By Chris Nicholls

GOLD COAST: Peruvian Sofia Mulanovich has won the Roxy Pro surf tournament sponsored by LG at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast, defeating Australian Samantha Cornish in the final by a large margin.

Mulanovich scored almost a full 10 points higher than her local rival, with a final wave tally of 17.34 to Cornish’s 7.84.

The Roxy Pro is the opening event on the ASP Women’s World Tour, which means Mulanovich is now number one on the 2008 rankings.

LG used the event, which runs alongside the men’s Quiksilver Pro, to promote its new Viewty mobile phone, with a promotional display set up for spectators to try the phone and take photos with their heroes, and footage captured on its five megapixel still camera and slow-motion-capable video camera.

The footage from the event was projected on large LG-branded screens.

Spectators also got the chance to enter a competition to win a trip around the world.

Carli Wilson, LG Electronics Mobile Communications marketing manager, said the sponsorship aimed to give the brand a greater youth presence. 

“LG is thrilled to be involved with the Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Pro. This partnership allows LG to connect directly with today’s tech savvy, active, young market – a significant and growing segment of the mobile phone market,” she said.

The sponsorship follows LG’s promotions in AFL and Rugby League, with sponsorship of the Fremantle Dockers Football Club and Cronulla Sharks NRL club.