TGI Staff – In what undoubtedly was one of the most constructive, productive and united meetings in the history of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), the Board agreed to implement the following positive considerations, taking note of their global
TGI Staff –
In what undoubtedly was one of the most constructive, productive and united meetings in the history of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), the Board agreed to implement the following positive considerations, taking note of their global responsibilities in these extremely difficult and sensitive times and being aware of the concerns expressed by all its members Events, Surfers and Management.
The 2001 ASP men’s and women’s world champions will be crowned as scheduled in surfing’s ultimate proving-ground, Hawaii, after a unanimous decision by the full ASP Board yesterday.
The ASP Board of Directors, comprising Surfer Representatives, Event Representatives and ASP Management, was in full agreement to proceed with the year-end Hawaiian leg of the World Championship Tour (WCT) and World Qualifying Series (WQS).
“I’m really excited to finish the tour for the WQS at Haleiwa, the women’s WCT on Maui and the final WCT at Sunset Beach,” said ASP Hawaiian ExecutiveRandy Rarick. “Despite the shortened year it will only heighten level of competition on the North Shore.”
“The people of Hawaii were freaking out that we were going to pull out. We have the full support of the local council, government officials and the North Shore business community.”
The final event of the 2001 WCT, Rip Curl Cup at Sunset Beach, will decide the men’s World Champion, while the Billabong Girls at Honolua Bay on Maui will decide the women’s World Title.
The confirmation of both the crowning of world champions and the running of the Hawaiian Triple Crown of surfing was unanimously supported by the Board.
For the surfers, the decision places great importance on Hawaiian results, as surfers trying to qualify on both the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the WCT will each have one last opportunity to make the qualifying cut.
“The bottom line is, we all went into every event this year trying to win, to say otherwise is ludicrous,” said reigning world champion Sunny Garcia.
“I gave 110% every event, so where I end up this year is what I end up with.”
