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Jessi Miley-Dyer is Billabong champion
by George Mojo
18/01/2006:// Goofyfooter Jessi Miley-Dyer step into the limelight after becoming the inaugural winner of the Billabong World Junior Women's Championships in Australia.
Miley-Dyer blitzed the field early in the event and then went on to claim the final at Narrabeen Beach, in Sydney against good friend and fellow Aussie Nicola Atherton by less than two points.
Held in wind-affected three foot surf, Miley-Dyer shot off to an early lead with two solid rides but towards the end found it difficult to consolidate on the lead as Atherton scored an 8.0 and edged back into contention.
In the dying seconds, Atherton clambered onto a wave that looked like it could potentially allow her to score the 5.83 that she needed to take the lead but the judges score of 4.23 out of 10 wasn't enough. Miley-Dyer took her first ever world title.
"I got my two best waves earlier in the heat and then she scored an 8.0," said Miley-Dyer. "I was so nervous because she's a very good surfer and she was very capable of getting the score that she needed. I was just sitting out there willing the ocean to go flat. And in the end I was paddling around just trying to keep her off waves. It's bad thing to do but it had to be done and… well it was worth it!"
Atherton was extremely gracious in defeat and wished Miley-Dyer all the best for this year's ASP Women's World Tour.
"Jessi is a fantastic surfer and I knew coming into this she would be the one to beat," she said. "Full credit to her. She's the best competitor here and she's a deserved world champion. It's a fantastic launching pad for her career."
Atherton, who claimed a major scalp in the quarter-finals when she defeated Stephanie Gilmore, showed signs of disappointment but was still very pleased with her result. The experience was a learning curve and she will no doubt be back in winner's circles very soon.
"I'm happy but at the same time a bit disappointed," said Atherton. "To take out someone of the likes of Stephanie Gilmore and then not win was a downer but really to get this result is all good. It was a great learning experience for me. It was the first time I'd surfed in a format like that of the world championship tour. You have to lose sometimes before you can win."
It's hoped the boy's division can be completed later today.
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