2003 Bud Light World Championship of Women's Bodyboarding

World Championship of Women's Bodyboarding Trophy

14th Annual Bud Light World Championship of Women's Bodyboarding
In Memory of Don & Josie Over

March 26 ,2003 Pipeline, Oahu, USA - Australia's Stephanie Pettersen has done it once again, claiming the title at the 2003 Bud Light World Championship of Women's Bodyboarding. A well deserved victory for the Brazilian native. "I love getting barreled and that's why I love Pipeline, if I could surf here all day I would," said Pettersen after being announced victorious. This 2003 Pipeline victory will be added to her five previous wins at Pipeline but looked to feel just as gratifying as she raised her hands in triumph. The two days of competition were filled with the sixty women pushing themselves and each other to spin, roll, and aerial their way through three rounds, the quarters, semis and eventually the finale for a cut of the $10,000 prize purse.

Pipeline presented the ladies with challenging 8-10 foot waves which all competitors took advantage of to display superior maneuvers.

The quarter finals found Kira Llewellyn, last years Pipeline Champion, eliminated thus making room for Pettersen, who won the title in 2001, to snag it back.

Representatives from Japan, Australia, Canary Island, Hawaii and Brazil all put their best effort forward to make it through the quarters and onto the semi finals. Semi final two saw the ladies really laying it all out. Emilia Perry of Hawaii had a strong showing with her spin and roll combinations but was squeezed out by a narrow margin by Karla Costa Taylor and Daniela Freitas, who won the heat. Perry was very pleased with her performance, not expecting herself to make it so far. "It was so epic to finally have it to myself with nobody dropping in," she said.

In the end it was all Brazil advancing to the final heat with the exception of Pettersen from Australia. It featured Stephanie Pettersen, Neymara Carvalho, Karla Costa Taylor and Daniela Freitas. Freitas, Pipeline Champion in 2000, came all the way from the first round, even managing to top every heat she surfed until the final where she placed fourth.

If Pettersen continues to prevail the throne for the 2003 World Tour Champion could remain hers.

Check out the website at www.bodyboard.org for heat by heat breakdowns and photos.

2003 Hula Hoop Competition
Clara Feldman & Christine Donovan showed off their skills!