LOBITOS, Piura / Peru (Friday, Jul 27, 2012) – Displaying all of her local knowledge, 2004 ASP Women’s World Champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER) was the standout performer on Friday at the ASP 6-Star Movistar Women’s Pro presented by Rip Curl and Petrolera Sapet. Waves in the 3-4 foot range (1-1.5 meters) were on hand at the lefthand pointbreak of Lobitos, in northern Peru. Mulanovich scored the event’s highest heat total so far with a 16.50 (out of a possible 20) on her two best rides. By being the only South American surfer to reach the QuarterFinals, Mulanovich clinched the 2012 ASP South America Women’s championship.
?I’m so happy to be competing here at home,? declared Sofia Mulanovich. ?It’s such an incredible feeling to surf in front of this crowd and I just want to do my best for them. I’m feeling well, without any pressure and I can always count on the energy I get from my dear friend Makki Block (who passed away on Thursday), who sent me good waves during my heats. I’m stoked to have made it into the Quarterfinals and have the support of these wonderful Peruvian fans.?
The 2012 Movistar Women’s Pro is crucial in terms of ASP Women’s Star rankings and will be decisive in who will be moving up onto the 2013 Women’s Tour. By qualifying into the Quarterfinals, Philippa Anderson (AUS) moved up to 15th place on the ASP Women’s World ranking and closer to attaining the Top 6 surfers who reach the elite level.
?I’m very happy to have qualified along with Sofia (Mulanovich), who is loved in her country and is surfing so well here,? said Philippa Anderson. ?I’m also happy because this is my best result so far this year. It’s my first time in Peru and I love competing on these perfect waves. I hope to keep advancing because conditions are great and I’m feeling very comfortable.?
By making it into the Quarterfinals, Sage Erickson (USA) moved up to 4th place on the ASP Women’s Star ranking, which is led by Courtney Conlogue (USA).
?This is my first time here in Lobitos and I love it,? said Sage Erickson. ?The city is very friendly and the waves are excellent, which are ideal for high-performance surfing. Peru is known as ‘The Land of Lefts’ and I’m really impressed by the potential of the waves here. The points from this event are really important for me and from here on out I want to concentrate as much as possible on making it to the Finals.?
There is a 9am call (local time) to begin the final day of competition at the 2012 Movistar Women’s Pro. Heat 1 of the Quarterfinals will see Sofia Mulanovich (PER) against Felicity Palmateer (AUS) and is broadcast live at: http://www.aspsouthamerica.com.br/
The 2012 ASP Movistar Women’s Pro is presented by Rip Curl and Petrolera Sapet and is brought to you by Nosotras, Sony, Powerade, Tasa, Alojamiento Peru Hosting, Barena, Star Peru, Burn, Ron Cartavio, San Jose Rent a Car, Tablas Wayo Whilar, Xtreme Fujita Japan, Cirujano Roberto Valdivia, Mapfre Seguros and Estructuras Aro.
QUARTER-FINALS – MOVISTAR WOMEN´S PRO 2012:
Heat 1: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) vs Felicity Palmateer (AUS) Heat 2: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) vs Philippa Anderson (AUS) Heat 3: Sage Erickson (USA) vs Alana Blanchard (HAW) Heat 4: Rebecca Woods (AUS) vs Sarah Baum (ZAF)
