http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLMrgYUccqHraG19j0IIujMf8szqJDfcVb&v=_X3iRp-W7yg&feature=player_detailpage
Australian Nikki Van Dijk 18, has won the Pantin Classic Galicia Pro, the final stop on the 2013 ASP Women’s Qualifying Series.
The Victorian surfer claimed her first 6-star event at the end of an exciting final against fellow Australian Dimity Stoyle 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, consistently posting scores in the ‘excellent’ range including several 9+ waves. Battling the powerful offshore winds, Van Dijk displayed commitment and radical manoeuvres on her backside.
‘I feel amazing. I’m so thankful for the support I’ve had, such as my sister’s coming with me,’ said Van Dijk. ‘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 realise I could do it without worrying too much and just being myself.’
With this first place on Sunday 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, Sally and all of them,’ she said. ‘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!’
Fellow Aussie Dimity Stoyle, 21, took runner-up and an overall second place on the World Rankings for 2013, a result that automatically qualifies her for the World Championship Tour as well.
After winning a 6-star event in February, Stoyle had a consistent season and punctuated with an excellent second place today in Galicia.
‘I’m so excited. It’s been a busy year and to finish the last event of the year with a final is so great,’ said Stoyle. ‘I got my first-ever win in Newcastle earlier this year and I had to finish it off. Spain is beautiful. I’m so happy and I can’t wait for next year. The waves were great today. We definitely scored the best conditions of the event.’
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 SEMIFINALS 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
PANTIN CLASSIC GALICIA PRO WOMEN’S ROUND OF 12 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 14.97, Dimity Stoyle (AUS) 13.33, Laura Enever (AUS) 10.07 Heat 2: Johanne Defay (FRA) 14.06, Georgia Fish (AUS) 12.27, Alizé Arnaud (FRA) 9.43 Heat 3: Pauline Ado (FRA) 17.73, Malia Manuel (HAW) 14.57, Felicity Palmateer (AUS) 14.53 Heat 4: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 15.10, Alessa Quizon (HAW) 11.76, Justine Dupont (FRA) 11.37