Thursday was a “lay day” in the 2009 Rip Curl Women’s Pro presented by Ford Fiesta, as the waves at Rincon Point, Bells Beach, Australia, were too small for contest organizers to send the ladies out, according to a press
Thursday was a “lay day” in the 2009 Rip Curl Women’s Pro presented by Ford Fiesta, as the waves at Rincon Point, Bells Beach, Australia, were too small for contest organizers to send the ladies out, according to a press release.
Round 1 was completed earlier this week, and Hanalei’s Alana Blanchard, a rookie on the professional tour, had a second-place finish in her heat that means she safely advanced into Round 2.
She and the other best female surfers in the world started their official campaigns for the coveted Bell trophy in Australia.
The usual suspects turned up with their A games, as Steph Gilmore, Layne Beachley, and Sofia Mulanovich all carved their way to convincing victories.
The rookie class also delivered, as Sally Fitzgibbons and Blanchard found themselves advancing out of Round 1.
“It was actually pretty fun out there,” Blanchard stated shortly after her second-place finish to the Peruvian Mulanovich. “It was a bit weak out there, but it was consistent with some fun bowly sections.”
Surf-permitting, the contest was expected to resume Friday morning, and run through Saturday, April 18. Watch for an update in the Wednesday Surf’s Up page.