Yvonne Byron : photo SurfingAustralia/Robertson

ASP Super Series Mens Event
ASP WQS 6 star Womens Event
Surfers Point, Margaret River
March 14 to 20, 2005

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, Saturday March 19, 2005 (Margaret River, Western Australia) Australian Yvonne Byron (Wollongong, NSW) today created a major upset by defeating six-time world champion Layne Beachley (Manly, NSW) to win the Prime rated 6-Star women's Bico Classic. Difficult 3ft (1m) conditions hosted the year's most important qualifying series event, with the Prime rated 6-Star Salomon Masters also completing its round of 48 this afternoon.

The 35-minute final began slowly for Byron, but the reigning Australian champion then picked off the decider's best ride for an 8-point score and surged ahead with another 6.93 midway through. A former World Championship Tour (WCT) surfer, Byron (then Rogencamp) has been absent from the scene since 1999 when she gave birth to the first of two children. The 28-year-old mother continued surfing however, and today proved her talent hasn't diminished any. The result pushes her to fifth on the current qualifying series ratings and has inspired a new campaign in hopes of rejoining the elite ranks.

"It hasn't sunk in yet," began Byron afterwards. "I won the Aussie titles last year, but I haven't really been competing much since 1999 when I was on the WCT. I haven't been talking about it, but my goal if I won today was to follow the rest of he tour this year, so I guess I'll be travelling again.

"I feel like my surfing in the past 12-months has actually been better than while I was on tour," she continued. "I sort of lost the passion for surfing before, but having it taken away from me while I was pregnant really made me really enjoy it again. I'm probably a more mature competitor now too.

Layne Beachley : photo SurfingAustralia/Robertson

"I knew that 8.0 wouldn't be enough, as you can never underestimate Layne," she added, in praise of her final opponent. "Until the hooter went I never thought I'd won it for a second."

For Beachley, the result marks her second runner-up finish at Margaret River from as many starts. Having charged into the final with a near-perfect 9.63 score in the semifinals, the 32-year-old was definitely odds on favourite. Unfortunately difficult conditions worked against her, and she was left needing a 7.94 score.

"The conditions were difficult to read in the final, and obviously it came down to whoever got the better waves," reasoned Beachley. "I started strong, but couldn't capitalize on the lead, while Yvonne got lucky and ripped the bag out of the wave she got. That's what won it for her.

"I'm the Western Australian bridesmaid," she joked, of her repeat result. "I've got to get over that eventually, so I guess it enforces the fact I have to come back next year and try again. It's been a great event and I'm really thrilled Bico have stepped up and provided so much support for women's surfing."

Trent Munro : photo SurfingAustralia/Robertson

Equal third in the Bico Classic were Australians Serena Brooke (Gold Coast, QLD) and Rebecca Woods (Copacabana, NSW). Brooke, a former world #2, has been plagued by injuries the past few seasons - including a serious cut to her eye while free-surfing prior to last year's event at Margaret River - but has turned her fortune around in the past 12-months. First she re-qualified for the elite ranks and today ensured another great result.

"I was basically out of rhythm," reasoned Brooke. "I didn't find any waves I could surf well on, and Layne caught that 9.63, so there wasn't much I could do. I'm a bit disappointed, but really happy to finish third too. After what happened with my eye last year I was a bit hesitant to come back here, but I'm the type of person who always tries to jump back on the horse. This is the only 6-Star in Australia, and Bico put on a really good event, so it's all good."

Finishing equal fifth this morning were Caroline Sarran (FRA), Kim Wooldridge (AUS), former world #2 Keala Kennelly (Kauai, HAW), and current World Championship Tour (WCT) ratings leader Megan Abubo (HAW). While international surfers flew from all corners of the globe, Australians ultimately dominated the final day of competition.

In the Salomon Masters, Australians Trent Munro (Scott's Head) and Richie Lovett (Manly) took out a couple of the big names, eliminating 2001 world champion CJ Hobgood (FL, USA) and current World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings leader Bobby Martinez (CA, USA). Munro opened with account with an 8.67, and later secured another 8.93 to seal his round of 24 berth tomorrow.

Russel Winter : photo SurfingAustralia/Robertson

"I basically took any wave that came to me," explained Munro. "You've got to give yourself a chance, and once I had those two eights I could relax. The prediction is for a bit more swell tomorrow, so I guess that's a present for making it through today."

2003 World Junior Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA) picked off the best waves to dominate his round of 48 clash over the UK's Russell Winter. The Brazilian locked in a 9.33 and another 8.33 for a convincing victory, while Winter edged out local West Australian Ry Craike in third position.

"I'm really stoked to be through another heat," said de Souza. "My board feels really good for these conditions. I found a couple of good waves, so was really lucky. There are a lot of points on offer in this contest, so every round is very important."

Troy Brooks (Gold Coast) held off strong challenges from fellow Australian opponents for a win. Former world #7 Kieren Perrow (Byron Bay) collected an 8.67 first ride, but was unable to match Brooks' combined tally, while Adrian Buchan (Avoca) finished a close third. Phil MacDonald (NSW) however, was unable to find any substantial scores. Perrow, a Salomon team rider,

Tom Whitaker : photo SurfingAustralia/Robertson

"It's just luck of the draw if you're in the right spot for the waves," said Perrow. "I got one good one, but then the other guys did too and put the pressure on. Stoked I was able to scrape through. I really wanted to make the last day, and am psyched to win."

South Africa's Travis Logie dominated the day's opening heat with the highest combined scores of the Salomon Masters so far, including a 9.5 and another 9.0 following some brilliant rides in the round of 96.

A special paddle out tribute took place for legendary West Australian photographer Kevin "Twiggy" Sharland, in conjunction with his funeral processions today at nearby Busselton. A minute's silence was also witnessed.

The 2005 Salomon Masters and Bico Classic is proudly sponsored by Salomon, westernaustralia.com, Bico Australia, Department of Sport & Recreation, Tooheys Extra Dry, Coca-Cola, SunSmart, Odyssey 2020, Telstra Country Wide, Jim Beam, 92.9 ninety two.nine, Fin Control Systems (FCS), Evans & Tate, Margarets Beach Resort, Margaret River Law and Tracks.

Congratulations Yvonne from the SCMT!