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TORQUAY, Victoria (Monday, September 1, 2013): Surfing Victoria would like to congratulate Nikki Van Dijk (18, Phillip Island) who last night claimed her first ASP 6-Star event, the Pantin Classic Galicia Pro, and has now qualified for the 2014 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour. She is the first ever Victorian Female to make the ASP Top 17 and will come up against the likes of Stephanie Gilmore (QLD/AUS) and Carissa Moore (HAW). Van Djik claimed the event against fellow Australian Dimity Stoyle (Sunshine Coast, QLD/AUS) in clean 4-5 foot surf at the iconic destination of Praia de Pantin.
Van Dijk let nothing get in the way of her win today, consistently posting scores in the excellent range including several 9-point-plus scoring waves. Battling the powerful offshore winds, Van Dijk displayed commitment and radical maneuvers on her backhand.
“I feel amazing, I’m so thankful for the support I’ve had, like my sister’s coming with me,” Van Dijk stated. “I’m so happy I’ve finally done it! I was so nervous about the whole rankings thing and it’s easy to get caught up in all that, so the previous event in France was a bit of a speed bump to my goal, but it kind of made me wake up and realize I could do it without worrying too much and just being myself.”
With this first place today in Pantin, Van Dijk officially joins the elite ASP Top 17 for next season, a goal she had set herself to achieve for a long time. Having had the opportunity to surf against the World’s Best as a wildcard, she will now have the opportunity to surf a whole season amongst top athletes of our sport.
“I definitely look up to Steph Gilmore, Carissa Moore, Sally Fitzgibbons and all of them,” Van Dijk admitted. “I cannot wait to surf against them again, I’ve been a wildcard in a couple of events but this time it’s for real!”
Van Dijk will finish in 5th on the overall Women’s World Rankings (depending on results from the final WCT events in France and Portugal).
Minister for Sport and Recreation, the Hon Hugh Delahunty, congratulated van Dijk on her success.
“On behalf of all Victorians, I would like to pass on my congratulations to Nikki for her outstanding achievement in winning the Pantin Classic Galicia Pro and securing a spot on the 2014 Women’s ASP World Tour.”
“Earlier this year, I was pleased to be able to announce Nikki’s wild card entry into the 2013 Rip Curl Pro, and am even happier to see the Victorian Government’s support of this event is creating opportunities for young Victorians to realise their dreams.”
Surfing Victoria CEO, Max Wells, was ecstatic with the news.
“On behalf of the whole Surfing Victoria family I would like to congratulate Nikki. She has been an inspiration to everyone in the Victorian surfing community and has proven to all young surfers that it is possible to achieve your dreams.”
“This is a great day for Victorian surfing and I have no doubt that all Victorians will be following her on the World Tour next year”
The 2013 Pantin Classic Galicia Pro is scheduled from August 27 – September 1, 2013 in Playa de Pantin, Galicia.
source: Surfing Victoria media release
PANTIN CLASSIC GALICIA PRO WOMEN’S FINAL RESULTS:
1- Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 16.23
2- Dimity Stoyle (AUS) 12.47
PANTIN CLASSIC GALICIA PRO WOMEN’S SEMI-FINALS RESULTS:
Heat 1: Dimity Stoyle (AUS) 15.07 def. Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 13.10
Heat 2: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 17.07 def. Alessa Quizon (HAW) 12.23
PANTIN CLASSIC GALICIA PRO WOMEN’S QUARTER-FINALS RESULTS:
Heat 1: Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 15.00 def. Georgia Fish (AUS) 12.20
Heat 2: Dimity Stoyle (AUS) 15.53 def. Johanne Defay (FRA) 15.10
Heat 3: Alessa Quizon (HAW) 16.90 def. Pauline Ado (FRA) 12.44
Heat 4: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 16.50 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 15.16
Links
- For all results, photos, video highlights, press releases and LIVE webcast, log on to aspeurope.com/pantin2013
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