In an all-Australian final at Leblon (Brazil) Rip Curl Team Rider Jessi Miley-Dyer won the final event on the 2009 ASP Women's World Qualifying Series (WQS), the Rio Surf Pro defeating 17-year-old Laura Enever.
Miley-Dyer's victory secured her second place on the 2009 ASP Women's WQS Final ratings guaranteeing her place on the 2010 ASP Women's World Tour.
The Rio Surf Pro ran in good 3-4 foot waves and Miley-Dyer started the heat off with a 6-point wave (out of a possible 10) whilst Enever waited for a set-wave. Miley-Dyer dominated the final, as Enever was only able to score a 4.17-point ride in the first half of the heat.
With 10 minutes in the heat remaining Miley-Dyer scored an 8.33 for three solid turns on a wave, leaving Enever in need of a combination score of two waves to win the final.
Enever managed to get one more wave (2.67 points) but with a low combined total score of 6.84 points (out a possible of 20), she finished in second place and Miley-Dyer claimed the Rio Surf Pro title on a total 14.33 points.
"I'm very happy because I haven't won a contest for a long time! The last time was in Peru, so I think I must be lucky in South America," said Jessi Miley-Dyer. "I'm not going well in the ASP Women's World Tour this year, so I needed to run the WQS to confirm my position in 2010," said Miley-Dyer.
"It has been a difficult week with no waves, but then to score big waves for two days in a row was nice. I just want to celebrate now!" continued Miley Dyer.
Equal third place in the Rio Surf Pro went to Rip Curl Team Rider and Hawaiian Bethany Hamilton, who scored the best wave of the entire event with 9.33 points, and French surfer Lee-Ann Curren.
"It was a good result for me. I'm happy in general, but I really wanted to make the final here to have the chance to qualify for the ASP Women's World Tour next year. I've had a good year and next year I will give it everything. I have enjoyed it here a lot, it's a wonderful city and the waves have been really good for the last couple of days of competition," said Hamilton.
Rip Curl congratulates Jessi Miley-Dyer on her win in Brazil and her qualification for the 2010 ASP Women's World Tour, as well as Bethany Hamilton's third place in the event!
