Steinriede Celebrates Birthday By Winning 2011 Roxy Pro Longboard Biarritz

Lindsay Steinriede won the Roxy Pro longboard event at la Cote des Basques in Biarritz, celebrating her 28th birthday to its utmost and defeating fellow finalist and two-time ASP Women’s World Longboard champion Jennifer Smith.

Lindsay Steinriede was unstoppable throughout the final day of the 2011 Roxy Pro Longboard in Biarritz and managed to net the Roxy Pro’s highest wave score of 8.65 out of a possible 10, en route to victory, her career’s best result.

"It feels amazing, I don’t think it has really set in yet and it is slowly starting to," said Lindsay Steinriede. "Champagne in the face kind of wakes you up more. I think I am still in shock right now."

Steinriede left no chance for competitor Jennifer Smith to catch-up after posting a score of 7.5 points half-way through the final. She had been on a roll since the early morning in Biarritz, posting two of the event’s highest heat results. Adapting to deteriorating surf as the day progressed, the Roxy Pro champion unleashed a mix of classic and progressive style.

"I started out with such a hard heat in my quarter-final so I knew that I had to be on top of my game and just do what I can," said Steinriede. "Smith is always someone hard to beat in the final or in any heat."

Placing runner-up in the Roxy Pro, this year’s first women’s world longboard title event, Jennifer Smith suffered from the conditions in the final, not finding the appropriate set waves to stay in reach of a third Roxy Pro event crowning.

"I had no pressure, at least not any more than in my past finals here but the waves turned off and it wasn’t easy," Smith said. "I am so proud of Lindsay (Steinriede), she deserves to win after getting such good scores the whole event."

In her third final in six years attending the Roxy Pro, Jennifer Smith had to settle for 2nd place. Her local expertise was clearly not enough to counter Steinriede’s wave-magnet status.

"I agreed to get the final going but the waves were just too hard to catch and score," Smith said. "I am super happy for Lindsay, will be looking forward at competing in the next event and try and win the thing for sure."

17-year-old underdog Ophelie Ah-Kouen and longtime favorite Kassia Meador lost to Steinriede and Smith respectively and placed an equal 3rd.

The ASP Women’s World Longboard Top 32 will do battle in the final event next October in China, a premiere in the ASP history.