“I can’t believe we are finally here,” said Elyse Taylor. “It’s been such an exciting build up to get to this moment it’s so great to now see it all about to happen. The girls are all brilliant – they all seem to have a real fun O’Neill spirit and I think everyone is now just counting down until tomorrow evening for the catwalk.”

Tomorrow at 6pm local time, the girls will be wearing the new O’Neill Superkini – the only bikini that will stick with you no matter what the water throws your way – as they jump the few meters off the cliff at the end of the catwalk and into the sea.

Underwater cameramen and photographers will be capturing all the action as it is broadcast live on a big screen for the hundreds that are geared up to line the beach in the bay of Cala Bassa.

Each girl will have one chance to walk along the cliff top, and jump into the water to show that she is a model with a difference. The prize is to star in the O’Neill 2012 campaign as well as win a modelling contract with Next Model Management.

The 12 girls will be judged by supermodel, Elyse Taylor, O’Neill professional surfer, Raine Jackson, O’Neill Female Brand Manager, Carla Eikenaar, Next Model Management Women’s Booker, Grace Puc and Company Magazine editor Victoria White.

“We are looking for girls who not only look good on the runway, but also have that O’Neill spirit,” said Carla Eikenaar about choosing the winner. “It’s about getting up there, jumping into the water and having a lot of fun.”

The catwalk will take place at 6pm local time on the stunning beach of Cala Bassa where the 12 girls will walk the runway built into the cliff and jump off the end into the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean wearing the O’Neill Superkini – the bikini that, thankfully, sticks to you.

http://www.facebook.com/oneillgirls

After 6 weeks, and an incredible 2000+ entries and a frankly mind-blowing 30,000+ votes, the public voting stage of the O’Neill One Way Runway model search has come to an end.

And we’re delighted to announce that Sophie Jaspers, 19, from Belgium has won the public vote with a phenomenal 1,958 votes to her name. Valentina Valente, 21, from Portugal was hot on her heels with an impressive 1,615 votes, while Stevie Breese, 18, from Australia did the southern hemisphere proud by clinching third place with 1,444 votes.

As the top three vote-winners, the three girls will be flown out to Ibiza, Cala Bassa on the 9th of June, where they will put not only themselves but also the Superkini to the ultimate test by strutting their stuff down the One Way Runway before leaping off a cliff into the sea below.

An elated Sophie Jaspers said: “This is a dream come true! I’ve always said I have a head for heights, and now I can’t wait to go to Ibiza! No matter who wins, just making it to the next stage of the competition is more than I ever expected – I’m sure it’s going to be a great experience and for sure one that I’ll never forget!”

Sophie, Valentina and Stevie will also be joined in Ibiza for the final showdown by nine other aspiring models, each one hand-picked by our expert panel of judges including Australian supermodel Elyse Taylor, professional surfer Raine Jackson and reps from Next Model Management, plus UK Company magazine Editor Victoria White.

Former Victoria’s Secret model and current Face of O’Neill, Elyse Taylor, said: “Wow! Selecting just nine girls from all those entries we received was so tough! The fact we received so many tells you all you need to know about how awesome this prize is: a one-year contract with Next Model Management, plus a starring role in the O’Neill Spring/Summer 2012 campaign! Good luck to all 12 girls, and see you in Ibiza!”

Carla Eikenaar, O’Neill Brand Manager Women, said: “A big thank you not only to everyone who entered the competition, but also to everyone who voted. We’re all really excited about seeing how the girls and the Superkini perform in Ibiza when the pressure is on – stay tuned to find out what happens next!”

O’NEILL ONE WAY RUNWAY – AS VOTED FOR BY THE PUBLIC:
1. SOPHIE JASPERS (BE)
2. VALENTINA VALENTE (PT)
3. STEVIE BREEZE (AU)

AND THE CHOSEN NINE JOINING THEM IN IBIZA (alphabetical order):
ALICE IVAN (USA)
AURORE MORISSE (BE)
JENNIFER VAN DER TOORN (NL) – ELLE’S PICK
KARYCIA IGLESIAS (ES)
NATASHA FOOTMAN (GB)
SARAH EBSTEIN (FR)
SOPHIE FERCH (DE)
TATJANA MAUL (NL)
ZUZANKA SOJKOVA (CZ

Fancy yourself as the new Kate Moss or Erin Wasson? Animal are looking for a model for their fashion shoot, so if you think you’ve got the beach babe look let them know. Click here for details on how to enter.