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COMMONWEALTH BANK BEACHLEY CLASSIC: EVENT PREVIEW
Will another under-21 girl take the win when the world's best get back to work?
By:
Darlene Conolly
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September 25, 2009
500 visits
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It's been too long.
There hasn't been an ASP Women's World Tour event since last April when the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach concluded.
With Australia's mega money reservoir, Commonwealth Bank, signing on as title sponsor, this will be the fourth annual Beachley Classic, with a waiting period from September 30 through October 5. And it's still the richest event on tour, four years strong. |
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Not only does Layne put heart, soul, money and mind into making this event happen, but she competes in it too. While Layne is technically retired, she still has a seed in the Top 17 so she'll be donning a jersey along with the rest of the crew. Yet, what's ironic about this particular event is that no one over the age of 20 has ever won it -- the groms own it. Strange since Layne, the oldest surfer on tour, also happens to be the event's creator. And the statistics behind this event are a tad bizarre. "With five rookies on tour this year it is like we have a whole lot of wildcards."
-- Steph Gilmore
In the past three events, only Layne and Silvana Lima have managed to finish runner-up in the final. In 2006, a then 19-year-old Steph Gilmore took down Layne, winning the event as a wildcard -- she wasn't even on the World Tour yet. Then in '07, she took the win again after defeating Silvana. And then last year, in the spirit of Miss Gilmore, a new, completely obscure and unheard of wildcard dominated the entire event -- 14-year-old Tyler Wright. So that brings us to 2009. As the girls get back to work after their tremendously long vacation from the World Tour, it's hard not to wonder whether another youngster will rule the Beachley Classic. "With five rookies on tour this year it is like we have a whole lot of wildcards," said Steph. "Sure, wildcards are hard, but that is just a part of the challenge. If you want to win the event you have to push past all of the other 17 surfers. Layne Beachley will be tough. But saying that, all the girls will be a threat at this year's event. After such a long break, it will be interesting to see how everyone comes back." Could another under-21er take the win once again? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure -- if anyone is contemplating that exact question, you can bet it's Layne. From the five teenage rookies to wildcard Tyler, this year, more than any other in history, has plenty of groms to put your money on. "I've only just turned 15 so I still have nothing to lose and everything to gain," said Tyler. "I still have a lot to learn and having another opportunity like this is unbelievable. Since last year, I've grown at least a centimeter so hopefully I have a bit more power behind my turns." MORE WOMENS SURFLINE HOME PAGE |