Malia Manuel of Kauai won the Association of Surfing Professionals 6-Sat QS Hunter Ports Women’s Classic in Newcastle, Australia Sunday. She was joined by Matt Banting of Australia who claimed the ASP 6-Star Qualifying Series Burton Toyota Pro title along
Malia Manuel of Kauai won the Association of Surfing Professionals 6-Sat QS Hunter Ports Women’s Classic in Newcastle, Australia Sunday.
She was joined by Matt Banting of Australia who claimed the ASP 6-Star Qualifying Series Burton Toyota Pro title along with the Mark Richards trophy.
Coming from a third place finish at the ASP 6-Star Hurley Australian Open of Surfing in Manly, Australia, last week, the Kauai surfer defeated fellow Hawaii surfer Alessa Quizon in the final and Sage Erickson of the USA in the semifinals.
Manuel has been the standout surfer for the entire week in the Hunter Ports Women’s Classic, pushing her turns harder than the rest, states an ASP release.
During the semifinals, Manuel’s top two waves marked scores of 9.00 and 5.67 en route to her win over Erickson whose top wave came in at 5.00. Manuel advanced to face Quizon by 5.44 points, 14.67-9.23.
Facing Quizon in the finals, Manuel posted top scores of 7.83 and 7.17 over Quizon’s 6.23 and 6.00 to walk off with the trophy, 15.00-12.23.
“I didn’t come to Surfest last year, and I’m so glad I came back this year,” Manuel said. “I’m really happy to be back in Newcastle. I’m definitely more in love with life today than I was yesterday. I’m really excited to surf heats and to be back in Australia early for the start of the ASP season. I got second the last time I was here, so I know how it feels to be the bridesmaid, and it feels really good to step up.”
Quizon, who finished runner-up at Manly, was still upbeat over the results.
“I’m super excited that I made it to the final,” Quizon said. “At least I’m being consistent. I really want to do well in the WCT events and posting two results in the ASP 6-Stars takes the pressure off, so I don’t have to worry too much about re-qualifying. The Hawaiian girls are ripping. It’s usually the Australian girls winning all the events, so it’s good to have the Hawaiians stepping up and representing.”
With the win, Manuel takes her form into next week’s season-opening Samsung Galaxy ASP Women’s WCT event, the Roxy Pro Gold Coast.
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