Sport

Hodge excels at Midori Pro WQS event

8 April 2008

Rosanne Hodge charged into second place in the Association of Surfing Professionals World Qualifying Series women's rankings with an outstanding third place finish in the six-star-rated Midori Pro at Newcastle in Australia at the weekend.

Hodge advanced through three rounds of four-person heats to reach the quarter-finals. Facing Hawaiian veteran Megan Abubo in a one-on-one showdown, Hodge claimed the win to reach the last four.

She faced reigning ASP women's world whampion and the eventual contest winner Stephanie Gilmore in the semi-finals, where her excellent run ended.

Substantial points' haul
The East Londoner, who turns 21 in three weeks' time, earned a substantial haul of 1 825 ratings points for her excellent showing and also pocketed $2 000 which took her career prize-money over the $50 000 mark (approx R400 000 at the current exchange rate).

It was a welcome result for Hodge, who competed on the World Championship Tour in 2007, but after a year of mixed results was relegated to the World Qualifying Series. She was later promoted to the WCT when Chelsea Hedges fell pregnant and had to give up her place.

Barry Wolins of Hodge's sponsors, Quiksilver South Africa, was very pleased with her excellent results. "We are stoked for Rosy," he said. "She used her first year on the tour as a learning process, and she has done well to redress errors she might have made in the past.

High expectations
"She is training hard, working on her equipment, and getting her head in the right place. It is obviously paying off and we expect even bigger things from Rosy in the future."

Hodge is tied for second in the WQS with Alana Blanchard of Hawaii on 3 700 points. Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbons leads the way with 6 150 points.

On the premier ASP Women's World Tour, Hodge is tied for eleventh after a ninth place in the Roxy Pro Gold Coast and a ninth place at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.

Each season's Women's ASP World Tour seed list is made up of 17 surfers (the top-10 rated ASP World Tour surfers, the top-six rated WQS surfers, and 1 ASP Wildcard).

Hodge next heads for Margaret River to compete in the Drug Aware Pro Margaret River presented by O'Neill Australia.

Best result
She was not the only South African to fare well in the Midori Pro. At the same event, reigning ASP Africa pro champion Tarryn Chudleigh posted the best WQS result of her short career.

Starting in round one, the 17 year-old from Kommetjie left a trail of more established campaigners in her spray as she progressed through four rounds to the final 24 before being eliminated in equal 13th place overall.

Her effort earned her 1 125 ratings points and $800.

RESULTS
Final

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)

Semifinals

SF1: Gilmore def. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)
SF2: Fitzgibbons def. Alan Blanchard (HAW)

ASP World Qualifying Series Ratings

1. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 6 150 points

2. Alana Blanchard (HAW) 3 700

2. Rosanne Hodge (RSA) 3 700

4. Laurina McGrath (AUS) 3 690

5. Bruna Schmitz (BRA) 3 675

South Africans