Mitch Coleborn, winner of the Quiksilver Saquarema Prime.
SAQUAREMA, Rio de Janeiro / Brazil (Sunday, May, 26, 2013) - Rippable waves in the 3-5 foot range (1-1.5 meters) were on hand at Itauna Beach, Rio de Janeiro as Mitchel Coleborn (AUS), 26, earned his first career ASP victory by defeating Marc Lacomare (FRA), 22, by a score of 17.60 to 15.67 in the Final on Sunday at the Quiksilver Saquarema Prime presented by Coca-Cola in Brazil.
With his result today, Coleborn earned U$ 40,000 in prize money and 6,500 points to catapult him up to number 14 on the ASP World Ranking. At the Sunday, there were still plenty of high scoring waves throughout the day that included some long barrels, big turns and even a 10-point ride of the Lacomare in final heat.
Mitchel Coleborn showed a consistent performance throughout the entire event by executing fluid carves, big hacks and backed it up by taking out Dion Atkinson (AUS), 27, in the Quarterfinals, local favorite Raoni Monteiro (BRA), 31, in the Semifinals. Marc Lacomare beat Gabriel Medina, 19, in other Semifinal and Aritz Aranburu (EUK), 27, on the last day of the Quiksilver Saquarema Prime.
“I knew it was going to be a difficult heat, but I just tried to stick to my strategy and find the best waves,” said Mitchel Coleborn. “It was crazy because Marc (Lacomare) got a 10 right at the end and I couldn’t believe it! I got really nervous, but he still needed to get another good score and no other waves came through. I’m just so happy that everything worked out. It was an amazing week here, the waves were great and I’m stoked with the win.”
By obtaining a 2nd place finish, Lacomare also jumped into 21st place on the ASP World Ranking and is accumulating valuable points for qualification onto the WCT in 2014. “Even though I didn’t win, I’m very happy with my result,” said Marc Lacomare. “I was exhausted for the Final, but I still got that 10 on an incredible wave. I just wanted to thank everybody here. It was a great week with amazing waves and I’ll definitely be leaving Saquarema with good memories.”
The beach at Itauna was packed with people to cheer on hometown surfer Raoni Monteiro (BRA), who did not perform up to expectations after a recent injury, but still received a standing ovation after being eliminated in the Semifinals.
“For me it was a victory just getting to the Semifinals at home with everybody cheering me on and sending a positive vibe to get to the Finals,” said Raoni Monteiro. “Two years ago I got a 2nd place finish here and this year I fought hard for the win even though I hurt my back yesterday (Saturday). But Mitch (Coleborn) caught the best waves and so he deserved the win.”
Monteiro also improved his ASP World Ranking by climbing up to number 15 and hopes to continue his success at the upcoming WCT events in Fiji and Indonesia.
“Yeah, I already got an e-mail telling me to get my big boards and even my vest ready because it’s supposed to be huge in Fiji again,” continued Monteiro. “I just want to go big and I hope I don’t get injured again. I need to remain consistent with my results because I’ve been fighting injuries for the past three or four years. I hurt my knee, then my ankle, then my knee again and now my back. But I just try to focus on my objectives and know that all of the hard work will payoff.”
The Quiksilver Saquarema Prime presented by Coca-Cola is produced by Adding Sports and sponsored by the State of Rio de Janeiro, Peugeot and the City of Saquarema. With additional support provided by the Peugeot Montreal Dealership, CCS Via Lagos, the Rio de Janeiro State Surfing Federation (FESERJ), and the Brazilian Association of Surfing Professionals (ABRASP). The event is approved by the ASP South America as the second ASP Prime event of 2013 and will be transmitted live on the internet: www.quiksilver.com.br/primesaquarema13
