset last year’s event runner-up

COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Tuesday, March 3, 2015) – Action at the Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by BOQ continued today after two-consecutive lay days with Round 2 at Snapper Rocks. The first elimination round of this year’s World Surf League (WSL) Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour saw fiery exchanges as the world’s best female surfers fought hard to avoid an early exit.

Hawaiian surfers Coco Ho (HAW) and Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) were the standout performers of the day, each dominating their Round 2 heats and making the most of what Snapper Rocks had to offer.

See the action replays HERE

A backhand battle between Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) and Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) unfolded in Round 2 Heat 5. Weston-Webb held the lead throughout the heat, looking confident as she claimed her third Championship Tour win over the South African and a place in Round 3. Last year’s Roxy Pro runner-up, Buitendag, will have to set her sites on Bells Beach as she leaves the competition in equal 13^th place.

Another of the day’s top performers was Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) who took on 2014 Rookie of the Year, Johanne Defay (FRA), in Round 2 Heat 2. The power of Defay against the smooth transitions of Van Dijk saw the surfers neck and neck through the majority of the 30-minute heat. Both posted scores in the excellent range (8 points and above), with Defay claiming a 9.00 while Van Dijk was rewarded with an 8.10. In the end it was the in-form Australian who took the win courtesy of a 7.37 backup score.

An unusual Round 2 appearance for Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) saw her face Bronte Macaulay (AUS). The trials winner pushed Gilmore throughout their heat, holding the lead for much of the bout. With one minute remaining the pressure was on as the trials winner still had the lead, but the 6-time reigning WSL Champion found a wave in the dying seconds and used her skill and experience to get the score she needed to avoid early elimination at Snapper Rocks.

Tyler Wright (AUS) kept busy in her Round 2 heat against Alessa Quizon (HAW), with 13 waves to Quizon’s 6, and her hard worked paid off. Last year’s world title runner-up sealed her place in Round 3 with a last-minute 8.10, eliminating Quizon from the competition in equal 13^th place.

The Roxy Pro Gold Coast is webcast LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com.

The world’s best surfing is also be broadcast LIVE on Fox Sports in Australia, MCS Extreme in France, EDGE Sports in China, South Korea, Malaysia and other territories and the WSL’s new partner in Brazil, Globo TV.

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Round 2 Results (1st to R3, 2nd = 13th):

Heat 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 14.07 def. Sage Erickson (USA) 12.27

Heat 2: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 15.47 def. Johanne Defay (FRA) 14.77

Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 12.00 def. Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 11.40

Heat 4: Tyler Wright (AUS) 14.70 def. Alessa Quizon (HAW) 11.24

Heat 5: Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 15.93 def. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 11.07

Heat 6: Coco Ho (HAW) 16.16 def. Laura Enever (AUS) 13.27

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Round 3 Match-Ups (1st to QF, 2nd and 3rd to R4):

Heat 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Malia Manuel (HAW), Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW)

Heat 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Dimity Stoyle (AUS), Silvana Lima (BRA)

Heat 3: Tyler Wright (AUS), Courtney Conlogue (AUS), Coco Ho (HAW)

Heat 4: Carissa Moore (HAW), Lakey Peterson (USA), Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)