International world tour surfers Bruna Schmitz (Brazil) and Paige Hareb (New Zealand) have arrived in Australia early to prepare for the upcoming ROXY PRO which will be staged on the southern end of the Gold Coast from February 27th to March 10th.
Both 19 year-olds posted the best results of their rookie seasons at last year's opening ASP Women's World Tour event. Though more experienced to take on the world's best this year, neither one is in any doubt how hard three time world and defending ROXY PRO champion Stephanie Gilmore (Tweed Heads, AUS) will be to beat at her home break.
World No.8 Hareb felt Gilmore's sting last year, eliminated by the two-time ROXY PRO champion from the semi-finals. New Zealand's Hareb finished equal third overall.
World No. 15 Schmitz also locked in her top result of 2009. The Brazilian beauty outpointed by Hareb in the quarterfinals to finish equal fifth.
ASP Women's World Tour Manager Brooke Farris says the 2010 ASP Women's World Tour is shaping up as the best ever. The stakes have never been higher with four of last year's five rookies re-qualifying for the 2010 tour and the entrance of former Roxy Pro runner-up Carissa Moore (Haw) into the elite ranks this year.
World no.4 Coco Ho (Haw) and world no. 5 Sally Fitzgibbons (Gerroa, AUS) enjoyed outstanding rookie seasons in 2009 and are sure to be biting at the heels of the top ranks this year.
Eighteen-year-old Fitzgibbons - who posted a second and three thirds in 2009 - was spotted ripping up the Gold Coast point waves of Burleigh Heads this week with picture perfect style. The surfing sensation appears to be in top form heading into the ROXY PRO.
2003 QUIKSILVER PRO champion Dean Morrison (Coolangatta, Aus) was also seen shredding up the reformed Snapper Rocks sand bank in preparation for the season-opening event on the ASP men's world tour commencing February 27th through to March 10th. 'Deano' Morrison will no doubt be looking to improve on his equal 33rd placing at last year Quiksilver Pro - the worst of his 2009 season - when he kick starts in 2010 campaign.
