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BILLABONG WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Jessi Miley-Dyer claims world title

"I’m a Sydney girl through and through so I’m just so stoked to win [here]"

jeudi 5 janvier 2006 – Information World Surf League

Jessi Miley-Dyer was one ecstatic lady today after she became the inaugural winner of the Billabong World Junior Championships women’s division held at Narrabeen Beach, Australia. The proud Australian goofyfooter blitzed the field early in the event and then went on to claim the final against good friend and fellow Bronte Beach, Sydney stablemate Nicola Atherton 14.00 out of 20 to 12.40.


Held in wind-affected one metre (three foot) conditions, Miley-Dyer shot off to an early lead with two solid rides but toward the end found it difficult to consolidate on the lead as Atherton scored an 8.0 and edged back into contention.

In the dying seconds Atherton clambered onto a wave that looked like it could potentially allow her to score the 5.83 that she needed to take the lead and as the heat ticked down the crowd was on its feet.

The judges lodged the score - a 4.23 out of 10 - and it wasn’t enough. Miley-Dyer was announced as being the new world champion.

Miley-Dyer beamed after the final as she was immediately swamped by well wishing family, friends and media.

“I got my two best waves earlier in the heat and then she scored an 8.0,” said Miley-Dyer. I was so nervous because she’s a very good surfer and she was very capable of getting the score that she needed. I was just sitting out there willing the ocean to go flat. And in the end I was paddling around just trying to keep her off waves. It’s bad thing to do but it had to be done and... well it was worth it !”

The win was made extra special by the fact that Miley-Dyer was surfing with one of her good friends in Atherton and, being a local Sydney girl, she was able to compete in front of a mass of family and friends.

“Nicola and I have grown up together at Bronte Beach,” she said while trying to catch her breath, “It was so great to surf against Nicola and to share that experience with her. I’m a Sydney girl through and through and I had all my family, aunties, uncles and friends down here watching me so I’m just so stoked to win it in front of them.”

Atherton was extremely gracious in defeat and gave Miley-Dyer some big raps. She also wished her well on her first year as an ASP Women’s World Tour competitor (Miley-Dyer qualified for the elite tour in 2005 after competing on the ASP’s second tier tour, the World Qualifying Series).

“Jessi is a fantastic surfer and I knew coming into this she would be the one to beat,” she said. “Full credit to her. She’s the best competitor here and she’s a deserved world champion. It’s a fantastic launching pad for her career.”

Atherton, who claimed a major scalp in the quarter-finals when she defeated Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), showed signs of disappointment but was still very pleased with her result. The experience was a learning curve and she will no doubt be back in winner’s circles very soon.

“I’m happy but at the same time a bit disappointed,” said Atherton. “To take out someone of the likes of Stephanie Gilmore and then not win was a downer but really to get this result is all good. It was a great learning experience for me. It was the first time I’d surfed in a format like that of the world championship tour. You have to lose sometimes before you can win.”

• Girls Results

Semi Finals
– Semi 1 : Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 16.16 def Nikita Robb (ZAF) 9.84
– Semi 2 : Nicola Atherton (AUS) 9.83 def Mizuki Hagiwara (JPN) 7.73

Final
– Miley-Dyer 14.00 def Atherton 12.40

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