Lay Day delays Movistar Peru

LOBITOS, Piura/Peru — The Movistar Peru Classic presented by Rip Curl, Event No. 4 of 7 on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour, called a lay day Tuesday, with strong winds damaging the event site at Lobitos.

“With the event relocation from the populated town of Mancora to the desert of Lobitos, we have been faced with some climatic challenges overnight,” Richie Porta, ASP Women’s World Tour Head Judge, said in a press release from ASP. “Wind damage has affected the site structure and operations so with the forecast looking better for the days ahead, the contest is today postponed and we will check back in tomorrow at 7am for a possible start.”

Four Hawaiian surfers will be featured in the six heats, including Kaua‘i’s Alana Blanchard, who will be up against fellow Hawaiian Melanie Bartels. Coco Ho, coming off of her first ASP victory, will also be featured in the Round 1 heats.

Australia’s Amee Donohoe, 28, has withdrawn from the event due to injury. Her position will be filled by the Runner-Up from the Movistar Peru Classic Trials, which was scheduled to be finished by Tuesday.

Event organizers will reconvene today at 7 a.m. for a possible 7:30 a.m. start.

The Movistar Peru Classic presented by Rip Curl will host the ASP Top 17 from Nov. 3-8.

The event will be webcast live via www.aspworldtour.com.

For more information on this and other events, log onto www.aspworldtour.com.

MOVISTAR PERU CLASSIC ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Melanie Bartels (HAW), Rebecca Woods (AUS), Alana Blanchard (HAW)

Heat 2: Coco Ho (HAW), Paige Hareb (NZL), Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)

Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), TBA

Heat 4: Silvana Lima (BRA), Samantha Cornish (AUS), TBA

Heat 5: Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Jacqueline Silva (BRA), Megan Abubo (HAW)

Heat 6: Chelsea Hedges (AUS), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Bruna Schmitz (BRA)