Rip Curl Pro Trials Bells Beach 50th 2011

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/Australia (Monday, April 18, 2011); Epic surf conditions are predicted for the 50th anniversary of the Rip Curl Pro presented by Ford Ranger at Bells Beach this Easter. The Rip Curl Pro for both the men's and women's have been starved of great surf in recent years, but this years forecast is looking extremely promising with competition expected to commence as early as tomorrow.

Ten-time world champion Kelly Slater (USA) is a four-time past winner of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach - 1994, 2006, 2008, 2010. Despite his experience, the defending event champion said, he will not be underestimating his round one opponent Rip Curl Pro Trials winner Adam Robertson (Vic). Twenty-eight year-old Robertson is a proven performer at Bells Beach having finished runner-up to Joel Parkinson (Aus) in 2009.

Mick Fanning (AUS), 29, former two-time ASP World Champion (2007, 2009) and last year's Runner-Up at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, opened up his 2011 campaign with an uncharacteristic 13th place on the Gold Coast but will look to rectify his slow start with a solid result at Bells Beach.

Fanning said he has put his frustrating result in the opening event behind him and is looking forward to competing in good conditions.

Fanning has drawn Rip Curl wildcard Gabriel Medina (BRZ) and Tiago Pires (PRT). Brazilian wonderkid

With a fresh crop of talent injected into the ASP Top 17 over the past two seasons, this year's ASP Women's World Title race is shaping up to be one of the most hotly contested on record.

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 23, reigning four-time ASP Women's World Champion and defending Rip Curl Women's Pro Bells Beach winner, suffered an uncharacteristic Quarterfinal loss in the opening event of the season on the Gold Coast, relinquishing her ASP World No. 1 spot for the first time September of 2008.

But today the three-time Rip Curl Women's Pro Bells Beach (2007, 2008, 2010), champion looked confident as did top seed Carissa Moore (Haw). Eighteen year-old Moore who won the opening event said she feels more relaxed this year having found her rhythm on tour.

For the latest forecast, go to coastalwatch.com, the official surf forecaster of the Rip Curl Pro presented by FORD.

Staying connected with the 2011 Rip Curl Pro is easy, with a live webcast @ live.ripcurl.com and live TV broadcasts on Fuel TV in Australia, ESPN Brasil and Time Warner Cable in Hawaii.

The Rip Curl Pro is presented by FORD with partners the Victorian Government, Surfing Victoria, Virgin Blue, Telstra, Nature Valley, Ozmosis, Tooheys Extra Dry, Jim Beam, Sea-Doo, Tracks, Fuel TV, Power Balance, Skullcandy, Surf Coast Shire, CO2 and official forecaster Coastalwatch.