Viva Peru
There's a tradition in surfing of carrying the competitor up from the water after a big win. It's borrowed from other sports and it's about national pride — when Mick wins, all the Aussies on the beach shoulder him, same with the Brazos, Americans, and so on.
When Sofia Mulanovich edged out Stephanie Gilmore at the Movistar Peru Classic
presented by Rip Curl today, the question wasn't who was going to carry her up, but who wasn't.
You see, Peruvians are pretty rabid about ol' Sofia. She's a national hero. The only surfer from Peru on tour, she's been a star since the late 90s, but after winning the world title in 2004, she's quite a big deal in such a small (but proud) country. And Sophia's
countrymen and women were out en force supporting her through this whole event.
Mulanovich came back from a nasty spill on Saturday in prime form, taking it to current champ and point leader, Gilmore.
The ladies had some extremely fun looking three to four-foot lefts throughout this event. A few of the girls even slipped into peeling barrels. You can watch the highlight videos here. On that powerful backhand attack, Mulanovich beat out Sally Fitzgibbons, and Gilmore fended off red-hot Cocoa Ho in the semis.
This ASP press release quote from Gilmore said it all:
"Obviously I was looking for another win. But in a way, it is pretty special to see Sofia win, like, it is crazy. There are thousands of people on the beach here in the middle of nowhere, it is just phenomenal."
The final was insanely close at 15 to 14.74. Mulanovich hasn't had her best season, but this win moves her up to third place
, in spitting distance of #2 Silvana Lima.
"It doesn't even feel real that this is happening right now," Mulanovich said. "I have wanted to win this event for so long, and have always been disappointed. To do it here, in front of my friends and family and in good waves at Lobitos is a dream come true. Viva Peru!"
It also means that not only with the men have a title fight in Hawaii, but so will the ladies.
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