Hunter Ports Womens Classic-Finals Highlights

NEWCASTLE, NSW/Australia (Saturday, March 17, 2012) -- Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) has won the ASP 6-Star Hunter Ports Women's Classic over Malia Manuel (HAW) in 2 foot (1 meter) surf at Merewether beach, Newcastle today. The Final was a fairly one-sided affair with Fitzgibbons dominating the wave selection and execution, this is her 2nd ASP 6-Star win in a row after taking out the Australian Open in Manly in February.

Fitzgibbons, runner-up to the 2011 ASP Women's World Title has been a standout performer at Surfest all week, posting 4 of the top 10 single waves scores of the Hunter Ports Women's Classic. In today's Final Fitzgibbons was clinical in her attack, executing fins free turns, perfectly timed snaps and smooth carves.

Manuel started the day on a high by eliminating the reigning ASP Women's World Champion, Carissa Moore (HAW) in the Quarterfinals. In the Final however she was unable to find the open faced waves that offered up sections to execute the impressive moves she performed earlier in the day.

The Men's Burton Toyota Pro will finish tomorrow with competition expected to start at 7:30am. Newcastle's Surfest will run from 8 -- 18 March 2012. More info www.surfest.com

HUNTER PORTS WOMEN'S CLASSIC FINAL RESULT:

1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.70

2: Malia Manuel (HAW) 12.00

HUNTER PORTS WOMEN'S CLASSIC SEMIFINAL RESULTS:

SF 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 14.20 def. Sage Erickson (USA) 12.17

SF 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 15.04 def. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 15.00

HUNTER PORTS WOMEN'S CLASSIC QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:

QF 1: Sage Erickson (USA) 14.93, def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 12.93

QF 2: Malia Manuel (HAW) 11.66 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 11.17

QF 3: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.34 def. Alizee Arnaud (FRA) 10.37

QF 4: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 13.84 def. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 10.50

About the 2012 Surfest Newcastle Australia

The 2012 Surfest Newcastle Australia features the Burton Toyota Pro (Men's ASP 6-Star) and the Hunter Ports Women's Classic (Women's ASP 6-Star), along with eight supporting events. The event is made possible with the support of Burton Toyota, the Hunter Sports Group and the NSW Government through Destination NSW. Surfest Newcastle Australia is conducted over 12 days from March 7-18 at Merewether beach, a recognised Australian National Surfing Reserve. Merewether is home to festival patron and Australia's most accomplished men's world professional surfing champion, four-time ASP World Champion Mark Richards (1979-82) who presents the winner a trophy in his likeness. 2012 marks the festival's 27th year and with over 800 national and international competitors, Surfest Newcastle Australia is the largest festival of surfing in the southern hemisphere. Get up-to-the minute updates, photos and interviews, as well as the program of events at surfest.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.