SURIGAO CITY (MindaNews/18 June) – A surfer from Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte captured the championship crown of the women’s division in the Quicksilver International West Java Open held at Cimaja Beach on Sunday.
Nilbie Blancada, 19, who hails from General Luna town in Siargao Island, outclassed 16 surfers from Taiwan, USA, Thailand and Indonesia.
The lone lass from the country did not hesitate attacking the waves of Cimaja, impressing the judges right from the start of the game.
Blancada earned the highest score in the single wave in the early round, chalking up 8.
0 points out of possible 10.0 points.
She entered the final round by beating Indonesia’s Nadia Anderson and Yasnyiar Gea in the semi-finals.
Taiwan’s Jessie Hong, who also earned a ticket to the finals, trailed behind her in the semi-final round.
Blancada continued her aggressive onslaught in the final heat defeating last year’s champion Iis Trisnawati of Jabar, Indonesia who settled for the 4th spot.
Another Indonesian, Aysia Doig of Bali, placed second, while Hong finished third.
Blancada garnered an average score of 14.75 out of a possible 20.
“This is my first time to compete out of the country, I’m happy was able to play with the best surfing players and glad that I won,” she told MindaNews.
“It was really tough, the waves are a little bit tricky but I managed it all,” she added.
Early last month, Blancada also won the International Women’s Surfing Competition held in Cloud Nine, General Luna.
Meanwhile, compatriot Luke Ladringan placed second in the Long Board Division in Quicksilver Open West Java which also ended last Sunday in Cimaja Beach. (Roel N. Catoto/MindaNews)
