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SURF NEWS PHOTOS FIFTY-FIVE HUNDRED MILES TO VICTORY
WOMEN JEN SMITH WINS 2009 ROXY JAM BIARRITZ
July 14, 2009
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If anyone doubted that Jen Smith could win a second ASP Longboard World Title, it was Jen herself. Though, a little bit of reaffirmation in the form of a $5,000 prize and a giant, shiny silver cup was all it took to remind the 23-year-old that she's still the best female longboarder in the world.
 
"I had no expectations this year as I had not won an event in months, maybe a year," admitted Jen. "I came over here to give my best and see what happens, and I made the final and won it. It's just so good to get a second one. I am going to celebrate with all my best friends that are here tonight and fly back home tomorrow."
Meanwhile, the rest of the world -- and especially her competition -- knew they'd be dumb to underestimate the San Diego native. So after a quick 5,500-mile jaunt from her home in California to the Roxy Jam in Biarritz, Jen faced an international mix of talented, young ladies who were all prepared to do anything to win. Chelsea Williams of Australia took a good shot at Jen in the Semifinals but being the wave magnet she is, Jen managed to find a wave that would give her a near-perfect score of 9.25. "It is very disappointing not to make it through," said Chelsea. "I didn't get the opportunity to score and that nine-pointer was the turning point. I didn't feel like it was going to happen for me."
"I had no expectations this year as I had not won an event in months, maybe a year...To win a second world title is just unbelievable."
-- Jen Smith
Twenty one-year-old Coline Menard of Reunion Island defeated fellow French surfer, Justine Dupont in the other Semifinal, pushing Coline into the final where she became the second French representative to make the final of the international event after Justine finished runner-up in 2007. "I am very disappointed with my performance and I didn't enjoy my time out there," said Justine. "I made a first mistake and let the bomb go while Coline was paddling into it. Then I waited for a good wave which came but I fell on the second turn and that was it."

Perhaps it was the four months Coline spent competing in contests around Australia that did the trick. She admits she didn't have any big results in the contests but it seemed to boost her confidence for this event in her home country. "Making the final is a dream come true for me," Coline said. "Everything went my way except for the final where I didn't really get the waves, but Jennifer was the best and she deserves to win."

While the local crowd was surely rooting for Coline in the final, Jen delivered the wave scores to take the win. "To win a second world title is just unbelievable," said Jen. "Once I made the final, I was definitely looking for the second title for sure."

ROXY JAM BIARRITZ FINAL
1. Jennifer Smith (USA) 12.25
2. Coline Menard (REU) 9.55

SEMIFINALS
Heat 1: Coline Menard (REU) 11.75, Def. Justine Dupont (FRA) 9.15
Heat 2: Jennifer Smith (USA) 15.25, Def. Chelsea Williams (AUS) 13.25
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