Australian Chelsea Williams Wins SWATCH Girls Pro China Hosted by Wanning
Hawaii's Kelia Moniz Runner-Up

California's Lindsay Steinriede Wins
2011 ASP Women's World Longboard Title
 

WANNING, Hainan Island/China (Thursday, 27 October, 2011)


Two Champions of longboard surfing were crowned today at the historic SWATCH Girls Pro China hosted by Wanning - the first ever ASP pro surfing event to be held in China. Australian Chelsea Williams won the event, and Californian Lindsay Steinriede (USA) has taken out the 2011 ASP Women's World Longboard Title.

Above: Chelsea Williams (Tweed Heads, Australia, left) won the SWATCH Girls Pro China today. Lindsay Steinriede (Dana Point, California, right) placed 5th but had amassed enough points to win the 2011 ASP Women's World Longboard Title. Photo: ASP/Will Hayden-Smith.

Williams (Tweed Heads) was without doubt the standout performer of the event that ran over two consecutive days. Williams defeated Kelia Moniz (HAW) in an action packed Final with the head-high surf turning on for the two best surfers of the day. Both notched big scores, but it was Williams' powerful repertoire of carving turns mixed with traditional styling who would emerge victorious. This is her first ASP Women's World Longboard Tour event win and earned her US$8,000.

"I'm so happy to win the first ASP event in China," Williams said. "It feels amazing to be here and surf against everyone, they were all surfing really well. Fortunately for me it was on a left-hander which rarely ever happens, so I was just stoked to show what I can do on my forehand. I think this has been a long time coming. I've come close to winning so many times so it feel amazing to finally win one."

Despite losing to Williams in the Quarterfinals, placing fifth overall, Steinriede had amassed enough points to clinch the world crown. Lindsay won the first of the two-event ASP Women's World Longboard Tour events in France earlier this year and came into China the woman to beat. Steinriede won the ASP Women's World Longboard Title when the last contender standing, Kassia Meador (California, USA), lost to young Hawaiian Kelia Moniz (HAW) in the Semifinals.

"I feel awesome!" Steinriede said. "I knew I didn't have control of the outcome so I was just letting it happen, and it just went my way so I'm really happy. One of the first things I came in and said to my husband after I lost was that I've had a lot worse things happen to me, I was just trying to stay positive. To be able to still be in the Title race was awesome and to actually win it, well it's just sinking in and I think I'm going to cry.

"I was devastated because I didn't want to leave it to chance, but I was more devastated because I didn't get that wave I wanted," Steinriede said. "My emotions are still up and down because I really wanted to be in the Final, but that's ok, I'll take the ASP World Title!"

Moniz finished 6th on the ASP Women's World Longboard Tour ratings after her 2nd place finish today. This is a breakout event for the 18-year-old Hawaiian who is already looking forward to the 2012 ASP Women's World Longboard Tour. She defeated Meador in the Semifinals to reach the final. She won US$4,000.

"It felt great to make the final, and beat Jen (Smith) and Kassia, that's a big accomplishment for me," Moniz said. "Then to surf with Chelsea in the final was great. As much as I wanted to win, there's always next year, I'm already looking forward to coming back here and to France. China has been amazing, the community and the event volunteers have been great, they've treated us like royalty and we're so grateful."

Meador finished equal 3rd in today's event, cementing her spot as runner-up to the ASP Women's World Title. Also 3rd was San Diego California Summer Romero, who lost to Williams.

"I feel great, I'm not much of a contest surfer so the fact that I came close to the ASP World Title is fantastic," Meador said. "I'm just stoked to be in China surfing with all the girls, and to lose to Kelia, there's not many people I'd rather lose to, she's like a little sister to me. It was such a fun heat, you do what you can and I fell short, but I'm so happy to make the finals. I'm so stoked that Chelsea won! She's always the in-form surfer at these events so it was due time that she won."

For more event info on the SWATCH Girls Pro China hosted by Wanning, photos, video highlights and your chance to win SWATCH Touch Eventwatches check out www.swatchgirlspro.com

For more information log on to www.aspworldtour.com
 
SWATCH GIRLS PRO CHINA RESULTS:

FINAL:
Chelsea Williams (AUS) 15.33 def. Kelia Moniz (HAW) 12.36

SEMIFINALS:
SF1: Chelsea Williams (AUS) 13.00 def. Summer Romero (USA) 8.40
SF2: Kelia Moniz (HAW) 10.90 def. Kassia Meador (USA) 9.75

QUARTERFINALS:
QF1: Summer Romero (USA) 12.00 def. Miku Uemura (HAW) 9.90
QF2: Chelsea Williams (AUS) 13.85 def. Lindsay Steinriede (USA) 9.25
QF3: Kelia Moniz (HAW) 10.25 def. Yuko Shimajiri (JPN) 6.75
QF4: Kassia Meador (USA) 12.40 def. Karina Abras (BRA) 7.10