Clark shines in Fiji surf
30 April 2003
Port Shepstone surfer Heather Clark surfed exceptionally well to finish second for the second consecutive year at the Roxy Pro held in Fiji. The event boasted the richest prize purse in the history of women's surfing - $70 800 - with Clark earning $6 600 for her outstanding performance. Hawaiian Keala Kennelly took first place in the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Championship Tournament (WCT).
Good 4-5 ft (1.5m) surf was on offer, though strong offshore winds persisted throughout the day. Pods of dolphins and even a deadly sea snake greeted the lineup as competition unfolded, with both Tavarua and Namotu Island staff out to watch the world's best women in action.
Kennelly, 24, lived up to her reputation as a fearless competitor in powerful reef breaks. Against South African Clark, the world number-four entered her first final since winning in Tahiti last year and displayed the same determination.
Despite a somewhat
anti-climatic 30-minute decider, since both contestants were out of position for many of the good waves, Kennelly made the most of what she found to create a lasting lead. By claiming victory the Kauaian moved into equal first position on the current ratings and received $10 600 prize money.
Clark earned the highest combined total of the day during her quarterfinal match with 16.5-points. Against Kennelly in the final, however, she struggled to find any good scores. The 31-year-old only required a ride worth 7.06-points but, as time elapsed, she ultimately sat waiting in vain.
"I was glad to be in a final with Keala," said Clark. "Especially in a good left (breaking wave). It wasn't great then, but I'm really stoked to have finished second. Last year I did the same, so you never want to
do worse than the previous year.”
"Next week we're in Tahiti and I just hope I don't get her in the early rounds, as she loves the barrel," she continued. "I was trying to get one
then, but was too deep and it just didn't happen. I'm still happy with
the result."
Equal third was WCT newcomer Sofia Mulanovich (Peru) and 2002 ASP 'Rookie of the Year' Chelsea Georgeson (Aus). Both 19-year-olds were standouts during the Roxy Pro, but had their runs stopped during the semifinals.
Georgeson, who equaled her best ever WCT result by reaching the semis, trailed the majority of her clash with Clark. The South African actually ended her run last year in the third round of the Roxy Pro, and once again she overcame the rising star with a commanding performance.
"I took the first wave in both sets and I think the second were better," said Georgeson. "I felt a little bit wobbly on a couple and just didn't get the right ones. Heather is surfing really well. I'm stoked though. I got fifth on the Gold Coast (first Roxy Pro this year in Australia) and wanted to better that, so I guess that happened and it's all good."
TOP 10 RANKINGS AFTER ROXY
PRO
1. Layne Beachley (Aus), Keala Kennelly (Haw)
3. Trudy Todd (Aus)
4. Sofia Mulanovich (Peru)
5. Jacqueline Silva (Brz), Chelsea Georgeson (Aus)
7. Heather Clark (RSA)
8. Lynette MacKenzie (Aus)
9. Samantha Cornish (Aus), Pauline Menczer (Aus)
(Source: ASP Africa)
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