USA Surfers Rule as Courtney Conlogue Wins ASP 6-Star Telstra Drug Aware Pro

USA Surfers Rule as Courtney Conlogue Wins ASP 6-Star Telstra Drug Aware Pro. Photo: Courtesy of ASP

MARGARET RIVER, Western Australia (Saturday April 9 2011) - A USA double win at Margaret River today when Courtney Conlogue (USA/Santa Ana/Orange County) won the Association of Surfing Professionals 6-Star rated Women’s Telstra Drug Aware Pro.

Her win culminated the event and backed up the earlier win by Damien Hobgood (USA/Florida) in the Men’s.

Conlogue defeated fellow USA surfer Sage Erickson in a see-sawing duel which saw Conlogue seal the final late with a strong 5.7 ride to go with her high scoring early ride of 7 (out of a possible 10) to take the final on 12.70 to Erickson’s 10.93.

“It’s been fantastic here and I’m so stoked to win and especially share the winner’s podium with Damien Hobgood – really special day for me,” said Conlogue who won $15 000 in prize-money!

“The next month is so busy for me, I head to Bells Beach straight away then onto New Zealand, Sydney and Brazil and I’m confident right now but really the next event I start from ground zero with Stephanie Gilmore and all the world’s best there – I’ve never surfed Bells before so I’m heading there straight away to work it out but after today I’ll go with confidence,” said the 18 year-old.

Sage Erickson was also thrilled with her second place today.

“I started slow last year and finished well and I came here aiming to get a good result that I can build my season around and that’s how it panned out – I love the place, such a cool event for the girls and how can I not be happy,” said Erickson.

Earlier in the day in the diminishing but clean small waves, Conlogue eliminated Australia’s Rebecca Woods in her semi final while Erickson disposed of local favourite Felicity Palmateer with the Australian pair finishing in equal 3rd place.

The sport’s biggest names across Men’s and Women’s will compete at event #2 on the World Title Tour, The Rip Curl Pro, which begins at Bells Beach, Victoria in just over a week’s time (April 19-30).

Finals Results – Telstra Drug Aware Pro PRIME Men’s and :
Men’s – Damien Hobgood 12.83 (USA) Def Yadin Nicol 6.94 (AUS)
Women’s Courtney Conlogue 12.70 (USA) Def Sage Erickson (USA)