The Final Stretch
Gearing Up for the 2004 World Title Clinch
by Catharine Lo

On Friday, November 12, the women’s surfing World Championship Tour moves to the North Shore of Oahu, standing by for the start of the prestigious Roxy Haleiwa Pro. Entering the second to last WCT event of the year, defending Roxy Pro winner and Peruvian phenomenon Sofia Mulanovich holds a tenuous 480-point lead over Hawaii’s Rochelle Ballard. Not only is Sofia looking to score back-to-back victories at Haleiwa, she also seeks to clinch the world title, which would be the first in history for a South American. Sofia has dominated the tour thus far, winning three WCT events so far, mastering the 6- to 8-foot beach break in southwest France, the hollow lefts of Tavarua, and the terrifying pits at Teahupoo.

But Sofia will face a serious challenge from Hawaii’s own Rochelle Ballard, who will have home court advantage at both Haleiwa and Honolua Bay, Maui, the site of the final WCT event. Rochelle has been hot on Sofia’s heels all year, surfing her way to three finals this year. Rochelle aims to be the first Hawaiian world champion since Margo Oberg in 1981. Brazilians Jacqueline Silva and Maria “Tita” Tavares, and Australia’s Chelsea Georgeson are still viable contenders, so it’s not over yet. Plus, it’s still a mathematical possibility for six-time world champion Layne Beachley, currently ranked 6th, to achieve her 7th world title, should she be able to win both events and the leaders fall in early rounds.

Last year, Haleiwa dished up some big, sloppy conditions, but the women remained resilient and put on a great show. This year, upgraded from a 6-star WQS to WCT status, the world-class, hefty right-hander will again test the mettle of the world’s 17 top-ranked women, as well as a wildcard who will be determined in an exciting 4-woman trials heat featuring 12-year-old superstar Carissa Moore of Honolulu, French national champion Caroline Sarran, New Zealand champion Lisa Hurunui, and South African up-and-comer Sophie Dodge. It’s anybody’s game as the big show comes to Hawaii, and the stakes are high, and somebody will go home as the new 2004 World Champion. Who will it be? Stay tuned for daily contest coverage straight from the North Shore.