WANNING, Hainan/China (Thursday, January 15, 2015) – A strong field of 72 of the world’s best female surfers have arrived in China for the first women’s Qualifying Series (QS) event of 2015, the Samsung Galaxy Hainan Pro presented by Wanning. The lefthand point break at Riyue Bay saw the men’s and women’s World Longboard Champions crowned last month and this week will once again be on the world stage as the athletes fight for the first QS6000 win of the season and the lead in the 2015 World Championship Tour (WCT) qualification race.
Pauline Ado (FRA) is looking to start 2015 with a solid showing at the Samsung Galaxy Hainan Pro in the hopes of re-claiming a spot among the elite Top 17 on the women’s WCT for next season. Ado narrowly missed out on re-qualifying at the end of last season and is fired up for a solid 2015 campaign.
“I’m very excited to be here for a new event in China, surfing is so new here,” Ado said. “I’ve been here before and I know the waves get really good so I’m looking forward to getting started. It’s such a different place and culture I know everyone is excited to be here and the surf should get really good in the next few days so it will be a great start to the year.”
Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) will be using the Samsung Galaxy Hainan Pro to prepare for her rookie season as a full-time member of the WCT. As a goofy-footer Weston-Webb is excited to tackle China’s long left-handers to showcase her full repertoire.
“2015 feels like it’s going to be a good year and I’m excited to start my campaign in China,” Weston-Webb said. “I decided I was going to do this event because I love to compete and when I heard there was a contest in China I knew I had to come. If I get a good start to the year it will be good for my confidence and I’m really excited to see this wave fire up.”
Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) is one of the few competitors to have surfed Riyue Bay in the past and will be looking to use her experience to her advantage.
“I’ve actually been to Hainan Island once before for an event a few years ago — it’s a beautiful little area and definitely a different kind of country to visit especially for surfing,” Van Dijk said. “I remember it being a fun left point, so hopefully we get some swell this year. The Samsung Galaxy Hainan Pro is a super important event being the first one of the year, everyone wants a positive start to their year and are hungry for the win.”
