Source: Andrea Carrera – National Surfing Federation - www.surfingperu.com.pe

Peru obtains two Bronze Medals

Press release sent on August 8, 2009
After an arduous week of competition and hard work, the Peruvian team obtained two Bronze Medals at the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games, that finished today in Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica.

After seven long days, the Peruvian athletes proved that they had the potential to obtain a well-deserved medal.  Gabriel Aramburu, Javier Swayne, Anali Gomes, Sofía Mulanovich, Gabriel Villarán, Matías Mulanovich, Piccolo Clemente and Tamil Martino worked together the entire week and achieved great results at the Aloha Cup, where this dream-team managed to step onto the podium for the Bronze.  They were the only Latin American representatives in the final.

Overall, Villarán and Sofia Mulanovich were the best Latin American athletes in the world championship.  The world-famous and much admired Sofia went into the water prepared to win a medal.  However, a bad heat placed her fifth in the event. This didn’t stop her from being cheered on by the Latin Americans and the whole Peruvian team. Gabriel Villaran stepped onto the podium holding the Peruvian flag in his arms to receive the Bronze Medal after obtaining the 3rd place in the championship among the best surfers in the world.

Finally, with everyone’s good performance and fighting spirit, Peru was placed in 6th place among 35 countries, the best Latin American team.

Juninho Urcia wins in three divisions during 3rd Event of the National Tour

Showing excellent physical and mental preparedness, Juninho Urcia won in the Open, Under-16 and Under-14 categories, and added another 10 points to his resume due to the highest wave in the event and 2009 Circuit.

The last day of the competition of the third event of the National Surf Tour in Huanchaco, Trujillo, ended with a perfect finale: the triumph of the young and local 13-year-old surfer Juninho Urcia, in the three categories in which he competed.

Juninho showed great physical prowess during the whole event and in the last day won the praise of the entire crowd, since as soon as he finished one competition, he prepared himself for the next fight.  He advanced bit by bit in all his series in the Open, Under 16 and Under 14 categories, reaching the finals in all three.  He surprised everyone when he came in first in the last two, but the hardest one was getting nearer: the Open Men final.

At the crucial stage of the event, the best four surfers made their entry into the water.  During those twenty-five minutes, the paradisiacal beach never ceased to pump strong and perfect waves.  The first maneuvers were scored by Gonzalo Velasco and Piero Delucchi, placing them in the first places. After 10 minutes, the local Urcia found a wave on the point, carried out a bottom turn, then three solid maneuvers with control, and obtained a 6.67 which put him in first place.

Juninho was the picture of calm since he knew his beach and knew that paddling up to the spot could cost him dearly, something all the others didn’t know as they fought against the strong currents.  Thus, he chose to leave the water and run to his entry point.  Undoubtedly, his deep knowledge of the beach helped him, since in those moments none of the competitors took a wave.  Urcia positioned himself on the point, waited for the set, and took off on a wave that gave him a score of 5.77 placing him firmly in first place.

Gonzalo Velasco, Sebastian Rios and Piero Delucchi did not manage to beat his score and were placed second, third and fourth, respectively.  At the awards ceremony, the three congratulated Juninho for his fighting spirit and the physical condition shown during the entire competition, in addition to his skill and maneuvers in the Open finals.  Urcia commented he was very happy with his triumph: “To win at home and in the Open division especially, has been the best.  Everyone surfed quite well and I cannot believe I have won the Open”.  Juninho thanked his family, sponsors and all the people of Huanchaco for their support.

Waiting Period of the “Quiksilver Pro Ripley Cup/La Herradura 2009” Open

Quiksilver announced the launching of the waiting period of the Quiksilver Pro La Herradura Invitational 2009, considered a Peruvian surfing classic.  This time, the Quiksilver Pro will take place between the months of August and October in the classic waves of La Herradura.

The objective is to increase awareness for the care of our reefs after La Herradura was threatened in 2004 by a real-estate project that would have caused the disappearance of one of the best waves in South America.  Quiksilver invited the best national surfers to compete for the USD$7,000 award. “Let’s Save La Herradura”.

The event is subject to a waiting period, i.e. the exact competition date is subject to the sea conditions.  When the surf forecast is favorable, a one-week warning will go out and the go-ahead will be given for the fifth Quiksilver Pro La Herradura 2009, Ripley Cup.

This year’s championship has the support of Ripley Department Store, Roxy and Red Bull, who have backed this event ever since its first edition, betting on the future of this sport in our country and supporting the preservation of our beaches and nature.

Source: Carlos Ruiz Luque / Quiksilver – Peru

About the International Surfing Association (ISA)
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for Surfing. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964 and the Junior World Championships since 1980.

ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of over 50 countries on six continents. Its headquarters are located in La Jolla, California. It is presided by Fernando Aguerre, first elected in 1994 in Rio, and re-elected six times since. The ISA's four Vice Presidents are Alan Atkins (Australia), Robin de Kock (South Africa), Mike Gerard (USA) and Karín Sierralta (Peru).

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