COURTESY GRANT ELLIS/ASP WORLD TOUR
Megan Abubo, who has been ranked as high as No. 2, beat Australian Samantha Cornish yesterday.
Former world No. 2 Megan Abubo beat Samantha Cornish of Australia yesterday to win the women's division of the Figueira Pro in Portugal. Abubo bounces back
Star-Bulletin staff
Abubo, who last won a WCT evebt in Fiji in 2001, secured much needed confidence and ratings points by claiming her seventh major-event victory. Despite a poor start to the season, the 24-year-old turned her year around against Cornish in the 30-minute final. She began with two strong waves and ultimately led from the halfway mark, collecting $10,000.
COURTESY GRANT ELLIS/ASP WORLD TOUR
Megan Abubo earned $10,000 for winning the Figueira Pro yesterday.
"I'm so stoked," Abubo said. "It's been a hard week and the waves have been really small. To come down here and have this be the final day is a little disappointing, but it's a major confidence boost for me since I haven't been doing too well on tour this year.
Along with the winner's check, Abubo climbed into a tie with Keala Kennelly for eighth place on the points list.
"All that was playing on my mind was that if I win I can qualify (for next year's WCT)," Abubo said. "I've had such a horrible year until now. I've worked really hard, doing the whole World Qualifying Series (WQS) this summer in France and California. The more surfing I've been doing this year, the better a competitor I feel like I'm becoming. I just hope we get some swell for the next event in France. It'd be great to surf some heats with good waves."
Cornish, a WCT newcomer, secured her best result to date with a runner-up finish. The Australian surfed confidently all event, defeating current ratings leader Melanie Redman-Carr of Australia twice, including the semifinal match where she posted the highest three-wave total of the entire tournament for 21 points. Against Abubo in the final she earned the best single score of 7.5, but at the end the 21-year-old was still searching for another ride worth 5.76 points. Nonetheless, the result moved her all the way into equal fourth in the ratings.
"It was my first final and a good experience to surf against Megan. It's really boosted my ratings."
