Images: Nilton Santos
The Billabong Girls Pro Itacare WCT is set to kick off today, but Aussie Nicola Atherton was triumphant at the WQS event held over the weekend. She beat Silvana Lima, Sofia Mulanovich, and Amee Donohoe, all top 10 ranked WCT surfers, in the final. As well as tour points, which pushed her into 9th place in the WQS rankings, Atherton was granted the wildcard entry into the upcoming WCT event. "I am absolutely ecstatic", said Atherton, "I didn’t actually know about the wildcard spot until yesterday, so I hadn’t been thinking about it. To be competing in the Billabong Women’s World Tour event here in Itacare is just a really good feeling."
Layne Beachley, last year's Billabong Pro winner and current world champion, has returned to Brazil to defend her title. She faces Megan Abubo and Rochelle Ballard in the first round. Nicola Atherton will surf against Boardmasters winner Jacqueline Silva and Chelsea Hedges.
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