LW Mag LW Magazine
Waves in the 2-3 foot range (1 meter) were on offer for the final day (Saturday 28 July) of the ASP 6-Star Movistar Women’s Pro presented by Rip Curl and Petrolera Sapet at the lefthand point break of Lobitos, in Piura, Peru. Bianca Buitendag, 18, (ZAF) defeated Alana Blanchard, 22, (HAW), by displaying a powerful frontside attack to clinch victory and win U$ 8,000 in prize money and 3,500 points, moving her up to 5th place on the ASP Women’s World Star rankings. Six surfers on the ASP World Star ratings qualify for the top 17 ASP Women’s Tour.
Fellow South African surfer Sarah Baum (Athlone Park, KZN) finished third overall after being eliminated in her semi-final clash against Blanchard. Baum pocketed US$1,900 and 2080 rating points.
Bianca Buitendag scored a heat total of 15.00 points (out of a possible 20) by scoring a 7.0 and an 8.0 on her two best rides over Blanchard’s total of 12.90 for her two highest scoring waves (7.9 and 5.0). Buitendag sealed victory by catching a long lefthander where she showcased an impressive variety of snaps, cutbacks and roundhouses.
“I feel really emotional and very happy with my victory,” said Roxy team surfer Bianca Buitendag. “I never thought that I would make it past the Quarter-Finals, let alone past Sofia (Mulanovich) in the Semi-Finals. So to make it to the Finals and win the contest is such an incredible feeling. Alana (Blanchard) surfed really well and the waves were excellent throughout the whole week. This is the most important moment for me in my early career.”
Buitendag’s path to the Finals at the Movistar Women’s Pro was filled with obstacles. She defeated Philippa Anderson (AUS), 20, in the Quarter-Finals and then proceeded to take out the event favorite, 2004 ASP Women’s Tour champion, Sofia Mulanovich (PER) in the semi-final.
“It was an excellent contest with good waves all week and I’d like to thank the Peruvian fans for all of the support they showed me,” said Mulanovich. “Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it to the Finals, but congratulations to Bianca (Buitendag) who surfed well during the whole contest and deserved to be in the Finals. I’m sure that this 3rd place finish gives me some good ASP Star ranking points and now it’s time to start thinking about the event next week at Huntington Beach.”
The Movistar Women’s Pro was event number 6 (out of 11) on the 2012 ASP Women’s World Series.
MOVISTAR WOMEN´S PRO FINAL RESULT:
1st – Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) – 15.00 (8.0+7.0) – US$ 8,000 and 3.500 points
2nd – Alana Blanchard (HAW) – 12.90 (7.9+5.0) – US$ 4,000 and 2.640 points
MOVISTAR WOMEN´S PRO SEMI-FINALS RESULTS – 3th place – US$ 1,900 and 2.080 points:
SF 1: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 16.25 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 15.50
SF 2: Alana Blanchard (HAW) 13.95 def. Sarah Baum (ZAF) 11.40
MOVISTAR WOMEN´S PRO QUARTER-FINALS RESULTS – 5th place – US$ 1,100 and 1.560 points:
QF 1: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 16.15 def. Felicity Palmateer (AUS) 7.65
QF 2: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 12.60 def. Philippa Anderson (AUS) 8.76
QF 3: Alana Blanchard (HAW) 14.80 def. Sage Erickson (USA) 13.60
QF 4: Sarah Baum (ZAF) 12.50 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 10.90
CURRENT ASP WOMEN´S WORLD RANKING – TOP 10 (After Movistar Women´s Pro):
01: Courtney Conlogue (USA) – 9.730 points
02: Malia Manuel (HAW) – 8.280
03: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) – 7.000
04: Sage Erickson (USA) – 6.750
05: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) – 6.663
06: Rebecca Woods (AUS) – 6.530
07: Pauline Ado (FRA) – 5.980
08: Paige Hareb (NZL) – 5.910
09: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) – 5.640
10: Alana Blanchard (HAW) – 5.400
