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\nCurrent ASP World number 1 Melanie Redman-Carr (WA) won the Roxy Pro presented by Samsung title at Duranbah earlier in the year.<\/p>\n
Billabong Girls Pro Brazil
\nPraia da Tiririca, Itacar\u00e9, Bahia-Brazil
\nAug 21-28, 2006<\/p>\n
\nCurrent ASP World number 1 Melanie Redman-Carr (WA) won the Roxy Pro presented by Samsung title at Duranbah earlier in the year.<\/p>\n
COOLANGATTA, Australia (August 15, 2006) \u0096Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) may be three for three this season, but she\u0092s also had three long months to dwell on the fact that seventeen other combatants, former six-time world champ Layne Beachley (AUS) among them, are eager to see her bow out early in the upcoming Billabong Girls Pro Brazil.Running at Pria de Itacar\u00e9 in Bahia, Brazil from August 21-28, 2006, the Billabong Girls Pro Brazil is the fourth of eight events on the 2006 ASP Women\u0092s World Tour and the first elite-tour tournament since May.<\/p>\n
If Redman-Carr is feeling any kind of pressure to extend her ratings lead and ultimately win her first world title (nine years after first qualifying for the ASP Women\u0092s World Tour) she\u0092s not showing it. <\/p>\n
\u0093This feels very good,\u0094 Redman-Carr says of her current undefeated status. \u0093I am proud of myself and looking forward to the upcoming events. I\u0092ve been surfing lots of different types of breaks as well as walking , jogging and doing yoga and I\u0092m really looking forward to Brazil \u0096 the weather, the fresh exotic fruits and the exuberance of the people.\u0094<\/p>\n
The event marks the ASP Women\u0092s World Tour\u0092s triumphant return to South America after a six-year absence. Though this is the eighth time the tour will visit Brazil, this is the first time the event will be held in a location other than Rio de Janeiro. Brazilians Jacqueline Silva and Silvana Lima as well as Peruvian Sofia Mulanovich could have the upper hand.<\/p>\n
\u0093I think Jacqueline, Silvana and Sofia will be the biggest threats there,\u0094 Redman-Carr said. \u0093They\u0092re all very at home in South American surf and are fired up to win the first event over there in years.\u0094<\/p>\n
Redman-Carr makes no mention of Beachley, though the current world No. 2 (who came runner-up to Redman-Carr in Australia and Fiji and finished third in Tahiti) is currently her closest competition. Both surfers are tour veterans asserting that, despite an abundance of raw talent displayed by the up-and-comers, experience and competitive savvy are an asset on tour.<\/p>\n
“This three month break has given Mel plenty of time to psyche up and prepare for the remainder of the season,\u0094 Beachley, who is currently organizing an ASP Women\u0092s World Tour event of her own, said. \u0093But there are still five events to go and with two good results in the following events in Brazil and France, I know I can put a lot more pressure on her leading into Sydney and Hawaii. The season if far from over!”<\/p>\n
The women will travel to France immediately following the Billabong Girls Pro Brazil and then head to Beachley\u0092s Sydney event in October.<\/p>\n
“Working on the Havaianas Beachley Classic has impaired my preparation somewhat but saying that, I am still feeling very confident and thrilled to be going back to my ‘real’ job, Beachley said. “I am really looking forward to travelling back to Brazil, it has been about five or six years since we competed in Rio, but we are now chartering new waters this year. The women have never competed in an event in Itacar\u00e9 and I hear it is absolutely beautiful. I am also excited about escaping the Sydney winter and heading somewhere warm!\u0094 <\/p>\n
The Billabong Girls Pro Brazil will follow a five-star World Qualifying Series (WQS) event running at the same location from August 17-20. Many of the elite-tour surfers will contest the qualifying series contest to get back in the swing of things.<\/p>\n
Read on for a complete list of FAST FACTS on the Billabong Girls Pro Brazil:<\/p>\n
WHAT
\nThe Billabong Girls Pro in Brazil is event four of eight on the 2006 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Women\u0092s World Tour. It is also the first women\u0092s World Championship Tour (WCT) event to be held in Brazil since 1999.\t<\/p>\n
The stand-alone women\u0092s world tour was separated from the men\u0092s in 2001 and currently features eight top tier events around the world.<\/p>\n
2006 will be the maiden year of the Billabong Girls Pro in Brazil. The Billabong Girls Pro also incorporates a five star World Qualifying Series (WQS) event, held from August 17-20th at the same location. <\/p>\n
WHEN
\nThe Billabong Girls Pro five star WQS will run August 17th-20th 2006.\tThe Billabong Girls Pro World Championship Tour event will run from August 21st-28th 2006. <\/p>\n
WHERE
\n Itacar\u00e9 is located in the cocoa zone of the state of Bahia, south of Salvador, 70 km north of Ilh\u00e9us. It is in Itacar\u00e9 that the Contas River, which comes from the Chapada Diamantina, meets the ocean. <\/p>\n
Bahia is in the north of Brazil, approximately a 1.5-hour flight from Sao Paulo. Praia (Beach) da Tiririca is a small beach of about 80m in length with a fresh water stream running directly from the forest into the ocean.<\/p>\n
Itacar\u00e9 is situated in a region of the Bahian coast where the continental shelf shrinks to a mere 8 miles from shore (a mere \u0093what\u0094 8 miles from shore), allowing the arrival of ocean waves on the coast with consistency, good impact and unbeatable force.<\/p>\n
Surfing in Brazil is not a pastime but a lifestyle, with passionate spectators flocking to the area to support the best surfers in the world. Surfing is the fifth largest sport in Brazil, a country with a population of over 186 million people.<\/p>\n
During the winter, from June to September, Itacar\u00e9 receives successive cold fronts generating consistent swells between 1-3m (3 to 9 feet). During this time period, rain keeps the temperature around 19 and 24 Celsius degrees (66 to 75 Fahrenheit). In these months, Itacar\u00e9 becomes an authentic surf city attracting surfers from all over Brazil.<\/p>\n
GETTING THERE
\nThe nearest domestic airport to Itacar\u00e9 is at Ilh\u00e9us (IOS) and the closest international one is in Salvador (SSA). It is served by most major international air companies. There are daily flights to Ilh\u00e9us from Salvador and S\u00e3o Paulo by the Brazilian companies. <\/p>\n
To get there by land, there is a new paved road (BA-001) that directly links Ilh\u00e9us to Itacar\u00e9 following the coastline. The event will provide shuttle bus to athletes and press. At Ilh\u00e9us airport, it is possible to rent a car or get a taxi to Itacar\u00e9. There are also buses leaving daily from Ilh\u00e9us, from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The ticket costs about R$7 and takes 1h 40mins.<\/p>\n
WHERE TO STAY
\n In Itacar\u00e9 there are many alternatives for lodging, staying at luxurious hotels and resorts, in rooms and bungalows with ocean views and at simpler inns. Another alternative is the variety of houses for rent of diverse sizes. All these locations are very close to the beach by walk, bike or car. The prices per day vary from R$1000 (US$400) to R$ 50 (US$20) at the hotels and around R$20 (US$8) at camps. <\/p>\n
NIGHTLIFE
\nItacar\u00e9 has a lot of restaurants and bars serving many kinds of drinks and excellent food. All of them are very cheap, around R$ 50 to R$ 15. There are 35 restaurants of typical Bahian food, fish, seafood and classic western food, 12 beach bars serving appetizers, 7 pizza bars, 15 fast food restaurants and 9 night bars with live music, DJ\u0092s and capoeira shows around the city. <\/p>\n
PRIZEMONEY
\n US$67,500 total. 1st place receives US$10,000 and 1,200 WCT points.<\/p>\n
FORMAT
\n Six three-woman non-elimination round one heats, with 1st and 2nd progressing to Rd 3. Third placed surfer in round two is eliminated. Round three onwards feature woman-on-woman elimination heats.<\/p>\n
FIELD
\nThe Billabong Girls Pro Brazil will feature the world\u0092s top 17 full-time female touring professional surfers. A full list of all the WCT women\u0092s profiles are available on www.aspworldtour.com.<\/p>\n
FAVORITES
\nWCT Ratings Leader Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS): Melanie Redman-Carr may be soft-spoken, but her surfing speaks volumes. And it approaches downright deafening when the swell jacks up to be double overhead. Redman-Carr really comes into her own in the powerful swells in Hawaii and Fiji, courtesy of hours logged in surfing heavy West Australian waters back home. But don’t underestimate her in any conditions, this veteran has a decade\u0092s worth of top tour experience to draw from<\/p>\n
So far in 2006, Redman-Carr has won three from three events on the ASP Women\u0092s World Tour, currently holding a staggering 900-point lead over her closest rival Layne Beachley (AUS). Seemingly destined to make 2006 her world title year, the usual favorites will have to stop the unsponsored Redman-Carr at the Billabong Girls Pro Brazil before the title is stitched up. <\/p>\n
Defending World Champion Chelsea Georgeson (AUS): Chelsea Georgeson, the always grinning goofy-footer from the Gold Coast of Australia was destined to become a world champion from a young age. And in 2005 her destiny became a reality. Her amazing attitude, athletic prowess and glaring passion for her chosen profession are just a few reasons why Mrs. Georgeson is more than deserving of the sport’s highest honor. <\/p>\n
“Chels” might emanate an easy-going grace and carefree attitude, but there\u0092s nothing laid back about the focus, drive and talent she exudes in the lineup. Morphing from the gifted grom who caught the eye of four-time world champion Lisa Andersen while she was scratching into shorebeaks at Avalon in Sydney, to female surfing\u0092s newest superstar, 22-year-old Georgeson\u0092s domination of the sport has only just begun. <\/p>\n
The Brazilian Rookie Silvana Lima: At 22, this progressive regular-foot from Sao Paulo, Brazil is being touted a serious world title threat, and for good reason. Announcing her arrival with a staggering victory at the 2005 Body Glove Surfabout at Trestles in California, Lima linked together enough results to find herself sitting at No. 6 on the World Qualifying Series at year’s end – a feat that has found her on the 2006 ASP Women’s World Tour. <\/p>\n
Despite inexperience at the elite level, Silvana scored a perfect 10 on her first-ever top tour wave as a wildcard at the Billabong Pro Maui last December. Boasting an aggressive style of surfing on par with the power and speed of most men, watch Silvana to score big once she gains experience in the big league. <\/p>\n
HISTORY OF THE ASP WOMEN\u0092S WORLD TOUR IN BRAZIL
\n1977: Waimea Pro – Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [Winner: Margo Oberg (AUS) \/ Prize Money: US$1,500]
\n1992: Alternativa Surf International – Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [Winner: Wendy Botha (ZAF) \/ Prize Money: US$20,000]
\n1993: Alternativa Surf International – Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, [Winner: Neridah Falconer \/ Prize Money: US$25,000]
\n1994: Alternativa Surf International – Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [Winner: Pauline Menczer (AUS) \/ Prize Money: US$25,000]
\n1997: Kaiser Summer Surf – Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [Winner: Pauline Menczer (AUS) \/ Prize Money: US$30,000]
\n1998: Marathon Surf International – Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [Winner: Pauline Menczer (AUS) \/ Prize Money: US$40,000]
\n1999: Marathon Surf International – Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [Winner: Andrea Lopes (BRA) \/ Prize Money: US$30,000]
\n2006: Billabong Girls Pro Brazil, Praia da Tiririca, Itacare, Bahia, Brazil, [Winner: TBD \/ Prize Money: US$67,500]<\/p>\n
LIVE WEBCAST
\nOn www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com each day of the event featuring various camera angles, highlights and replays, weather and scoring information, direct viewer interaction, celebrity guests, interviews and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Billabong Girls Pro Brazil Praia da Tiririca, Itacar\u00e9, Bahia-Brazil Aug 21-28, 2006 Current ASP World number 1 Melanie Redman-Carr (WA) won the Roxy Pro presented by Samsung title at Duranbah earlier in the year. COOLANGATTA, Australia (August 15, 2006) \u0096Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) may be three for three this season, but she\u0092s also had three long … Continue reading “REDMAN-CARR THE GAL TO BEAT AT THE BILLABONG GIRLS PRO BRAZIL”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[24],"class_list":["post-13504","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-asp-surfing-news","tag-surfing-news-archive"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saltwater-dreaming.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13504","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saltwater-dreaming.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saltwater-dreaming.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saltwater-dreaming.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saltwater-dreaming.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13504"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.saltwater-dreaming.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13504\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saltwater-dreaming.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13504"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saltwater-dreaming.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13504"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saltwater-dreaming.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13504"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}