June 9, 2011. Ibiza, Spain – Dutch contestantTatjana Maul has won theO'Neill One Way Runway model search in Ibiza.
Tatjana wowed the judges not only with her naturalbeauty and model looks, but also with her playful and positive attitude as shewalked the catwalk built into the cliff at Cala Bassa beach before leaping intothe sea.
"I can't believe this whole experience," said Tajiana."At the moment it doesn't feel real. I think when I go back to Holland and takea breath I will realise how amazing these few days have been," she said. "Ijust can't believe I won!!!"
Tatjana will star in the Spring Summer 12 campaign forO'Neill and has also won a modeling contract with Next Model Management.
All 12 girls from around the world - chosen from thethousands who joined the competition on www.facebook.com/oneillgirls,put on a spectacular show in front of the hundreds gathered around the cliff forthe event.
However despite all the confidence and smiles on theRunway, there were a few nerves and fears amongst the girls.
I didn't tell anyone before,but I am actually scared of heights," said Tatjana. "However the one good thingwas I knew that the O'Neill Superkini was going to stick to me, which was quitea good thing considering there were cameramen under the water!"
Given the enthusiasm and excitement fromall the girls, it was a tough decision for the panel of judges who were sittingwatching the catwalk and cliff jump. Choosing the winner were supermodel, ElyseTaylor, O'Neill professional surfer, Raine Jackson, O'Neill Female BrandManager, Carla Eikenaar, Next Model Management Women's Booker, Grace Puc, andCompany Magazine editor Victoria White.
Victoria White.
"All the girls were amazing up theretoday," said Elyse Taylor. "They looked great, had so much energy and so manylaughs, and they had guts to jump off that runway."
"Tatjana is the perfect O'Neill girl,"said O'Neill Female Brand Manager, Carla Eikenaar. "She is the kind of girl whowill have fun no matter what she is doing, and she looked amazing up there onthe One Way Runway."
Although it was a competition – which started back inMarch on www.facebook.com/oneillgirls- the past three days has been focused on having fun.
"Of course we have all come here and wantto win," said German contestant Sophie Ferch. "But actually it has been so muchfun and I have had the best time hanging out with all of the girls, it hasbecome more about the whole experience. It's been amazing.
The finalists on the One Way Runway were(in alphabetical order):
ALICE IVAN (USA)
AURORE MORISSE (BE)
JENNIFER VAN DER TOORN (NL)
KARYCIA IGLESIAS (ES)
NATASHA FOOTMAN (GB)
SARAH EBSTEIN (FR)
SOPHIE FERCH (DE)
SOPHIE JASPERS (BE)
STEVIE BREEZE (AU)
TATJANA MAUL (NL)
TEREZKAPROUZOVA (CZ)
VALENTINA VALENTE (PT)