The Roxy ASP Women’s World Longboard Championships (WWLC) got closer to the business end today after both Rounds 3 and 4 were wrapped up in same good two to three foot (0.5 to 1 meter) waves at La Cotes des Basques. From the 48 female longboarders who surfed in the event on Day 1, only eight remain in contention for the prestigious 2008 ASP Women’s World Longboard Title.

Jennifer Smith (USA), reigning ASP Women’s World Longboard Champion, put on a solid performance to defeat experienced surfer Kelly Nicely (USA) courtesy of the 14.75 point heat score (out of a possible 20) she posted in Heat 4 of Round 4, the highest total of the event thus far.

“I was pretty ive with my waves and I am stoked to get an 8.75 point ride (out of a possible 10)," Smith said. “I am supposed to surf against Kassia (Meador) next and she is my favorite surfer so it is really cool and will be a pleasure.”

Smith, 22, who confessed she was definitely aiming at a repeat this year, has won all encounters so far with her classical style and will now face Kassia Meador (USA) in Quarterfinal No. 2.

“We will both give everything we have to move further in the event," Smith said. “This is going to be a big heat and I cannot wait to paddle back out there and keep going.”

Meador, 25, bettered her 2007 ASP Roxy WWLC result when she advanced through to the Quarterfinals after defeating fellow American favorite and 2006 ASP Women’s World Longboard Champion Schuyler McFerran (USA). Meador, who will have to deal with the defending champion Smith when competition resumes, has been using great tactics and wave choices since the start of the 2008 edition and will be the outsider in Quarterfinal No. 2.

“I am super stoked to win this one because Schuyler McFerran (USA) is such an amazing surfer," Meador said. “I will take heat by heat from now on but I am really excited to keep going in the event. I am really happy with that heat.”

Meador, who lost to McFerran last year in the same round, had a revenge to take over the Californian favorite.

“It is crazy because last year I lost to her in Round 4 and I really tried not to think about it and stay cool," Meador said. “I really tried not to get nervous during the heat and it ends up perfectly.”

Justine Dupont (FRA), ASP Women’s World Longboard Tour No. 2 in 2007 for her first appearance ever in a professional longboarding event, was another of today’s standouts. Dupont, 16, managed to get away with another solid win over fellow French surfer and former ASP Women’s World Tour No. 3 Claire Karabatsos (FRA) in Round 4.

“I am very happy to get through to the quarters but I did not get enough good waves to really show my surf," Dupont said. “I was very relaxed, maybe too much, at the beginning of the heat so I lost time and I will have to be more dynamic.”

Dupont, who orginally comes from Lacanau two hours up North from Biarritz, stands as France’s favorite towards a possible first ever French ASP World title but will have to better Smith in a remake of the 2007 final. She is the last French representative in the event.

“I will give my best from the start to the end in the quarters," Dupont said. “I will have to take the lead early enough and stay relaxed but I am really looking forward to surfing again in this contest.”

Rachel Barry (USA), Joy Monahan (HAW) and Leah Dawson (USA) also advanced through to the Quarterfinals today.

The Roxy ASP Women’s World Longboard Championships will be on hold until Tuesday, July 15, 2008 and leave the ASP Grade-2 Roxy Pro Junior competitors get things going tomorrow Monday, July 14, at 8.30 AM (GMT+1).

UPCOMING QUARTERFINALS
Heat 1: Rachel Barry (USA) Vs Joy Monahan (HAW)
Heat 2: Kassia Meador (USA) Vs Jennifer Smith (USA)
Heat 3: Justine Dupont (FRA) Vs Leah Dawson (USA)
Heat 4: Chelsea Williams (AUS) Vs Julie Cox (USA)

ROUND 4 RESULTS
Heat 1: Rachel Barry (USA) 10.75 pts Def. Isabelle Braly (AUS) 7.75 pts
Heat 2: Joy Monahan (HAW) 13.75 pts Def. Yuko Shimajiri (JPN) 4.80 pts
Heat 3: Kassia Meador (USA) 10.00 pts Def. Schuyler McFerran (USA) 7.15 pts
Heat 4: Jennifer Smith (USA) 14.75 pts Def. Kaitlin Maguire (USA) 11.25 pts
Heat 5: Justine Dupont (FRA) 11.50 pts Def. Claire Karabatsos (FRA) 5.55 pts
Heat 6: Leah Dawson (USA) 11.00 pts Def. Jennifer Flannigan (USA) 6.95 pts
Heat 7: Chelsea Williams (AUS) 13.00 pts Def. Miku Uemura (HAW) 7.45 pts
Heat 8: Julie Cox (USA) 5.40 pts Def. Claire Dereux (FRA) 4.95 pts