2013 ASP Women’s Qualifying Season Culminates, 2014 ASP Top 17 Qualifiers Solidifying : ASP World Tour – The Association of Surfing Professionals

PANTIN, Spain (Monday, September 2, 2013) – With the completion of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 6-Star Pantin Classic Galicia Pro, won by Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), 18, the women’s qualification season has finished for 2013 with surfers advancing through to the elite ASP Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT) for 2014 beginning to solidify.

Malia Manuel (HAW), 20, finishes the 2013 ASP Women’s World rankings in the No. 1 spot.

The ASP Top 17, the world’s best female surfers, are comprised of the Top 10 finishers on the previous season’s ASP Women’s WCT rankings, the Top 6 finishers on the previous season’s ASP Women’s World rankings and one ASP wildcard.

Final 2013 ASP Women’s World Ranking Top 10:
1. Malia Manuel (HAW) *
2. Dimity Stoyle (AUS)
3. Courtney Conlogue (USA) * **
4. Alessa Quizon (HAW)
5. Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)
6. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) * **
7. Pauline Ado (FRA) * **
8. Paige Hareb (NZL) *
9. Johanne Defay (FRA)
10. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) * **
* Current ASP Top 17 surfer
** ASP Top 17 surfer currently qualifying via the ASP WCT rankings.

There are currently four new surfers slated to join the elite ASP Top 17 in 2014: Dimity Stoyle (AUS), Alessa Quizon (HAW), Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) and Johanne Defay (FRA). However, this can be altered depending on the final results on the 2013 ASP Women’s WCT rankings.

If Manuel and/or Hareb finish in the Top 10 on the ASP Women’s WCT rankings (without ousting any other double qualifiers), then Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) followed by Alizee Arnaud (FRA) will have the opportunity to join the women’s elite. The ASP WCT fate of Ado (should she fall outside the Top 10 and need to use her world ranking qualification) could also affect the qualification status of Defay.

The 2013 ASP WCT season has two events remaining: the Roxy Pro France in Hossegor from September 24 – 30 and the EDP Cascais Girls from in Portugal from October 3 – 7.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com