FOUR DECADES ON, VIERRA LIFTS YOSHIDA BACK TO WORLD CHAMP STATUS |
| HONOLULU - (August 25, 2007) - The script for today's final of the ISA World Title of Tandem Surfing presented by Tsunami's Waikiki could not have been written any better. Forty years after winning her first international title, Kauai's Blanche Yoshida, 54, and her rookie team partner Kalani Vierra, 41, lay claim to the crown again today. It was no cake walk, having to get past reigning world tandem champions Brian Keaulana/Kathy Terada (Makaha, HI), Honolulu star couple Chuck Inman/Tiffany Rabacal, and a brilliant California pair in Caleb Wilborn/Wendy Lynn. Nor could the win have occurred at a more symbolic time and place: at Waikiki, the birthplace of tandem surfing, and as part of the Duke's OceanFest, in honor of Duke Kahanamoku, who was the pioneer of tandem surfing. Second place went to Inman and Rabacal, who are a new couple to the competition this year. Third place was outgoing world champions Keaulana and Terada, and fourth was the impressive Californians Wilborn and Lynn.  Above: The top three tandem teams in today's final of the ISA World Title of Tandem Surfing presented by Tsunami's Waikiki, ride the last wave to shore. From left to right: 3rd place recipients Brian Keaulana/Kathy Terade (red); world champion elect team Kalani Vierra/Blanche Yoshida (white shirt); 2nd place team Chuck Inman/Tiffany Rabacal (blue shirt). A year ago today, Yoshida made her way to Waikiki to watch the tandem competition. Before leaving she asked if someone might take her back out for one more ride and European champion Rico LeRoy offered. All it took was one wave to erase more than 30 years of being away from the waves. Blanche returned to Kauai, found Vierra, who had never tandem surfed before but was one of the island's most accomplished watermen, and the rest is history. "It feels even better than before," said Yoshida. "I never even dreamed this, so it's not even a dream come true. "I just can't even believe that after four decades I'm back, and it's because I've got such an awesome partner. "The guy I tandemed with a long time ago, like Kalani, was something special - he paddled canoe, he even was the first guy to do stand-up paddle out here at Waikiki - Leroy AhChoy. He was a true waterman. So I've been very fortunate to have two awesome guys to surf with and both of them brought me to be the world champion." Vierra was honored to share the experience with Yoshida, and also to win a world title at such an historically important venue, and in honor of the greatest waterman of all time. "I wish Duke was here and I could give him a big hug," said Vierra. "Last night in the hotel I was watching a story of him on TV. I want to be like him. Duke started tandem surfing here, so it's an honor just being here and being part of his festival." Despite winning this one-off world title today, there is no time to rest for the Kauai pair. Over the past nine months, since first picking up tandem surfing together, they have been competing on the World Tandem Surfing Tour - a four-event series that will conclude in Spain next month and crown its own champion team. Vierra and Yoshida are also leading that tour, but must eliminate the European champions - led by LeRoy, to claim the title. The man who brought Blanche back to tandem is now their main rival. "I hate to be greedy, but Kalani and I would love to have both titles," Blanche said with a wicked laugh. "The European champions are excellent. They're the local favorites and we're the underdogs, but that's OK. We're going, and we're going on a high. It's Rico's fault that he got me hooked!" The Contest Director for today's event, Bear Woznick, was ecstatic with the results. "All four teams were incredible," Woznick said. "We had some older, experienced tandem surfers and some younger, really talented surfers. Just like the man lifts up the woman in tandem surfing, one generation lifts up the next and the sport goes forward. We all have a lot to thank Rico LeRoy for. He was an Olympic decathlete who turned his hand to tandem surfing and has helped to make it what it is today." If today was any indication, the future of tandem surfing looks to be very bright. Thousands of spectators from around the world set up their towels along the shores of Waikiki Beach to watch the final and it was standing room only by the time all four teams returned to shore to a standing ovation. It was a "chicken skin" moment when the first, second and third-placed teams, all from Hawaii, rode the final wave to shore in mirror formation with the women standing on the shoulders of their board-steering men, all holding hands to the sand before enjoying an emotional group embrace. For those interested in finding out more about tandem surfing, visit www.itsatandem.com, or look for the local couples practicing at Waikiki every Sunday at 4 p.m. Aloha! For more information on Duke's OceanFest, please visit www.dukefoundation.org |
FINAL RANKING FOR THE 2007 ISA WORLD TITLE OF TANDEM SURFING
Congratulations to all of you...
1. Kalani and Blanche (HAW)
2. Chuck & Tiffany (HAW)
3. Brian & Kathy (HAW)
4. Caleb & Wendy (USA)
5. Archie & Jaime (HAW)
6. Clay & Kristen (USA)
7. Brian & Illa (USA)
8. Loic & Caroline (FRA)
