Sage Erickson Wins Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro

Sage Erickson (USA), 23, has won the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 6-Star Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro over Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), 18, in one-to-three-foot waves at Oceanside Pier. The annual event is an opportunity for big points earnings on the ASP Qualification Series (QS).

Erickson took an early lead in the Final, but Weston-Webb quickly overtook the Californian, holding the lead throughout the majority of the heat. Erickson answered back, delivering a big backhand snap of a left set wave for a 6.83 and her second career Supergirl Pro victory.

“Winning this event is an amazing experience,” Erickson said. “Congratulations to Tatiana [Weston-Webb]; she's been ripping the whole event and I knew going into it that she was looking really sharp. Somehow I got sent that left and gave it everything I had. I'm over the moon and so excited to be in this position.

“Being down here and seeing all of the young faces and the young girls, that's what really matters to me,” continued Erickson. “It helps me remember why I started and it helps motivate me even if I don't win the event.”

Erickson, a former ASP World Championship Tour (WCT) surfer, entered the event ranked No. 6 on the QS. The points she scored with her Supergirl Pro victory places the regular-footer in excellent position to requalify for the 2015 elite roster.

“This year's been kind of 50-50 for me on the QS,” Erickson said. “I've had two thirds and two not-so-good results. Getting this win is huge and I think I'm going to have a lot of confidence going into Europe and I love being there. This is a huge event for me personally and also points- and ratings-wise.”

Weston-Webb delivered some serious ripping and tearing in the small Oceanside conditions, delivering electric combinations on both her forehand and backhand. The second-place finish marks the first QS final of the Kauaian's career.

“I'm really happy to get a result, but I obviously wanted a win being my first QS Final,” she said. “It would have been really good for me to take it out. Hopefully I can win one, it's my goal and hopefully I can qualify for the tour.”

Weston-Webb, a women's injury replacement on the WCT, fell one spot shy of officially joining the elite Top 17 this season and hopes her final performance propels her to a spot on the WCT next season.

“I really wanted a good result going into Europe,” Weston-Webb said. “There are so many good girls that compete in those events and I'll probably have a lot more confidence.”

Silvana Lima (BRA), 30, current No. 1 on the ASP QS, started strong on the final day of competition, launching a solid air-reverse for a 9.80 in Round 6 while posting a 17.73 heat total. The Brazilian's scores marked the highest of the event, but Lima was unable to find any substantial scores in the Semifinals, finishing equal third overall.

“I felt good all morning and would have liked to make the final, but conditions were hard with the low tide and I couldn't find the waves,” Lima said. “A Semifinals finish is still a good result though, and hopefully I can continue in Europe.”

Coco Ho (HAW), 23, current No. 10 on the WCT, was a standout throughout the the Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro, navigating her way through each round with convincing heat wins. Ho battled fellow Hawaiian Weston-Webb in the Semifinals, eventually finishing third overall.

“It would have been nice to make the Final, but congrats to Tatiana,” Ho said. “It's good to post another result after the win in Cabo and hopefully I can carry the momentum into the back half of the year.”